Skiing in the Rhône-Alpes

An overview of skiing in the region: how to get to the resorts of the Rhône-Alpes, the facilities you will find when you get there and details about the different snow sports on offer, including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and more...

Did you know

  • The highest point in the Alps is also the highest point in France and Europe; Mont Blanc is 4,807m at its peak
  • Briançon is the highest city in Europe at 1,350m
  • The Frog and Roast Beef in Val Thorens claims to be the highest pub in Europe
  • Serre-Chevalier boasts 300 days of sunshine every year
  • The French Alps have played host to the Winter Olympics on two occasions, the 1968 Games were held in Grenoble and the 1992 Games were hosted by Albertville with events in the Savoie (73) region and resorts

The Rhône-Alpes region relies heavily on winter sports as tourism is the major industry. Typically, the French will spend the February school holidays in the Alps; holiday lets run from Saturday to Saturday and traffic congestion is a common problem especially if the weather is bad.

International tourist flights tend to arrive at Grenoble, Geneva, Chambéry or Lyon airports and coach transport is provided to the resorts.

Below is information on:

  • Transport options and how to get to the ski resorts
  • The resorts of the Rhône-Alpes
  • Winter sports available such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and getting lessons

Getting There

By car

Before setting out, it's always a good idea to check road conditions and closures and to see if special equipment is needed for the drive (such as snow chains). Tourist offices will often provide this information. The Sociétés d'Autoroutes website also provides good information.

  • For the Societes d'Autoroutes website: Click here

By ski train

Ski trains or snow trains (in conjunction with Eurostar) run from the UK (Waterloo or Ashford) via Paris, and on to the Alps once the season has started (January to April). The overnight service allows travellers to sleep or party at the on-board bar and disco.

  • To book or check prices and destinations: Click here

By bus

The Altibus transports riders from many points in France and Switzerland, including the Lyon Saint-Exupery airport, Chambéry-Aix les Bains and Geneva airport to many resorts in the Alps.

  • For the Altibus website: Click here (in French, with English-language booking)

Ski Resorts

  • Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) has over 650 Km of pistes and is the largest ski area in Europe
  • Espace Killy is the ski area linking Val d’Isere and Tignes; has 300 Km of pistes
  • Paradiski is the newest linking resort connecting La Plagne and Les Arcs with the world’s only double-deck cable car, the Vanoise Express, which carries over 200 passengers
  • Les Portes du Soleil covers the resorts from the French side of Mont Blanc to lake Geneva, connecting 12 major resorts
  • Serre-Chevalier is made up of four towns connected by one road and over 250 Km of downhill pistes
  • Ski en Ardèche has information on the resorts of La croix de Bauzon, the only alpine ski resort in the department and the following cross-country skiing areas; La Chavade-Bel Air, Montivernoux, Le Pal, Ste-Eulalie
  • For information on ski resorts in the department of the Drôme: Click here (in French)
  • For the French ski resorts web portal, see the France Montagnes website: Click here

Passes

All resorts use a lift-pass system. A ticket to use the resort's lifts and telecabins must be bought and the price of the pass will vary depending on the skier's age, competence, choice of sport and the resort. Passes can usually be purchased at the resort with the minimum being a half-day and the maximum being a season pass.

Some resorts have a specific access pass for downhill skiing as the skier uses a smaller area than Alpine skiers and snowboarders. The ticket office will supply the information. Passes can also be bought by non-skiers for transportation up and down the mountain.

Skiing

Cross-country skiing

Refuges for cross-country ski trips can be rented through the Federation of French Alpine and Mountain Clubs. For more information, see the website.

  • CAF/FFCAM (Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne)
    At: 24 avenue de Laumière, 75019 Paris
    Tel: 01 53 72 87 00
    Fax: 01 42 03 55 60

Cross-country skis can be rented from rental shops and at resorts that offer cross-country skiing.

Back-country skiing

Back-country skiing, also known as ski touring, involves hiking and climbing in the wilderness before a descent over (often virgin) snow. Back-country skiing is generally more strenuous than snow-shoeing and requires more technical skill, but the rewards are considered worth the effort for most experienced skiers. It is generally recommended to hire experienced guides trained specifically for this endeavour, as there is a danger of getting lost or triggering avalanches. Overnight stays in maintained refuges are common.

Back-country skis have a binding that leaves the heel free for going uphill and a non-slip coating for uphill climbing. Alpine or Nordic (telemark) bindings can be used, depending on preference and whether or not crampons will be needed.

It is important to carry an avalanche beacon and shovel when back-country skiing, in case of an avalanche. The emergency phone number for search and rescue is 112, though mobile phones are unreliable in the back-country.

Ski-mountaineering

Ski-mountaineering/ski-touring is similar to back-country skiing, but it is over steeper terrain.

Disabled skiing

Many resorts in the Rhône-Alpes cater to disabled skiers. Check with the individual resort, or for information on access in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie regions, contact the respective Handisport Committees.

  • Savoie Handisport Committee
    Tel: 04 79 85 80 43
    email
  • Haute-Savoie Handisport Committee
    Tel    : 04 50 77 77 60
    email

The Ski 2 Freedom Foundation is a non-profit company providing a growing extensive directory of information on the facilities available at snow and winter sports stations and resorts for people with special needs and disabilities.

Night-time skiing

Many resorts offer night-time skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating and other activities. Inquire at the resort for further information.

Snowboarding

Many resorts cater to snowboarders. Contact the resort about the availability of half-pipes and boardercross courses.

Snowboards can be rented before arriving at the resort at rental shops or at the resort.

  • For French snowboarding news in English, see the Pistehors website: Click here

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing (raquettes) is becoming more popular and many resorts in the Alps have created special routes with different grades of difficulty. The technology of the shoes is continually advancing to make the equipment more efficient for going up and down hills and walking on the flat.

Ski/Snowboarding lessons

Nearly every resort offers lessons from instructors from the French Ski School (Ecole de Ski Français/ESF). Inquire at the resort.