The French skiing airport par excellence, Chambéry Airport comes alive in the winter and welcomes hordes of British skiers and snowboarders. A short flight to this pretty little town will drop you right in the heart of French skiing territory, with access to almost every big French ski area including Chamonix, Les Trois Vallées and Les Portes du Soleil. Chambéry Airport operates seasonal winter flights to more than half a dozen destinations in the UK, mostly with BA. This means it’s entirely feasible to indulge in a low-cost ski weekend this winter!
1 hour drive, 80km
A favourite of freestylers, the Massif des Aravis has over 250m of pistes in a calm and beautiful setting. La Clusaz is the most popular ski resort here; the traditional village centre boasts plenty of activities for all ages and enjoys a lively après-ski scene.
1 hour drive, 90km
This ski area welcomes a large number of British tourists each year. Chamrousse is on the smaller side as ski areas go – only 90km – but it’s the perfect family getaway and it more than makes up for its size with its breathtaking views. A great option for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
1 hour drive, 90km
The spectacular Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area has something for everybody, from off-piste to snow parks to easier beginner and intermediate terrain for a total of about 400km of slopes. Family-friendly Megève offers a picturesque pedestrianized village centre with a trendy après scene.
1.5 hour drive, 110km
It’s hard to beat Les Trois Vallées, one of the largest ski areas in the world with its 600km of pistes and long ski seasons thanks to the high altitude. Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens and former Olympic town La Tania are just a few of the big-name ski resort towns you’ll find here. Whether you’re an expert skier banking on a healthy après-ski scene, or a young family looking for fun kids’ activities, you’re sure to find it at Les Trois Vallées.
1.5 hour drive, 130km
Paradiski boasts 3 glaciers and the high altitudes here pretty much guarantee an abundant amount of snow. The two main ski areas, La Plagne and Les Arcs, are mainly suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, although recently Les Arcs has put special emphasis on its snow park facilities.
1.5 hour drive, 120km
Alpe d'Huez is popular with the international crowd and offers a variety of pistes for every level. Beginners and experts will be particularly happy, thanks to the dedicated beginner’s area and plentiful off-piste terrain. The quieter resort of Vaujany is a nice alternative for skiers and snowboarders looking to escape the crowds.
1.5 hour drive, 130km
The claim to fame of Les Portes du Soleil is that it allows heli-skiing, albeit only on the Swiss side. Definitely suitable for all levels, but especially for advanced skiers and boarders, the ski area also has steep pistes with moguls and excellent snow parks. 600km of pistes connect such famous resorts as Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz.
1.5 hour drive, 130km
Flaine is the most well-known ski resort at Le Le Grand Massif, and despite its eccentric Bauhaus architecture, the pedestrianized, ski-in ski-out village centre gives skiers a cosy welcome in the evenings. The ski area is a hit with snowboarders thanks to its large snow park, which hosts weekly parties.
1.5 hour drive, 140km
Chamonix is off-piste paradise, renowned for its four-hour long Vallée Blanche route. This incredible ski resort nestled in the shadow of Mont Blanc pairs up with the Evasion Mont-Blanc to give access to 490 pistes.
2 hour drive, 140km
Les Deux Alpes provides summer skiing too thanks to its glacier! High-altitude and snow-sure beginner’s slopes combined with challenging off-piste and freestyle terrain make this sunny ski area a great choice for any level.
2 hour drive, 140km
Formerly known as the Espace Killy, Tignes-Val d'Isère is a recently renovated ski area that boasts top-notch freestyle and off-piste terrain, a wide range of choices for intermediate skiers and boarders and a break on lift ticket prices for beginners.
The easiest way to reach your ski area is by rental car, which you can pick up from one of the car rental providers right at Chambéry Airport. If you prefer not to drive, consider looking into a ski shuttle. Many ski resorts are accessible with these transfers, and it’s a better alternative to trains and buses, which are not very convenient.
Check out other gateway airports to the Alps:
Ski resorts easily accessible from Grenoble Airport >
Ski resorts easily accessible from Lyon Airport >
Ski resorts easily accessible from Turin Airport >
Ski resorts easily accessible from Innsbruck Airport >
Ski resorts easily accessible from Salzburg Airport >
Ski resorts easily accessible from Geneva Airport >
Ski resorts easily accessible from Zurich Airport >
Or check out our articles on train travel and the best airlines for flying to the Alps >
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
