Which ski resorts have glaciers?

Natural snow is highly sought after because it guarantees ideal skiing conditions. To find it, it’s best to choose a resort at 3,000 metres or higher, preferably near a glacier — like the famous Deux Alpes, which offers the highest skiable terrain in France. We’ll introduce you to the highest ski resorts in the Alps. Although some slopes may seem steep, these resorts cater to all skill levels.

Top ski resorts with glaciers in France

Les 2 Alpes

Famous resort in Isère, located on Europe’s largest glacier ski area, Les 2 Alpes reaches up to 3,600 metres in altitude. It benefits from outstanding snow thanks to its proximity to the Mont de Lans glacier, also known as the “Glacier des Deux Alpes,” a hanging glacier stretching up to 7 km long. This is a real advantage, as it guarantees skiers natural snow every year, winter and summer alike.

Val d’Isère

Located in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie Mont Blanc region, just a few kilometres from Tignes, this resort reaches a peak altitude of 3,500 metres. It benefits from being at the foot of the Pissaillas glacier, which provides natural snow, allowing skiers to enjoy the best possible conditions.

Tignes

Located in Savoie Mont Blanc and part of the linked Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area, Tignes offers 300 kilometres of pistes ranging from 1,550m to 3,450m altitude. Internationally renowned, it sits on the Grande Motte glacier, which stretches up to 3 km long and is a valley glacier. This allows the resort to open its slopes in summer, much to the delight of skiing enthusiasts who can enjoy Tignes all year round.

L’Alpe d’Huez

Located in the Grandes Rousses massif in Isère, Alpe d’Huez is both a winter and summer sports resort. With altitudes ranging from 1,860m to 3,300m, it attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round. The resort sits on the Sarenne glacier, a cirque glacier stretching up to 1.2 km long. Plus, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from Pic Blanc, where you can see one-fifth of France’s territory.

La Plagne

Part of the Paradiski ski area, the second largest in the world and reaching up to 3,250 metres in altitude, this Savoie resort benefits from its height and proximity to the Bellecôte glacier. This allows skiers to enjoy fresh, natural snow throughout the entire season.

Val Thorens

The highest village in Europe, situated at 2,300 metres, lies at the heart of the world’s largest ski area, the 3 Valleys in the Savoie Mont Blanc region. Val Thorens boasts an impressive vertical drop of 1,430 metres (from 1,800m to 3,230m altitude) and benefits from outstanding snow cover throughout the season, thanks to its location within a vast natural amphitheatre dominated by six glaciers.

Les Arcs

Located in the Tarentaise Valley in Isère, within the linked Paradiski area, Les Arcs sits on the Varet glacier, found on the northern slopes of the Aiguille Rouge, which reaches 3,227 metres in altitude. This cirque glacier is notable for having been partially covered with a tarp in 2010 to better preserve the snow during the summer season.

Chamonix

Located in Savoie Mont Blanc, this village resort ranges from 1,042m to 3,275m in altitude and is nestled on the Bossons glacier, a valley glacier stretching up to 7.8 km long. It also features Europe’s largest icefall, which still hides many treasures — remnants of plane crashes, such as the precious stones discovered in 2013 by a young climber from the famous Malabar Princess crash.

La Grave

La Grave, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, is located at 1,500 metres altitude in the Hautes-Alpes, between the resorts of Serre Chevalier and Les 2 Alpes. It offers breathtaking high-mountain scenery and is considered one of Europe’s top freeride ski spots. The resort lies near the La Meije glacier, whose highest peak, the Grand Pic de la Meije, reaches 3,983 metres.