Finding the perfect resort for your ski
vacation can be a daunting task regardless of your ability, priorities or
budget. From the epic Ecrins to the mighty Mont Blanc Range this comprehensive ski
guide France will help you choose your next winter-sport holiday destination
with ease.
Here are some factors you should consider
before settling for a resort:
If you are a ski beginner, it’s important
to know the basics of the runs before you settle for a resort but in most cases,
most of them will have at least 3 colour codes used to distinguish between
slopes suitable for all levels: beginner, intermediate and expert.
The blue and/or green runs are suitable for
starters and children, the red is best for intermediates and the black is best
left for pro skiers.
Despite the fact that France is loaded with
world-class resorts dispersed across the Northern Alps, the Southern Alps and the
Pyrenees, most of them are well connected to
international airports and public transport so they a can easily be accessed.
Guide
To French Ski Resorts
Generally, the choice of accommodations and resorts is unparalleled plus there is plenty of lively après-ski in France but a guide to French ski resorts is crucial to avoid disappointments.
Ideally, here is what you should be keen about:
Guaranteed snow – the main
reason why you’re taking a skiing holiday is to enjoy some snow, so don’t
gamble on the chances of having enough especially if your vacation comes early
or late in the season. You can be pretty sure of snow in Tignes for instance.
Your level of skills – as a
beginner, your aim should be a resort with fantastic ski schools and gentle
slopes. If you are an intermediate, you need slopes that will give you more
thrills and exposure while an advanced skier will need more challenging
terrains.
Your company – if you are with
family, you’ll need to settle for a resort that caters for all ages and
abilities. If you’re with friends, on the other hand, you might want to settle
for a place with different amenities to cover different preferences including
nightlife or diet meals.
The duration of your vacation –
a sneaky adrenaline-filled weekend break is fantastic, and with time being a
factor, it’s important to settle for resorts that are easily accessible and have
short transfers. The point is to spend as little time on the road as possible
and more of that time on the slopes.
France
Ski Guide
If you have limited time to enjoy your
winter holiday, choosing the time that’s going to suit you best is crucial.
This France ski guide on the best time to visit will shed some light to help
you mark your calendar.
December has the vibe and buzz of the festive
season which resonates quite well will the charm of falling snow whilst January
is a little bit quieter and snow-sure.
February is a perfect time for families
especially with school–going kids, while March and April boast settled and
warmer weather but obviously longer days with slushy fun.
Midweek ski breaks are perfect for those who have a limited amount of time or can’t take a full week off work. Try one of our ski holidays and squeeze in a few days skiing without losing too much holiday time or time away from your family. There are many advantages and ways to take a midweek ski break and we are going to run through them with a few suggestions and ideas to help you make your decision.
Midweek Ski Breaks
Lower prices:
The midweek flight prices are much lower than if you fly at
the weekend. You can book your flights via the major flight websites such as Easyjet, and you’ll see that
the prices are very reasonable and flying from many regional airports. Your
best bet is to fly into Geneva airport as it is the closest to those resorts
most suited for a midweek ski break such as Morzine (1
hour and 15 minutes) or Les
Gets
(1 hour and 10 minutes).
Much quieter in the airport and on the roads:
Flying midweek means that there will be dramatically less
people in the airports and less cars on the road; especially once you get to
France and you are on the roads going to your chosen ski resort. This makes for
a less stressful experience, plus if your flight is early enough, you can
actually ski the same day you arrive!
Plenty of choice
Much less tiring:
Although skiing for a week does have its advantages, it can
be very tiring, especially if you ski for 6 days. Taking this style of short
ski break, you get to ski for around 2 and half to 3 days which for many people
is more than enough! You’ll can take a Wednesday or Thursday morning flight,
arrive into the ski resort for the early afternoon around noon, ski the
afternoon and then fly back on the Friday or Saturday evening after skiing
during the day. Most hotels don’t mind if you leave your luggage in their
holding rooms and some will even let you use their facilities to wash up if you
ask really nicely.
Much cheaper:
If you only stay for 2 or 3 nights in a hotel, then
naturally you save a lot of money on your accommodation. There are lots of bed
and breakfast and half board hotels that are happy for you to only stay for a
few nights, especially if you travel on an off-peak week. These can of holidays
are in general not possible during peak period such as Christmas, New Year and
half term as the accommodations require for everyone to stay for 1 week and
more specifically, from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. Travelling
during the first few weeks of January is ideal for midweek ski breaks as the
resorts are very quiet, very cheap and many accommodations are very flexible
with how long you need to stay for.
Midweek ski breaks Geneva
Choice of catering within your accommodation:
This type of trip is generally not possible in catered
chalets and apartments as they expect you to stay for 1 week. However, you can
choose to stay in a bed and breakfast hotel or even a half board hotel. Both
options are open to you when travelling for a shorter period. It depends if you
want to discover the many restaurants available in the resort, which you would
choose bed and
breakfast. Or if you feel you’ll be too tired after an intense days skiing,
you can choose to eat in the hotel’s restaurant. Again, it would be much
cheaper to do a mid-week ski break as you only need to pay for 2 or possibly 3
nights worth of dinners instead of 7 with a classic weeklong ski holiday.
Less time away from family and work:
Perhaps you don’t have enough holiday time with your work, or you don’t want to be away from your family for an entire week. However, you still want to a few days on the mountains to satisfy that strong skiing need that we all feel! Taking a short ski break can satisfy both your family and your boss as you can be with them at the beginning or end of the week (depending on when you travel), and quench that thirst for a cheeky few days skiing through that lovely white stuff. If you are really lucky, your loved ones, friends or even your boss could come with you on your midweek ski break as it is only for a few days, and you’ll be back home or to the office for the early evening or the more daring… early in the morning!
You might think that having a ski packing list for your next ski holiday is complicated and there is always the worry that you’ll forget something which will oblige you to buy in the ski resort which can be more expensive. Should you bring 7 pairs of socks, loads of t-shirts, no t-shirts, normal shoes, boots, perhaps even a swimming costume! To make it as easy as possible, follow our guide below, ticking off the skiing checklist as you pack everything, so then you can rest assured that you’ll have everything you need for your exciting ski holiday.
Things you’ll need to get to your chosen destination
These things are what you need to take with you to make sure
you can actually start your ski holiday. Forgetting these will mean that you’ll
either be unable to board your plane, train or ferry, or could cause you major
headaches if you experience any problems during your trip:
Plane/train/ferry tickets – depending on how you are travelling to your ski resort
Passport – you won’t be able to leave the country without it!
Ski specific insurance – don’t have just any old travel insurance. Make sure it covers for ski holidays specifically. You can book it here.
Driving license – if you are planning to drive, make sure it is valid in Europe (which you can know if the blue European flag is on your license).
GPS / Google Maps / Navigation App – again, if you are driving then it is fairly essential so you don’t get lost or can attempt to bypass heavy traffic if you have chosen a peak date.
Snow chains – essential if you are driving to the resort. Be sure to practise at home so you know how to put them on before leaving.
Packing for a ski holiday
Things you’ll need to pack to actually ski and/or snowboard
The next suggestions for your ski packing list are a little dependent on the individual and whether you go very often or not as this skiing packing list can vary:
Skis and/or snowboard – this depends on whether you own your equipment or not. If you do and you are travelling by plane, be sure to pre-book the ski carriage, if you prefer to rent in resort, you can book your ski equipment via this link.
Skis and/or snowboard boots – similar to the point made above. However, we believe that owning your own boots is more important than the skis or snowboard. Especially as you can stuff them in your suitcase, so you don’t need to pay extra for the ski carriage.
A backpack – this is essential to carry snacks, drinks, tools, tissues and money whilst on the mountain. We would suggest one that is very small such as 6 litres to limit the amount you take on the slopes. For example this one
A helmet – wearing a helmet is becoming more and more common and mandatory for children in ski school. Naturally you can rent them in resort but it is more comfortable to have one that you know fits your head perfectly and will keep your head warm if you suffer from the cold.
A multi tool – sometimes bindings need adjustments and whilst most cabins where you take the lift have them available, it is very handy to have your own one in case you get into trouble away from civilization.
Airbag, transceiver, shovel and probe – these are essential for those going off piste! Please don’t assume that the ski patrol will help or even find you in case you are lost or worse yet, caught in an avalanche. People die every year whilst off piste so please be prepared.
Packing list for ski trip
The following items can vary on how you personally suffer
from the cold and what period of the season you are going skiing:
Thermal bottoms and tops – essential if you ski
in January and February and less necessary the other months, especially during
April and if your trousers have a fleece built in already.
Warm jumpers or fleeces – for when it is really
cold and you need to protect your body and neck
Skiing jacket and trousers – don’t just wear any
old jacket thinking that it is warm! Several hours out on the slopes, sitting
down, standing around, snowing and minus 10 temperatures require specific ski
clothing. You can find very reasonably priced clothing here.
Good skiing gloves – don’t underestimate how
cold your hands can get. Nothing is worse than your hands freezing up and you
are obliged to warm up in a restaurant or worse yet, go back to your
accommodation.
Proper ski socks – be sure to take at least 3
pairs of snow socks if you are staying for a week. We recommend to have a very
thin sock to wear underneath a think ski sock if it is very cold and just the
thick socks if it is reasonably cold or mild.
A warm hat – if you don’t want to wear a helmet
(which we recommend), then you’ll need a very warm fleeced winter hat. This is
one of those skiing essentials that can make or break a ski holiday as you
could suffer from headaches and even pass out from several hours of cold.
Strong sunglasses – we suggest level 4 protected
sunglasses as the sun on mountains is much stronger than anywhere else.
Skiing packing list – you don’t want to forget these items
Regular but still essential clothing and items when checking off your ski packing list
The following items are the more regular items that you
would probably take on most holidays but still good to make sure you have them
with you:
A scarf – you can wear this when wandering
around the resort or when you pop out for a bite to eat or drink.
Good shoes – make sure they have a good grip on
the bottom so you don’t slip if it is snowing or icy around the ski resort.
Sports bra – essential for the ladies so you
feel comfortable when bombing down the slopes.
Regular socks – to wear when you are not skiing
and for the après ski.
T-shirts and jeans – again, to wear for the
activities outside of skiing or just for relaxing in your accommodation.
Sunscreen and lip balm – to protect you from the
sun and wind.
Swimming costume – it is more and more common
for accommodations to have their own spa, swimming pool, hot tub and steam
room. These really help after a hard day on the slopes! Check out these ski
accommodations that have spas and/or swimming pools.
Phone and camera chargers – the cold really zaps
the batteries so be sure to be able to charge them each day.
Plug adapters – a must have when travelling
outside of the UK.
Ever wondered which ski resorts are near Grenoble? Look no further for the definitive guide to Grenoble skiing with a list of which resorts are closest to this very well-connected airport. There are many airlines such as Easyjet and Jet2 that fly into Grenoble from many regional airports from around the UK. Being able to quickly access your ski resort has never been so easy, with the option to rent a car, take a bus or organise a private door to door transfer. Whichever option you choose, there are many ski resorts near Grenoble and under 2 hours transfer time. Are you looking for a big ski resort with a huge amount of pistes, a small traditional village that feels more authentic, or perhaps a hidden gem with limited accommodation possibilities but massive skiing? From Grenoble airport, all these options are possible, it just depends what you want from your ski holiday.
Ski resorts
near Grenoble airport
Alpe d’Huez – a
mighty ski resort with endless possibilities
Alpe
d’Huez ski resort offers a massive 250km of pistes ranging from total
beginner to the truly advanced skier. There are the green and blue runs
connected to the centre of the village all spread along a massive area, giving
many possibilities to access different parts of the resort for those just
starting out. For the most experienced of you, try out the might Le Tunnel run
which is considered one of the most difficult in Europe, or La Sarenne which is
the longest black piste in Europe. If you choose the later, know that once you
are on it, you can’t get off and it is really really long! The resort itself is
spread over several satellite villages each offering their own ambience whether
it be those looking for night life right in the centre of Les Bergers, or those
who like it more traditional and down beat would choose Vieux (old) Alpe d’Huez.
The lift system is very well connected, and it is easy to access the different
areas either using your car, the resort shuttle buses or the various ski lifts
and cages that will take you around the resort.
Distance from
Grenoble airport – 1 hour 40 minutes
Vaujany – Small
quiet village, big skiing possibilities
The wonderful
but quiet Vaujany
ski resort offers families the perfect option as it is very small, with
only a few bars and restaurants. However, there are many family activities
organised by the locals to keep everyone amused from sleigh rides, farm visits
and games to play. The bonus about this village is that it is part of the Alpe
d’Huez skiing domain. So you can enjoy the massive skiing possibilities
mentioned above, but you get to go back to a quiet village offering exceptional
value for money without the noise and hustle and bustle associated with bigger
ski resorts. As an added bonus, it is also closer to Grenoble airport with a shorter
transfer time than its bigger brother.
Distance from
Grenoble airport – 1 hour 20 minutes
Grenoble Skiing
– So many options
Les Saisies – A
little known typical French gem
This resort has
become one of our favourites in recent years. Apart from the fact it is one of
the ski resorts near Grenoble which is of course an added bonus, it is a truly
beautiful and traditional French village very unknown amongst most British
skiers. If you want to be surrounded by mainly French people, discover their
magnificent culture and food whilst being able to ski surrounded by pristine
forests, then Les
Saisies is for you! It isn’t for those who want super high lifts as the highest
is at 2650 metres. It is for those who want to go back in time before ski
resorts were overly developed and see to typical mountainous architecture seamlessly
built into the landscape. However, don’t be fooled into thinking there isn’t
anything to do here. There are plenty of shops selling locally made and produced
goods, top notch restaurants, a bowling alley and swimming complex and a very
amusing luge which goes surprisingly fast.
Distance from
Grenoble airport – 2 hours
Les Deux Alpes – Snow sure skiing on its glacier
If you are
looking for high, snow sure skiing, then Les
Deux Alpes doesn’t get much closer to this definition. It goes up to a
dizzying 3600 metres and offers glacier skiing which means that even if it is
warm lower down, there will still be plenty of snow up top. There isn’t a
dedicated centre to this resort. It is a long narrow valley offering many possibilities
to stay close to one of the many lifts spread throughout the village. There are
lots of restaurants, bars and shops. Skiing wise, it is more suitable for either
the experienced skier due to its aforementioned glacier skiing offering reds
and blacks, plus a black straight through the middle of the mountain from the
top all the way to the village, or ironically for beginners as there are many
green runs from the village, plus a beautiful and long meandering green piste going
from quite high up all the way back down to the resort.
Distance from
Grenoble airport – 1 hour 40 minutes
Ski resorts close
to Grenoble
La Grave – The legendary
off piste Mecca
This is not for the faint hearted! Nor for those who are not very experienced. There is one lift that goes all the way from the small village up to the top. From here, there are no marked pistes, no ski patrol and no markers or ropes to tell you where to go. Here is the ultimate place for some serious off piste powder skiing almost unrivalled in Europe. La Grave is only a small village offering limited accommodation possibilities. You won’t find large chain accommodation companies like Accor, nor the classic ski tour operators like Crystal. It is a village run by locals for those looking for an extraordinary experience on an untamed but incredible ski domain. Unless you have skied here before and so already know the pistes, you must take a professional guide with you to show you where and where not to go. If you want to try your hand at some serious off piste skiing in search of untouched powder snow and away from the masses, this is the place for you.
Distance from
Grenoble airport – 1 hour 45 minutes
Grenoble airport
– who flies there
There is a
large selection of low-cost airlines who will make Grenoble skiing relatively
cheap such as Ryanair, Monarch, Easyjet, Norwegian, Flybe, Jet2 and British
Airways. You can fly from many regional airports such as London, Birmingham,
Manchester and Bristol.
Grenoble
airport restaurants and bars
It is a medium
sized airport which offers a decent amount of options if you arrive too early
for your transfer to the ski resort, or perhaps you have arrived too early for
your flight back to the UK. You won’t find as many like you’ll find in Gatwick,
but there are local food options, some fast food and a bar to make sure you don’t
go hungry. The prices are surprisingly reasonable considering it is an airport.
Ski resorts
near Grenoble – the all in 1 guide
Grenoble airport
facilities
This is becoming more and more international, so with it comes plenty of facilities to make your journey easy. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, a help desk for any questions you may have, you can book car hire and transfers if these were not booked ahead of time. The airport is working very hard to become recognised as one of the go to airports for getting to the slopes, so the employees are friendly and make a big effort to make sure getting to ski resorts near Grenoble is as easy as possible.
Yes, it is possible to have Winter Snow Holidays for Non-Skiers! Of course, when people think of snow holidays, a lot of people think automatically that it is to go skiing from 9 till 5 for 6 days a week. This may have been the case before, but not anymore! You can be a lover of the cold fluffy stuff and never have to strap on a pair of skis or a snowboard. There are so many activities for you to see and do which can be done throughout your holiday in many ski resorts. In fact, it is becoming more and more necessary for ski resorts to offer activities outside the traditional ski slopes to cater for those who simply dislike skiing, are unable to ski the entire day, prefer to only ski a couple of hours and those who have finally realised that the mountains offer so much excitement. They are now ready to discover what is waiting for them off the slopes and why ski resorts offer Winter Snow Holidays for Non-Skiers.
Driving on ice in Tignes
Try your hand
at driving on ice in Tignes. You are accompanied by a professional who will
advise and guide you how take corners, accelerate and decelerate which are all
totally different compared to driving on regular roads. It is a truly exciting
experience when you slide on the snow and ice but in a controlled manner, in a
high powered car, safe in the knowledge that a professional is on hand to help,
plus it is not your car in case there is a problem! You’ll follow a set course
which is dedicated to people learning to drive on ice and you’ll have an
incredible experience taking in the views whilst calmly mastering the curves.
Remember, don’t take what you’ve learnt from this experience and practise on
the open road as this will naturally be very dangerous to both yourself and
others.
Winter Snow
Holidays for Non-Skiers
Ice cave in Alpe d’Huez
Visit the
original and wonderful ice cave in Alpe d’Huez. There are many individual ice
sculptures as well as pieces built into the cave itself. This is something for
the whole family to appreciate. You’ll see bears, cars, buildings and even
dinosaurs. It is always being changed so you could visit it every year, and
every time there will be something different. In addition to seeing this rare
wonder only found in a select number of resorts, you’ll be able to enjoy the
views travelling up and down the gondola that you’ll take to get to the 2700
metres point that this cave is located.
As part of our non-skier’s
guide to winter, have a look at the edge of Les Saisies village, 5 minutes’
walk from the centre is the new Le Signal bowling alley. Have a great afternoon
or evening with family and friends and try your hand at some ten pin bowling,
whilst listening to a live band and drinking some cocktails (non-alcoholic ones
available). Whilst this activity may not have anything to do with snow
directly, how often can you say you have been able to do some bowling in a ski
resort! Offering wonderful facilities, friendly staff and fun for all ages.
Ice climbing
For those of
you who want to something that gets your adrenaline going, then ice climbing is
for you. You’ll be given the necessary equipment along with the harness, spikes
to put around your shoes and a helmet, and then you’ll have to do the rest!
Climbing up the ice using the pick to give you grip is very exciting and not
for the faint hearted. Of course, you’ll be totally protected by a professional
who’ll make sure you are safely strapped to them so you can’t fall if you lose
your grip. Once you make it to the top, you’ll have a wonderful sense of
achievement and of course an incredible view of the valleys below. Tignes is one of the resorts to offer this activity.
Husky dog sledding
Non-skier
holiday activities can also include these beautiful animals that offer you the
opportunity to not only stroke them, they’ll even take you out into the
wilderness whilst pulling your sleigh. Such a magical moment for everyone
involved with no physical activity involved. Just sit back and relax, whilst being
drawn through a forest, stop off and feed these incredible animals and then
continue on your way back to the ski resort. You’ll be wrapped up nice and warm
in the sleigh but remember to wear the appropriate winter clothing with hats
and gloves as you won’t be moving, so it can get cold if you are not prepared.
There are many resorts that offer this activity, however one of our favourites
is Chamonix because you can either choose to simply
sit back and enjoy the ride, but you can also choose to take control of the
sleigh and steer these doggies around the course.
Non-skier
holiday activities
Snowmobiling through the mountains
This activity
is again for those who love a bit of adrenaline but can also be for those who love
automobiles and nature. You can either choose to ride your own one, share one
with a friend taking turns to drive, or if you feel more comfortable then you
can go on the back of a professional’s snowmobile who’ll then take you around
the resort, winding through the forests, climbing up the pistes and riding
through some fresh powder (dependent on the conditions). You can learn some
history about this loved sport and hobby here. It can be done in many resorts, with
some leaving in the afternoon and others the evening. Be sure to check in
advance if you have a particular day or time you would like to do it.
Aqua centre with slides, pools and saunas
Winter Snow Holidays for Non-Skiers
There are many ski resorts that offer Winter Snow Holidays for Non-Skiers with aquatic centres with various mini slides, small pools and spas. The one that took our breath away, and is considered one of the best ski resort based aquatic centres in the world is the Aquamotion in Courchevel 1550. This place is simply breath taking and has to be seen to be believed. It has long water slides, shoots, several swimming pools both inside and outside and a wonderful spa with steam rooms and saunas. However, the ultimate activity here is the ride wave machine where you can practise surfing, and body boarding! This extra activity has to be booked separately from the entrance to the centre, but it is definitely worth it. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you can snowboard (if you can), then you can automatically do this. It is a real challenge but if you succeed, it is seriously fun for everyone!
Visit historical sites
Believe it or
not but you can even find history and heritage in certain ski resorts. Take the
example of Samoens which offers buildings dating back to
the 15th century. You can wander the streets and take some
incredible photos which will confuse you into thinking you had stepped back in
time to a medieval village. Many of the buildings are originals which also date
from the 17th and 19th centuries. Whilst the others are
off skiing, you can soak up this rich history, have a coffee or hot wine in
front and imagine what life was like here over 500 years ago. If you want to
have some in depth knowledge of the village, the tourist office can give you
pamphlets and information that will further your fascination with this
wonderful resort.
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