When you’re deciding which ski resort to visit for your next trip to the mountains, you will want to make sure you choose a resort with plenty of snowfall for all your skiing and off-piste activities. Particularly if you are skiing before Christmas or late in the season, snowfall may not be as reliable as during the peak months.
We have compiled a list of the top 5 highest reaching, snow-sure ski resorts in France. From the beautiful peaks of Val Thorens to the ever lively resort of Tignes, there is something for everyone! Take advantage of the high altitude resorts for the most reliable snow conditions. Find more information about the resorts that have made our snow-sure list below!
Val Thorens, France
Coming in at number 1, Val Thorens is officially the ski resort with the highest village in Europe, with an altitude of 2,300m and the highest ski lift reaching 3,200m. The highest skiable points in the resort are on the glaciers of Péclet and Thorens. In Val Thorens you will find more than 150 km of ski runs and a total of 30 ski lifts. It is without a doubt an exceptional resort for snow-sure skiing.
Val Thorens makes up one part of The Three Valleys, the world’s largest ski area with a huge choice of runs for every type of skier. It is well renowned for its high quality of snow, perfectly groomed runs, and a wide range of terrains suitable whatever your ability, from beginners to expert skiers. You will find breathtaking views over 1,000 alpine summits. You can enjoy excellent skiing, a huge range of mountain activities, delicious food, a great après ski scene and trendy hotels.
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Tignes, France
Tignes is one of the most famous resorts in France, and is connected to the well known resort of Val d’Isère. Their base is at 2,100m with the highest point at the Grande Motte glacier at 3,456m. With this glacier, Tignes is able to stay open for 11 months of the year with a guarantee of fantastic snow! If you buy yourself a full area lift pass you will also be able to enjoy Val d’Isère’s Pisaillas glacier, which peaks at over 3,000m.
The two resorts together make up a total area of 300 km of pistes, serviced by 75 lifts. As well as the fantastic skiing on offer, you will experience an amazing selection of gourmet dining, lively après ski, plenty of activities for non-skiers and lots of well positioned ski-in-ski-out style accommodation.
Avoriaz, France
Our next snow-sure ski resort of choice is Avoriaz. The village itself sits at 1,800m with the highest ski lift reaching 2,466m. Avoriaz is situated on a sloping shelf high above the town of Morzine. It is a car-free resort and has proved a big hit with families, offering lots of ski-in-ski-out style of accommodation. It is situated in the Portes du Soleil ski area, with a total of 300 runs and 214 ski lifts.
Avoriaz does offer a slightly more limited number of hotels and restaurants so make sure to book early to secure yourself a trip with some of the best snow in Europe. You will also find the neighbouring resort of Morzine at a lower altitude, which offers a good base for easy access to the ski area. It is a particularly popular resort with snowboarders thanks to its excellent mixed-ability terrain parks.
Courchevel, France
Courchevel is another incredibly snow-sure ski resort made up of five distinct villages. Courchevel 1850 is the highest of the five, however this village more accurately sits at around 1,750m. The highest lift in Courchevel reaches 2,700m, which is where the resort connects to the rest of The Three Valleys, offering a total of 600 km of ski runs. There are many pistes that run directly through Courchevel 1850 which has resulted in several ski-in-ski-out style chalets and apartments.
Courchevel is also famous for its fantastic range of high-end retail and Michelin-starred restaurants. A real treat for any holiday goer and the perfect location to catch some great early or late-season season snowfall!
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Les Deux Alpes, France
Les Deux Alpes is a snowsports paradise, offering 200 km of ski runs to discover. It is one of the highest altitude ski resorts in The Alps reaching 3,600m at its peak. The village itself sits at 1,650m and it is France’s second oldest ski resort behind Chamonix. The resort has the largest skiable glacier in the whole of Europe and it is also home to the piste with the largest vertical drop from top to bottom in the world.
The glacier enables year round skiing, however lifts are often closed for a few weeks in the middle of the summer. A funicular railway goes through the ice that transports skiers and, in summer, tourists to 3,540m where panoramic views can be seen of the surrounding Mont Blanc area.
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