The French Alps are home to some of the highest peaks in Europe and the country is known for its mega ski areas. SnowTrex presents the 10 biggest contiguous ski resorts in France, including the largest in the world!
1. Ski region Les 3 Vallées
Slopes: 600 km
Altitude: up to 3,230 m
Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires – all these popular ski resorts can be accessed with a single ski pass, as they are located in the valley of valleys – or rather, in THE three valleys: the 3 Vallées are among the best the Alps have to offer. And not least in terms of size. 600 kilometers of slopes in a connected lift network make these ski mountains in the most beautiful part of the Vanoise massif the largest ski area in the world. The peaks rise between 2,129 m and 3,230 m. The highest mountain in the Vanoise chain, the Grande Casse, is even 3,852 m high. Above Val Thorens, there are fantastic glacier runs of medium difficulty, while on the steep slopes of La Saulire (2,738 m), several steep couloirs await freeride pros. On the slopes above the ski villages, there are children’s areas and attractive snow parks.
2. Ski region Les Portes du Soleil
Slopes: 580 km
Altitude: up to 2,254 m
The mega ski resort on the French-Swiss border is almost as extensive. Portes du Soleil (Gates of the Sun) offer 580 kilometres of slopes to choose from, most of which are on French territory. The best-known ski villages are undoubtedly Avoriaz, Châtel, Champéry and Les Crosets. The latter two are on the Swiss side, so you should always carry your passport or identity card with you when crossing the border. There is no shortage of fun in this huge winter sports area, with over a dozen snow parks and boardercross courses, among other things. The French villages, above all the centrally located Avoriaz and neighbouring Morzine, have retained their original Savoyard charm and are good starting points for the numerous leisure activities in the valleys.
3. Ski region Paradiski
Slopes: 425 km
Altitude: up to 3,250 m
Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry on one side, La Plagne on the other – together they form the Paradiski ski region. The two ski areas owe their seamless connection to the Vanoise Express. Since 2003, this huge gondola has connected them to form a contiguous winter sports area with a heavenly 425 kilometres of slopes. Paradiski is located in the picturesque Isère Valley in the northern section of the Vanoise Massif, surrounded by mighty mountain ranges whose peaks rise up to the glacier zones. The glacier slopes at an altitude of over 3,000 metres are particularly attractive, offering fantastic views of the surrounding mountain giants such as the towering Mont Blanc. At the Bellecôte glacier in La Plagne, a 15-kilometre-long descent bridges an altitude difference of 2,000 metres. In total, the region offers over 250 slopes of varying lengths.
4. Ski area Via Lattea
Slopes: 400 km
Altitude: up to 2,800 m
Did you know? The Milky Way runs between Piedmont and the Hautes-Alpes – but as a white splendour of snow and ice. The Via Lattea, ski area stretches across a national border, as does the Portes du Soleil, Most of the approximately 400 kilometres of slopes are located in Italy, just outside Turin in the Piedmont region. Around 20 per cent are located across the French border around the winter sports resort of Montgenèvre. This is situated at 1,860 m and offers attractive easy and intermediate runs. There is a large selection of appealing red runs in the Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere sub-areas on the other side of the large area.
5. Ski area Les Sybelles
Slopes: 310 km
Altitude: up to 2,620 m
Les Sybelles in the heart of Savoy rounds off the top five largest ski resorts in France. The 310 kilometres of slopes branch out around a total of six ski villages, of which SSaint Sorlin d’Arves and Le Corbier are among the most attractive. In addition to their beautiful surroundings, they are particularly appealing due to their excellent location, right in the middle of the ski carousel between La Balme (2,240 m) and L’Ouillon (2,431 m). The charming village of Saint Sorlin, with its pretty wooden houses, is the ideal starting point for a successful day of skiing. A plus for families in Les Sybelles are the many blue slopes, which make it easy for beginners and children to enjoy skiing. Parts of the ski region even carry the ‘Famille Plus’ seal of quality for a particularly diverse range of family activities. For experts, there are of course also suitable runs, such as several black steep slopes, mogul slopes and a full-grown snow park.
6. Ski area Val d’Isère/Tignes
Slopes: 300 km
Altitude: up to 3,656 m
The ski region around the popular ski resorts of Val d’Isère and Tignes was long known as Espace Killy, named after Olympic champion Jean-Claude Killy. Val d’Isère is a regular venue for the Ski World Cup and a sophisticated ski village just before the Italian border. Tignes is a modern ski resort at 2,100 m with guaranteed snow, offering guests good food and varied après-ski. Above both resorts, 300 km of the finest slopes branch out. The ski region has plenty of long runs to offer, from the glacier at Grande Motte (3,656 m) down to Val d’Isère at 1,850 m. Olympic slopes and freeride routes can be found alongside beginner’s hills and forest runs.
7. Ski area Grand Massif
Slopes: 265 km
Altitude: up to 2,561 m
The Grand Massif in Haute Savoie clearly demonstrates the scale of French ski areas: Austria’s largest ski area is barely bigger than the Domaine Grand Massif. With its 265 kilometres of slopes, it is only the seventh largest ski area in France. The two sub-areas of Flaine and Massif together make up the Grand Massif, with Flaine, located at 1,600 m, forming the centre of the action. The long, red runs at an altitude of over 2,500 m above the village are particularly beautiful. From here, the panoramic view extends all the way to Mont Blanc.
8. Ski area Megève/Saint-Gervais
Slopes: 263 km
Altitude: up to 2,350 m
In the Haute-Savoie region lies the gem of the Megève/Saint-Gervais ski area, in the shadow of Europe’s highest mountain – for the quiet neighbour of this well-developed ski area is none other than Mont Blanc (4,810 m). In its shadow lies Megève , an unspoilt mountain village and elegant ski resort that can rival even the most sophisticated Swiss resorts. It is not without reason that it is one of the ‘Best of the Alps’ destinations with particularly exclusive standards for the location and ski area. The townscape is characterised by traditional and elegant architecture and an authentic mountain village idyll. Some of the slopes lead through sections of forest, but the runs above the tree line offer a fantastic view of Mont Blanc, which seems close enough to touch.
9. Ski area Serre Chevalier
Slopes: 250 km
Altitude: up to 2,800 m
Right next to Les Écrins National Park lies the high-altitude ski resort of Serre Chevalier, which offers 250 km of the finest slopes. They are located at altitudes of 2,800 m and lead down valley runs to 1,200 m. The lower part mainly passes through pretty larch and pine forests. Ski routes, snow parks, night skiing, ski schools – everything you could wish for is here. The main town in the valley, where the wide ski slopes are located, is the lively Briançon. Along the valley, there are three other entry points to the ski arena: Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Monêtier-les-Bains.
10. Ski area Alpe d’Huez
Slopes: 249 km
Altitude: up to 3,330 m
Sports enthusiasts know Alpe d’Huez as a stage destination in the Tour de France – winter sports fans love the place for its unique ski resort in the Grandes Rousses mountain range: the Alpe d’Huez ski area has 249 km of slopes and is one of the most popular large ski resorts in France. At altitudes above 3,300 m, you can ski above the clouds at Pic Blanc (3,330 m) and the Sarenne Glacier. This is where the Sarenne descent starts, which at 16 km is considered the longest black run in the Alps.
Fancy a Ski Trip in France?
FAQ on the Largest Ski Areas in France
Which is the largest ski area in France? The largest contiguous French ski area is the Les 3 Vallées ski region. The region boasts approximately 600 kilometers of slopes, reaches up to 3,230 m, and extends across the following 3 valleys: Vallée de Belleville, Vallée de Méribel, and Vallée de Courchevel.
Which is the largest cross-border ski area in France? The largest cross-border and contiguous ski area in France is the Les Portes du Soleil ski region. The region is located on French and Swiss soil, encompasses about 580 kilometers of slopes, and reaches up to 2,254 m.
How many ski areas with over 300 kilometers of slopes are there in France? France boasts 5 ski areas where skiers and snowboarders have more than 300 kilometers of slopes to choose from. Examples include the ski areas Via Lattea, Les Sybelles, and Val d’Isère/Tignes.
