France
Ski Holidays

Skiing is the perfect way to make priceless family memories, and France prides itself on making your trip accessible to the whole family. When looking for the best family ski resorts in France, check for “Famille Plus Montagne”. With over 100 criteria required, resorts such as Avoriaz and Les Arcs have proven themselves as the best places to take the entire family skiing in France for children older than 18 months.

Just getting started with skiing, or travelling with someone who is? France has a number of ski resorts which are great for beginners! One of these is Flaine, which has a number of nursery slopes in close proximity to the main town, as well as highly regarded English speaking ski instructors. Another excellent option is La Plagne, which allows people to learn to ski in France with free lifts for beginner slopes.

High altitude ski resorts are particularly desirable for their guaranteed snowfall. Fortunately, due to the stunning geography of the country, it’s easy to find high altitude ski resorts in France. An obvious choice are the iconic French Alps, known all over the world as one of the greatest places to ski. Elsewhere, Tignes and Val Thorens both offer a stunning high altitude French experience.

Finally, time to discuss the most important topic in France - food and drink! It’s no secret that French cuisine is world beating, and something the locals take incredibly seriously. Chamonix and Megeve are great bets for foodies. This means that not only will you find top quality slopes at a French ski resort, but the food is likely to be just as memorable. For example, there are currently 8 Michelin Star restaurants in the French Alps alone!

What’s the only thing more fun than skiing? The après-ski, of course! Whether you prefer a few quiet drinks after the slopes, or want to party in your ski gear all night - France has you covered. One of the best and most popular spots for a French après-ski is Chamonix, with plenty of live music, dancing on tables, and of course - happy hour! Elsewhere Val d'Isere is a beloved après-ski for many Brits.

Solely reserved for strong and experienced skiers, off piste skiing in France is an unbeatable thrill. In our opinion, if you’re going off piste in France, then it simply has to be the Alps. Chamonix, Argentiere, Val d’Isere and Tignes are all legendary for off piste skiing.

It’s common for a ski trip to last at least a week, offering plenty of opportunity to try out different runs and of course, après-ski locations! However, if planned properly - you can still have a fantastic time with a French skiing weekend. To maximise your time on the slopes, you’re going to want ski in and out accommodation. Two outstanding options for this are Morzine and La Clusaz - but it is available in many locations!

The beauty of France as a skiing destination is the versatility, with options to suit all ages and levels of expertise. There are countless superb destinations to ensure your group has an amazing time, but perhaps the most popular group skiing resort in France is Meribel. Described as “the king of chalet skiing”, there is also a very lively après-ski - your friends will thank you for months!

With so many great skiing options in France, the only real question is when to visit? Luckily, the French skiing season is longer than many, running from December until the end of April. If you don’t want to take a risk on snowfall, consider one of the many high altitude ski resorts. To avoid crowds, try not to book at Christmas, the first week of January, or around Easter.