Cheap ski resorts in France. Where to ski in France? Training center for beginners

France is an amazing place, truly paradise, due to its so favorable geographical position.

There is news for a carefree vacation - the sea, the sun, and the mountains. The beaches of France attract beau monde, and ski resorts are rightfully considered the best in the world.

French ski resorts are highly appreciated by both amateurs and professionals. France was the mistress of the White Olympics three times - Chamonix (1924). Grenoble (1968) and Albertville (1992). It was here in Chamonix in 1924 that for the first time laid the tradition of the Winter Olympic Games.

Ski resorts are located both in the Alps and in the Pyrenees. Alpine resorts are more famous and popular, thanks to their high location pains, long season and extensive ski areas. However, the Pyrenees also have their fans - those who love snow and the sun, and a leisurely vacation away from noise and crowds, come here. You must also give due rest in the Pyrenees much cheaper with the same quality.

Ski resorts in France began to develop since the beginning of the nineteenth century, and especially rapidly after the Second World War. Having begun much later than the Austrians and Swiss, the French soon surpassed them in terms of equipment and infrastructure of the resorts. It was the French who came up with the idea of \u200b\u200buniting the ski areas of small villages, thereby they formed a proposal that is impossible to resist.

France has gained worldwide fame with ski areas such as the Three Valleys and Port du Soleil, the largest in the world.

Port du Soleil includes 650 km of ski slopes and 12 separate resorts in the Franco-Swiss region; the most popular French resorts of them are Avoriaz, Morzine and Les Gets.

The Three Valleys is the world's largest interconnected ski resort, covering 600 km of ski slopes and linking the famous resorts of Courchevel,

The Paradiski ski area is worthy of special mention: the 420 km ski area is the union of the resorts Pessey Wallandry, La Plagne and Les Arcs. The last two are the most famous, as they offer a large and diverse terrain above 3000 m with a guarantee of snow cover.

It is impossible not to mention the "resort number one in France" - Espace Killy. A huge combined ski area, two popular ski stations Tignes and Val de Zir, a guarantee of snow in winter, a long season and glacier rides in summer, excellent infrastructure and alluring nightlife - all this attracts winter sports fans like a magnet. Espace Killy is positioned as a youth resort.

Most French ski stations, like La Plagne, were specifically built from scratch in the 1950s and 1960s as ski resorts, and as a result, many of them are among the highest in Europe, like Val Thorens at 2,300 m or Tignes at 2,100m, which means excellent snow conditions for almost six months.

Most French ski resorts, including Chamonix, today are large and cosmopolitan. So many bars, concert venues, discos, sports clubs and shops can sometimes not boast a small provincial town. And no one is surprised by the Michelin star on the door of a local restaurant.

However, there are pleasant exceptions, Chatel and Le Je in the Department of Upper Savoy are two examples of small stations that have retained their traditional charm, with Alpine architecture, family pensions and typical cuisine of a region produced by farmers living nearby.

Family-type resorts specially awarded by the French Tourist Board with the \\ "Famille Plus \\" mark are especially valued in France. If you are looking for a resort at affordable prices for family vacations - a kindergarten, a children's ski school and daily entertainment for children, then pay attention to the resorts marked with this \\ "Famille Plus \\" sign, for example, Chatel, Les Gets, Les 2 Alpes or Val Thorens.

The 20 ski resorts scattered throughout the French Pyrenees tend to have less and less developed infrastructure than the Alps, but they offer a friendly, laid-back atmosphere and large expanses of unspoiled wildlife. Some of the most popular ski resorts in the French Pyrenees include Saint-Larry, Piau Engely, Gavarnie and Cotreux.

Prices for ski lifts are similar to Switzerland, Austria or Italy, starting from € 22 to 48 per day.

The airports of Geneva, Lyon, Nice and Milan provide international transport in the French Alps. Buses and shuttle services are arranged on arrival days from these airports.

Studying the list of the best ski resorts in France to plan your vacation, it is quite difficult to make a choice. Each of them has its own advantages and offers great opportunities for recreation and sports entertainment. Consider the top five best French ski points for a luxury vacation!

1. Chamonix (Chamonix)

Would you like to spend your vacation somewhere in the snowy Alps? Chamonix Resort should definitely be on the list of places you can go to. The guests of the resort call it the winter heart of France, because it is here from all over the world that athletes and ordinary vacationers arrive in order to test their strength on the endless slopes of the Alpine mountains.
  The resort offers its guests many stunning slopes designed for both professionals and beginners, who first went skiing or snowboarding:

• Grands Montets (1235 m - 3300 m),
• Brevent and Flegere (1030 m - 2525 m),
• Balme - Vallorcine (1453m - 2270m),
• Les Houches (950m -1900m),
• La Vormaine (1480 m),
• Le Savoy (1049 m),
• Les Chosalets (1230 m).

The magnificent Chamonix is \u200b\u200bfamous for its stunning cable car to Aiguille du Midi, which extends over 3842 m. It’s even hard to imagine the area of \u200b\u200blandscapes that attract the human eye from its top!

As for the sights, one cannot but recall the panoramic restaurant on top of the Brevent cable car. If you decide to try its incomparable cuisine, do not miss the opportunity to admire the spectacular scenery of the Mont Blanc massif.
  Also in Chamonix you can order helicopter tours over the territory of the Mont Blanc massif (from Chamonix-Argentiere). From an impressive height, you can enjoy not only the endless ridge of the Alpine mountains, but also the beauty of the villages in the valley, such as Les Houches and Vallorcine. You can also take a tram ride in the Mer de Glace Glacier and much, much more.

2. Courchevel (Courchevel)

This, without exaggeration, luxurious, luxury resort located on the territory of the “Three Valleys” (“Val Thorens”) and is part of one of them - Saint-Bon-Tarantez. Together with the des Alle and Belleville valleys, they create the world's largest skiing area.
  Courchevel is famous for its amazing system of lifts (65 pcs., Including funiculars), which every season hosts tens of thousands of people who want to not only relax at a height under an endless sky, but also to test their strength, gliding along spectacular alpine slopes.

In addition to sports entertainment, connoisseurs of branded clothing can visit such luxury stores as LouisVuitton, Prada, Cartier, Fendi, Dior, Chanel, Hermes, Valentino and others.
  Courchevel is a favorite resort of VIPs and representatives of royal families, so it is not difficult to imagine how fashionable hotels are located on its territory, and how first-class service is provided in local restaurants.
  Speaking about the cuisine of Courchevel, it is worth saying that there are restaurants with Michelin stars. And this, as you know, is the most respectful award that only the best of the best restaurateurs are awarded.

3. Meribel

The resort offers much more than just skiing and snowboarding sports! Countless recreational activities for you and your family will provide an unforgettable vacation. And it doesn’t matter at all how much money you are willing to spend - Meribel will take care of all its guests.
  The resort’s lifting system is one of the most modern, and it’s important that all the tracks, equipment and equipment for skiers, snowboarders are constantly being improved and updated.
  Meribel is especially appreciated for the possibility of placing tourists in comfortable rural houses, animators with whom you can leave your children, and tour operators who are ready to fully lend themselves to you in order to provide exceptional relaxation and an unforgettable experience.

Luxury hotels, residences and self-catering apartments can afford not only guests with a high level of income - the resort takes care of all its visitors.
  The winter season usually starts from the second week of December and lasts until the very end of April (New Year, February and March are the busiest times at the resort).
  Meribel is adjacent to many other ski resorts, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the vast Three Valleys ski area.

These articles about the best ski resorts in the world may be useful to you:
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4. Val d’Isere (Val d’Isere)

The incomparable slopes of Val d’Isere have always been a place of excellence in sport, whether it be the Olympic Games or the World Ski Championships. Nevertheless, this legendary zone is an ideal place not only for professionals and champions, but also for those who just want to feel in paradise, living in luxury rooms, tasting restaurant delights, relaxing in the SPA center - touching the real French winter mountains

300 kilometers of tracks, freeride routes and snow parks, together with a specific geographical location, make the resort not only one of the most popular among tourists pursuing sporting interests, but also a place where VIPs from around the world rush to get anxious expectation.
  Guests are presented with a charming village with about 1800 inhabitants, each of which, in the winter season, has 15 tourists who can also live in these fabulous houses with large fireplaces, delicious food and simply excellent living conditions.

5. Val Thorens (Val Thorens)

No other ski resort is as close to the sky as Val Thorens.
  The exceptional location brought him unrivaled fame, because the Alps in its territory are the highest in Europe.

Nestled among six giant glaciers ski resort "Val Thorens"   offers many routes and route options, both for professionals and beginners. Having at its disposal a huge number of hotels, restaurants, attractions, sightseeing tours, Val Thorens will provide you with all the conditions so that you can enjoy your vacation to the maximum.
  A huge observation deck on one of the peaks of the lifts will allow you to appreciate the exceptional landscape beauty of the alpine peaks (at the French, Swiss, Italian borders).
  “Val Thorens” is not only a gate to a pompous ski park of indescribable sizes, but also immense masses of snow, thanks to which you can enjoy a unique panorama, descending from a height of 3200 meters.

If you decide to go on vacation to Val Thorens, you will be amazed at the abundance of slopes (a total of 68 slopes for 140 km.) That are ergonomically connected to 30 ski lifts. Among 26 red, 28 blue and 10 green tracks, beginners and professionals will surely find something to do.

Ski resorts in France are considered one of the most modern not only in Europe, but throughout the world. The French Alps open the eyes of tourists to magnificent landscapes, and it’s breathtaking to ride on the equipped tracks. Here come fans of skiing, snowboarding, as well as bobsledding and other winter sports.

All tracks are divided into categories, depending on the level of difficulty. Some of them will be most comfortable for beginners, while others will appeal to professionals. Sporting events are often held on the local routes, and Olympics are also held here three times. 200 resorts are interconnected so that every traveler finds the perfect option for themselves.

Skating on plains or steep slopes takes place on tracks illuminated at night. Modern lifts and comfortable hotels with a high level of service await tourists in.

French Alps ski season

In the mountainous region of France, the ski season begins in February. It is during this period of the year that the weather is clear.

• The first snow covers the slopes of the mountains in November. At present, six to eighty centimeters of precipitation falls.
• In December, mountain peaks (at an altitude of 1.5 km.) Are covered by 90-120 cm of rainfall.
• In January, this figure reaches 140-200.
• In February, the land is covered with 160-240 centimeters of snow.
• And from March to April, the snow cover is at the level of 140-220 cm.

There are territories where the volume of snow can exceed four meters. Precipitation melts in the second half of May.

Pricing policy of ski resorts in France

More than two hundred lifts and about 600 kilometers of marked trails await tourists in the Three Valleys region. Even a long stay at the resort does not imply a repetition of routes, which impresses professional skiers. To relax in the Val Thorens resort at the 3 * hotel, tourists will have to pay about 750 euros for one week, and a four-star hotel will cost two hundred euros more.

The most famous French ski resort of Courchevel offers accommodation in the most luxurious hotels. Also, elite restaurants and boutiques are open here. For a week of rest in a three-star hotel, tourists will spend about 700 euros, in 4 * - 1300 euros, and in a 5-star hotel - about 2150 euros, per person.

More than three hundred kilometers of modern pistes await travelers at the highest resorts of Tignes and Val D Isere. Snow cover lasts all season. A week of relaxation for one person in a 2 * hotel will cost 720 euros, a hotel room 3 costs only 10 euros more *. For accommodation in a four-star hotel they will ask about 850 euros, and in 5 * - 1100 euros.

The best winter resorts in France

Among the most impressive resorts in France, one can distinguish the Top 7 best:

1. Meribel

In the "heart" of the ski system "Three Valleys" is located this stunning resort. Excellent slopes, equipped lifts and recreational areas will give tourists a pleasant pastime. This resort is deservedly called the "pearl" of vacation spots for skiers and snowboarders.

Original route schemes connect the small town of Meribel, the settlement of Meribel Village and the town of Mottaret. There are 150 kilometers of routes for recreation and skiing. For beginners, 8 “green” routes are open here. Blue marking marks the tracks for those who have basic skiing skills. Twenty-three “red” tracks are suitable for experienced skiers, and nine slopes marked with black will appeal to extremals.

This fabulous place is distinguished by its sunny slopes, where warm rays warm the skiers in the afternoon. The resort has fifteen gondola lifts, as well as lifts with armchairs and 14 tow ropes. To keep the snow cover even, 685 snow installations are involved.

Walking along the equipped paths, flying on a hang glider, traveling by cable car, bowling alley, skating rink and swimming pool, as well as sports shops and many cozy catering establishments - all this awaits guests of the Meribel resort.

This tourist resort is equipped with comfortable lifts and cozy hotels for travelers. This place is open for tourists all year round, and invites outdoor enthusiasts to ski or snowboard in winter, as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery at any time of the year.

In addition to snowboarding and downhill skiing, it offers sports such as telemark or squalling. Snow remains on the tops of the mountains all year round. Three hundred kilometers of modern slopes and one hundred high-speed lifts are equipped here (including a funicular with seating cabins). This resort is visited by both beginners and professional athletes. There are often competitions.

1. Val Thorens

This resort is considered the most democratic in France. It can be easily reached from many cities by plane or train. The on-site activities include relaxing pastimes and winter sports. Most hotels here have access to the ski lifts. The overhead lift is capable of simultaneously moving 150 people. For the convenience of skiing and snowboarding, the slopes are equipped with avalanche systems. Snow cannons and other snowmaking systems provide excellent coverage throughout the season, which begins in November and ends in May.

The local snowboard parks are distinguished by the presence of jumps, quarter pipes, halfpipes and other places for skiing, where the competitions are held. Val Thorens has thirty-one ski lifts and sixty-six marked routes with a total length of 140 kilometers. Relief slopes, difficult tracks or a shallow zone at the foot of the mountain for beginners - all this will appeal to athletes of any level.

There is a ski school for adults and children. Also, the resort has an aquaclub (with a pool and a bathhouse), tennis courts, squash and volleyball zones, a climbing wall, a rollerdrome, gyms and even a paragliding club. Especially for children, mini-clubs and Fun Park are organized here, where there is a pool filled with balls, slides for kids, jumps and an inflatable palace. Among other things, there are a large number of cafes, restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs.

1. Chamonix

This mountain valley will give tourists an unforgettable experience. It combines a fourteen-kilometer natural glacier and a twenty-kilometer ski slope. Snow flooring lasts from December to May. Forty-seven ski lifts and seventy-eight slopes with a total length of 140 kilometers will conquer any skier or snowboarder.

In addition to skiing on a board or skiing, you can go snowshoeing, snowmobiling or dog sledding on the ice peak. Also, tourists are offered flights on a hang glider and a helicopter. Among other things, there is a bowling alley, ice rink, swimming pool, dance floors, bars and restaurants where you can have fun.

1. Courchevel

The most beautiful famous resort is considered one of the most representative of the French regions. This elite holiday destination has a developed infrastructure, amazing natural riches, as well as a large number of chic restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues, from the windows of which you can see the peak of the famous Mont Blanc Mountain.

Here you can skate and go bowling, squash or tennis. A large selection of trails for beginners, as well as extreme routes like snowboarders and skiers. Sixty-two lifts are open here, and the length of multilevel routes is one hundred and fifty kilometers.

1. Les Arcs

This popular resort is located in the province of Savoy. Several villages, interconnected, are located at different levels. A large number of lifts (there are fifty-four in total), professional equipment, as well as tracks with a total length of about 420 kilometers, impress tourists. It is equipped with descents of all levels. You can ride here from December to the end of April.

Professionals practice off-piste skiing on the slopes of the resort. All slopes are illuminated at night. Cross-country trails will appeal to skiers. The snowboard park amazes with the number of devices for jumping and stunts, as well as with a half-pipe and a track for border cross-country. There are schools for beginner skiers and children.

Among other things, here you can visit the ice cave or museum, as well as do hang gliding, ride horses or dog sledding, play paintball, relax in the sauna, pool or solarium.

1. Megeve

The very "heart" of the Alps at the foot of Mont Blanc can be seen by visiting this fashionable resort. This place is very prestigious, therefore hotel rooms here are booked in advance. A huge number of diverse entertainment, as well as unforgettable skiing or snowboarding await tourists here. The length of the piste is 440 kilometers. A multifaceted vacation will appeal to connoisseurs of luxury.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from Readers

What is the temperature in the winter at French ski resorts?

Alpine mountains are famous for their wonderful weather all year round. A pleasant temperature is maintained here even in winter. The temperature indicators are characteristic for the whole season:

• november and March: from 0 to -2 ⁰С;
• december and February: from -2 to -4 ⁰С;
• january: from -5 to -7 ⁰С (very rarely -10 ⁰С);
• april: from +2 to +4 ⁰С.

Which resorts are better to visit with children?

Anyone who prefers a family vacation should go to the resorts, where there are children's ski schools, mini-clubs, kindergartens and amusement parks. Among such options will be such resorts as:

• Les Arcs;
• La Plagne;
• Avoriaz
• Val Thorens;
• Samoyen.

Which of the resorts are distinguished by the presence of thermal springs?

Among the French mountain resorts, which will combine skiing and SPA-relaxation, the following stand out:

• Breed Le Ben. The large city SPA-center offers everyone to relax and improve the body immediately after skiing.
• Megeve. Near the resort is the thermal park "Saint Gervais les Bains". Tourists will be able to improve their health, thanks to the local hot mineral springs.

Extraordinary impressions of the charming mountains and the French lifestyle await tourists here. It is worth going here for the thrills and wonderful emotions of contemplating the landscape in order to get the most amazing ski tour guaranteed.

Overview of the best ski resorts of the French Alps from the magazine "site"

Where endless valleys are adjacent to snow-capped peaks, and large cities coexist with patriarchal villages, there are the highest mountains in Western Europe - the French Alps. The main ski resorts in France are concentrated in the Rhone-Alpes region: 380 stations and 3900 lifts are combined into the world's largest winter recreation center.

Lovers of flat skiing and those who prefer steep slopes can enjoy skiing in France. It is not surprising that ski tourism is booming in the country. Winter resorts of the French Alps are healing air, sunny weather, mild climate, thanks to which even in winter the temperature in the mountains rarely drops below -10 °, a stable snow cover that lasts almost until the summer. The first snow usually falls in the last days of autumn, and the best time for skiing begins in the second half of February, when the weather is clear and sunny.

The French Alps is more than 200 winter resorts, more than 4000 tracks for bobsled, snowboards, skiing and other outdoor activities. This is first-class service, the smallest lines for lifts, a large selection of well-equipped slopes and the ability to ride even in summer. The largest ski region in the French Alps - Three Valleys (Les Trois Vallees) includes 600 km of pistes at an altitude of 1300 to 3300 m. Its most famous resorts are Meribel, Val Thorens and Courchevel.

Aristocratic Courchevel

The world famous Courchevel is the most fashionable resort of the Three Valleys. Among the world centers of ski tourism, he has no equal in quality of service, level of hotels and variety of entertainment. This is one of the most prestigious holiday destinations in the French Alps and one of the most chic winter resorts in the world. Courchevel has the world's largest ski area with varied, well-prepared slopes and an ultramodern ski lift system. In addition to the traditional slopes, this winter recreation center has cross-country skiing tracks, slalom and speed skiing tracks, Olympic ski jumping tracks and open-air ice arenas. In Courchevel, you can stay for a month and never ride on the same slope. Ski slopes laid through picturesque forests: such walks leave a lot of pleasant impressions. And on the most beautiful slopes, where pristine snow lies on a vast expanse, a helicopter delivers everyone.

In Courchevel, both lovers of noisy companies and those who prefer privacy and silence will like to relax. The resort combines several ski centers - small with cozy chalets and reasonable prices, and large, with well-developed infrastructure, a large selection of entertainment and the highest level of service. At the disposal of tourists - a cinema, a concert hall, billiards, bowling, piano bars, exhibitions, art galleries, many luxury shops and alpine restaurants. The best establishments in Courchevel serve exquisite dishes - escalopes in onion sauce, lamb with artichokes and olives, Burgundy fondue, polenta with foie gras escalopes. One of the most colorful restaurants, La Bergerie, is located in an old log cabin.

Courchevel resort official website:   www.courchevel.com

Elegant Meribel Mottaret

Ski center Meribel-Mottaret ("Heart of the Three Valleys", as it is often called) was founded in the early 20th century by the British. It consists of two ski areas. The first is made in the traditional French style, and the second, Meribel-Mottaret, is more modern: the possibility of comfortable living at fairly affordable prices made it especially popular among young people. Meribel Mottare offers its guests excellent running tracks, wonderful slopes and various entertainments - skating rinks, hockey grounds, dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowmobiling, karting on ice, parachuting. Every Wednesday a “market on wheels” arrives in the village.

Holidays in Meribel will especially appeal to experienced skiers, as well as lovers of snowboarding and cross-country skiing. For beginners, the Altiport area and the Blanchot route are suitable for skiing. Those who want to improve their technique, it is better to go to Rond-Pois, Pas du Lac or Plater. And professionals are waiting for the La Faz track and the descent of Comp du Valon. Meribel is popular due to its large ski area, a well-thought-out cableway network, mesmerizing with its warm intonations, sustained architecture in the same style, and sophisticated sophistication, which is felt in everything: the uniqueness of the slopes, the interior design in hotels, and the setting of tables in restaurants. Cons of the resort - a small number of training slopes, frequent queues for the main lifts and high prices for accommodation.

Meribel has a planetarium, observatory, 2 cinemas, many shops and boutiques. Most restaurants (and there are about 80 in the village!) Are located in the mountains. The Salon de The Les Glaciers teahouse bakes amazing pizza according to old Italian recipes. Ski schools are open for children, a kindergarten is working. The nearest airports to Meribel are in Grenoble (75 km), Geneva (170 km) and Lyon (210 km from the village). From the Meribel Valley it is very convenient to get to the world famous French resorts Val Thorens and Courchevel.

The official website of the resort Meribel:   fr-alpi.meribel.net

Colorful Megeve

One of the most prestigious and popular in the French Alps, the Megeve ski resort was founded in the 20s of the 20th century. This is a place with an amazing atmosphere: the modern level of comfort and the color of the old Savoy town are surprisingly combined into something magical, fabulous, bewitching. Megeve is a museum city. In this idyllic alpine village, houses that are about 200 years old have been preserved. The most interesting sights of the resort are the city tower and the medieval monastery. And in the central square is a 13th century church. In Megeve there are a lot of antique shops, gourmet restaurants, shops with designer clothes (in total - more than 200 different boutiques). Walking along the busy streets, paved with old cobblestones and freed from cars, will give an unforgettable experience. And in the thermal park, which is located near the resort, unique hot springs with mineral water are preserved.

In Megeve there are tracks of different difficulty levels, they are located in three ski areas - Mont d’Arbois, Le Jay and Rochebrune-Cote. The total length of the slopes is about 300 km, of which 70 km are intended for cross-country skiing. The resort also has trails for young, inexperienced skiers, and extreme slopes that excite the imagination, for example, La Gote 2000. Most of the tracks pass through picturesque forests.

For professionals, the most attractive areas are Mont Joux and Mont Joli. Mid-level skiers are better off heading to improve their skills on the slopes in Mont d'Arbois. The slopes that are served by the Grand Vorasse ski lift are also interesting. In Megeve, curling, hockey and figure skating competitions are often held. The presence of children's ski schools, a comfortable and calm atmosphere, beautiful nature make this resort attractive for families with children. The most convenient way to get to the town is from Geneva (distance - only 70 km), and to Lyon and Grenoble - about 180 km. A few kilometers from Megeve is the world famous French resort of Chamonix.

The official website of the Megeve resort:   megeve.com

Other famous ski resorts in France

The highest mountain ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens (valthorens.com) is famous for its 6 km toboggan run (there is no such skiing in France). famous for its unique location - this resort is located at the foot of the legendary Mont Blanc mountain, near the borders of France with Italy and Switzerland. And Chamonix is \u200b\u200bthe largest oldest ski resort in France. Le Menuir (ru.lesmenuires.com) for its mild climate, an abundance of sunny days and a warm, friendly atmosphere is called "Smile of the Alps". This is the most democratic resort of the Three Valleys. Le Des Alpes is a rare combination of deep and reliable, as in the northern regions, snow with warm, as in the southern latitudes, the sun. They come to Brides-les-Bains to improve their health: in addition to skiing, the resort offers its guests bathing in thermal springs, treatment with various types of massage and healing mud. Alp-d’Huez - one of the sunniest winter resorts in the world, the French call it the "Island of the Sun." In Paradiski, which means “ski paradise”, snow on the glaciers does not melt all year round. Port du Soleil, known as the "Gate of the Sun", is replete with sun descents for both beginners and real aces, and you can ride in the Alpine Tignes even in summer; summer ski tours to this resort are the best in France.

In addition to the world-famous alpine resorts, in France there are many other wonderful places for winter recreation - cozy villages scattered in abundance in the mountainous regions of the country. Of course, they are not able to compete with the Alps, but they can pleasantly surprise you with a variety of entertainments and affordable prices.

More information about the ski resorts of France on the sites:
fr.france-montagnes.com and les3vallees.com.

The ski resorts of France will open for you the fabulous world of picturesque alpine slopes, on which interesting for both beginners and masters of the track are scattered with serpentines. Charming alpine villages, along the streets of which you can walk for hours on end, cozy towns, unique landscapes, excellent service - all this makes your vacation in the mountain resorts of France pleasant and unforgettable.

France offers many ski resorts located in different parts of the country - in the southeast, in the Rhone-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region, on the border with Switzerland and Italy. The remaining places are located in the Pyrenees region, near the border with Andorra.

220 ski resorts are waiting for ski lovers in France, there is really a huge selection of all winter types of skiing. Freeride is practiced in deep snow in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, the alpine skiing world cup takes place in Val d, Isère or on the 300 km of the Three Valleys, cross-country skiers can ride on the slopes of Villars de Lans.

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

The most famous ski resorts in France

Northern Alps

In the Northern Alps are the best ski resorts in the world. There are first-class large and small ski stations. All places are interconnected by pistes and footpaths.

Tignes - for experienced skiers

The height of the slopes is from 1,500 to 3,500 meters (150 km). 155 tracks, of which:

• blacks - 26;
• reds - 40;
• blue - 67;
• children or green - 22.

The total number of lifts is 45. The estimated maximum amount per day is 43 €. The tourist resort will appeal to lovers of freeriding, scuba diving under the ice, snowmobiling, paragliding. Also, in your free time you can do heli-skiing, ice climbing, speed riding. Ski holidays in Tignes offers tourists numerous opportunities for recreation in France: cinemas, hotels, restaurants, playgrounds, clubs, shops, indoor pools.

Val D Isere - the best

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

• green - 20;
• blue - 67;
• reds - 41;
• black - 26.

Lifts - 79. Estimated maximum amount per day - 49 €. With a long history, extraordinary slopes and exceptional services, Val d Isere is one of the best ski resorts in France.

Courchevel - fashionable vacation

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

• greens - 19;
• blue 37;
• reds - 31;
• black - 8.

Lifts - 87. Estimated maximum amount per day - 70 €. Courchevel is a place where people meet who value quality relaxation in an elite setting.

Southern Alps

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

Oron - a democratic holiday

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

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

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

Pyrenees

The natural border between France, Spain, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, the Pyrenees are an array of contrasts. The villages have the most modern, but affordable for most tourists, ski resorts.

Ax-les-Termes - for lovers of flat skis

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

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

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

Central array

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

Mont Dor - universal

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

• black - 1;
• reds - 6;
• blue - 8;
• greens - 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, offer sleigh rides, skiing, ice climbing, mountain hiking.

Vosges

The Vosges resort in France stands out over vast forests and lakes, kilometers of trails and snow and offers excellent skiing trails. Especially there are a lot of family stations.

Saint Maurice - For Cross-Country Lovers

The length of the tracks is from 1,100 to 1,250 meters (23 km). Number of tracks - 11, of which:

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

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