Ski and sliding
The nearest ski resorts to Paris
Did you know? Less than 3 hours from Paris, you can take to the slopes for the first time. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to choosing a winter holiday (the same applies to summer, of course).
Whether you’re an enthusiast or a contemplative skier, or simply want to get away from it all, we’ve got some ideas for a mountain just around the corner. Find out here which resorts are closest to Paris so you can ski for a day, a weekend or simply choose the best transport to get to the slopes.
By train
Gentle transport to the foot of the slopes!
The first option for getting to the resorts closest to Paris is the TGV station! That way, you can leave Paris with your skis on.
At Les Arcs, for example, one of the closest resorts to Paris, the station is directly linked to a funicular railway, which will be renovated in 2021 to reduce CO2 emissions and carry more passengers. The funicular will take you to the slopes of the Paradiski area (Les Arcs/La Plagne). The resort can be reached in 5 hours by train from Gare de Lyon without changing trains!
In Combloux, the same applies: in 4h30 from Paris, you’re just a stone’s throw from the slopes, at the foot of Mont-Blanc.
But there’s more! The resorts of the Vosges, including the major ski areas of La Bresse and Gérardmer, are just 3h30 from Paris. Take the train to Remiremont (3 hours), then a shuttle bus will take you to Gérardmer in 35 minutes and to La Bresse in 1 hour. The 50km of pistes in the largest ski area in the Vosges are yours for the taking!
By train, you can also reach the following stations in 3 hours:
- Bellegarde to reach the Montages du Jura resorts,
- Grenoble and Chambéry for the Alps resorts,
- Clermont Ferrand (3h30) for the resorts of the Sancy massif.
Shuttle services take you to the nearest resorts in an hour. For example :
- Chamrousse, Les 7 Laux, the Oisans and Vercors resorts from Grenoble. Information and booking
- Besse-Super-Besse, Le Mont Dore from Clermont Ferrand. More info
Car rental agencies such as Sixt are also available at each station and offer vehicles fitted with winter tyres.
By car
Practical option: 4 to 5 hours’ drive
By car, it will take you between 4 and 6 hours to reach the resorts closest to Paris. The first resorts are in the Vosges. It will take you 4 hours 21 minutes to drive from Paris to Gérardmer, one of the nearest resorts, 439 km away according to Google Maps.
Not much further away, the Jura resorts are less than 4 hours 30 minutes from Paris. You can reach the Jura Mountains in 4 hours 35 minutes (464 km). On the Massif Central side, Besse Super besse in the Massif Central is just 4 hours 31 minutes from Paris (472 km).
If you’re a fan of the Alps, you’ll need to drive for more than 5 hours to reach the first resorts. You’ll need to allow 5 hours 30 minutes for La Clusaz (583 km) and 5 hours 33 minutes for Villard de Lans (598 km).
Closest resorts to Paris in terms of time (from the centre)
- Le Mont Dore: 4h17 – 466km
- Gérardmer: 4h21 – 439 km
- Saint Maurice sur Moselle: 4h26 – 456 km
- Besse Super Besse: 4 hours 31 minutes – 472 km
- La Bresse: 4h35 – 453 km
- Monts Jura: 5h11 – 523 km
- Le Grand Bornand : 5h27 – 580 km
- La Clusaz: 5h30 – 583km
- Combloux: 5h30 – 595 km
- Villard de Lans: 5h33 – 598 km
The closest slopes to Paris
A 2-hour drive for a different kind of skiing
For real ski fans, there’s no substitute for real snow. But if you want to keep a firm grip on your ski poles and perfect your technique, Loisinord is the place for you!
At Noeux-les-Mines, 2 hours from Paris, you can ski on a former slag heap. It’s the biggest artificial slope in Europe, with 2 ski lifts, 3 jumps, a cornice, a mogul field, a half pipe, 3 5 m rails, 1 quarter pipe and a beginners’ slope.