France is one of the best countries for finding ski-in, ski-out accommodation, with many ski resorts offering hotels and chalets right on the slopes. There are so many to choose from it can be hard to narrow it down, but here are some of our favourite ski-in, ski-out resorts in the French Alps.
Val Thorens is part of Les 3 Vallées, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world with 600km of slopes. Val Thorens is also the highest ski resort in Europe, meaning you'll always find guaranteed snow here. If you're a fan of après-ski you have plenty of options for partying right on the slopes, including the legendary Folie Douce.
La Plagne and its sister resort, Les Arcs, together make up the linked ski area of Paradiski, which is one of the easiest ski areas to access by train from Britain. It's also one of France's largest linked ski areas, with 400km of pistes.
With its pedestrianised village centre and easy access to the slopes of Le Grand Massif, Flaine is one of the best ski-in, ski-out resorts in France. Yet it's perhaps better known for its 60's-style Bauhaus architecture, which has earned it recognition from the French government.
Divided into 5 villages, Tignes offers ski holidays in a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Together with neighbouring resort Val d'Isère, Tignes offers approximately 300km of slopes. Snow cover is guaranteed for a large part of the year thanks to the high-altitude slopes on the Grande Motte glacier.
This chic station attracts the jetset from all over the world, who come to ski on the 600+ kilometres of slopes in the Trois Vallées ski area. Courchevel is the oldest village within the 3 Valleys, boasting typical Savoyard architecture and a smattering of historical buildings.
Avoriaz is tucked in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, another one of the largest ski areas in France and the world with about 600km of slopes. Avoriaz 1800 is a car-free village, meaning the only traffic noises you'll hear here are the clip-clop, clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages.
Les Orres consists of two main villages, one modern and one more traditional one with wooden architecture. The ski area has 100km of pistes that are particularly well suited to advanced skiers, with a large majority of them being red. That said, families will also find everything they need here for a successful holiday on and off the slopes.
Chamrousse rose to fame after legendary French skier Jean-Claude Killy won three gold medals here at the 1968 Winter Olympics. Located just 30km from Grenoble, it's easy to get to and has 90km of slopes that are great for families with kids of all ages.
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!
