Randonnée en pleine nature dans les Alpes du Nord, avec deux marcheurs traversant des sentiers verdoyants entourés de montagnes majestueuses et d'un petit étang alpin sous un ciel bleu.
© Clarafotomania

FIRST TIME

New to French mountains? Here's everything you need to know

Are you thinking of swapping Austria or Switzerland for France this winter? What a brilliant idea. The same Alps, the same snow, but larger ski areas, better value for money and much closer than you might think.

From Brussels, Amsterdam or London, you can reach the slopes in just a few hours.

Here’s everything you need to organise your first skiing holiday: how ski pass schemes work, where to hire your equipment, which resorts are best for beginners, and why choosing France for your skiing holiday is the best option!

Access

Closer than you think

Geneva, Chambéry, Grenoble : most French resorts are just 1-2 hours away, whether you fly, drive or take the train from Brussels, Amsterdam or London.

 

Ski area

A mountain for every kind of trip

From the vast Three Valleys and Paradiski to small, authentic villages tucked into the Alps : France offers it all, at a scale that suits you.

Skieurs à Pralognan
© P.Guilbaud

English-speaking staff

No language barrier here

Ski schools, resort staff, rental shops : English (and often Dutch) is widely spoken across French resorts.

Moniteur ESF et son élève assis dans la neige en snowboard
© esf - Agence ZOOM

How it works

First lift pass? We’ve got you.

Package deals, equipment hire, lessons… It’s simpler than it looks. Here’s everything you need to know before you set off.

© Julia Guerre - OT Vaujany