Discover the Best Ski Resorts in Haute-Savoie and Savoie
With a great tradition in the snow, France offers a number of mountain resorts considered among the best in Europe, most of them located in the Alpine departments, but with a few major resorts also along the Pyrenees mountain range to complete a picture of some of the most comprehensive skiing in the world. The French Alps extend over an area of more than 30,000 square kilometres full of snow-covered valleys and peaks, some of which also offer summer skiing possibilities thanks to impressive glaciers.
Regions for Snow Tourism
The regions involved in snow tourism are Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Alpes-Maritimes. However, it is definitely the first two regions that offer the best for snow enthusiasts.
Haute-Savoie
Haute-Savoie stretches south of Lake Geneva and includes some of Europe’s most famous ski resorts:
- Morzine: Located on the Swiss border with ski lifts leading to Avoriaz-Super Morzine.
- Mont Blanc Massif and Chamonix: Chairlifts are available at L’Argentiere, north and south of Chamonix (Les Tines, Les Praz, and L’Aiguille du Midi). Further south are Les Houches and the Saint-Gervais-les-Bains area, which together with Megève forms a large ski area including Croix des Salles, Mont d’Arbois, Plateau de la Croix, Mont Joly, and Val Montjoie.
- Annecy and La Clusaz: Found along the slopes of the Col de Aravis.
Savoie
Savoie features high mountain roads and breathtaking panoramas, cloaked in thick snow during winter. Its queen city, Albertville, hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and serves as the economic hub of the region. While it lacks nearby slopes, nearby resorts include:
- Val d’Isère and Tignes: Located high in the Alps, these resorts feature the Col de l’Iseran, the highest Alpine pass at 2,770m.
- La Plagne: Accessible from Aime, this resort sits at an altitude of about 2,000m and is complemented by Peisey-Nancroix and Les Arcs.
- Doron Belleville Valley: Features Val Thorens, Les Menuires, and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, offering one of the best lift systems in the region.
- Courchevel 1850 and Méribel: Found in the Doron des Allues valley, they form part of an interconnected ski area separated from Val d’Isère by the Parc National de La Vanoise.
Skiing Near Italy
The southernmost portion of Savoie offers resorts easily accessible from Italy via the Moncenisio Pass or Fréjus Tunnel. Resorts include:
- Aussois, Modane, Val Fréjus, Orelle, Valmeinier, and Valloire.
- In the Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne area: Resorts such as Le Villard, La Toussuire, and Le Corbier.
