Popular ski resort in the French Alps. Map of ski resorts in France: elite and prestigious holidays

Ski regions

The French Alps (Rhône-Alpes region and Alps department) are the most high mountains Western Europe, the ski resorts of France are the world's largest winter sports center: 380 ski stations, the largest number of lifts in the world (3900!) and the shortest queues for them. This is the largest area for skiing and the widest selection of slopes, the most high peak Western Europe Mont Blanc (Mont Blanc, 4807 m), stable weather, lots of sun, guaranteed snow cover from early December to mid-May, plus the possibility of skiing in the summer. Popular resorts regions - Chamonix, Courchevel, Val d'Isère, Tignes, Val Thorens, Les Deux Alpes, La Plagne, Megève, Meribel, etc. 175 resorts are equipped with snow cannons. 230 sports centers offer cross-country ski trails.

In addition to the famous Alpine resorts, France has a huge range of wonderful ski holiday destinations, scattered in abundance throughout mountain systems countries. Most often these are small mountain villages, used as local holiday destinations and, by and large, unable to compete with the Alps. But such small sports centers are very attractive both as summer mountain climatic and balneological resorts, and as recreation areas for lovers of cross-country skiing, paragliding, rock climbing and walking excursions. Usually located in very picturesque places close to major roads, on weekends and holidays they often attract no less guests than the famous alpine centers, but the price level here is usually significantly lower.

One of the most interesting and rapidly developing centers ski holiday are Pyrenees.

IN Massif Central due to its natural and climatic features, “clean” ski holiday unlikely. However, for the same reason, this area is considered one of best places France for cross-country skiing, initial training alpine skiing and snowboarding, hiking and horse riding routes, and its amazing nature allows you to relax here at any time of the year.

Short Vosges widely known as a great place for fans of cross-country and cross-country skiing.

Surprisingly, even a hot Mediterranean island Corsica has a whole network of its own mountain centers. The topography of the island and the abundance of zones with their own microclimate make it possible to ski from December (usually from mid-January) to March-April.

Climate

The first snow in the French Alps falls at the end of November and lasts until mid-May. Thanks to the mild climate, even in winter in the valleys at an altitude of about 1500 m, the temperature does not drop below -10°C. The most favorable time for skiing begins in mid-February, when stable sunny weather sets in. The height of the snow cover, depending on the height of the area, ranges from 0.7 to 4 meters.

Average monthly air temperature at an altitude of about 1500 m (°C): in November 0..-2, in December -2..-4, in January -5..-7, in February -2..-4, in March 0..-2, in April +2..+4.

The average height of snow cover at an altitude of about 1500 m (cm): in November 6-80, in December 90-120, in January 140-200, in February 160-220, in March 160-240, in April 140-220.

Subscription

In France, a subscription can be purchased for half a day, for a day, for two, etc. You can purchase either a general pass for the entire ski area or a separate one for each valley. It is more convenient and profitable to buy a subscription for the entire ski area at once. Ski-pass for children under 5 years of age and for adults over 72 years of age is free, special rates are available for adults over 60 years of age. There are also special family rates.

The Olympic ski area includes the Three Valleys, Espas Killy, and Paradiski. A subscription to one of the zones (minimum 6 days) gives the right to one day of skiing in one of the others (during the validity period of the subscription).

Equipment rental

Rental of equipment for alpine skiing and snowboarding is available in almost all sports stores. There are also points for servicing equipment: edge sharpening, lubrication, etc. Equipment for athletes is selected individually: depending on weight, height and level of skating.

Ski schools

There are several levels of training - for beginners, advanced training, for professionals, etc. If you combine booking lessons at ski schools with purchasing a ski-pass ticket, it will be cheaper. Provided special discounts for families of 3-4 people. During the Christmas (Catholic) holidays, when booking a lesson for one adult, one child studies for free.

France offers many ski resorts located in different parts of the country - in the southeast, in the Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. The remaining locations are located in the Pyrenees region, close to the border with Andorra.

220 ski resorts await ski lovers in France, there is a truly huge selection of all winter ski sports. Freeride is practiced in deep snow in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, the Alpine Skiing World Cup takes place in Val-d-Isere or on the 300 km pistes of the Three Valleys, cross-country skiers can ski on the slopes of Villars-de-Lans.

Many ski resorts have a long history. The oldest resort is Chamonix, where the first Olympic Games in France were held in 1924. This became a fundamental point for the development of other resorts that offer much more than just a winter holiday.

The most famous ski resorts in France

Northern Alps

The Northern Alps are home to the best ski resorts in the world. There are first-class large and small ski stations here. All places are connected by highways and pedestrian paths.

Tignes - for experienced skiers

The height of the descents is from 1500 to 3500 meters (150 km). 155 tracks, including:

• blacks - 26;
• red - 40;
• blue - 67;
• children's or green - 22.

The total number of lifts is 45. The approximate maximum amount per day is 43 €. The tourist resort will appeal to fans of freeride, ice diving, snowmobiling, and paragliding. Also in your free time you can do heli-skiing, ice climbing, and speed riding. A ski holiday in Tignes offers tourists numerous leisure opportunities in France: cinemas, hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, clubs, shops, indoor swimming pools.

Val D'isere is the best

The length of the tracks is from 1550 to 3450 meters. The number of tracks is 154, of which:

• green - 20;
• blue - 67;
• red - 41;
• blacks - 26.

Lifts - 79. Approximate maximum amount per day - 49 €. WITH long stories, extraordinary slopes and exceptional services, Val d'Isere is one of the best ski resorts in France.

Courchevel - luxury holiday

The length of the tracks is from 1850 to 2740 meters. Number of tracks - 98, of which:

• green - 19;
• blue 37;
• red - 31;
• black - 8.

Lifts - 87. Approximate maximum amount per day - 70 €. Courchevel is a place where people who value quality holidays in an elite environment meet.

Southern Alps

The meeting of the Alps and the Mediterranean climate gives these places a special character with a southern accent. Here all the modern ski resorts are located next to charming little old French villages.

Oron - democratic holiday

The length of the tracks is from 1600 to 2450 meters (135 km). Number of tracks - 42, of which:

• black - 8;
• red - 16;
• blue - 16;
• green - 2.

The total number of ski lifts is 11. Oron is located near Nice and its international airport. It is in the heart of four French ski resorts, which offer a variety of excellent quality ski slopes.

Pyrenees

A natural border between France, Spain, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the Pyrenees is an array of contrasts. The villages are home to the most modern, but accessible to most tourists, ski resorts.

Ax-les-Termes - for lovers of cross-country skiing

The length of the tracks is from 1400 to 2400 meters (80 km). Number of tracks - 35, of which:

• black - 6;
• red - 10;
• blue - 10;
• green - 9.

The total number of lifts is 17. The French resort offers a snow park and gentle slopes of Bonaskre and Baggins.

Massif Central

The Massif Central has everything you need for winter sports activities - cross-country skiing, dog sledding, paragliding, not to mention gastronomic diversity and the natural and architectural heritage of France.

Mon-dor - universal

The length of the tracks is from 1200 to 1840 meters (41 km). Number of tracks - 31, of which:

• black - 1;
• red - 6;
• blue - 8;
• green - 16.

Total number of lifts - 15. Estimated price max - 30€. The resort is suitable for beginners and experienced skiers; they will teach you how to choose ski equipment and offer sledding, skijoring, ice climbing, and mountain tourism.

Vosges

The Vosges resort in France juts out over vast forests and lakes, miles of trails and snow, and offers superb skiing. There are especially many family stations here.

Saint-Maurice - for cross-country lovers

The length of the tracks is from 1100 to 1250 meters (23 km). Number of tracks - 11, of which:

• black - 1;
• red - 2;
• blue - 3;
• green - 5.

Total number of lifts - 5. Estimated price max - 19.5 €. An ideal place for a healthy holiday.

By right, the ski resorts of France are considered to be the most prestigious in the world. The Alpine ridge, which runs through this European country, has over four thousand trails, among which there are both very difficult ones, intended for professionals, and very simple ones, where even a child can enjoy skiing.

Brief overview of all recreation areas

More than two hundred recreation areas are concentrated in this area, each of which is characterized by its own characteristics, both geographical and artificially created (hotels, restaurants and other establishments). However, all ski resorts in France, regardless of the degree of prestige, include hotels various categories(from two to five stars), a wide variety of restaurants and cafes, and, most importantly, different tracks. That is, when arriving anywhere in the French Alps, you can choose the most difficult descent for yourself, as well as the extremely simple one, and enjoy your vacation. Moreover, tourists can move around in this area without any restrictions. You can book a hotel at one resort, and on some day go to the slopes of another.

Landscapes of the world heritage

Now let's look at the most visited and recognizable ski resorts in France. Chamonix is ​​considered the heart of the entire Alpine range, where unique nature and a very pleasant climate are happy to welcome every tourist. It is located near the borders of Switzerland and Italy, so this region You will also be able to notice a slight synthesis of cultures. Despite the fact that this recreation area is perfectly equipped with trails of varying difficulty, the White Valley remains a legendary place here. This point is at an altitude of 3842 meters, and while climbing there, you can descend as much as you like off-road. The place is extreme, but everyone who has experienced all the delights of such skiing wants to return there again and again. Well, and of course, like all ski resorts, it is a center for ice mountaineering, rock climbing, winter rafting, paragliding over snowy peaks and much more.

Young and inexpensive recreation area

If you are looking for a secluded place where prices are very reasonable, but at the same time the service remains at a high level, then you will probably be attracted to the following option. The French ski resort of Tignes occupies a vast area within the Alps, which is popularly called the “Killy Space”. This place is characterized by a well-developed infrastructure, which consists of a metro, gondolas and a huge network that regularly transport tourists to various parts of the Alpine range. The resort also has a giant glacier called the Grand Mote, suitable for skiing. all year round. At its top there are many so-called blue tracks, which are most often chosen by carving enthusiasts. If you still prefer freeride, then the ideal place for descents will be the lower slopes, which are located in the west of the recreation area.

The most visited ski resorts in France

“Three Valleys” is the general name for 600 kilometers of trails, which are located at an altitude of 1300-3230 meters. More than two hundred lifts constantly transport vacationers to various heights, from which they can descend both on skis and snowboards. It is in this region that winter sports championships have been repeatedly held, and it is here that nature most organically combines with the creation of man. The Three Valleys includes recreation areas such as Val Thorens, Courchevel and Meribel (France). Val Thorens is the most high point region. Skiers here climb to a height of 2300 meters, where a stunning view of the entire Mont Blanc opens. The slopes here are calm, without obstacles, but still steep, so only a professional will feel safe here. Courchevel is the center of social life. This is the pride of France. Important ceremonies and parties are constantly taking place here; the hotel business and service sector are simply excellent. In addition to all this, the number of trails of varying difficulty is off the charts. The height of the slopes in Courchevel ranges from 1300-1800 meters, and among them there are not only simple slopes, but also tracks for jumping, for skiing or downhill. There are also many ice arenas and much more.

The Golden Mean of the Three Valleys

The ski resort of Meribel is considered the most suitable place For family vacation. At an altitude of 1,400 meters, there are cross-country trails and ordinary slopes, where there are trainers who will help everyone, including small children, learn the basics of winter sports. The architecture of the region is made entirely in the French style; it is cozy and beautiful. The service in hotels and restaurants is at a high level, and at the same time the prices are quite reasonable. Fans of ice activities are not forgotten here either. Special rinks are equipped for hockey players, where they are provided with suitable skates, as well as the necessary uniforms. For those who like to simply cut across the ice, there are many arenas under open air, where both children and adults ride. But most interesting entertainment Meribel is a walking and sled racing event. Every child will receive a lot of impressions from such entertainment, although adults can also take part in the races.

Alpine Sun Island

The premium resort is located in one of the sunniest places in the world, where golden rays envelop Mountain peaks 300 days a year. The Alpe d'Huez recreation area is characterized by trails that are located on the upper plateau. All of them face south, which allows you to enjoy the sun until late in the evening. In this region, many slopes are designed for children and beginners. The fact is that they are all flat and quite wide, there are a minimum of obstacles, and therefore safety is at a high level. It is here that the two most legendary descents are located: Saren, which is 16 kilometers long, and the Tunnel, a route cut through the glacier. The recreation area also has ice arenas, skating rinks for hockey players and much more.

The oldest recreation area in the Alps

Modern ski resorts in France were most often built on the sites of former settlements that have historical significance. Some of them completely collapsed under the influence of time, but some were preserved and have survived to this day. For example, the Megève region is a living monument of architecture and art, whose history began in the Middle Ages. In the surrounding villages, all roads are paved with cobblestones, and vehicle traffic is prohibited here. The houses that are rented out to tourists have been here for over 200 years, but they are beautifully restored and perfectly clean. Many guests come here to enjoy the spirit of antiquity, to feel how people lived here before and how wonderful it was. There is also a temple in the town, which was built in the 13th century, a monastery was built next to it, and in the center of the town there is a large clock tower.

Training center for beginner skiers

The recreation area called Portes du Soleil is another place that receives constant sunshine almost all year round. A total of 650 kilometers of trails of varying difficulty are concentrated here, but most importantly, there are a lot of schools where everyone can learn mountaineering or improve their skills. The resort is divided into four ski areas - Morzine, Avoria, Les Gets and Chatel. You need to choose one or the other depending on your skills in as well as the aspirations and peaks that you are going to overcome. Some business here is well developed, however large quantity various events and there are no secular establishments here. People come here mainly to get back into shape or learn to ski fluently from scratch. Often, graduates of local schools become Olympic champions or masters of winter sports.

A short afterword

Every year, French ski resorts welcome more and more tourists to their lands. Prices for tours here are quite reasonable (fluctuate around 500 USD per week of vacation), which makes it possible for people not only with high, but also with average incomes to visit this place. The infrastructure is well developed here, there are excellent mountain runs of varying difficulty, and schools for those who want to learn the art of skiing. And, of course, entertainment and social parties are available to vacationers. A lot of interesting things await every tourist with any tastes and preferences here.

Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2300 meters and is considered the highest ski resort in Europe. There is always a lot of snow here, and skiing safety is ensured by the special Gaz-ex avalanche control system. The "black" and "red" slopes of Val Thorens are located in the areas of Cime de Caron, Lac du Loup and La Mas, and in Pointe de Torrance fans of freeride will find excellent virgin fields. Snowboarders will be delighted by the fun park in the Plateau sector with unusual modules and special tracks for competitions. The resort also has slopes for those who are just starting to ski.
In addition, Val Thorens has a 6 km toboggan run, a snow and ice track for cars, a large sports complex, the best disco in France Underground and many wonderful places for après ski.
Photo gallery of the Val Thorens resort

Les Menuires is a family resort and a paradise for beginners; most of the slopes here are for those who are just starting out or want to improve their skills. It doesn’t take long to get from hotels and apartments to the slopes; they start right outside the door.
Les Menuires also has tracks for professionals; they are located on the slopes of Mont de la Chambre, and for snowboarders, there is an excellent fun park in the same area. Les Menuires offers beginner skiers a special ski area with an area of ​​about 5000 square meters. m and a conveyor lift. The village has a sports center with an aqua club, kids club, restaurants and bars.
Photo gallery of Les Menuires resort

Meribel is a great family ski resort. It is located in the center of the Three Valleys region and consists of three villages. This place is perfect for those who are just learning winter mountain sports or want to introduce children to skiing. Wide pistes in the Altiport and Ronde Pointe areas and a free rope tow for beginners help you get in on the charm. skiing any tourist. However, there are also steep slopes in Meribel for professional athletes, for example, the La Face Olympic women's circuit or the descent to Combe du Valon. Meribel will also delight snowboarders - there are two special areas, Platier Snowpark and Arpasson Moonpark. In the first, a 650-meter track with obstacles, a half-pipe and a baby pipe is open to snowboarders, and in the second, a kilometer-long track with obstacles and two half-pipes.
Meribel has a sports complex, bowling alley, cinemas and nightclubs. The resort's restaurants are generally open after 17:00. Fans of parties and noisy parties can recommend the village of Mottare, where there are many discos, bars and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of Meribel resort

Brides-les-Bains is a superbly located ski resort with ideal access to the Three Valleys. Straight cable car Olympus will take skiers and snowboarders to Meribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. The town was built for the 1992 Olympic Games and offers budget accommodation at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level.
The total area of ​​the resort's slopes is 77 km; there are 58 lifts with a capacity of 64 thousand people per hour. There are two fun parks for snowboarders and 33 km of ski trails for cross-country skiers.
In Brides-les-Bains you can not only have great skiing, but also improve your health; there is a large wellness center with thermal springs.

Val d'Isere is one of the most sporting resorts in the French Alps. Every year in November, the first starts of the World Cup are held here; in 1992, the resort hosted the Winter Olympics, in 2009 – the World Alpine Ski Championships. The sports tracks located in the Belleward area are open to everyone in the afternoon. At the same time, Val d’Isere has special ski areas for beginners, as well as excellent ski schools that will teach everything necessary for both children and adults. Resort guests have at their disposal a well-designed lift system that connects Val d'Isere with all ski areas, and 150 km of well-prepared slopes, including 12 green, 24 blue, 28 red and 15 black slopes. Val d'Pistes The Isères are known for their diversity, with a height difference of up to 1300 m.
Three ski areas: Bellevard, Solace and Col de Lisérant offer sports lovers a variety of trails. There are freeride areas, sports slopes, challenging black runs and magnificent panoramic slopes that will not leave you indifferent. Snowpark Val d'Isere is located in the Bellevard area. The resort is famous for its beautiful architectural appearance, an excellent selection of comfortable hotels and apartments and excellent restaurants. Outdoor skating rink, aquatic center, night club, many restaurants and cafes will allow you to have a great time after skiing. Tourists can be sure that Val d'Isere offers a truly diverse range of leisure activities.
Photo gallery of the Val d'Isere resort

Megève – excellent alpine resort, where both skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of opportunities for interesting skiing. The city itself looks great with buildings in the Savoyard style. There are great hotels here, wonderful entertainment centers, restaurants and shops.
The resort offers its guests 222 pistes and is located in the center of the large Evasion-Mont Blanc ski area, where there are about 445 km of marked pistes of varying difficulty levels and 113 lifts. The ski season here lasts from December to April. The most interesting, beautiful and at the same time difficult slopes can be found in the Mont Joly and Mont Joux areas. There is another section with “red” and “black” tracks in Kot-2000. Those who are not so confident in their abilities should pay attention to the descents to Mont-d'Arbois or Comploux. Beginners will also find a place to ski in Megeve; easy “green” and “blue” slopes can be found not only below the town, but also in all three ski areas.
Snowboarders will appreciate the slopes in Combloux-Les-Jaillers, as well as the Piste de Fentin boarder route in Côte 2000 - Rochebrune. In addition to the Sports Palace with a swimming pool, saunas, gymnasium and fitness center, Megève has cinemas, a bowling alley, an indoor Olympic skating rink and even an aviation club. Fans of evening entertainment will find casinos, jazz and bridge clubs, discos and many boutiques. Magnificent views of Mont Blanc can be seen from Mont Joly, and in Saint-Gervais you can swim in the thermal springs.
Photo gallery of the Megève resort

Courchevel is perhaps the most prestigious French resort, very popular among Russian tourists. A variety of slopes, an excellent choice of tracks, beautiful virgin slopes - all this allows both beginners and experienced ski lovers to get a lot of pleasure from their holiday. The shopping and social life of Courchevel is amazing.
Beginners will enjoy the wide green and blue pistes in the Belcôte and Pralon ski areas. Those who are confident in skiing and snowboarding should look at the beautiful forest slope of Buc Blanc and the “red” slopes in Marmot and Creux. Professionals will appreciate the “black” slopes of Col de la Loz, Les Aval, Col du Pass du Lac, as well as descents from Saulir stations. 65 lifts take tourists to the Alpine peaks. Courchevel has a snow park, a half-pipe, many snow cannons, and a 2-kilometer long toboggan run. Indoor sports complex, bowling alley, fitness center, skating rink, concert hall and a cinema, numerous discos, galleries and restaurants will not let you get bored after skiing.
The resort has more than 100 shops, where all the world's famous brands are represented. Courchevel's restaurants and boutiques are designed for high-income tourists. The closest railroad station, Moutieres Salines, is located half an hour from the resort.
Courchevel Village is a cozy family ski resort, which is located at an altitude of 1550 m. Until 2013, it was better known as Courchevel 1550. This is a small Alpine town in Savoyard style with an economical hotel, excellent apartments and modern luxury chalets.
Two lifts connect Courchevel Village with the main ski areas of the region. There is a ski school, a tourist information office, a rental shop, restaurants, bars, a disco and an ice skating rink. You will like the resort family tourists and lovers of secluded relaxation, however, from here you can easily reach the noisier parts of Courchevel with famous restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of the Courchevel resort

The popular ski resort of Tignes is located at an altitude of 2100 m in the Espace Killy ski area. Spacious wide tracks, excellent freeride opportunities and a long season make it an excellent choice for skiers and snowboarders. The three ski areas of Tignes - Tignes-le-Lac, Val Claret and Lavache - are connected by a system of lifts and are located next to a picturesque lake. On the Grand Motte glacier ski season opens at the beginning of October, in other zones - at the end of November and lasts until the first third of May.
Sports lovers will find 76 slopes in Tignes, most of them blue and red, a snow park with a half-pipe, a mogul slope and an excellent ski school. Here you can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowskiing, ice climbing, or paragliding or helicoptering.
Cozy cafes and restaurants, noisy discos and bars will not let you get bored after skiing. The resort's infrastructure is famous for its compact and convenient location, and the prices for accommodation here are quite affordable.

Les Arcs is a group of resorts located in the heart of the French Alps, in the Haute Tarentaise valley. The resort towns are located here at altitudes from 1600 to 2000 meters above sea level and are connected by ski slopes and lifts. The skiing season is from mid-December to the end of April. Fans of mountain winter sports in Les Arcs will find 121 ski and snowboard trails, a wide variety of ski lifts, and two snow parks with halfpipes. There are also opportunities for unusual sports, such as speedwriting and skijoring.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a popular ski resort in the Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The first tourists appeared in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the beginning of the 19th century, and since then the resort has only been gaining popularity. In 1924, the First Winter Olympic Games were held here. Today Chamonix-Mont-Blanc welcomes up to 5 million tourists and athletes a year.
There are several ski areas in the Chamonix Valley: Grand Montet, Le Tours, Breven, Les Houches, Flègeres, as well as the famous off-piste descent from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, 20 kilometers long - the White Valley. It is because of the White Valley that the resort is considered the capital of extreme skiing in France.
There is no single ski area in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, however, ski buses will take tourists to the ski lifts in 7-15 minutes. Nice hotels and great bars, interesting museums and mountain Railway to Mont Blanc (at an altitude of 2372 m) will make your holiday in Chamonix interesting and enjoyable, even if you are not going to ski all day long.

Val Thorens is located at an altitude of 2300 meters and is considered the highest ski resort in Europe. There is always a lot of snow here, and skiing safety is ensured by the special Gaz-ex avalanche control system. The "black" and "red" slopes of Val Thorens are located in the areas of Cime de Caron, Lac du Loup and La Mas, and in Pointe de Torrance fans of freeride will find excellent virgin fields. Snowboarders will be delighted by the fun park in the Plateau sector with unusual modules and special tracks for competitions. The resort also has slopes for those who are just starting to ski.
In addition, Val Thorens has a 6-kilometer toboggan run, a snow and ice track for cars, a large sports complex, the best discotheque in France, the Underground, and many wonderful après-ski spots.
Photo gallery of the Val Thorens resort

Les Menuires is a family resort and a paradise for beginners; most of the slopes here are for those who are just starting out or want to improve their skills. It doesn’t take long to get from hotels and apartments to the slopes; they start right outside the door.
Les Menuires also has tracks for professionals; they are located on the slopes of Mont de la Chambre, and for snowboarders, there is an excellent fun park in the same area. Les Menuires offers beginner skiers a special ski area with an area of ​​about 5000 square meters. m and a conveyor lift. The village has a sports center with an aqua club, a children's club, restaurants and bars.
Photo gallery of Les Menuires resort

Meribel is a great family ski resort. It is located in the center of the Three Valleys region and consists of three villages. This place is perfect for those who are just learning winter mountain sports or want to introduce children to skiing. Wide pistes in the Altiport and Rond-Point areas and a free ski lift for beginners will help any tourist to join the charm of skiing. However, there are also steep slopes in Meribel for professional athletes, for example, the La Face Olympic women's circuit or the descent to Combe du Valon. Meribel will also delight snowboarders - there are two special areas, Platier Snowpark and Arpasson Moonpark. In the first, a 650-meter track with obstacles, a half-pipe and a baby pipe is open to snowboarders, and in the second, a kilometer-long track with obstacles and two half-pipes.
Meribel has a sports complex, bowling alley, cinemas and nightclubs. The resort's restaurants are generally open after 17:00. Fans of parties and noisy parties can recommend the village of Mottare, where there are many discos, bars and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of Meribel resort

Brides-les-Bains is a superbly located ski resort with ideal access to the Three Valleys. The direct Olympus cable car takes skiers and snowboarders to Meribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel. The town was built for the 1992 Olympic Games and offers budget accommodation at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level.
The total area of ​​the resort's slopes is 77 km; there are 58 lifts with a capacity of 64 thousand people per hour. There are two fun parks for snowboarders and 33 km of ski trails for cross-country skiers.
In Brides-les-Bains you can not only have great skiing, but also improve your health; there is a large wellness center with thermal springs.

Val d'Isere is one of the most sporting resorts in the French Alps. Every year in November, the first starts of the World Cup are held here; in 1992, the resort hosted the Winter Olympics, in 2009 – the World Alpine Ski Championships. The sports tracks located in the Belleward area are open to everyone in the afternoon. At the same time, Val d’Isere has special ski areas for beginners, as well as excellent ski schools that will teach everything necessary for both children and adults. Resort guests have at their disposal a well-designed lift system that connects Val d'Isere with all ski areas, and 150 km of well-prepared slopes, including 12 green, 24 blue, 28 red and 15 black slopes. Val d'Pistes The Isères are known for their diversity, with a height difference of up to 1300 m.
Three ski areas: Bellevard, Solace and Col de Lisérant offer sports lovers a variety of trails. There are freeride areas, sports slopes, challenging black runs and magnificent panoramic slopes that will not leave you indifferent. Snowpark Val d'Isere is located in the Bellevard area. The resort is famous for its beautiful architectural appearance, an excellent selection of comfortable hotels and apartments and excellent restaurants. An outdoor skating rink, aquatic center, night club, many restaurants and cafes will allow you to have a great time after skating. Tourists can be sure that Val d'Isere offers a truly diverse range of leisure activities.
Photo gallery of the Val d'Isere resort

Megève is an excellent alpine resort where both skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of opportunities for interesting skiing. The city itself looks great with buildings in the Savoyard style. There are great hotels, wonderful entertainment centers, restaurants and shops.
The resort offers its guests 222 pistes and is located in the center of the large Evasion-Mont Blanc ski area, where there are about 445 km of marked pistes of varying difficulty levels and 113 lifts. The ski season here lasts from December to April. The most interesting, beautiful and at the same time difficult slopes can be found in the Mont Joly and Mont Joux areas. There is another section with “red” and “black” tracks in Kot-2000. Those who are not so confident in their abilities should pay attention to the descents to Mont-d'Arbois or Comploux. Beginners will also find a place to ski in Megeve; easy “green” and “blue” slopes can be found not only below the town, but also in all three ski areas.
Snowboarders will appreciate the slopes in Combloux-Les-Jaillers, as well as the Piste de Fentin boarder route in Côte 2000 - Rochebrune. In addition to the Sports Palace with a swimming pool, saunas, gymnasium and fitness center, Megève has cinemas, a bowling alley, an indoor Olympic skating rink and even an aviation club. Fans of evening entertainment will find casinos, jazz and bridge clubs, discos and many boutiques. Magnificent views of Mont Blanc can be seen from Mont Joly, and in Saint-Gervais you can swim in the thermal springs.
Photo gallery of the Megève resort

Courchevel is perhaps the most prestigious French resort, very popular among Russian tourists. A variety of slopes, an excellent choice of tracks, beautiful virgin slopes - all this allows both beginners and experienced ski lovers to get a lot of pleasure from their holiday. The shopping and social life of Courchevel is amazing.
Beginners will enjoy the wide green and blue pistes in the Belcôte and Pralon ski areas. Those who are confident in skiing and snowboarding should look at the beautiful forest slope of Buc Blanc and the “red” slopes in Marmot and Creux. Professionals will appreciate the “black” slopes of Col de la Loz, Les Aval, Col du Pass du Lac, as well as descents from Saulir stations. 65 lifts take tourists to the Alpine peaks. Courchevel has a snow park, a half-pipe, many snow cannons, and a 2-kilometer long toboggan run. An indoor sports complex, bowling alley, fitness center, skating rink, concert hall and cinema, numerous discos, galleries and restaurants will not let you get bored after skating.
The resort has more than 100 shops, where all the world's famous brands are represented. Courchevel's restaurants and boutiques are designed for high-income tourists. The nearest train station, Moutieres Salins, is half an hour's drive from the resort.
Courchevel Village is a cozy family ski resort, which is located at an altitude of 1550 m. Until 2013, it was better known as Courchevel 1550. This is a small Alpine town in Savoyard style with an economical hotel, excellent apartments and modern luxury chalets.
Two lifts connect Courchevel Village with the main ski areas of the region. There is a ski school, a tourist information office, a rental shop, restaurants, bars, a disco and an ice skating rink. The resort will appeal to family tourists and lovers of a secluded holiday, however, from here you can easily reach the noisier parts of Courchevel with famous restaurants, shops and nightclubs.
Photo gallery of the Courchevel resort

The popular ski resort of Tignes is located at an altitude of 2100 m in the Espace Killy ski area. Spacious, wide pistes, excellent freeride opportunities and a long season make it an excellent choice for skiers and snowboarders. The three ski areas of Tignes - Tignes-le-Lac, Val Claret and Lavache - are connected by a system of lifts and are located next to a picturesque lake. On the Grand Motte glacier, the ski season opens at the beginning of October, in other areas - at the end of November and lasts until the first third of May.
Sports lovers will find 76 slopes in Tignes, most of them blue and red, a snow park with a half-pipe, a mogul slope and an excellent ski school. Here you can also go cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowskiing, ice climbing, or paragliding or helicoptering.
Cozy cafes and restaurants, noisy discos and bars will not let you get bored after skiing. The resort's infrastructure is famous for its compact and convenient location, and the prices for accommodation here are quite affordable.

Les Arcs is a group of resorts located in the heart of the French Alps, in the Haute Tarentaise valley. The resort towns are located here at altitudes from 1600 to 2000 meters above sea level and are connected by ski slopes and lifts. The skiing season is from mid-December to the end of April. Fans of mountain winter sports in Les Arcs will find 121 ski and snowboard trails, a wide variety of ski lifts, and two snow parks with halfpipes. There are also opportunities for unusual sports, such as speedwriting and skijoring.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a popular ski resort in the Alps, at the foot of Mont Blanc. The first tourists appeared in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at the beginning of the 19th century, and since then the resort has only been gaining popularity. In 1924, the First Winter Olympic Games were held here. Today Chamonix-Mont-Blanc welcomes up to 5 million tourists and athletes a year.
There are several ski areas in the Chamonix Valley: Grand Montet, Le Tours, Breven, Les Houches, Flègeres, as well as the famous off-piste descent from the top of the Aiguille du Midi, 20 kilometers long - the White Valley. It is because of the White Valley that the resort is considered the capital of extreme skiing in France.
There is no single ski area in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, however, ski buses will take tourists to the ski lifts in 7-15 minutes. Good hotels and excellent bars, interesting museums and a mountain railway to Mont Blanc (at an altitude of 2372 m) will make a holiday in Chamonix interesting and enjoyable, even if you do not plan to ski all day long.