Skiing in France: resorts, equipment rental and lift passes

In short: France has some of the largest ski areas in the world, from high-altitude Alpine resorts to family-friendly resorts in the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges and Jura. To plan well: choose a resort for your level and budget, avoid the February school holidays if you can, book your equipment online in advance and consider the train to avoid mountain roads.

Choosing a resort

The Alps: the big ski areas

The Alps have the largest linked ski areas, with generally more reliable snow at altitude:

• Les 3 Vallées (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens…): one of the largest linked ski areas in the world;
• Paradiski (La Plagne, Les Arcs) and Tignes – Val d’Isère: vast terrain and high altitude;
• Les Portes du Soleil (Avoriaz, Morzine, Châtel), straddling the Swiss border;
• Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, for high mountains and guided off-piste;
• L’Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes, Serre Chevalier in Isère and the Southern Alps.

These resorts are often pricier but offer the most slopes and services.

Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, Jura: more family-friendly

The Pyrenees (Grand Tourmalet, Saint-Lary, Font-Romeu…) offer human-scale resorts that are often more affordable. The Massif Central, Vosges and Jura suit beginners, families, cross-country skiing and short breaks, with snow that varies more from year to year.

By traveller profile

• With kids: a resort with a kids’ club and ski school, ski-in/ski-out or near-slope accommodation to avoid shuttles with equipment. See travelling with kids.
• Beginners: plenty of green and blue runs, a beginner pass if available.
• On a budget: mid-sized resorts, stays outside school holidays, online rental. See budget travel.
• Couples: characterful village resorts rather than purpose-built ones.

Renting equipment

Equipment rental is one of the easiest costs to optimise:

1. Book online before you go: you’re sure to get your size, and online prices are often better than at the counter [TO CHECK with the rental company].
2. Choose the range for your level: no need for “expert” gear for a first week.
3. Get a helmet, especially for children, and comfortable boots: they make the week.
4. Collect your gear the evening before if the shop allows, to enjoy the first morning.
5. Check the breakage/theft cover offered with the rental, and what your bank card already covers.

Lift passes

The lift pass gives access to the lifts. It is sold by the ski area, on its official website or at the ticket offices. Some tips:

• compare day, half-day, multi-day, family and beginner passes;
• buying online in advance avoids queues on the first morning;
• in a large ski area, a pass limited to one valley may be enough for beginners;
• specific insurance is often offered with the pass: read its terms and check what you already have [TO CHECK]. This site gives no insurance advice.

Where to stay?

In most resorts, rentals run weekly, Saturday to Saturday, especially in high season [TO CHECK]. Hotels offer more flexibility for a weekend. Choose accommodation near the slopes or a shuttle stop, with a ski locker.

Getting to the resorts

By train

During the season, trains serve Alpine valleys (for example Moûtiers or Bourg-Saint-Maurice), with shuttles or buses on to the resorts [TO CHECK timetables and connections]. Night trains may also reach some valleys. The train avoids mountain roads and Saturday holiday traffic. See our guide Trains and buses in France.

By car

• In many mountain areas, winter tyres or chains are mandatory in winter [TO CHECK areas and dates]: check your rental car’s equipment.
• On holiday Saturdays, access roads are very busy: leave early.
• Parking in resorts is often paid; some resorts are car-free.

For car rental, read our car rental comparison.

Mistakes to avoid

• Booking during the February holidays when you don’t have to: prices and crowds at their peak.
• Renting equipment on site on day one: queues and limited choice.
• Underestimating cold and sun: gloves, goggles, sunscreen and sunglasses, even on cloudy days.
• Ignoring your level: slopes are colour-coded; stick to what you can handle.

To plan the rest of your trip, read our complete guide to travelling in France and our travel packing checklist.