Skiing in France: Information Guide

What We Love About Skiing in France

Skiing in France is a dream because the country has some of the best ski resorts in the world. We specialise in collecting luxury ski chalets in the French Alps and beyond, so we know what we are on about.

Amongst the best-known ski areas in France is the world-renowned Three Valleys. It incorporates the famous French ski resorts of Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, La Tania, St Martin de Belleville and a handful of smaller villages. The area is extremely well-linked with modern, efficient lift systems. The combined 600km+ of pistes for skiers is a pure joy to explore.

On a similar scale to the Three Valleys is the Portes de Soleil ski area, with a total of 650km of ski runs. The Portes de Soleil ski area includes the ski resorts of Morzine, Les Gets, Chatel and Avoriaz, plus numerous other smaller resorts. The Portes de Soleil is one of the closest large ski areas in France to Geneva Airport. The transfer times of around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes make this area highly convenient.

The fantastic ski area of Val d’Isere and Tignes is a favourite of anyone who has experienced it. It is one of the very best and highest-altitude ski areas in France. Val d’Isere is a mecca for those who know, especially early or late in the season, due to the high altitude.

For those looking for the ultimate in ancient alpine charm, the French ski resort of Megève is hard to beat. This famous ski resort in France has a beautiful medieval village centre. The cobbled central square, overlooked by the church, oozes character and French alpine charm.

When is the Best Time to Visit Ski Resorts in France?

The ski season in most ski resorts in France runs from early/mid-December to mid/end April. Ski resorts with higher altitude ski areas such as Val d’Isere, Tignes and Val Thorens have the longest ski season. They can be open from late November to early May, snow permitting.

Courchevel, Meribel, and St Martin de Belleville tend to operate from mid-December to around the 3rd week of April. Morzine, Chatel and Les Gets in the Portes de Soleil ski area normally open around the 3rd week of December. And they close around the 3rd week of April. Chamonix normally operates from mid-December to mid-April, and Megève from the 3rd week of December to the end of the 1st week of April.

Whilst winter is the best time to ski in the French Alps, it’s also a fantastic destination in the summer months. The colours come alive with deep blue skies and bright green meadows painted with wildflowers. Resorts in the summertime see gorgeous warm and sunny weather and many are buzzing with life and activity. Our favourite summer alpine activities are mountain biking, hiking or just marvelling at the views.

Choosing a Resort for a Ski Holiday in France

The French Alps have some of the largest ski areas in the world, with plenty of resorts per area. Each resort in the French Alps has a distinct style and atmosphere.

The ski resort that suits one group doesn’t necessarily work best for another group. Deciding the best ski resort for your group can be difficult if you’ve not visited them before. Fortunately, we can help. Our experienced team have skied all over the Alps and is happy to advise on the ins and outs of the different ski resorts.

We can help you decide which resort suits you, just get in touch for expert advice on where to go. Our collection includes luxury chalets from all the most popular ski resorts in France. To learn more about a specific resort, you can use the resort finder further down this page.

The Best Ski Resorts in France for Families

Going for a family ski holiday is an adventure like no other. If you’ve been skiing with your kids before, you will know how important it is to get all the details right.

We know from experience how easy or difficult ski resorts can be when skiing with children. So we know what the key ingredients are for a successful family ski trip.

Depending on the ages and ski ability of the children, different resorts might suit your group best. Some of the factors to consider when booking a luxury ski holiday in France with children are as follows:

– Choose a resort with a short transfer time from the airport. After a long flight with young children, enduring a long three-hour drive is not an easy way to start your holiday. The resorts in France that are closest to airports are Chamonix, Les Gets, Morzine and Megeve. Transfers to each of those resorts are less than an hour and a half long.

– Choose a resort that is child-friendly, with convenient beginner slopes.

– Book the right ski school; one that the children look forward to going to each day. The children should love their ski lessons and have lots of fun. This will reduce your stress and improve everyone’s holiday.

– Book the right luxury ski chalet. Picking the right property, with the right service level, is crucial. Having a private chef and driver service can transform the experience. It will take all the effort out of the trip, allowing you to focus on enjoying yourself.

Let us know the details of your group and we will be delighted to help you choose the right ski resort and the right ski chalet. We can also get the finer details of your trip organised, such as ski lessons.

The Best Ski Resorts in France for Après Ski

We love the French language, it’s synonymous with the finer things in life; ballet, restaurant, café, sommelier and chauffeur start a long list of French words with no necessary translation. As keen skiers who have spent years in the Alps, ‘après ski’ is a French term dear to our hearts.

Literally translated as ‘after skiing’, yet meaning the well-deserved social drink after a day on the mountain. It’s the perfect finale to a great day, with the unique camaraderie of skiing with your family or friends. You can discuss the day’s antics and create cherished memories.

Our seasoned team have first-hand experience of the best après ski spots in France. So, we can give you any advice you need on where you’ll find your perfect après ski atmosphere.

Each resort is different, but there are a few apres ski spots that have become our team’s favourites. The Ronny in Meribel and Cocorico in Val d’Isere are at the top of our list.

The Best Ski Resorts in France for Reliable Snow

We can’t predict the weather or guarantee perfect snow conditions. But we can advise you on which ski resorts in France give you the best chance of good snow for your trip.

Generally, the higher you go, the more likely the snow. France boasts some fantastic high-altitude ski areas with a substantial amount of skiing over 2000m in altitude. These include the Val d’Isère –Tignes ski area and the Three Valleys ski area. France even has the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens, at 2300m.

Why Book a Luxury Ski Chalet in France

The Firefly Collection features ski chalets in France of all styles. We have ultra-modern luxury chalets with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary features. And we have beautiful traditional luxury chalets with cosy alpine wood interiors.

Skiing in France can be done at a diverse range of ski resorts to suit all tastes. Some prefer modern and super-convenient resorts. Others prefer a charming, medieval alpine village that’s full of character. You’ll find what you are looking for whether you are seeking a luxury ski holiday or a trip to the mountains in summer.

Our luxury ski chalets in France come equipped with everything you need to relax on a luxury ski holiday. For example swimming pools, hot tubs, cinema rooms and gyms. Many of our chalets allow you to return from the slopes to a private spa complex, for ultimate relaxation. Almost all allow you to dip into a hot tub with a glass of fizz, as the sun sets over your alpine paradise.

Gliding over fresh snow, it will strike you there’s nothing like a luxury ski chalet holiday in France to revive spirits. Stopping at the superb selection of mountain restaurants for lunch, you’ll realise you’re in a gourmand’s paradise. Deciding which Michelin-star restaurant to book for dinner is an enviable issue to overcome. Yet, with the best private chefs available at our luxury ski chalets, you’ll be just as excited to eat in.

What to Look for When Choosing French Luxury Chalets

As well as choosing a ski resort to visit for your trip, it’s crucial to choose which luxury chalet is right for you.

Like the ski chalets themselves, the service levels in the chalets vary enormously. From self-catered apartments to ultra-luxury chalets which have every amenity imaginable plus a full team of staff.

Staying in a luxury catered ski chalet means you have a private professional chef. They create a delicious dinner each evening and breakfast each morning. The appeal of gourmet (sometimes Michelin quality) dining in the best French ski chalets is tantalising.

When it comes to location, everybody loves luxury ski-in/ski-out chalets. There’s nothing like taking your skiing right to the door of your chalet and heading straight for the hot tub!

However, in many cases having a private driver service waiting for you when you’ve skied down for the day is the true luxury. This gives you the freedom to ski down on any piste or go for an après ski drink before you head back to the chalet. Without having to worry about being on a particular piste at the end of the day.

Our luxury chalets with hot tubs have some of the best mountain views in the world. And our luxury chalets with swimming pools are simply divine. If you’re looking for a luxury chalet with a gym, we have you covered. If your holiday isn’t complete without your dog, we can suggest pet-friendly luxury ski chalets in the French Alps.

Booking Your Luxury Ski Holiday in France

Our curated collection of luxury ski chalets in France is only half of what we offer. We pride ourselves on our world-class service. From an initial consultation to discuss where you would like to go, through the booking process, to arranging the finer details of your trip. We make your ski trip the best it can be.

Our luxury chalets in France come with a personal touch from our experts. We provide advice on which resort will suit your group best, where to go when you are there and of course which property is best for you.

Set on skiing in France, and want to stay in the best of the best French luxury chalets? Excited to explore the slopes of Portes du Soleil, Three Valleys and beyond? Want to do so with minimal fuss?

Contact us and our experts will provide a tailored selection of luxury French chalets that suit your group perfectly. We can also arrange transfers, ski lessons and much more, to make your holiday seamless and stress-free.

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