The largest ski area in France. The best ski resorts in France. Which resorts offer inexpensive holidays for beginners

France offers many ski resorts located in different parts of the country - in the southeast, in the Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. The remaining locations are located in the Pyrenees region, near the border with Andorra.

220 ski resorts await ski lovers in France, there is a truly huge selection of all winter ski sports. Freeride is practiced in deep snow in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, the Alpine Skiing World Cup takes place in Val-d-Isere or on the 300 km pistes of the Three Valleys, cross-country skiers can ski on the slopes of Villars-de-Lans.

Many ski resorts have a long history. The oldest resort is Chamonix, where the first Olympic Games in France were held in 1924. This became a fundamental point for the development of other resorts that offer much more than just a winter holiday.

The most famous ski resorts in France

Northern Alps

The Northern Alps are home to the best ski resorts in the world. There are first-class large and small ski stations here. All places are connected by highways and pedestrian paths.


Tignes - for experienced skiers

The height of the descents is from 1500 to 3500 meters (150 km). 155 tracks, including:

  • blacks - 26;
  • red - 40;
  • blue - 67;
  • children's or green - 22.

The total number of lifts is 45. The approximate maximum amount per day is 43 €. The tourist resort will appeal to fans of freeride, ice diving, snowmobiling, and paragliding. also in free time Here you can do heli-skiing, ice climbing, and speed riding. A ski holiday in Tignes offers tourists numerous leisure opportunities in France: cinemas, hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, clubs, shops, indoor swimming pools.

Val D'isere is the best

The length of the tracks is from 1550 to 3450 meters. The number of tracks is 154, of which:

  • green - 20;
  • blue - 67;
  • red - 41;
  • blacks - 26.

Lifts - 79. Approximate maximum amount per day - 49 €. With a long history, extraordinary slopes and exceptional services, Val d'Isere is one of the best ski resorts in France.

Courchevel - luxury holiday

The length of the tracks is from 1850 to 2740 meters. Number of tracks - 98, of which:

  • green - 19;
  • blue 37;
  • red - 31;
  • black - 8.

Lifts - 87. Approximate maximum amount per day - 70 €. Courchevel is a place where people who value quality rest in an elite setting.


Southern Alps

The meeting of the Alps and the Mediterranean climate gives these places a special character with a southern accent. Here all the modern ski resorts are located next to charming little old French villages.


Oron - democratic holiday

The length of the tracks is from 1600 to 2450 meters (135 km). Number of tracks - 42, of which:

  • black - 8;
  • red - 16;
  • blue - 16;
  • green - 2.

The total number of ski lifts is 11. Oron is located near Nice and its international airport. It is in the heart of four French ski resorts, which offer a variety of excellent quality ski slopes.


Pyrenees

A natural border between France, Spain, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the Pyrenees is an array of contrasts. The villages are home to the most modern, but accessible to most tourists, ski resorts.


Ax-les-Termes - for lovers of cross-country skiing

The length of the tracks is from 1400 to 2400 meters (80 km). Number of tracks - 35, of which:

  • black - 6;
  • red - 10;
  • blue - 10;
  • green - 9.

The total number of lifts is 17. The French resort offers a snow park and gentle slopes of Bonaskre and Baggins.


Massif Central

The Massif Central has everything you need for winter sports activities - cross-country skiing, dog sledding, paragliding, not to mention gastronomic diversity and the natural and architectural heritage of France.


Mon-dor - universal

The length of the tracks is from 1200 to 1840 meters (41 km). Number of tracks - 31, of which:

  • black - 1;
  • red - 6;
  • blue - 8;
  • green - 16.

Total number of lifts - 15. Estimated price max - 30€. The resort is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers; they will teach you how to choose ski equipment, offer sledding, skijoring, ice climbing, and mountain tourism.


Vosges

The Vosges resort in France juts out over vast forests and lakes, miles of trails and snow, and offers superb skiing. There are especially many family stations here.

Saint-Maurice - for cross-country lovers

The length of the tracks is from 1100 to 1250 meters (23 km). Number of tracks - 11, of which:

  • black - 1;
  • red - 2;
  • blue - 3;
  • green - 5.

Total number of lifts - 5. Estimated price max - 19.5 €. An ideal place for a healthy holiday.

The Alpine ski resorts of France are rightfully spoken of as some of the best winter resorts worldwide. The French Alps are the world's largest center winter holidays: more than three hundred ski stations, almost 4 thousand lifts, and the shortest queues for them. There are more than four thousand trails for amateurs, connected and varying in difficulty level. alpine skiing, snowboards and other types of extreme winter recreation. If you are ever faced with a choice of resorts in France, use this article!

Various competitions are often held on the slopes of the Alps, including world championships and the Olympics.

The most popular resorts in the region are Chamonix, Courchevel, Val d'Isere, Val Thorens, Les Deux Alpes, Tignes, La Plagne, Megeve, Meribel, etc.

Chamonix

Chamonix- the largest mining ski resort France, located in the heart of the French Alps at the top of the famous Mont Blanc crystalline massif.

Chamonix Valley- unique natural area near the borders of Italy and Switzerland is included in the list of landscapes that constitute the world heritage. The longest descents reach several tens of kilometers. The highest point of Chamonix is ​​the famous “White Valley”.

Its height reaches 3842 m, and its length is more than 20. Extreme sports such as ice mountaineering, rock climbing, winter rafting, paragliding, and canyoning are developed here. In summer, the resort welcomes fans of skiing mountain biking and climbers.

You can stay in the Chamonix resort in the following hotels:

  • Les Chamonix Sud
  • La Riviere
  • Res. Chamois Blanc
  • Le Cristal D'argentiere
  • Res. La Ginabelle

Espace Killy

Espace Killy is an area in the French Alps, associated with its three-time world champion in alpine skiing Jean-Claude Killy, rightfully deserving the reputation of one of wonderful resorts not only in the Alps, but throughout the world. On its territory are the popular resort towns of Val d'Isere and Tignes - ultra-modern slopes suitable not only for beginners, but also for downhill professionals.

You can ski on the glaciers of this region not only in winter, but also in summer (thanks to the Pissaillas glacier), and beginners in skiing have the opportunity to study at ski schools located right on the gentle slopes. Snowboarders can enjoy the state-of-the-art corridors Le Lasvancher, Les Danaides, La Table and Kern. The resort is visited not only by sports enthusiasts, but also by those who want to try helicopter rides, dog sledding, motor sleigh rides or snowshoeing.

Espace Killy can be reached from the following airports: Geneva - 160 km, Grenoble - 143 km, Chambery - 120 km and Lyon - 340 km. Alternatively, take the highway through Albertville or Moutiers. Before resort area Bus routes run from Geneva and Lyon airports 3-4 times a day.

You can stay in the following hotels:

  • AVENUE LODGE 5*
  • AIGLE DES NEIGES 4*
  • CRETES BLANCHES 3*
  • BREVIERES CLUB HOTEL MMV (2*)

Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallees)

Three Valleys (Le Trois Vallée) is the largest region in the world ski slopes with a total length of 600 km, located at altitudes of 1.3-3.2 km.

It includes a resort Val Thorens- “Roof of the Three Valleys”, located at an altitude of 2,300 km, Its peak is the picturesque mountain peak of Cime de Caron, offering a magnificent view of Mont Blanc.

Second resort - Meribel- “The Heart of the Three Valleys.” It is located at an altitude of 1.4 km and is divided into the classic French Meribel Center and the more modern Meribel-Mottaray, both areas are completely covered with perfectly smooth slopes and cross-country trails. In addition, here you can play hockey, just ride the skating rink and even take part in sled racing.

And finally, the famous Courchevel- being one of the most prestigious resorts France, from developed infrastructure, hotels of the highest level, excellent quality of service and a developed entertainment network. Courchevel is located at altitudes from 1300 to 1850 m. At the same time, an amateur ski slopes can ride on various routes every day for a month, conquering new heights and descents every day, without ever repeating his route.

In addition to traditional tracks, professionals can appreciate two Olympic jumping tracks. There are several icy slopes for slalom and downhill,

Alpe d'Huez– one of the few resorts where a rich variety of trails is presented in a relatively small area. A cozy compact village in the shape of a triangle is located above the Romanche Valley, the bulk of hotels and residences are located next to the highway or ski lift.

Among the French themselves, Alpe-du-Huez has earned the romantic name “Rack of the Sun” due to the fact that the slopes located on the upper plateau and facing south are bathed in the sun’s rays from early morning until late evening.

It is the fifth largest French ski region. Here are the most famous tracks in Europe: the Saren descent, which is 16 km long, and the Tunnel track, cut through a glacier.

Resort hotels:

  • Res. L'ours Blanc
  • Res. Le Cristal De L'alpe
  • Res. Les Bergers
  • Res. Les Horizons D'huez
  • Res. Les Melezes

Location:

The resort can be reached from Geneva, where there are buses regular flights daily. On Saturdays you can get there very quickly (only 1.5 hours) from Grenoble by charter flight.

Megeve

Megève is an excellent ski resort consisting of three ski areas. These are Rochebrune-Côte, Mont-d'Arbois and Le Jay. On its territory there is also a museum under open air. Megève is rightfully considered the most elegant and sophisticated mountain resort France.

This is one of oldest resorts French Alps, and recently rightfully entered the club of privileged ski resorts “The Best of the Alps”. The resort has a classic alpine village atmosphere. For example, it is prohibited to drive on the main street and you can only ride on horse-drawn carriages. The central streets of the town are paved with ancient cobblestones; some houses were built here at least 200 years ago.

Main attractions - old church , built in the 13th century, medieval monastery And city ​​tower. The ski areas are located at an altitude of 1-2.3 km, and there are many slopes for both beginners and real extreme sports enthusiasts.

You can plan your ski holiday in Megeve on three massifs that make up the Evasion ski area: Rochebrune-Cote 2000, Mont d'Arbois, Le Jaillet .

Ski tours to Megève will satisfy skiers of any level, as the resort can offer a wide variety of slopes.

For professionals - the Mont Joly and Mont Joux areas, black and red slopes are in Rochebrune - Cote 2000.

For intermediate level - the routes in Mont d'Arbois, more difficult routes - in the areas of Combloux and Les Jaillet.

For beginners - Rochebrune and Mont d'Arbois, connected to the ski lift.

Location:

Megeve Located 70 km from Geneva airport and a few km from neighboring Chamonix.

Megeve Hotels:

  • Relais & Chateaux Flocons de Sel
  • Chalet d'Antoine
  • Les Cimes
  • Les Fermes de Marie
  • Alpaga

Climate in the Alps

The tourist season in the Alps begins in December and ends in March. For a Russian tourist, the climate of the Alps will always be favorable. Winter here is much milder and warmer than in Russia. average temperature in winter + 1 degree Celsius. And although sub-zero temperatures can occur at any time, they never drop below -10. The winds in the Alps are also not very strong. You can relax with children at any time of the tourist season.

Tourist impressions

The French Alps leave only pleasant impressions on Russian tourists. Russians associate snow-white snow with severe frost or dirty roads covered in slush. In the Alps, snow resembles clouds. Firstly, the climate of the Alps is very mild and warm, and secondly, the air and everything around here are very clean.

Service at Alpine resorts is of the truest European quality. There are comfortable hotels, gourmet cuisine, and stunning ski slopes. For Russians, the French Alps are like winter at home, only cleansed of all its shortcomings...

If you like holidays in the mountains, regardless of the time of year, we recommend that you read the following articles:

  • - by going to Italy you can look at the Alps from a different perspective.
  • - a wonderful Polish resort with decent service.
  • - as you know, Bavaria is famous not only for its castles, but also for its extremely beautiful mountain landscapes.

Don't rush to leave! Here are some more interesting articles:

Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2300 meters and is considered the highest ski resort in Europe. There is always a lot of snow here, and skiing safety is ensured by the special Gaz-ex avalanche control system. The "black" and "red" slopes of Val Thorens are located in the areas of Cime de Caron, Lac du Loup and La Mas, while in Pointe de Torrance fans of freeride will find excellent virgin fields. Snowboarders will be delighted by the fun park in the Plateau sector with unusual modules and special tracks for competitions. The resort also has slopes for those who are just starting to ski.
In addition, Val Thorens has a 6 km toboggan run, a snow and ice track for cars, a large sports complex, best disco France Underground and many wonderful après ski spots.
Photo gallery of the Val Thorens resort

Les Menuires – family resort and a paradise for beginners, most of the trails here are for those who are just starting out or want to improve their skills. It doesn’t take long to get from hotels and apartments to the slopes; they start right outside the door.
Les Menuires also has tracks for professionals; they are located on the slopes of Mont de la Chambre, and for snowboarders, there is an excellent fun park in the same area. Les Menuires offers beginner skiers a special ski area with an area of ​​about 5000 square meters. m and a conveyor lift. The village has a sports center with an aqua club, kids club, restaurants and bars.
Photo gallery of Les Menuires resort

Meribel is a great family ski resort. It is located in the center of the Three Valleys region and consists of three villages. This place is perfect for those who are just learning winter mountain sports or want to introduce children to skiing. Wide slopes in the Altiport and Rond-Point areas and a free ski lift for beginners will help any tourist to join the charm of skiing. However, Meribel also has steep slopes for professional athletes, for example, the La Face Olympic women's slope or the descent to Combe du Valon. Meribel will also delight snowboarders - there are two special areas, Platier Snowpark and Arpasson Moonpark. In the first, a 650-meter track with obstacles, a half-pipe and a baby pipe is open to snowboarders, and in the second, a kilometer-long track with obstacles and two half-pipes.
Meribel has a sports complex, bowling alley, cinemas and nightclubs. The resort's restaurants are generally open after 17:00. Fans of parties and noisy parties can recommend the village of Mottare, where there are many discos, bars and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of Meribel resort

Brides-les-Bains is a superbly located ski resort with ideal access to the Three Valleys. Straight cable car Olympus will take skiers and snowboarders to Meribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. The town was built for the 1992 Olympic Games and offers budget accommodation at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level.
The total area of ​​the resort's slopes is 77 km; there are 58 lifts with a capacity of 64 thousand people per hour. There are two fun parks for snowboarders and 33 km of ski trails for cross-country skiers.
In Brides-les-Bains you can not only have great skiing, but also improve your health; there is a large wellness center with thermal springs.

Val d'Isere is one of the most sporting resorts French Alps. Every year in November, the first World Cup starts are held here; in 1992, the resort hosted the Winter Olympics, and in 2009, the World Alpine Ski Championships. The sports tracks located in the Bellewarde area are open to everyone in the afternoon. At the same time, Val d’Isere has special ski areas for beginners, as well as excellent ski schools that will teach everything necessary for both children and adults. Resort guests have at their disposal a well-designed lift system that connects Val d'Isere with all ski areas, and 150 km of well-prepared pistes, including 12 green, 24 blue, 28 red and 15 black slopes. Val d'Pistes The Isères are known for their diversity, with a height difference of up to 1300 m.
Three ski areas: Bellevard, Solace and Col de Lisérant offer sports lovers a variety of trails. There are freeride areas, sports slopes, challenging black runs and magnificent panoramic slopes that will not leave you indifferent. Snowpark Val d'Isere is located in the Bellevard area. The resort is famous for its beautiful architectural appearance, an excellent selection of comfortable hotels and apartments and excellent restaurants. Outdoor skating rink, aquatic center, night club, many restaurants and cafes will allow you to have a great time after skiing. Tourists can be sure that Val d'Isere offers a truly diverse range of leisure activities.
Photo gallery of the Val d'Isere resort

Megève is an excellent alpine resort where both skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of opportunities for interesting skiing. The city itself looks great with buildings in the Savoyard style. There are great hotels here, wonderful entertainment centers, restaurants and shops.
The resort offers its guests 222 pistes and is located in the center of the large Evasion-Mont Blanc ski area, where there are about 445 km of marked pistes of varying difficulty levels and 113 lifts. The ski season here lasts from December to April. The most interesting, beautiful and at the same time difficult slopes can be found in the Mont Joly and Mont Joux areas. There is another section with “red” and “black” tracks in Kot-2000. Those who are not so confident in their abilities should pay attention to the descents to Mont-d'Arbois or Comploux. Beginners will also find a place to ski in Megeve; easy “green” and “blue” slopes can be found not only below the town, but also in all three ski areas.
Snowboarders will appreciate the slopes at Combloux-Les-Jaillers, as well as the Piste de Fentin boarder route in Côte 2000 - Rochebrune. In addition to the Sports Palace with a swimming pool, saunas, gym and fitness center, Megève has cinemas, a bowling alley, an indoor Olympic skating rink and even an aviation club. Fans of evening entertainment will find casinos, jazz and bridge clubs, discos and many boutiques. Magnificent views of Mont Blanc can be seen from Mont Joly, and in Saint-Gervais you can swim in the thermal springs.
Photo gallery of the Megève resort

Courchevel is perhaps the most prestigious French resort, very popular with Russian tourists. A variety of slopes, an excellent choice of tracks, beautiful virgin slopes - all this allows both beginners and experienced ski lovers to get a lot of pleasure from their holiday. The shopping and social life of Courchevel is amazing.
Beginners will enjoy the wide green and blue pistes in the Belcôte and Pralon ski areas. Those who are confident in skiing and snowboarding should look at the beautiful forest slope of Buc Blanc and the “red” slopes in Marmot and Creux. Professionals will appreciate the “black” slopes of Col de la Loze, Les Aval, Col du Pass du Lac, as well as descents from Saulir stations. 65 lifts take tourists to the Alpine peaks. Courchevel has a snowpark, a half-pipe, many snow cannons, and a 2-kilometer-long toboggan run. Indoor sports complex, bowling alley, fitness center, skating rink, concert hall and a cinema, numerous discos, galleries and restaurants will not let you get bored after skiing.
The resort has more than 100 shops, where all the world's famous brands are represented. Courchevel's restaurants and boutiques are designed for high-income tourists. The nearest train station, Moutieres Salins, is half an hour's drive from the resort.
Courchevel Village is a cozy family ski resort, which is located at an altitude of 1550 m. Until 2013, it was better known as Courchevel 1550. This is a small Alpine town in Savoyard style with an economical hotel, excellent apartments and modern luxury chalets.
Two lifts connect Courchevel Village with the main ski areas of the region. There is a ski school, information tourist office, rental point, restaurants, bars, disco and skating rink. You will like the resort family tourists and lovers of secluded relaxation, however, from here you can easily reach the noisier parts of Courchevel with famous restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of the Courchevel resort

The popular ski resort of Tignes is located at an altitude of 2100 m in the Espace Killy ski area. Spacious wide tracks, excellent freeride opportunities and a long season make it an excellent choice for skiers and snowboarders. The three ski areas of Tignes - Tignes-le-Lac, Val Claret and Lavache - are connected by a system of lifts and are located next to a picturesque lake. On the Grand Motte glacier ski season opens at the beginning of October, in other zones - at the end of November and lasts until the first third of May.
Sports lovers will find 76 slopes in Tignes, most of them blue and red, a snowpark with a halfpipe, a mogul slope and a magnificent ski school. Here you can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowskiing, ice climbing, or paragliding or helicoptering.
Cozy cafes and restaurants, noisy discos and bars will not let you get bored after skiing. The resort's infrastructure is famous for its compact and convenient location, and the prices for accommodation here are quite affordable.

Les Arcs is a group of resorts located in the heart of the French Alps, in the Haute Tarentaise valley. Resort towns are located here at altitudes from 1600 to 2000 meters above sea level and are connected by ski slopes and lifts. The skiing season is from mid-December to the end of April. Fans of mountain winter sports in Les Arcs will find 121 ski and snowboard trails, a wide variety of ski lifts, and two snow parks with halfpipes. There are also opportunities for unusual sports, such as speedwriting and skijoring.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a popular ski resort in the Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The first tourists appeared in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the beginning of the 19th century, and since then the resort has only been gaining popularity. In 1924, the First Winter Olympic Games were held here. Today Chamonix-Mont-Blanc welcomes up to 5 million tourists and athletes a year.
There are several ski areas in the Chamonix Valley: Grand Montet, Les Tours, Brevin, Les Houches, Flegeres, as well as the famous off-piste descent from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, 20 kilometers long - the White Valley. It is because of the White Valley that the resort is considered the capital of extreme skiing in France.
There is no single ski area in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, however, ski buses will take tourists to the ski lifts in 7-15 minutes. Nice hotels and great bars, interesting museums and mountain Railway to Mont Blanc (at an altitude of 2372 m) will make your holiday in Chamonix interesting and enjoyable, even if you are not going to ski all day long.

Ski resorts France: everything about ski holiday in France, as well as reviews from tourists and experts.

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Ski resorts in France are considered among the best winter resorts in the whole world. It is here, in the French Alps, that there are extensive and interconnected ski areas: more than four thousand slopes for alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh and other types of active winter recreation. The trails vary in difficulty level, allowing both beginners and true aces to have a comfortable time. Winter sports competitions of various classes are often held on the slopes of the Alps, including championships and Olympics.

The French Alps have hosted the Olympic Games three times. Moreover, the first ever Winter Olympics in 1924 took place right here in Chamonix, in 1968 they took place in Grenoble, and in 1992 in Aberville, near which many excellent tracks have been preserved.

In total, more than two hundred ski resorts have been created on the slopes of the French Alps. Many of them are interconnected, so once you visit one, you can easily move to another. So every ski lover can find a suitable option here and get real pleasure from skiing down the mountain or skiing on the plains.

Chamonix

Chamonix is ​​the heart of the largest ski area in the French Alps at the top of the famous Mont Blanc. The Chamonix Valley is a unique natural area near the borders of Italy and Switzerland, included in the list of landscapes that constitute a world heritage. Total length There are hundreds of kilometers of ski slopes on slopes of varying difficulty. The highest point of the resort is the legendary “White Valley”, 20 km of off-piste skiing at an altitude of 3842 m. Ice mountaineering, rock climbing, canyoning, winter rafting and paragliding are also developed here - that is, a large selection of extreme sports for every taste. In the summer months, Chamonix is ​​a popular holiday destination for climbers and mountain biking enthusiasts (including off-road freeride).

Espace Killy

Espace Killy is an area of ​​the French Alps, named after three-time world ski champion Jean-Claude Killy, and is considered one of the best winter resorts not only in the Alps, but throughout the world. The region includes famous resorts Val d'Isère and Tignes and four less popular places for skiing, which, meanwhile, are ultra-modern slopes with excellent infrastructure not only for amateurs, but also for professionals of downhill skiing. The special beauty of the region is that it is possible to ski on glaciers not only in winter, but also in summer. For young skiers, a free ski pass and many ski schools are provided, and for snowboarders, the famous corridors Les Danaides, Le Lasvancher, La Table and Kern are equipped. As additional entertainment and to explore the surrounding area you can choose a helicopter ride, dog sledding, motor sleigh ride or snowshoe ride.

Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallees)

The Three Valleys (or Les Trois Vallées), the Savoyard ski area, is the world's largest unified ski region with 600 km of slopes at altitudes of 1300-3230 m. Two hundred lifts are capable of delivering up to a quarter of a million people - ski lovers and snowboard. The history of the resort goes back half a century, and in 1992 these slopes were conquered by Olympic champions.

The Three Valleys includes the high-mountainous Val Thorens - the “Roof of the Three Valleys” at an altitude of 2300 m, the sports part of the resort area. Its peak is the picturesque summit of Cime de Caron, which offers magnificent views of Mont Blanc.

The second resort - Meribel - “The Heart of the Three Valleys”, is located at an altitude of 1400 m and is divided into zones Meribel Center in the traditional French style and the more modern Meribel-Mottaray, both zones offer excellent slopes and cross-country trails, as well as all kinds of entertainment such as hockey fields and skating rinks, sled racing, etc.

And finally, the chic Courchevel is one of the most prestigious resorts in the French Alps, a leader in the level of hotels, quality of service and variety of entertainment among the world's ski centers. However, Courchevel, located at altitudes from 1300 to 1850 m, is not only social life and famous parties: a lover of ski slopes can stay here for a whole month and never ride the same slope, conquering new heights and slopes every day. In addition to the traditional tracks, there are two Olympic ski jumping tracks, several slalom and downhill tracks, cross-country ski trails, open-air ice arenas, etc.

Alpe D'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is a first-class ski resort in the southern Alps, one of the sunniest in the world: the sun shines here up to 300 days a year! The French themselves call it the “Island of the Sun” - the slopes are located on the upper plateau and are mostly facing south , allowing you to enjoy the sun until the evening. This is the fifth largest ski area in France, and is home to some of Europe's most famous runs: the 16-kilometre Sarennes run and the Tunnel run through the glacier.

Route Alpe d'Huez Tunnel - famous place filming one of the James Bond films.

In addition, this resort is a good solution for beginners in skating, children, and those who prefer other types of winter recreation: tens of kilometers of flat slopes, an excellent ice stadium.

Megeve

Megève is an excellent ski resort that includes three ski areas: Rochebrune-Côte, Mont-d'Arbois and Les Jailles, as well as an open-air museum. The center of the town is paved with ancient cobblestones, free of vehicles, and some houses here have been standing for at least 200 years. The main attractions are the 13th century church, the medieval monastery and the city tower. Ski areas are located at 1113-2350 m, and there are many slopes for both beginners and the youngest skiers, as well as for real extreme sports enthusiasts - for example, the JOLY slopes and the exciting descent of the World Cup “la Gote 2000”.

Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes is an international-class resort located at the foot of the largest glacier in Europe and inviting ski lovers to ski all year round. This is 104 ski slopes at an altitude of 3600 m, suitable for both traditional slopes and snowboarding, freestyle, freeride and others. There are many schools here, including for those who have never skied or snowboarded in their lives - by the end of training, the newly minted athlete will be able not only to ski decently, but also to truly enjoy the descent.

Paradiski

Paradiski is the youngest high-mountain ski area, which translated means “ski paradise”. This is the name of the united ski region, which includes the resorts of La Plagne, Peyce-Valandry, Les Coches and Les Arcs. These are glacial snows that do not melt all year round, allowing you to learn the basics of skiing whenever you want. Regardless of seasonality.

The Portes du Soleil

Portes du Soleil is also known as the "Gateway of the Sun" resort - always sunny slopes for both pros and beginners. Many schools, 650 km of prepared trails of varying difficulty levels in four ski areas: Les Gets, Morzine, Avoria and Chatel.

Every year, the French slopes attract many tourists and ski lovers. All the necessary conditions have been created for them, lifts have been installed, excellent trails have been equipped and all the necessary industry has been built. In addition, it is not only sporting achievements and sparkling snow slopes all day long: here you can stroll through charming Alpine villages, visit cozy restaurants, enjoy unique French cuisine, and find entertainment for any age, taste and budget.

Which are located in the Alps department, they represent a whole extensive network of superbly equipped areas for skiing. It is often possible to travel from one resort to another.

Here are the most high mountains and slopes in Europe(the summit of Mont Blanc is 4807 meters) and the largest number of lifts, which means there are always short queues.

These tracks have hosted professional athletes, world championships and Olympics in various disciplines winter sports. Now they can accept you and provide you with excellent leisure , leisure and entertainment.

Ski resorts in France period from December to May. The resorts are known for stable and favorable skiing weather.

Besides, Some resorts offer the possibility of summer skiing.

Resort rating

Three Valleys

Let’s not be afraid to be a little banal and start our review of resorts with the most brilliantly shining diamonds in the winter snow of the French Alps - the three valleys, resorts that hosted the Olympics and are considered the best in France.

In fact, Three Valleys - a multi-level resort system. Here they distinguish:

  • Lower level, where resorts with slopes up to 1700 meters are located: La Tania, Courchevel and Meribella;
  • average level, with altitudes between 1700-1850 meters, where the higher part of Courchevel, Mottaret and Les Menuires are located;
  • high level, where the altitude is 2300 meters and the resort of Val Thorens is located.

This is where the Olympics were hosted in 1992. The resort in the heart of the Three Valleys is extremely popular. It has a sophisticated and unique atmosphere, magnificent trails and nature.

Can be reached by bus, which go by transfers or by car along the highways. Nearest bus stations:

  • Moûtiers train stop is fifty minutes away by bus;
  • Chambery is an hour away (about 70 kilometers);
  • the city of Lyon is 200 kilometers away;
  • Geneva is 120 kilometers away.

The resort consists of two zones:

  • Meribel Center– classic French style;
  • Meribel-Mottaray– more modern architecture.

Among the entertainments it should be noted major center La Chaudanne with a variety of swimming pools, spas and the like. For just a hundred euros you can fly over the Courchevel Valley on a paraglider.

In addition, there is the opportunity to ride on hot-air balloon and dog sledding.

In the ski area, the elevation difference is 1450-2952 meters, there are slopes of different levels, the longest is five kilometers. Half-pipes for snowboarding, 60 lifts.

Courchevel

Perhaps many have heard the name of this resort, which known not for the height of the slopes, but for its prestige. The skiing here is of high quality, but the heights are not the greatest and the slopes are not the most outstanding.

People come here for a high degree of comfort and excellent service.

Hotels, restaurants, a variety of entertainment options - the resort is a leader in these parameters. Many people come here not to ride, but to hang out.

Can be reached from Geneva(a little over a hundred kilometers) or the city of Lyon, which is about two hundred kilometers away.

Despite its fashionable orientation, the resort provides the opportunity not only to ride along gently sloping and smooth green and blue trails, but also to take advantage of high peaks Solir and Wiesell.

Wherein there are excellent conditions for training beginners, in particular at Courchevel 1650.

Called the roof of the three valleys, has the most high point resort Cime de Caron. From this peak you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Mont Blanc. Thanks to the network of ski lifts, it is possible to travel around the Three Valleys completely from here.

The resort is distinguished by multi-storey buildings and the absence of chalets, usual for Alpine resorts. During the skiing period, there is always snow on the slopes, since they are not only at an altitude of more than two kilometers, but are also provided with snow cannons.

Get there the closest, as for previous resorts, is from Geneva, Lyon or Chambery.

Considering the connection with the other resorts of the Three Valleys, we will not describe the entertainment. Let's finish short review Three Valleys hotels:

  • Des neiges;
  • Oxalys;
  • Annapurna;
  • La Sivoliere;
  • Le Sabot de Venus;
  • Merilys Residence;
  • Alpen Ruitor Mottaret;
  • Le Kilimanjaro;
  • Le Mottaret;
  • Les Balcons de Val Thorens;
  • Agence de La Saulire.

Tignes

A resort on the slopes of which the downhill World Cup stages are held every November. Skiing is possible throughout the whole year, as the height of the peaks reaches about 3700 meters.

Located three and a half hours drive from Geneva. Includes many restaurants, bars, cinemas and other entertainment venues, many winter activities, paragliding and hang gliding.

In terms of entertainment, the resort is fully stocked. In terms of pistes, it provides an interesting opportunity not only for beginners, but also for experienced skiers. Hotels:

  • Hotel Village Montana;
  • Hotel le Refuge;
  • Hotel Les Campanules;
  • Club Med Tignes Val Claret.

Chamonix, France, somewhere at the foot of Mont Blanc

The resort is located in the valley of the same name has magnificent natural beauty and amazing landscape. It is included in the world heritage landscapes.

Known for White Valley– the highest (3842) ski point with twenty kilometers of off-piste skiing. Activities include: paragliding, canyoning, rock climbing, winter rafting, mountain biking, ice mountaineering.

Get there closest to Geneva, which is just under 90 kilometers away. Vacationers can stay in hotels:

  • Hotel Le Faucigny;
  • Hotel l'Heliopic;
  • Le Morgane;
  • Hotel Mont-Blanc;
  • Grand Hotel des Alpes.

Avoriaz

The original resort in the north, which features magnificent Art Nouveau architecture, no cars, gorgeous apartments with slope access, a cozy atmosphere, horse-drawn carriages that ride through the streets.

Get there the resort is possible from Geneva (80 kilometers) or from Thonon Les Bains station. Entertainment includes a full resort package:

  • from discos and Jacuzzis, to saunas and gyms;
  • there is an opportunity to ride a snow car;
  • dog sledding;
  • snowboard trails;
  • there are cinemas and much more.

The height of the resort is 1800 meters, slope differences: from 1100 to 2277 meters. There are cross-country ski trails. Hotels:

  • Hotel des Dromonts;
  • Club Med Avoriaz;
  • Pierre & Vacances Residence Saskia Falaise;
  • PV-Holidays Residence Maeva Multivacances;
  • Residence Sirius.

Skiing on the slopes of the French Alps– elite and prestigious entertainment. Many resorts here are imbued with the history of modern sports, and no less have sophistication and their own original style in everything.

 

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