Top 7 High Altitude Luxury Ski Resorts in France

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*Discover France’s premier high-altitude ski resorts, where snow-sure conditions and luxury combine for an unforgettable alpine escape.*

With global warming on the rise, it is high time to find out which resorts are at a high location in order to prevent your precious time on the slopes from being totally wiped out.

Thankfully, we have discovered some snow-sure getaways in some of these high-altitude ski resorts in France that ensure a wonderfully long season, perfect for making the most out of your trip – in style.

High-altitude skiing offers several advantages, such as colder temperatures which can contribute to better snow conditions, particularly for natural snow as well as for maintaining artificial snow.

From the party vibe of Val Thorens to the very best family-friendly resorts of La Plagne, here is a curated guide of these high-elevation skiing havens. You can book these luxury retreats with trusted sites like Alpine Elements.

Val Thorens
Maximum Elevation: 3230m

*As Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens offers unmatched snow conditions and direct slope access, making it a top choice for both avid skiers and party enthusiasts.*

Val Thorens is not only the highest ski resort in France, but the highest in entire Europe as well. With an altitude between 2300-3230 m, it has a fabulous snow record, ensuring great pockets of powder and excellent piste conditions.

Additionally, Val Thorens is a part of the vast Three Valleys Ski area where you can access as many as 600 km of pistes with a single ski pass. Also, most of the accommodation in this high-altitude ski area is ski-in and ski-out which allows guests to spend the maximum time on the slopes.

The famous ski resort is known for its high-altitude terrain, ensuring the best skiing conditions throughout the season, as well as ski-in and ski-out apartments, chalets and ski lodges, all offering panoramic views of as some of the most desirable property options. With plenty of entertainment options and live music bars and clubs, this tops the list for partygoers who love to ski.

The nearest airport to Val Thorens is Chambery, but it has limited flight schedules. Skiers usually opt for Geneva or reach the Val Thorens bus station to use the free bus shuttle or come by train from the nearest railway station, Moutiers.

Tignes
Maximum Elevation: 3456m

*Tignes, with its high altitude and Grande Motte Glacier, promises year-round skiing and diverse terrain across four scenic villages.*

The altitude of Tignes is between 2100-3456m and its location in the Espace Killy ski area makes it one of the highest ski resorts in France. Skiers have over 300 km of pistes to explore with excellent ski lift links to the neighbouring ski resort of Val d’Isere.

The delightful resort is spread across four villages, each at a different elevation linked with lift pass tickets. The highest is Val Claret followed by Le Lac, then Tignes Les Boisses and lastly Tignes Les Brevieres.

Tignes is home to the Grande Motte Glacier, accessible from Val Claret, as a result of which the ski season here is much longer than the others. The resort also has excellent summer skiing facilities and some great off-piste terrain to explore as well.

Val d’Isere
Maximum Elevation: 3456m

*Val d’Isere offers challenging slopes, elegant chalets, and vibrant après-ski, blending classic charm with modern upgrades.*

Located next to Tignes, Val d’Isere has its inherent small village charm that is hard to resist. Experienced skiers flock here to tackle the challenging runs, though beginners too can be fine here.

In recent years, this French ski resort has benefited a lot from regeneration projects, followed by a two year redevelopment plan of the Solaise area, including the mid-mountain stations at 2500 m. Val d’Isere has a great history of skiing and is a well-established ski resort.

The rustic elegance of Val d’Isere can be seen in its classy chalets and a collection of upscale shopping outlets and fine dining restaurants and cosy apres-ski bars. In fact, the resort is particularly known for its vibrant nightlife and a party hub of the Alps worth getting to know.

Alpe d’Huez
Maximum Elevation: 3330m

*Alpe d’Huez, with its extensive pistes and year-round sunshine, offers breathtaking views and top-notch family-friendly skiing.*

Another high altitude resort between 1860-3330 m is Alpe d’Huez with an impressive 250 km of brilliantly groomed pistes. This mountainside luxury resort offers stunning views of the Southern Alps and boasts of over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Alpe d’Huez is a part of the Grandee Rousses ski area and is especially known for its longest black run in the world “La Sarenne”. Additionally, the resort is extremely family-friendly with high class ski facilities.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants with live music for apres-ski options to ensure the fun continues long after sundown.

La Plagne
Maximum Elevation: 3250m

*La Plagne, perfect for families and beginners, offers varied terrain and cozy stays in the Vanoise National Park.*

Thanks to its gentle slopes and excellent ski schools, La Plagne has become a leading high altitude ski destination for beginners and families. Moreover, as the elevation ranges between 1250 m to 3250 m, the terrain tends to be varied across its vast expanse, which happens to be a part of the Paradiski area.

Though high-end stay options in La Plagne are limited, there are plenty of cosy chalets and four-star hotels to cater to every budget. For the daring ones, La Plagne has an Olympic-sized bobsledding track, apart from extensive cross-country skiing trails.

The apres-ski scene is a bit relaxed and family-oriented with a plethora of restaurants and bars which offer an inviting atmosphere for all ages at Belle Plagne.

Sitting on the edge of the Vanoise National Park, La Plagne is a purpose-built resort which offers plenty of accommodation options, off-piste opportunities and copious days of sunshine, which has made the resort hugely popular with everyone.

Les Arcs
Maximum Elevation: 3250m

*Les Arcs provides convenient ski-in/ski-out access, charming villages, and a mix of laid-back and lively après-ski experiences in the Paradiski area.*

If you prefer a ski-in and ski-out accommodation resort which offers high altitude skiing then head straight to Les Arcs, a part of the Paradiski area. Designed by the Canadian company Intrawest, the area is recognised for its ski-in and ski-out convenience.

The gentle runs provide for reliable glacier skiing and the resort caters to all ages and abilities with its pedestrian-friendly design, charming architecture and upscale accommodation.

Les Arcs is located across several charming alpine villages, all offering ski-in and ski-out facilities to access the slopes. Furthermore, families will feel right at home here in the laid-back atmosphere, while party goers can head to Arc 1800 for its lively bars and Arc 1950 for some rustic alpine aesthetic.

Apres-ski scene varies from one village to another, but in general, you will find diverse offerings from casual eateries to chic dining outlets everywhere.

Avoriaz
Maximum Elevation:

*Avoriaz’s car-free village and varied slopes provide a vibrant skiing experience with breathtaking views and easy access to the Portes du Soleil’s extensive network.*

The wide choice of four terrain slopes and snowy slopes makes Avoriaz a top choice for everyone in the car-free Portes du Soleil ski area of the French Alps. This ski-in and ski-out destination features some unique architecture and a vibrant atmosphere which appeals to all levels of skiers.

Portes du Soleil region offers breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and Dents du Midi, in addition to skiing and snowboarding and other activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating.

The extensive network of lifts and pistes ensures that skiers can move seamlessly from one resort to another for an enhanced ski experience.

Author Biography

Author Name: Armughan Zaigham

Author email: armughan.spoliamag@gmail.com

Bio: Embark with Armughan on a journey to satiate your wanderlust! Explore hidden gems, savour local flavours, and dive into the vibrant cultures around the globe. See the magic that happens when you follow the compass of curiosity.