Probably a European bias, but France has the most ski resorts making it on to our list of the best ski resorts in the World.
The Alps tower over the border between France and Italy/Switzerland. This results in a plethora of ski resorts spanning the region from Chatel in the north, close to Geneva. To Isola 2000, closer to the Mediterranean in the south.
The majority of the ski resorts sit in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes and the regions of Savoie, Haute Savoie, Hautes Alpes, and Isere.
History of Skiing in France.
As early as 1878, the Paris International Exhibition introduced the idea of skiing for something other than simply mountain travel. And it was in Chamonix in 1924 that the first ever Winter Olympic games were hosted.
From then, cable cars, ski lifts, ski schools and associated infrastruture started to appear in pioneering towns and villages high in the Alps. It was in the 1960s that the French Government really saw the potential. They began developing some of the purpose built high altitude ski resorts we know today.
The French Alps are to host the 2030 Winter Olympics across the region. You can expect major improvements to infrastructure can be expected.
The number of ski resorts coming under the best ski resorts in the world banner is seven. In truth, the number of resorts covered by these names is significantly more. Whether you are a complete novice, a seasoned freerider, a snowpark athlete or, dare I say, a non-skier, you’ll find skiing in France more than delivers.
Chamonix.
Buses link most of the skiing in Chamonix, running regularly along the valley floor. Balme, Brevent-Flegere, Grand Montets, La Poya, La Vormaine, Le Savoy, Le Tour, Les Chosalets, Les Planards, Plateuu 2000, Plateau de Lognan, and Vallorcine. With a Mont Blanc Unlimited ski pass there are also options to ski Switzerland and Italy.
Espace Killy.
Together Tignes and Val d’Isere offer 300km of groomed pistes, linked by runs and lifts on one ski pass. Towering up to 3,400m above the Tarentaise valley, in the heart of the Savoie region, the ski season usually runs from November to May. With 72 lifts linking 161 pistes, graded from green to black, there is fun to be has for everyone.
Les 2 Alpes.
Famed for its off-piste zones and long season. Les 2 Alpes is connected by bus to L’Alpe d’Huez and La Grave.
Les 3 Vallees .
With 600km of pistes, Les 3 Vallees is the largest ski resort in the World. The list of ski resorts that are included in Les 3 Vallees is huge.
I might miss some here, but included are; Brides les Bains, Courchevel 1850, Courchevel la Tania, Courchevel le Praz, Courchevel Moriond, Courchevel Saint Bon, Courchevel Village, Les Menuires, Meribel Centre, Meribel les Allues, Meribel les Hauts, Meribel Mottaret, Meribel Village, Orelle, Saint Martin de Belleville, and Val Thorens! Skiers can return to Les 3 Vallees year after year and never ski the same run twice.
Paradiski.
The amazing feat of engineering that is the Vanoise Express links Les Arcs to La Plagne. The cable car carries 200 people 1.8km, 380m above the valley, in 4 minutes.
Both resorts are a combination of traditional villages and purpose built resorts. Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, Arc 2000, Belle Plagne, Bourg Saint Maurice, Champagny en Vanoise, La Plagne Vallee, Les Coches, Montalbert, Montchavin, Peisey-Vallandry, Plagne 1800, Plagne Aime, Plagne Bellecote, Plagne Centre, Plagne Villages, and Plagne Soleil,
