The Biggest Ski Resorts in France

Heading to a large ski resort in France means enjoying a vast ski area that suits all levels, from beginners to experts. These resorts offer not only plenty of space to ski but also a wide range of accommodation options for every budget.

Whether you're staying in a traditional mountain village or a popular valley loved by ski enthusiasts, each destination offers plenty of activities to enhance your trip — from relaxing and fine dining to winter sports and family fun.

Travelski offers a wide selection of ski resorts: from the most beautiful in France to the biggest and best-known.

Many of these top ski resorts are also part of some of the largest linked ski areas, including:

In this article, you'll discover the top 10 largest ski resorts in the French Alps. Each resort offers exceptional ski areas, with slopes for all levels and plenty of activities to make the most of your holiday in the mountains.

All that's left is to pick your favourite from our selection and find the resort that suits you best!

No need to travel far or cross continents — France is home to one of the most stunning mountain ranges in the world. The Alps offer high-altitude ski areas, perfect for an unforgettable experience, whether you're a keen skier or simply looking to enjoy après-ski activities.

Whether you choose a large mountain village or an iconic alpine valley, you’ll benefit from excellent lift access across the 3 Vallées, Paradiski, and many other major ski areas — making it easy and quick to move around at altitude.

Below, you’ll find some key facts to help you choose the perfect ski resort for your next family holiday in the mountains!

Les Arcs

Located between 810m and 3,800m in altitude, in the Savoie Mont Blanc region, this resort brings together five distinct villages: Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950, and Arc 2000. Each area offers a different atmosphere — from the mountain-town feel of Bourg-Saint-Maurice to the high-altitude vibe of Arc 2000 — so there’s something for everyone.

Back in 2011, Les Arcs offered over 33,600 tourist beds, making it a top destination for holidaymakers eager to enjoy the thrills of skiing.

Les Arcs is part of the spectacular Paradiski ski area, linked directly to La Plagne via the Vanoise Express cable car. Across the whole domain, you’ll find 425km of ski runs, including 16 black, 42 red, 55 blue, and 10 green pistes.

What’s more, 70% of the ski area lies above 2,000m, guaranteeing great snow conditions. With 262 runs connecting Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and La Plagne, you can move between resorts in just four minutes.

And for thrill-seekers: the descent from the Aiguille Rouge summit to Villaroger offers 7.4km of uninterrupted downhill skiing with a vertical drop of 2,000m — an unforgettable experience!

La Plagne

Located in Savoie Mont Blanc, this family-friendly and sporty ski resort sits between 1,250m and 2,100m in altitude. La Plagne offers 225 km of ski runs, and even 425 km when including the linked pistes of the Paradiski area, of which it is a part.

One of the largest ski resorts in France, La Plagne is made up of four villages and seven high-altitude stations, including:

La Plagne consists of 11 resorts, each offering a unique atmosphere — it’s up to you to choose the one that suits you best. Every resort is packed with endless activities! For those who enjoy exploring on foot, try snowshoe hiking.

If you’re after something more unusual, experience ski joëring pulled by a horse or take a husky sled ride with adorable dogs. Want to feel the magic? Soar above the snowy peaks of La Plagne with a paragliding flight!

Looking for new ways to slide with family or friends? Try the Snake Luge or Yooner for some thrilling sledding races!

And finally, did you know La Plagne is home to France’s only bobsleigh and skeleton track, located beneath Plagne 1800? Here, you can try Bob Rafting, Speed Luge, or Bob Racing for an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

Les Menuires

Located in Savoie Mont Blanc at the heart of the world’s largest ski area, Les Menuires offers 160 km of ski runs on its own, and up to 600 km when including the entire ski domain. As the largest resort in the 3 Vallées, Les Menuires features a wide range of ski-in/ski-out accommodation to suit all budgets, so everyone can find their perfect stay.

On-site, you can enjoy the Snowpark, a Boardercross, snowshoe walks to explore the mountains, and sledging runs for plenty of fun.

Val Thorens

Located in Savoie, Val Thorens is the highest ski village in France, sitting at 2,300m altitude. It offers 150 km of ski runs between 2,300m and 3,230m, and up to 600 km of pistes when including the entire 3 Vallées ski area it belongs to.

The 3 Vallées is the world’s largest ski domain, with 600 km of varied slopes suitable for all levels.

With nearly 25,000 beds, Val Thorens offers a wide range of accommodation options, including 11 hotels — three 5-star, three 4-star, five 3-star — plus four holiday clubs and villages, and 31 tourist residences. You’ll have plenty of choice for your ski holiday!

When it comes to activities, you won’t be disappointed. Fancy a truly unique experience? Take a husky sled ride through the heart of the French mountains, or try ice diving for an adrenaline rush under the frozen waters of Lac du Lou!

You can also challenge your friends or family to a sled race, or enjoy a group ride on the Snake Gliss — where you’re all hooked together one behind the other!

Serre-Chevalier, the largest ski resort in France

Nestled in the Southern Alps near the Écrins National Park, Serre-Chevalier is a renowned ski destination that brings together the historic town of Briançon and three charming alpine villages:

With their unique character and direct access to the slopes, these villages offer the perfect blend of tradition, mountain charm, and winter adventure.

At Serre-Chevalier, try the zip line stretching 1,100 metres long with a 300-metre vertical drop, reaching speeds between 70 and 110 km/h in just over a minute.

For adrenaline seekers, experience the Deval’bob sled run — 4 kilometres of thrilling descent through larch forests. Or enjoy a gentle morning ride on an electric fat bike along groomed trails, discovering the magic of winter nature without the effort.

If relaxation is what you’re after, head to the Grands Bains du Monêtier and enjoy 600 square metres of indoor and outdoor pools with naturally warm water, famed for its mineral-rich health benefits.

L’Alpe d’Huez

Located 59 kilometres from Grenoble, this Isère resort boasts 250 km of ski runs, including the famous Sarenne — the longest black run in the world at 16 km. Situated in the Grande Rousse massif, nicknamed the “Island of the Sun” for its exceptional sunshine, the resort peaks at 1,860m altitude.

With 32,500 beds, Alpe d’Huez offers a wide range of tourist accommodation.

Among the 250 km of pistes, beginners can enjoy safe skiing areas specially designed for them. Little ones will love the fun ski experience at the ESF Children’s Chalet, which combines skiing and childcare. Intermediate skiers can take on 76 blue and red runs!

For thrill-seekers, there are four iconic Alpe d’Huez pistes with nearly 2,000 metres of vertical drop each, including the legendary 16 km Sarenne run.

Freestylers and freeriders will find two snowparks and a permanent ski/boardercross track. Freeriders can explore a vast off-piste area with around twenty routes, guided by mountain experts or ESF instructors.

Tignes

This Savoie Mont Blanc resort offers visitors 150 km of pistes, and up to 300 km when including the connected Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area it is part of.

Tignes is made up of five villages: Les Brevières, Tignes 1800, Le Lavachet, Le Lac, and Le Val Claret.

Tignes is unique in that its slopes also open in summer, thanks to the year-round snow on the Grande Motte glacier.

The resort provides around 30,000 beds across its various accommodations.

Tignes buzzes with an incredible atmosphere, activities, and events! If you enjoy après-ski, don’t miss the iconic open-air party spot with a 400-square-metre terrace: Le Cocorico!

Val d’Isère

Located in the heart of the Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area within the Vanoise National Park, not far from Tignes, Val d’Isère offers 146 km of pistes, and up to 300 km when including the combined Val d’Isère–Tignes domain.

With a wide range of tourist accommodation, Val d’Isère attracts visitors eager to experience winter sports on its extensive slopes.

On this vast domain, 60% of the pistes lie above 2,200 metres, featuring 300 kilometres of runs, two glaciers, and a vertical drop of 1,900 metres.

You can enjoy a variety of activities: a snowpark, three boardercross courses, paragliding to soar over the mountains, and four cross-country skiing areas.

The resort also boasts an Aquatic Sports Centre with a beach area featuring sports and leisure pools, massage jets, a current river, and water cannons.

For relaxation, there’s a Wellness Area offering traditional and infrared saunas, a steam room, and a jacuzzi.

Additionally, a Well-being Zone provides massages, body and facial treatments, and even waxing services.

Avoriaz

Nestled in the heart of the Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area, Avoriaz offers 76 km of pistes between 1,800m and 2,460m altitude.

The resort provides 16,400 beds across its various accommodations and attracts many visitors each season thanks to its eco-friendly focus and fully pedestrianised village.

This charming resort sits at 1,800 metres and boasts unique, original architecture unlike any other.

Avoriaz features two ecological play zones with 30 sculptures hidden in the forest and two cabins. There’s also a water playground tended by Cees, a full-time gardener surrounded by 1,500 plants.

Getting around by horse-drawn carriage is a truly incredible experience — the resort has 100 horses and 20 sleighs.

Avoriaz is truly unique and set within the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, which stretches over 600 km of pistes.

Its altitude ensures excellent snow conditions, so you can enjoy fresh powder throughout the season.

Megève

Located just 2 hours from Lyon in Savoie Mont Blanc, this charming village offers 325 km of pistes between 1,050m and 2,350m altitude. At the heart of the Evasion Mont Blanc ski area, Megève provides an exceptional environment for skiing in vast open spaces. With 37,678 tourist beds, the resort offers a wide choice of accommodation, from hotels and holiday residences to individual chalets.

Nestled facing Mont Blanc, Megève is a true gem for lovers of wide-open spaces, promising magical winter moments.
Its ski domain boasts 400 km of pistes, supported by 235 ski runs and 108 lifts. The resort hosts around 400 events annually, offers 32 hotels including 9 five-star ones, and provides 40,000 tourist beds.

For family fun, enjoy the 4-season sledging runs with 100,000 descents per year, plus seven snowparks and eight beginner areas.