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France is the top destination in Europe for British skiers, offering a fabulous choice of ski resorts to suit all abilities and budgets. Skiing in France is varied – the French Alps is not the only place that offers ski resorts – you can find resorts in the Vosges, the Jura, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees.

France is the top destination in Europe for British skiers, offering a fabulous choice of ski resorts to suit all abilities and budgets.

Skiing in France is varied – the French Alps is not the only place that offers ski resorts – you can find resorts in the Vosges, the Jura, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. However, because of its high altitude, the Alps offer the most reliable snow conditions.

In the northern Alps, you will find resorts such as Avoriaz (a mecca for snowboarders), and Morzine, although at an altitude of only 1000 m it’s not always reliable.

Heading south you’ll find Chamonix, the earliest French ski resort, and one of the most expensive, along with Megeve – combined they offer the fifth-largest skiing area in France.

In the Haute Savoie region there some excellent resorts, including Val d’Isere/Tignes, which together offer 300 km of pistes at high altitude – the highest are over 3000 m high. The area has an extensive range of pistes for beginners and inexperienced skiers as well as challenging runs and off-piste skiing for the most adventurous and experienced. Prices in Val d’Isere reflect the fact that it is considered the best ski resort in Europe, and one of the top ski destinations in the world.

Further south again is Les Trois Vallées, consisting of Courchevel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires. With 183 ski lifts, the area gives skiers access to over 600 km of pistes – more than enough for even the most demanding of skiers.

L’Alpe is the closest major ski area to Grenoble, and therefore attracts plenty of day. Further west, in the Vercors area, the resort of Villard de Lans, southwest of Grenoble, is reputed as the most environment-friendly ski resort in the French Alps, and also a good family resort.
The southern-most resort of Isola 2000 is a 1970s development, lying at an average altitude of 2000 metres. It is popular with French skiers from the Riviera, but has not become a leading destination for British skiers, mainly due to its distance from major airports.

Choose your resort carefully to ensure the best skiing conditions – ideally high altitude for perfect powder, with a wide variety of runs for all levels of experience. This is especially important near the beginning or end of the ski season. Resorts have snow cannons and piste bashers, but the primary influence of temperature and location plays a big role in the quality of your ski holiday.

It’s always best to plan ahead if you have specific requirements for your 2010 ski holiday. Families with children are restricted by school holiday dates, so it’s wise to plan ahead. Large groups should book in plenty of time, to ensure the best prices and accommodation choices to suit all members of the party. Repeat business is very high, so the choices for larger groups can be limited unless you get in quick.

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Fiona Monk is the author of this article on Skiing France.
Find more information about French Ski Chalet here.