- Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez
Sunshine guaranteed on this south-facing plateau in the heart of the Grandes Rousses Massif. Known for its vertical drops and the longest piste in the world, its also a huge playground for intermediate skiers. - Arêches-Beaufort
Arêches-Beaufort
Authentic ski station in the Beaufortain region of the Alps. - AvoriazAvoriaz
High altitude ski-in ski-out and traffic-free resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area. Varied terrain for intermediates, plenty for advanced skiers and fantastic facilities for snowboarders. Lively nightlife. - Brides-les-BainsBrides-les-Bains
Situated in the Trois-Vallées (the world's biggest ski area), Brides-les-Bains offers great accommodation choices at low cost. - ChamrousseChamrousse
Popular family resort just 30km from Grenoble, offering plenty of fun on enjoyable varied terrain including substantial cross-country trails. - ComblouxCombloux
Known as the Portes du Mont Blanc it is part of the huge ski area known as Evasion Mont Blanc which includes Megève, Saint Gervais and Les Contamines-Montjoie. - CourmayeurCourmayeur
Courmayeur is included in the Chamonix Valley Unlimited lift pass and is a worthwhile day excursion from Chamonix or Les Houches. - Crest VolandCrest Voland
Part of the Espace Diamant ski area, currently one of the best kept secrets in the French Alps, with a wealth of varied terrain and great snow record, thanks to the nearby presence of Mont Blanc. - FlaineFlaine
Purpose built ski village high in the Grand Massif ski domain. - La ClusazLa Clusaz
Close to both Annecy and Geneva, this is a lively, traditional style village whose varied ski area has great natural beauty. - Le Grand BornandLe Grand Bornand
Traditional Savoyard skiing at the higher ski station at Le Chinaillon, coupled with authentic mountain charm in the main village.
- La Joue de LoupLa Joue de Loup
The Dévoluy lift-pass covers the combined ski areas of La Joue du Loup and SuperDévoluy. The skiing is relaxed, with the emphasis on blue-graded cruising in an area known for its sunny skies.
- La RosièreLa Rosière
Great family ski destination with a large choice of accommodation and sunny slopes. Experienced skiers cross the Franco-Italian border and ski the extensive terrain above La Thuile. - Les ArcsLes Arcs
Part of the massive Paradiski ski domain, Les Arcs offers something for every level of skier and activities for non-skiers. It also has the added bonus of being accessible by train. - Les CarrozLes Carroz
Les Carroz is in an exceptional location on a wide, sunny plateau to the west of the Grand Massif domain. - Les ContaminesLes Contamines
Les Contamines-Montjoie is tucked away at the end of a valley and is one of the Evasion Mont-Blanc resorts. Sadly, not linked by piste to the other stations but you can ski over to Hauteluce and enjoy remoteness and magnificent views. - Les Gets Les Gets
Les Gets is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area in the northern Alps. The resort enjoys safe intermediate territory among forested slopes and a sunny, mid-mountain beginners sector. The charming village centre has a lively atmosphere in the evenings. - Les HouchesLes Houches
Often overlooked by those dazzled by the lure of nearby Chamonix and Argentière, Les Houches is nevertheless a significant ski area in its own right, with tree-lined pistes and friendly atmosphere. - Les MenuiresLes Menuires
Skiing on this side of the Three Valleys will suit those looking for savings on accommodation whilst having access to what is billed as the World's Largest Ski Area. Nearby, authentic St-Martin de Belleville is worth exploring. - Les OrresLes Orres
Between Gap and Briançon in the Southern French Alps, and all but hidden from view above the vast Lac de Serre-Ponçon, Les Orres catches significant snowfalls. - Les SaisiesLes Saisies
Les Saisies is part of the Espace Diamant, currently one of the better-kept secrets in the French Alps, with a wealth of varied terrain and great snow record. Family skiers and mixed-ability groups with varied interests will have plenty of options here. - MegèveMegève
Although sited at a modest-sounding 1113m, the village often receives prodigious snowfalls, thanks to the nearby presence of Mont Blanc. Traditional, upmarket skiing experience with a range of premium services though plenty to entertain more modest budgets. - MéribelMéribel
Situated in the Trois-Vallées (the world's biggest ski area), this charming Alpine resort enjoys virtually unlimited skiing. - MontgenèvreMontgenèvre
Close to Briançon and Serre-Chevalier and beside the border with Italy in the southern French Alps, Montgenèvre offers good-value, quality skiing for all levels, plus an infectious cosmopolitan vibe. - OrcièresOrcières
Within the Ecrins National Park in the Southern French Alps, and readily accessible from the town of Gap, Orcières 1850 is a purpose-built ski village above the old village of Orcières 1450. - Orelle & Val ThorensOrelle & Val Thorens
High-speed gondola access to Val Thorens and the fabulous Three Valleys have really put this small village in the Maurienne valley on the map for keen, budget conscious skiers. - Oz-en-OisansOz-en-Oisans
Oz-en-Oisans offers rapid access to 250km of world class skiing above Alpe d'Huez from an attractive car-free snowy village. - Pra LoupPra Loup
The ski stations of Pra Loup and Val d'Allos, together known as l'Espace Lumière in the Southern French Alps. - Puy-Saint-VincentPuy-Saint-Vincent
Solid-value family skiing for most levels among particularly fine scenery in the Massif des Ecrins. There's a good range of accommodation options with mostly ski-in ski-out apartments. Six-day Galaxie ski pass allows a free day in nearby resorts. - RisoulRisoul
The Forêt-Blanche, home of Risoul 1850 and Vars, in the Southern French Alps. For value and sheer diversity of terrain this underrated ski area will take some beating. - Saint GervaisSaint Gervais
There's a wealth of colourful, retro-chic architecture in this quintessential upmarket winter sports town. - Sainte FoySainte Foy
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise has a reputation as being one for the experienced skier with superb off-piste skiing. We discovered a varied terrain with plenty for all levels. - SamoënsSamoëns
Samoëns combines extensive skiing with high quality accommodation for a discerning clientèle who appreciate the ambience of a traditional mountain village. - Serre ChevalierSerre Chevalier
Comprising four main centres: Briançon, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and spa-town Le Monêtier-les-Bains. Principal attractions are the traditional village ambiance of what remain authentic valley farming communities. - Val CenisVal Cenis
Popular family ski areas of Val Cenis and Bonneval in the French Alps, offer downhill and cross-country skiing and hosts the final stage of the annual Grande Odyssée dog-sledding competition. - Val d'AllosVal d'Allos
The ski stations of Val d'Allos and Pra Loup, together known as l'Espace Lumière in the Southern French Alps. - Val d'IsèreVal d'Isère
An internationally renowned ski resort, Val d'Isere is part of the Espace Killy ski area in the French Alps. - ValfréjusValfréjus
Valfrejus offers quality family skiing in one of the youngest ski resorts in the French Alps. A car-free ski holiday is made perfectly possible with short airport transfers or access via high speed train. Enjoy discounted skiing at other resorts nearby. - ValloireValloire
Recently re-branded as Galibier Thabor, the linked ski areas of Valloire and Valmeinier, located above the Maurienne Valley en-route for the legendary Col du Galibier, are easily accessible from the budget-flight destinations of Chambéry and Grenoble. - VarsVars
Vars enjoys international renown for its impressive freeride terrain and its purpose-built speed-skiing piste. It also offers extensive and varied intermediate terrain for all abilities. - VaujanyVaujany
Vaujany is a traditional mountain village with a big welcome. It's situated on the doorstep of the huge Grande Rousses ski area but is better value for accommodation than Alpe d'Huez and offers free extras such as covered parking and leisure activities. - Auvergne Resort Reviews
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Winter & SkiSki ReviewsAlps Resort Reviews
Franco-Italian skiing, anyone?
Ski from La Rosière over to La Thuile, in Italy's Aosta Valley
Resort Reviews
High above the Tarentaise Valley we visit this ever-popular ski resort and ski across the Franco-Italian border all the way to La Thuile in the Aosta Valley. Read our review and discover how you could enjoy truly epic skiing in the fabulous Espace San Bernardo. Read the feature.
Ski Big-Time in Alpe d’Huez
Something for everyone, with big vertical-drop and real distance
Resort Reviews
We finally got to visit Alpe d'Huez, in the Grandes Rousses massif, home of one of the epic mountain stages in the Tour de France. Our plan, though, included skiing Sarenne, the world's longest Black piste, and seeing the brand new Cristal de l'Alpe Résidence created by MGM Constructeur. Read the feature.
Vaujany: Close to Perfection?
Authentic village charm with creature comforts
Resort Reviews
Set in a secluded valley just 50km from Grenoble, Vaujany is one of a chain of villages linked to the world famous Grandes Rousses ski area centred on Alpe d'Huez. It has its own ski terrain with a reassuring novice area and entertaining intermediate runs but most skiers take the short cable car ride to access some serious mileage and those awe-inspiring vertical drops. Read the feature.
Avoriaz raises the bar
The Porte du Soleil's most radical ski resort gets a makeover
Resort Reviews
The unmistakable skyline has undergone a radical transformation frecently, attracting fresh attention to a rising star of the Portes du Soleil.
But what's it like to ski?
We went to find out the reality behind the hype. Read the feature.
Classic Portes du Soleil
We profile the well-connected Savoyard ski village of Les Gets
Resort Reviews
The chic and deservedly popular ski village of Les Gets sits close to the Franco-Swiss border. To its own varied pistes you can add those of the vast Portes du Soleil, creating near-limitless terrain for mile-hungry skiers. Find out why we think it's a real charmer. Read the feature.
Let loose in Chamrousse
You've been hearing about it, so we went and skied it for you
Resort Reviews
With heavy recent investment and a super-convenient location above Grenoble, Chamrousse seems to have a lot going for it.
UK ski operators love it, too – so we decided to see it, ski it and make up our own minds. Read the feature.
Orelle: ski Val Thorens & more
We test-drive backdoor access to the legendary Trois-Vallées
Resort Reviews
By thinking laterally (with more than a hint of vertical dropped into the mix) you can make worthwhile savings and still ski in Val Thorens and the Trois-Vallées. Now add doorstep high-speed rail access and Orelle suddenly sounds very interesting. We thought so, and went to the Maurienne Valley to test the concept for ourselves one particularly cold and frosty morning. Read the feature.
Les Menuires: newly-chic?
The Trois-Vallées Effect has been quietly injecting real style
Resort Reviews
It sits in the very heart of the vast Three-Valleys ski area, but its hard-edged skyline was never going to be to everyone's taste. Now more traditionally-styled Savoyard developments are making new converts – and the quality and extent of the skiing speaks for itself... Read the feature.
If we haven't skied it we don't review it - read our detailed independent French ski resort reviews.
"We really do visit and ski every location we review." Roger Moss, Editor.
So you can make the right choice of ski area for you, each resort review includes summaries of the location, the ski area, the village and who it's best suited to. We follow that with a full account of our experience visiting and skiing the resort. We give recommendations of where to stay, where to eat and other activities you might like to try along with all the usual facts and figues and useful links. More than half our reviews include information about Handiski at resorts adapted to welcome skiers with a disability.
Best Ski Resorts Near Geneva
Ski resorts for a short winter break
Winter Activities
During the winter months Geneva airport becomes one of the major hubs for skiers travelling to the French Alps. With so much skiing so easily accessible from Geneva, it is becoming more and more common for people to squeeze in a long ski weekend or short break. Feature by short break specialist SkiWeekender. Read the feature.
Best Ski Resorts Near Grenoble
Ski resorts for the perfect winter holiday
Winter Activities
Independent skier flights to Grenoble are boosted this year by the arrivel of Monarch Flights which is offering a regular cheap winter schedule with free ski carriage from Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds/Bradford and London Gatwick airports. We do a comparison of resorts within 2 hours drive from the airport to help you find your perfect ski holiday. Read the feature.
All About Ski Lifts
Winter Activities
In recent years high-speed lifts have not only added convenience – they’ve transformed the daily habits of a generation of skiers, who cram more runs into a day than ever before. We take a look at the technology behind ski-lifts from the humble drag-lift to the mighty gondola and more besides. Read the feature.
Where the pros' love to ski
Winter Activities
Graham Bell (pictured) and other pro skiers
talk about skiing their favourite French pistes.
We asked a group of ski professionals to tell us their own favourite ski runs in the French Alps. Some of their responses will surprise you.
“A joy - an undulating, modestly steep roller-coaster which seems to go for ever...."
Another says "on a brilliant, sunny day you can look around you and take in an incredible picture of the whole of the French Alps in all their beauty spread right before you!..." Read the feature.
Arrive in style on the ski train...
Enjoy extra days on the slopes and no surcharge for skis or boards with Eurostar Direct Ski Trains.
Book now!
Self-drive ski holidays in France
Travel to France by ferry and some of the best self drive skiing in the world. Enjoy the freedom of taking unlimited baggage and up to 9 people per car via .
Book your journey with P&O Ferries
Find a hotel
Booking a hotel has never been easier with accorhotels.com, Europe's largest hotel group.
Why pay for your skis?
Book tickets to Grenoble and take Monarch Flights to this undiscovered destination from Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham and London Gatwick. There are plenty of cheap flights available to help you get the most out of any holiday to Grenoble, whatever season you travel in.
Experience complete comfort on SWISS flights to Geneva and enjoy the added bonus of taking your skis at no extra cost.
Pick up and ski this winter
Forget about queuing for a bus at the airport, low cost car hire - with a ski rack if necessary, will get you to where you want to go with a minimum of fuss. Click below to take advantage of special offers.
