<p>Widely regarded as the epicentre of luxury skiing and snowboarding holidays in Europe, the French Alps have a resort to suit everyone’s holiday needs.</p>
Photo: Courchevel Tourisme Drone Vizelle

Top 5 Ski Resorts in France

Widely regarded as the epicentre of luxury skiing and snowboarding holidays in Europe, the French Alps have a resort to suit everyone’s holiday needs.

Resort Guides
Published at: 25 Jan 2022
Last updated at: 20 Feb 2023

Widely regarded as the epicentre of luxury skiing and snowboarding holidays in Europe, the French Alps have a resort to suit everyone’s holiday needs. From the elegance of Megeve to fun family adventures in Meribel, take a look at our top 5 ski resorts in France.

Alicia Bryan
Alicia Bryan

Courchevel 1850 - For excellent cuisine

Luxury Chalets in Courchevel 1850
La Table des Airelles dining area Courchevel 1850Photo: La Table des Airelles

When it comes to gastronomy, Courchevel 1850 has some of the most incredible restaurants the Alps have to offer, boasting seven Michelin-star establishments. Located in the heart of the famous Three Valleys Ski Area, Courchevel 1850 is close to both the Swiss and Italian borders influencing the local cuisine found both on and off the slopes.

In addition to the high quality of Courchevel's luxury chalets, the resort has a wide range of restaurants to suit everyone's taste including mountain restaurants with breathtaking views, as well as family-friendly restaurants offering typical Savoyard cuisine.

Meribel - For families

Luxury Chalets in Meribel
Children having fun skiing in MeribelPhoto: Sylvain Aymoz – Méribel Tourisme

Awarded the Famille Plus, Meribel is particularly popular with families looking to experience a luxury ski holiday in the Three Valleys. Offering top ski schools and with children under the age of five able to ski for free, Meribel has a wide range of activities to keep little ones entertained off the slopes too.

A family-friendly resort, Meribel has several luxury ski chalets perfectly suited to a family holiday in the Alps. With links to Courchevel and Val Thorens, families can also explore these additional resorts after they have enjoyed progressing on the slopes of Meribel.

Val d'Isere - For spectacular skiing

Luxury Chalets in Val d'Isere
Group skiing in Val d'IserePhoto: Val disere tourisme

One of the most snow-sure resorts in Europe, the shared ski area of Val d’Isere/ Tignes runs from late November to early May. Reaching an altitude as high as 3,456m at Grande Motte, this popular resort provides 300km of pistes with some incredible off-piste skiing opportunities too.

Beginners of the group will be in safe hands with the benefit of over a dozen ski schools to choose from and two nursery areas too, whilst Val d’Isere is without a doubt one of the best ski resorts for intermediate skiers. For the expert skiers of the group, Val d’Isere has also earned a great reputation for advanced skiers too with around 25 impressive black runs, the most famous being La Face de Bellevarde, the site of the season’s first World Cup Downhill. So no matter your skiing ability you are sure to have fun in this lively resort.

Megeve - For designer shopping

Luxury Chalets in Megeve
Horse drawn sleigh in megeve centrePhoto: Megeve_SimonGarnier

Providing stunning views of Mont Blanc, Megeve is located in South-Eastern France near both the Italian and Swiss borders. Founded as a ski resort by Baroness de Rothschild in 1916 to be a French alternative to St. Moritz, Megeve remains one of the world’s most exclusive ski resorts today with an atmosphere of both elegance and style.

Particularly popular with those looking to enjoy everything a ski holiday has to offer in addition to skiing, the charming car-free streets of Megeve are lined with Michelin-starred restaurants and plenty of designer shops to explore. From Hermes and Céline to high-end sports equipment and luxury interior design, it will be hard to leave Megeve empty-handed.

Chamonix - For breathtaking views

Luxury Chalets in Chamonix
Chalet Mont Blanc in Chamonix with mountain backdropPhoto: Chalet Mont Blanc

A popular winter destination for centuries, Chamonix hosted the first ever winter Olympics in 1924. Dominated with views of Mont Blanc, this picturesque resort provides one of the most stunning settings for a luxury ski holiday in the French Alps.

F​​airly spread out with several out-of-town ski areas and villages including Argentiere, Le Tour, Vallorcine and Les Houches, Chamonix is just an hour and half drive from Geneva making it the perfect location for a long weekend in the Alps. Chamonix has a fantastic selection of luxury chalets and apartments for a relaxing holiday in the French Alps with sensational mountain views.