Best Ski Resorts in France: Lodging, Mountains, and Resources
The French Alps in France undoubtedly have some of the world’s best powder and skiing. Many of the resorts in France focus their efforts on providing the best off-trail backcountry skiing and riding. Most also have hundreds of groomed and designated trails. The largest vertical drop is found at Brides-les-Baines at 2600 meters (8,530 feet). The highest peak in Western Europe, and the eleventh highest mountain in the world, Mont Blanc, is skiable at the Chamonix ski area, and experts can attack the mountainside in search of steeps, bowls, crevasses, chutes and glaciers. The following are the best 5 ski areas that are both resorts and entire regions of France that contain specific ski areas within.
1. Brides-les-Bains
Brides-les-Bains, France
Brides-les-Bains is a small town nestled in the Savoie region of France at the foot of the “Three Valleys”. The town is known for its thermal resorts and winter skiing. There are plenty of spas in the area for après ski lounging and relaxing. The mountains themselves have some of the largest vertical drops in France and attract expert skiers first and foremost. The resort is next best for beginners, and not as attractive for intermediate skiers and riders.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 600 meters
Summit Elevation: 3200 meters
Vertical Drop: 2600 meters
Trails: 276
Ski Lifts: 196
Lodging Nearby:
Cybele (Hotel)
Maribel
Brides-les-Bains, France 73570
http://ski-france.com/accomodation-Cybele-Brides-les-Bains-3-Vallees_28__3.html?weId=
Le Grand Chalet
Esplanade des Thermes
Brides-les-Bains, France 73570
http://ski-france.com/accomodation-Le-Grand-Chalet-Brides-les-Bains-3-Vallees_651__3.html?weId=
Hotel Le Verseau
Rue du 8 Mai 1845
Brides-les-Bains, France 73570
http://www.skiweekends.com/pages/resorts/verseau.aspx?type=1
2. Les Deux Alpes
Mont De Lans, France
+33 (0) 4 76 79 22 00
Les Deux Alpes is a ski resort located between the villages of Venosc and Mont De Lans. It is rated with five stars for beginners, intermediate and advances skiers, as well as snowboarders. Their snow is ranked among the highest quality that falls in the Alps, creating ideal conditions for all adventure seekers. Beginners beware, you might never ski such a perfectly skiable mountain ever again.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 1300 meters
Summit Elevation: 3600 meters
Vertical Drop: 2300 meters
Trails: 256
Ski Lifts: 55
Lodging Nearby:
Chalet Mounier – Hotel
2, rue de la Chapelle
Les 2 Alpes, France 38660
+33 (0)4 76 80 56 90
http://www.chalet-mounier.com/en/index.html
Hotel La Farandole
18 rue de Cairou
Les 2 Alpes, France 38860
+33 (0)4 76 80 50 45
http://www.hotel-la-farandole.com/
Hotel La Belle Etoile
111 Avenue de la Muzelle
Les 2 Alpes, France 38860
+33 (0)4 76 80 51 19
http://www.labelletoile.com/
3. Ski Vaujany
Vaujany, France 38114
Home to the world’s largest cable car, Vaujany ski resort looks down upon the small village of Vaujany in the northern Alps. The town remains small, but their ski and snowboard offerings are extensive. With a vertical drop of 2200 meters, beginners might be intimidated by the mountain’s magnitude. However, Vaujany is rated as excellent for beginners. The resort has eight green trails, nine blue trails, nine red trails and three black trails.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 1100 meters
Summit Elevation: 3300 meters
Vertical Drop: 2200 meters
Trails: 301
Ski Lifts: 19
Lodging Nearby:
Hotel La Douce Montagne
450 Route des Fonderies Royales
Allemont, France 38114
+33 (0)4 76 79 82 40
http://www.ladoucemontagne.com
Residence les Portes de l’Oisan Hotel
Les Portes de l’Oisans
Vaujany, France 38114
(866) 539-0036
Campanile Grenoble Sud – Seyssins
4 Rue Jean Moulin Rondeau Rive-Gauche
Seyssins, France 38180
+33 (0)4 76 49 00 41
http://www.campanile-grenoble-sud-seyssins.fr
4. Ski La Grave
RN 91 Hautes Alpes
La Grave, France 05320
La Grave ski area is known for having some of the most technically difficult, challenging and exciting off trail skiing in the world. Skiers travel to this global destination for steep terrain, glacier skiing, open bowls, small chutes, steeps and deeps and spectacular forest skiing areas. La Grave employs experts at the Skiers Lodge Guide Service to show riders how to be part of the best backcountry skiing in the world. Dozens of tours are offered, ranging from hour-long expeditions for 3-day adventures. La Grave is truly an expert skier and rider paradise.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 1400 meters
Summit Elevation: 3550 meters
Vertical Drop: 2150 meters
Trails: 3 (designated); unlimited off-trail skiing and riding
Ski Lifts: 3
Lodging Nearby:
Best Western Hotel – Dauphitel
16 Avenue Kimberly
Echirolles, France 38130
+33 (0)4 76 33 60 60
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=93554
Chalet Mounier Hotels
2, rue de la Chapelle
Les 2 Alpes, France 38660
+33 (0)4 76 80 56 90
http://www.chalet-mounier.com/en/index.html
Hotel Le Pic Blanc
Quartier des Bergers
Alpe d’Huez, France 38750
http://www.hotel-pic-blanc-alpe-huez.federal-hotel.com/page_en_1.html
5. Chamonix (Ski Pass Mont Blanc)
11 rue Francis de Pressense
La Plaine Saint Denis Cedex, France 93571
Chamonix Mont Blanc is the oldest ski resort in France, and was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympic games. Located on the border of Italy and Switzerland, Chamonix is the highest commune in France. Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe attracts expert skiers looking for plentiful off-trail skiing and riding. Ski areas within and around Chamonix include Le Brevent, La Flegere, Les Planards, Les Grands Montets and Domaine de Balme.
Mountain Facts:
Base Elevation: 1040 meters
Summit Elevation: 3840 meters
Vertical Drop: 2800 meters
Trails: 354
Ski Lifts: 49
Lodging Nearby:
Hotel le Labrador
Les Praz
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France 74400
+33 (0)4 50 55 90 09
http://www.hotel-labrador.com
Park Hotel Suisse
75 avenue du Majestic BP 49
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France 74400
+33 (0)4 50 53 07 58
http://www.chamonix-park-hotel.com
Arolles
281 Chemin du Cry
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France 74400
+33 (0)4 50 53 14 30
http://www.chamonix.com/arolles,bed-and-breakfasts,48-1-3142-sitraHLO398130,en.html
Other Ski and Mountain Guides
New Hampshire Ski and Mountain Guide
Vermont Ski and Mountain Guide
Utah Ski and Mountain Guide
Washington Ski and Mountain Guide
Colorado Ski and Mountain Guide
Wyoming Ski and Mountain Guide
New York SKi and Mountain Guide
Best Ski Resorts in Canada
Ski Resorts and Mountains in Europe
Family Friendly Ski Resorts
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Avalanche: Measurement, US Deaths, and Resources
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