Knowing where the best snow is can make or break a ski holiday in France. Our ski expert Hugo has created a guide to the best snow-sure ski resorts in France. The guide factors in altitude, location and snow history for the selected ski resorts.
Snow-Sure Ski Resorts In France At A Glance
- Val Thorens – Avg. annual snowfall of 650cm
- Les Deux Alpes – Avg. annual snowfall of 550cm
- Tignes – Avg. annual snowfall of 670cm
- La Plagne – Avg. annual snowfall of 510cm
- Val d’Isère – Avg. annual snowfall of 600cm
- Les Arcs – Avg. annual snowfall of 500cm
- Flaine – Avg. annual snowfall of 500cm
- Courchevel – Avg. annual snowfall of 450cm
- Chamonix – Avg. annual snowfall of 500cm
- Les Menuires – Avg. annual snowfall of 600cm
Hugo has recently reviewed these snow-sure ski resorts in France and considers these to be the top choices, offering a fantastic selection of hotels. Having skied since he was a child, Hugo has a wealth of knowledge on snow-sure resorts. Take a look at the top ten.
1. Val Thorens
Resort Altitude: 2,300m | Altitude at the Top: 3,230m | Avg. Annual Snow: 650cm
As the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in France. Its altitude of 2,300m-3,230m combined with its snow record makes it reliable for fresh powder. Part of the Three Valleys, one of the largest ski areas in the world, you can ski an impressive 600km. There are great links to neighbouring ski resorts Méribel and Courchevel. Most of the properties in the village are ski-in ski-out, so you can get out to the slopes very easily.
Stay At:
Perfect for the keen skier, the Hotel Club Les Arolles is situated right on the edge of the piste making for a perfect ski in/ski out location.
2. Les Deux Alpes
Resort Altitude: 1,280m | Altitude at the Top: 3,523m | Avg. Annual Snow: 550cm
Les Deux Alpes has the second largest glacier in France and has ski terrain at an altitude of 3,570m. All of this is great for snow conditions, so expect plenty of snow throughout the ski season. Glacier skiing means the ski season can be extended by starting early and finishing later than other resorts. You can explore 229km of pistes which are most suited to intermediate and beginner skiers. A new link to Alpe d’Huez was recently made.
Stay At:
Chalet Renard Lodge is a great chalet in a brilliant location close to the Venosc Square.
3. Tignes
Resort Altitude: 2,100m | Altitude at the Top: 3,450m | Avg. Annual Snow: 670m
Tignes is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world and that’s largely due to it being very snow-sure. It has an altitude of 2,100m-3,456m and has a great snow history. On top of this, there’s great glacier skiing on the Grande Motte Glacier. Part of the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area, you can ski 300km of varied pistes. There’s something for all abilities of skiers in Tignes. There are fantastic links to the equally famous neighbouring ski resort Val d’Isère.
Stay At:
Hotel Village Montana is a luxury ski-in ski-out property in the heart of Tignes with an excellent outdoor pool.
4. La Plagne
Resort Altitude: 2,050m | Altitude at the Top: 3,167m | Avg. Annual Snow: 510cm
Part of the Paradiski ski area, La Plagne has a great variety of ski terrain that is suitable for any skier. It’s one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in France due to its high altitude of 1,800m-3,250m. You can explore 425km of pistes and easily head over to Les Arcs via the Vanoise Express. La Plagne has 12 ski resorts and villages to base yourself in. All of which have their unique characteristics. So there’s plenty of choices when you’re booking a ski holiday.
Stay At:
Club Med La Plagne 2100 offers a contemporary-style hotel with ski-in ski-out access to La Plagne.
5. Val d’Isère
Resort Altitude: 1,850m | Altitude at the Top: 3,456m | Avg. Annual Snow: 600cm
Another ski resort in the Tignes – Val d’Isère that makes our most snow-sure ski resort in France list is Val d’Isère. It has a high altitude of 1,850m-3,455m and a great snow record. The easy links to Tignes mean you can also get great glacier skiing. The ski area offers 300km of slopes to explore, with something for everyone. The Face de Bellevarde is an internationally known black run that holds World Cup races every year.
Stay At:
Club Med Val d’Isère is a four-star, all inclusive hotel based at the foot of the slopes.
6. Les Arcs
Resort Altitude: 1,600m | Altitude at the Top: 3,226m | Avg. Annual Snow: 500cm
Les Arcs has a high altitude of 1,600m-3,225m, which is great for snow reliability throughout the season. Part of the Paradiski ski area, you can ski 425km of pistes, all easily accessed via the great network of 160 ski lifts. You can easily ski over to neighbouring resort La Plagne which also has great terrain to enjoy. Every level of skier can find a piste suited for them. The village is a purpose-built ski resort, which means access to the slopes is easy.
Stay At:
Altezza Arc 1800 Hôtel & Spa is a modern hotel with a prime location looking over the Tarentaise Valley and the peaks of the Mont Blanc Massif.
7. Flaine
Resort Altitude: 1,600m | Altitude at the Top: 2,500m | Avg. Annual Snow: 500cm
Located in the Grand Massif ski area, Flaine is a very snow-sure ski resort. It has an altitude of 1,600m-2,500m and is perfectly located for good snow throughout the season. It has a great reputation for the vast amount of different types of slopes available with 26km of pistes to enjoy. 71 lifts perfectly link Les Carroz, Samoëns and Morillion to Flaine. There’s also fantastic freeride opportunities if you’re keen on hunting powder.
Stay At:
The RockyPop Hotel Flaine in France is a fabulous pop-inspired hotel, located at the bottom of the slopes with ski-in ski-out access.
8. Courchevel
Resort Altitude: 1,850m | Altitude at the Top: 2,738m | Avg. Annual Snow: 450cm
Courchevel is mostly known for its luxurious reputation, but it’s also a great ski resort for reliable snow. It has a high altitude of 1,300m-3,000m and a great snow record. You can ski up to 600km of pistes with a full Three Valleys ski pass. You can easily access Val Thorens and Méribel with the 183 ski lift network. On and off the slopes Courchevel has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking for top-quality spas or superb après ski, you’re in for a treat.
Stay At:
Hotel L’Ecrin Blanc is a luxurious ski-in-ski out hotel in Courchevel, with three on-site restaurants.
9. Chamonix
Resort Altitude: 1,035m | Altitude at the Top: 3,842m | Avg. Annual Snow: 500cm
Based at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix has some of the highest ski terrain in Europe. The French ski resort has an altitude of 1,035m-3,840m, which makes it very snow-sure. Chamonix has 150km of pistes to enjoy but also has some of the best off-piste opportunities in France. Skiers from around the world visit to try its steep powder pockets. Off the slopes, there’s a fantastic choice of restaurants and bars to enjoy after a day on the mountain.
Stay At:
Chalet Ardoise in Chamonix is a luxurious, bright and spacious chalet.
10. Les Menuires
Resort Altitude: 1,850m | Altitude at the Top: 3,230m | Avg. Annual Snow: 600cm
It’s the more affordable option for skiing the Three Valleys ski area. Les Menuires has an altitude of 1,850m-3,250m which makes it one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in France. If you buy a full lift pass you can access a superb 600km of pistes. You can easily head over to neighbouring resorts Méribel, Courchevel and nearby Val Thorens. The village itself is mostly made up of apartment blocks but they’re located perfectly near the slopes.
Stay At:
The contemporary Hotel Le Kaya is found in a lovely part of Les Menuires at 1850m, with stunning views of the Cime Caron.
To find out more about snow-sure resorts when skiing in France, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
Snow-sure means that you can rely on this resort to maintain good ski conditions through the winter season.
Yes, typically the resorts that sit higher up receive more snow. And the snow tends to last for longer in these resorts.
Many ski resorts in France are snow-sure, but two of the most reliable are Tignes and Val d’Isère thanks to their high altitude. You can often ski here through to the end of April.
You can reliably book these ski resorts from December through to March, with some even offering fantastic conditions in April.
