Early ski period November - December

France boasts a great variety of ski resorts for all kinds of tastes and abilities. In fact, you can think about taking a ski holiday at any time of the year, since many resorts enjoy delightful snowfall from late November until May.

Val d’Isere is famous as the host of the 1992 Winter Olympic competitions, and ranges amongst the “snow-sure" ski areas that welcome skiers from early November until early May. Snow cannons and glaciers are located at an altitude of over 3,000m, and are the best places to practice winter activities. Tignes and L’Espace Killy take up part of the same area, and offer 300km of pistes, as well as vast off-piste terrain. There are also superb opportunities for snowboarders to hit the half-pipe, free-riding and boarder-cross courses.

Exciting early skiing is also guaranteed in Val Thorens, which boasts the highest resort in Europe at a level of 2,200m in the Alps. The Péclet glacier provides perfect ski runs and panoramic views of the 3,000m peaks for a memorable experience 6 months a year. Reliable snow, efficient lift systems and splendid cuisine make this place very attractive for a winter holiday.

The best time to visit Pra Loup for a ski holiday is during the whole month of December until the beginning of January, the next suitable period being in February. The area consists of two villages, Pra Loup 1500 and Pra Loup 1600, very convenient for lodging and tourist trips. A sufficient number of slopes ensures a great time for skiers of all abilities – there are 19 green, 19 blue, 30 red and 5 black runs. Excellent transport is organized between the pistes, thanks to the cable cars, chairlifts, ski tows and cable railways. Hospitality, comfort and fun – this is what Pra Loup will offer you during your holiday.


High season January - February

Chamonix is well-known by almost every skier who chooses to spend some part of the winter period in this charming resort and take advantage of the ski runs under sublime Mont Blanc. It may happen that in January the weather is cold, but the quality of snow is excellent. There are various options to choose from, with 11 ski areas (Les Grants, Grand Montets, Vallee Blanche, Le Tour, etc), covered by only one lift pass. Especially great skiing conditions can be found in the woody off-piste terrain of Les Houches.

Bargain hunters can choose the resort of Montgenevre and some of the holiday proposals at moderate rates. With its good quality of snow record from December to April and less people during the week, you’ll be sure to remember this lovely village. You’ll also enjoy both skiing on the 400km of slopes in the Milky Way arena and the cheerful evenings at the local pubs.

Small but adorable, Argentiere has a large ski scene and is mostly renowned for the neighbouring Le Grand Montets area. Advanced skiers are more favoured than beginners and intermediates; there’s a challenging off-piste terrain for those that love high adrenaline levels while skiing. Many prefer this resort for its well-established lift system; the area boasts one of the highest cable cars in Europe, Aigulle du Midi, taking you up to the backcountry routes of the Valley Blanche. The best time for skiing there is from November to May.

Forming part of the ski arena on the Grand Massif in the northern French Alps, Flaine offers the largest ski bowl in the area from November to April. The resort boasts over 265km of pistes, so all skiers can find pistes that suit their abilities. For the novices, there’s Oisans Mountain with its green, blue and red pistes; another option is to take the Grandes Platieres gondola and hit the numerous pistes that run down to the village. Villar dArene, the three areas of Le Chazelet and the Col du Lautaret are best for intermediates; adventurous skiers will enjoy the north side of the Meije. Everywhere you ski, the magnificent scenery will surround you.


Late season March - April

When looking for a place to ski in the late season, after March, keep in mind that Courchevel boasts the largest resort in the renowned ski area of Trois Vallées. Numerous opportunities are available there, since the resort is made up of several other resorts, each of them offering unique character and a variety of skiing options. Beginners will benefit from the largest number of ski teachers, who guarantee high level of abilities on the slope in the end of the course. The great selection of perfectly-groomed ski runs, vertical descents and snow cannons are all set against a picturesque backdrop. No worries about the quality of the ski cover – most of the slopes are north-facing, and the season runs from late November until early May, with the best conditions being in early March.

In Les Deux Alpes, skiers enjoy high-class skiing on the superb runs and the largest skiable glacier in Europe. The beautiful Veneon Valley and excellent snow record provide everything skiers need to spend a great time. The resort is busy all throughout the year, with most visits during the period of January through April and summer skiing available from June to September.

Admirers of mountain panoramas will appreciate a visit to Les Gets, where you can contemplate the magnificent view of sublime Mont Blanc. Traditional spirit combines with the wide selection of pistes (with great off-piste terrain available, as well) and easy transfer provided by the 212 lifts. The good snow record provides skiers with a nice experience until late April.

Montgenevre is a small resort that offers you great skiing at a reasonable price and a delightful snow record from December to April. On the French side of the extensive Milky Way ski area, there are 400km of excellent slopes, best suited to beginners and intermediates. The recreational vibe and traditional atmosphere in the village will make you relax at the end of the skiing day and indulge in the cheerful ambience of the local pubs.

With traditional Savoyard spirit, Morzine welcomes you to the attractive Dranse River Valley, which makes up part of the Portes du Soleil region. Being the largest of 14 interlinked ski resorts, Morzine gives visitors a choice of 650km of ski pistes, most of them designed for beginners and intermediates. What’s astonishing is that the single ski pass gives you access to two countries and an infinite amount of breathtaking scenery.

Valmorel is an easily accessible ski resort that stretches across the Tarentaise and Maurienne Valleys and offers great skiing from December to April. Charming and friendly, the village is peaceful and cheerful. A vast ski terrain with over 162 km of pistes serves beginners, experts and off-piste fans. If you’re curious about snowboarding, there’s a special area where you can practise and even a fun park for the advanced.

In La Rosiere, you can also be sure about the good snow record in the late ski season – there’s often sufficient snowfall at Easter that allows La Rosiere to be open until May. Sunny and perfectly groomed slopes, as well as spectacular panoramic views across the Isere and Tarentaise Valley provide a unique experience while skiing. The ski terrain extends to Italy, so you can enjoy both the ski pistes and marvelous views towards Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa.