The Largest Ski Areas In France
France is home to some of the world's largest ski areas. These are often made up of ski resorts linked by lifts and pistes, creating seemingly limitless options for experiencing new places, varied terrain, and atmospheres.
In this article, we'll highlight the largest ski areas in France. You'll learn the best things about them, some vital stats, and how you can enjoy them in the best ways possible.
1. Three Valleys
The three Valleys is the largest interconnected ski area in the world. It comprises the ski resorts of Courchevel, Val Thorens, Meribel, and La Tania, creating a colossal 600km of slopes. Many of these slopes are accessible from your doorstep, and the variety of terrain keeps everyone happy, from beginners to seasoned pros.
85% of the Three Valleys ski area is above 1800m and has one of France's best snow-making operations. Therefore, the snow cover is consistently excellent and high-quality all winter.
Along with the peace of mind you get from visiting a snowsure ski area, the Three Valleys' vastness means you can find somewhere to ride that best suits the snow conditions. For example, when the visibility is bad, head to the lower slopes for stunning tree runs or head to the many north-facing slopes for the best snow quality. Alternatively, you can cruise the sundrenched southern slopes for milder temperatures and top up your goggle tan.
Each of the Three Valley's resorts has its own character and style. Courchevel is known for its upmarket vibe and swankiness. But you can stay in one of Courchevel's more down-to-earth hamlets, such as Moriond, Village, and Le Praz.
Meribel has a more traditional feel thanks to its attractive wooden chalets. Val Thorens is Europe's highest ski resort at 2,300 meters. Val Thorens is a purpose-built ski resort, but what it lacks in charm, it makes up for with incredible terrain and snow cover.
2. Les Portes du Soleil
With 650km of lift-accessible slopes, The Portes du Soleil is the largest ski area in France. In fact, it is the largest ski area in the world, made up of 12 different resorts on both sides of the French-Swiss border.
The only reason it doesn't take the top spot is that not all the areas are linked by lifts or slopes. There are a couple of places where you need to cross a road or take a short bus ride, depending on what you want to do that day.
Nevertheless, the Portes du Soleil offers something for every level of skier and snowboarder. The resorts that make up the ski area are also pretty varied in what they offer their visitors.
For example, Avoriaz sits at 1800m and is a very snow sure resort. It offers ski-in-ski-out accommodation, which is convenient and allows you quick access to the rest of the area. It also has everything you need for a week or two in the snow. However, the architecture divides opinion, as it is pretty unique. It still manages to be characterful; thanks to its car-free streets, you get everywhere on foot, skis, or horse-drawn sleigh.
For resorts with a more traditional style, head to Morzine or Les Gets. They sit at lower altitudes but are great for families, and it's super easy to get to Avoriaz if the snow isn't great.
One of the great things to do when staying in a Portes du Soleil ski resort is the PDS Circuit. The route takes you through 10 resorts, giving you a taste of all the terrain available. You'll love the quieter slopes on the Swiss side, even during peak weeks.
3. Paradiski
The Paradiski area was created when the double-decker Vanoise Express cable car opened in 2003. This extraordinary feat of engineering now links La Plagne and Les Arcs above the Tarentaise Valley. These two ski resorts are purpose-built and offer a considerable 425km of slopes, serviced by 160 lifts.
Les Arcs is made up of several villages at different altitudes, all with their own distinct style. They have a wide range of runs suitable for all levels, including the Aiguille Rouge at an incredible 3,226 m.
If you stay in La Plagne, you'll find plenty of terrain suitable for beginners and intermediates at Multilevel La Plagne. But if you're an experienced skier or snowboarder, head to the north-facing slopes of the Bellecote for some challenging terrain.
The way the Paradiski is set out gives you plenty of options. It's best to stay in one area and go to the other the following day. Trying to do both La Plagne and Les Arcs will take too much time, and you won't get the best out of your day.
If you're up for an exceptional off-piste challenge, check out the Tarentaise Tour. This is a 70km tour from Tignes, through the Vanoise National Park to Champagny. You then go through La Plagne and Les Arcs before ending up in the hamlet of Villaroger.
4. Tignes-Val d’Isère
The Tignes-Val d'Isere ski area used to be known as the L'Espace Killy and is in the Tarentaise Valley. Unsurprisingly, it links the ski resorts of Tignes and Val d'Isere, but it has 300km of slopes serviced by 79 lifts.
Tignes-Val d'Isere ranges from 1,550 and 3,456m, forming one of France's largest ski areas. The area features the Grande Motte Glacier, which is its highest point and is often open for summer skiing and snowboarding, but sadly, this is becoming less frequent.
Val D'Isere is an upmarket and characterful ski resort. It has many gorgeous chalets and a vibrant après and nightlife scene. This part of the ski area has some excellent terrain for all abilities. Still, less experienced skiers and snowboarders may find riding the lifts back into the village a much better option than the tricky slopes.
Tignes is a purpose-built ski resort featuring high-rise concrete buildings. The buildings aren't exactly attractive, but the surrounding mountains are stunning. Also, the Tignes part of the area is arguably better than Val d'Isere. Tignes is more affordable, too, so you can enjoy this incredible ski area for a little bit less than staying in Val d'Isere. It also has a great après and nightlife scene, with a more relaxed atmosphere than Val d'Isere.
5. Grand Massif
Grand Massif is a popular ski area comprising Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval. It is one of France's largest interlinked ski areas with a long skiable vertical drop, 265km of groomed slopes, and above-average snowfall.
Even though the Grand Massif isn't the highest ski area in France, with nearly 1,800m of vertical drop on north-facing slopes, it is truly a world-class destination.
The Grand Massif is renowned for having lots of snow coverage on the higher slopes, ensuring excellent quality snow on and off-piste. 50% of the slopes are designated for beginners, but the longest is a leg-burning 14km long. It runs from the top of Flaine to the beautiful village of Sixt.
At the other end of the scale, there is a lot of freeride terrain in the alpine valley of the La Combe de Gers.
6. Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez ski resort is in the southern French Alps near Grenoble. It offers seemingly unlimited skiing and snowboarding across vast and diverse terrain.
The diversity comes from the resort's many villages, which range from ugly modern resorts to quaint, ancient and characterful hamlets, plus everything in between.
If you're n adventurous skier or snowboarder, you'll love blasting around the freeride terrain in and around Alpe d'Huez. You can expect 2,200m of skiable vertical drop, a glacier and 250km of pistes.
The best freeride terrain can be found in the Oz-Vaujany sector. Head there early on a powder day and experience some of the best powder riding France has to offer.
Alpe d'Huez is also home to the world's longest black run, the Serene. This is tricky in places, but most of it isn't too challenging; it's just that once you're on it, you can't get off it, and ts 16km long!
However, you don't need to be an expert to enjoy Alpe d'Huez. There are some great slopes for beginner skiers and snowboarders, especially near the main village. In fact, it offers some of the best beginner slopes and facilities in the world.
If this isn't enough terrain for you, you can head over to neighbouring Les Deux Alpes. This ski resort is just a short bus ride away and has a large glacier. It offers a different experience and is worth a trip if you have the time.
From looking at the stats of the largest ski areas in France, you can see that there's more than enough terrain to satisfy most skiers and snowboarders for a week or two.
As these ski areas are made up of different resorts, you need to prioritise what you want for your trip. For example, do you want the ultimate in convenience of a ski-in-ski-out resort? If so, you should look into purpose-built resorts such as Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil or Val Thorens in the Three Valleys.
But if you want something more traditional or characterful, look into resorts such as Morzine or Meribel.
