Skiing in France: Choosing your Resort

Skiing in France is pretty well established; we've all got memories of red clad ESF instructors giving us detailed instructions in French, and of warming up in restaurants that smelled like old wood and cheese.

The reason we keep going back is; the skiing in France is incredible. From the lift-accessed off-piste in Chamonix to the glitz of Courchevel 1850 and the family friendly charm of La Clusaz, France has the perfect resort whether you’re more interested in the skiing or the après ski. So, which resort should you choose?

For Adventure

Chamonix is famous for its backcountry. It’s so well-known just the name brings up images of miles of unpisted snow, and some of the most challenging skiing in Europe. The resort itself is great for plenty of other things too, mind you. It’s busy all year round, and in summer it sees millions of tourists flood in for the climbing and the hiking in the area. It’s an excellent dual season resort for those who want more than just a few months use per year.

For Glamour

Courchevel 1850, the glittery star on top of the Trois Vallees; where else could we choose for this section? Sure, Megeve has its own brand of elegance, but no resort is quite like 1850. It’s filled with the best shops, selling high fashion and cutting edge technology, with Michelin Star cuisine and a good number of excellent bars where you can grab a drink at the end of a fabulous day on the slopes. It’s the whole package for buyers looking for a lifestyle as well as a ski resort.

For Nightlife

This one is so obvious I didn’t even bother mentioning it in the introduction. When it comes to nightlife, where else but Val d’Isere? The home of the very first Folie Douce, the infamous Dick’s Tea Bar and a whole host of other clubs and bars that are open until the early hours. From upmarket cocktail bars to seasonaire dives, no matter your budget Val d’Isere is bound to have something you’ll enjoy. Those of you who want to burn the candle at both ends can rest easy knowing the ski area’s pretty great too.

For Families

One of the few French resorts that really does retain that rural Alpine village feel, La Clusaz is an excellent place for families, with charming shops and restaurants, plenty of activities off the snow and good intermediate and beginner slopes. Experts have enough skiing to be getting on with even when they’ve mastered the blues and reds. The resort isn’t too far from Geneva, meaning transfer times are short, while there are plenty of ski-in / ski-out properties in the resort.