Skiing on the slopes of the Southern Alps

Book your holiday in the Southern Alps

The best ski resorts in the Southern Alps

The Southern Alps are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in France. They mainly stretch across two regions: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. A warm, welcoming atmosphere fills these high-altitude ski resorts, where Alpine and Mediterranean cultures meet.

Among around sixty ski resorts in the Southern Alps, Travelski has handpicked the very best. All that’s left is for you to choose your favourite!

Serre Chevalier, a resort full of charm

Located in the northern part of the Southern Alps, the village resort of Serre Chevalier is spread over four areas: Briançon, Chantemerle/Saint Chaffrey, Villeneuve/La Salle-les-Alpes and Monêtier-les-Bains. Culture and history lovers will enjoy the resort’s picturesque charm and can explore local heritage sites, including the famous Vauban fortifications.

For sporty visitors, the vast ski area offers a thrilling adventure across 410 hectares of slopes – a true XXL experience!

Serre Chevalier ski area at a glance:

Alpine skiing: 250 km of slopes, with 82 runs – 13 green, 26 blue, 30 red and 13 black
Ski lifts: 59
Nordic zone: 44 km of cross-country trails and 28 km of marked snowshoe routes
Vertical drop: 1,200 metres
Fun zones: snowpark, CoolZone, boardercross, FunnyCross and more

If skiing isn’t the highlight of your mountain holiday, Serre Chevalier still has plenty to offer. The resort is packed with exciting activities, including:

The Deval’Bob: a thrilling toboggan run
Mountain Karting: ride a three-wheeled mountain go-kart
A giant zipline across the valley

And let’s not forget the more traditional activities like cross-country skiing, fat biking, ice skating, snowshoe hiking, or even a magical dog sled ride...

Lively day and night, Serre Chevalier’s events and entertainment will surprise and delight visitors of all ages.

Resort awards and recognition:

Town of Art and History
Qualité Tourisme label
Tourism & Disability accreditation
Member of the Alpine Villages Initiative

Risoul, lively and family-friendly

The resort of Risoul, nestled at 1,850 metres in the heart of a larch forest, is all about the gentle art of living — where relaxation, simplicity and friendliness take centre stage.

Risoul’s ski area is part of a larger domain called La Forêt Blanche, which it shares with the neighbouring resort of Vars.

La Forêt Blanche ski area in numbers:

Alpine skiing: 185 kilometres of slopes, with a total of 115 runs – 18 green, 49 blue, 38 red and 10 black
Ski lifts: 42
Nordic trails: 17 kilometres
Vertical drop: 1,100 metres
Fun zones: slalom, KL (kilometre launched), snowparks, ski gardens and more

⚠️ Please ensure the connection between Vars and Risoul resorts is open and operational.

The resort offers a variety of off-slope activities such as moon biking, snowshoe walks, the Skiseo winter aquatic centre (pool, slide, aquagym classes…), sledging, ice skating and dog sledding.

Resort award: “Risoul Quality Comfort Accommodation”

Les Orres, vibrant and accessible

Opened in 1970, Les Orres has continually evolved towards the future, redefining mountain living by combining tourist appeal with environmental respect. Designed as a ski-in, ski-out resort, it aims to preserve air quality and offer peaceful, safe holidays.

Sporty and accessible, the resort sits between 1,150 and 2,720 metres altitude at its highest point, with mainly north-west facing slopes.

Les Orres ski area at a glance:

Alpine skiing: 100 kilometres of slopes, with a total of 36 runs – 10 green, 4 blue, 18 red and 4 black
Ski lifts: 17
Walking trails: 50 kilometres
Vertical drop: 1,100 metres
Fun zones: snowpark, ski gardens, two sledging areas

Enjoy stunning panoramic views from breathtaking viewpoints, plus activities for the whole family:

Paragliding
Giant zipline (Speedline)
Snowshoe walks
Airboard
Snowmobiling
Snakegliss
Tobogganing on the Orrian Express (rail sled)
Escape games
Spa
Dog sledding

Bonus: The resort offers a multi-activity pass, the Passp’Orres, granting unlimited access to the ice rink, cinema, pedestrian chairlifts, and a set number of rides on the Orrian Express toboggan, depending on the chosen package. It also provides numerous discounts.

You won’t have time to get bored—each season is packed with events and entertainment.

Resort awards:

Famille Plus since 2006
20th-century heritage since 2007 (at Les Orres 1650, buildings, residences and hotels were designed close to the slopes without spoiling the landscape)
ISO9001 certification for quality

Orcières Merlette 1850, a resort for everyone

Warm, lively and family-friendly (Famille Plus certified since 2006), the ski resort of Orcières Merlette 1850 in the Hautes-Alpes has its own unique charm thanks to a blend of Alpine and Mediterranean cultures. From babies to adults, no one is left out.

Orcières Merlette 1850 ski area at a glance:

Alpine skiing: 100 kilometres of slopes, with 36 runs – 10 green, 4 blue, 18 red and 4 black
Walking trails: 50 kilometres
Vertical drop: 1,100 metres
Fun zones: snowpark, a slalom stadium, an FIS-certified speed slope, the Opoualand fun run, and the Waouland boarder-skier cross

After a full day on the slopes, treat yourself to relaxation and wellness at the resort’s leisure complex. Spread over 10,000 m², it offers a range of activities to entertain or unwind in the sun with mountain views: cinema, spa, beauty salon, bowling, ice rink, swimming pool…

For thrill-seekers, Orcières Merlette is packed with activities for all ages and tastes. Experience one of Europe’s longest ziplines, speed down the Winterpark tubing run, take in the views with paragliding, enjoy a dog sled ride, or try ice climbing on a frozen waterfall.

The event calendar is rich and varied, featuring themed weeks, concerts, competitions and plenty of surprises every season.

Resort awards:

Famille Plus since 2006
Qualité Tourisme since 2016
“Good river status” for the Drac Noir river
Orcières Quality – Comfort – Accommodation since 2018

Superdévoluy, sporty and family-friendly

Perched at 1,500 metres, Superdévoluy is one of two resorts forming the Le Dévoluy ski area. The other is La Joue du Loup. Both are linked and located in the Hautes-Alpes department, in the heart of the Southern Alps, near the borders of Isère and Drôme.

The Le Dévoluy area includes four villages, each with its own heritage and charm, reflecting the authentic mountain spirit: Agnières en Dévoluy, Saint Etienne en Dévoluy, Saint-Disdier and La Cluse.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy the entire Le Dévoluy ski domain, where a wide range of snow sports are available. Skiers of all levels, from beginners to experts, will find something to suit them!

Superdévoluy ski area at a glance:

Alpine skiing: 100 kilometres of slopes with a total of 53 runs – 8 green, 28 blue, 12 red and 5 black
Ski lifts: 22
Vertical drop: 1,000 metres
Fun zones: snowpark, big air bag, Mushroom’s Park freestyle area, boardercross, small pipe, two ski gardens

There’s something for everyone with a variety of activities: