Thinking of Skiing in France? Head to Provence’s Southern Alps

Whether you are a keen skier, you probably recognize famous French ski resorts such as Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Chamonix, Méribel and Megève. It may surprise some people that besides lavender and rosé, Provence has several ski resorts readily accessible from major centres such as Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Nice. So, if you are thinking of a ski holiday in France, consider Provence’s Southern Alps for stunning scenery, varied ski resorts, charming alpine villages, and great food. The article below highlights a few of the ski resorts in the region.

©OT Le Dévoluy – Chalet restaurant d’altitude Le NaÏska

Ski Slopes for Everyone

One of the best things about skiing in the South of France is the generally predictable snow, sunny climate, and warm temperatures, which are the ingredients for an enjoyable ski holiday. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert skier, there are slopes to suit every skill level. The French Southern Alps are home to several renowned ski resorts, each offering unique charm and on and off-hill experiences. The resorts provide ski programs for every level of skier and have accommodation options suitable for all budgets.

©OT du Dévoluy

France Southern Alps

Here are some of the top resorts in the Southern Alps:

Serre Chevalier: With 410 hectares of marked trails and 60 lifts, this is one of the largest ski resorts in Europe. Serre Chevalier has 80 runs, most above 2000 metres, so the snow cover is generally reasonable. The resort is known for its extensive and varied terrain, from larch forests to open bowls. At the start or end of the day, ski to the villages of Briançon, Chantemerle and Villeneuve, where there are accommodation and après-ski activities.

©OT Le Dévoluy – Grand Ferrand Sunrise

Risoul and Vars: These two family-friendly resorts form part of the La Forêt Blanche (the White Forest) ski area, and with 85% of the trails above 2000 metres, the snow arrives early and stays for a long season. This area has 185 km of marked trails combined with options for backcountry skiers. There are also several terrain parks for those who enjoy jumps and twists. Where Risoul has the “Famille Plus Montagne” label indicating its suitability for all ages, Vars has Chabrières, a speed skiing slope considered the fastest in the world.

Risoul ©Office de Tourisme

Isola 2000: Only a two-hour drive from Nice, Isola 2000 is in the Mercantour National Park and gets its name as most of the resort is above 2000 metres. The high-altitude resort is known for generally reliable snow conditions and panoramic views. Isola 2000 is great for a holiday whether you are a skier, snowboarder, backcountry skier or prefer snowshoes. This family-friendly resort also has a range of accommodation alternatives.

©OT Le Dévoluy

Pra-Loup/ Val d’Allos La Foux: These two resorts are only a few kilometres from Barcelonnette in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Known for sunny slopes and excellent grooming, skiers of all levels will find something to suit their ability on the 180km of trails in the Espace Lumière that links to Val d’Allos La Foux. Nearby accommodation and beautiful scenery, this family-friendly location has the Famille Plus Montagne label.

Montgenevre ©Cedric Tempier

Visitor Guide to the Alpes de Haute Provence

Montgenèvre/ Via Lattea: Also located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, this all-season resort is on the Italian border. You can enjoy the best of France and Italy on the slopes. While gliding down the slopes or riding the modern lifts, you can think that the Romans travelled through the same area over 2000 years ago. Montgenèvre has over 100km of trails and 59 slopes, so there is plenty of choice, or if you need more, pay the supplement to gain access to 400km of trails that are part of the “Milky Way” (Via Lattea) on the Italian side.

©Estelle Hertault

Provence Visitor Ski Tips

Picking the right ski resort for you and your group depends on your sports preferences, skill levels and overall fitness. With 65 resorts and over 2,500 kilometres of trails, the Southern Alps offer an almost unlimited range of opportunities. Whether you are committed to spending the whole day on the slopes, want to get some turns off-piste or can’t wait for the après ski part, the Southern Alps have all the options. However, in the winter, the Alps are just like the Mediterranean beaches in the summer and are extremely popular with European and international visitors, so book your accommodation early.

This France Info webpage provides information on weather conditions by geographic area, and you can drill down to the specific resort level for current conditions.

The Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur tourism group also has a website section dedicated to details about the Southern Alps. There is an ability to filter by activity and services.

Discover Famille Plus Montagne.

Visitor Guide to the Alpes Maritimes

Vars ©OT Vars – Remi Morel