Which ski resort should you choose?

With all the ski resorts on offer in France, the choice can become overwhelming when you’re planning your next skiing holiday. We’ve picked our top resorts for families and for skiers of varying abilities to give you head start in organising your ideal winter break.

Family-friendly: 

◗ Avoriaz: –Car-free and with one of France’s best children’s ski schools,
Avoriaz boasts traditional-style wooden chalets, horse-drawn sleighs and the highest slopes in the Portes du Soleil.

◗ Les Karellis – Great for families with very young children. Equipment for babies and toddlers is provided free and there are ski lessons and a snowy playground on site.

◗ Besse-Super-Besse – Situated on the Massif du Sancy, far from the tourist hub of the Alps, this resort’s childcare facilities have recently been revamped. The organised activities for young ones include pony riding, skating and a cinema.

Read more about taking your kids skiing.

Best for beginners:

◗ Courchevel – The Moriand ski area in Courchevel is perfect for beginners, who can take their time on gentle nursery and beginner slopes without being cut up by speedy show-offs.

◗ Morzine – Boasts wide and gentle slopes separated from the main ski traffic, yet still on the main mountain piste, which are great for building confidence on your skis.

Best for intermediates:

◗ La Plagne – Extensive ‘blue’ and ‘red’ runs provide plenty of variety and the sense of exploring new places each day without venturing too far out of your comfort zone.

◗ Flaine – The Grand Massif ski area is right on Flaine’s doorstep, offering 141 runs over 265km, which is ideal for progressing your skills throughout your stay.

Best for experts:

◗ Chamonix – Renowned for its style and glamour, this deluxe resort also has some of the Alps’ most demanding ski terrain, including hair-raising off-piste trails.

◗ Val d’Isère – The most popular skiing resort amongst Brits, ‘Val’ suits intermediate skiers thanks to its huge range of high-altitude runs, which also provide an exciting variety of challenges for those with advanced skills.

◗ Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise – An extensive off-piste ski area makes this village in the Savoie an exhilarating playground for adventurous skiers.

Best view in the French mountains: 

◗ Aiguille du Midi – The treacherous, 9,000-feet climb in a cable car, which at times almost scrapes against the steep, craggy mountain face during its 20-minute ascent, is totally worth the reward at the top. Intrepid passengers are rewarded by dizzying views from the lookout post, stretching across an endless sea of snowy alpine peaks, with Mont Blanc jutting into the vista on a clear day. As you’ll be 12,500 feet above sea level, prepare to feel very, very cold – and possibly even have a bout of altitude sickness!