France is a great playground for snow sports enthusiasts. It has no less than 352 ski resorts in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, the Vosges, the Jura, and Corsica. But which resorts have the highest snow rate in France? Where to find snow for sure?
If the snow rate varies from one winter to another, the Savoie and Haute-Savoie remain the snowiest resorts in France. The resorts of the Southern Alps and the Pyrenees are generally less spoiled than the Northern Alps. In this article discover the Top 7 Snowiest Resorts in France For Families.
1- Tignes, the sports resort
Internationally renowned, the Tignes/Val d’Isère ski area is made up of 300 kilometers of slopes between 1550 and 3450 m of altitude. With 671 cm of snow on average, it benefits from a remarkable snow cover all winter long.
Snowpark, boardercross, glass park, naturides and an exceptional freeride area, Tignes is known worldwide for its extraordinary ski area. Off-piste enthusiasts can also enjoy the 3200 hectares of powder snow that the resort shares with Val d’Isère. Last but not least, it offers the possibility to ski in summer on the 20 km of slopes of the Grande Motte glacier.
Essential information :
- Altitude: from 1550 to 1800 m
- Number of lifts: 36
- Number of runs: 36
- Price of the adult pass: 53 €/day
We Like
- The possibility to ski in summer on the Grande Motte glacier
- The excellent off-piste area
Don’t Like
- Few slopes for beginners
2- Cauterets, the resort with a view of the Pyrenees.
The Hautes-Pyrénées resort has a very good score: more than 600 cm of snow on average per winter. This warm and family resort offers varied slopes for all levels, steep slopes, and guaranteed quality snow.
Essential information:
- Altitude: from 1750 to 2450 m
- Number of lifts: 16
- Number of slopes: 23
- Price of the adult pass: 39 €/day
We Like
- The friendly resort where everyone knows each other
- The price of accommodation and ski passes
Don’t Like
- The lack of charm of the village, without pedestrian street
3- La Plagne, a resort full of character
The resort of La Plagne is a safe bet in winter. It benefits in winter, like all the Savoyard resorts, from a generous snow cover (524 cm on average). Connected to the Bourg St Maurice train station, it attracts many skiers from all over France in winter. We appreciate its snow coverage but also its large ski area.
The ski area of La Plagne has more than 220 kilometers of slopes and more than 425 km thanks to its connection with the Paradiski area. It is the second-largest ski area in the world and its off-piste is a reference in France!
Essential information:
- Altitude: from 1250 to 3250 m
- Number of lifts: 76
- Number of runs: 135
- Price of the adult pass: 57 €/day
We Like
- The large area accessible to beginners and advanced skiers
- The off-piste area
Don’t Like
- The high price of the lift pass
4- Avoriaz, the resort in the heart of the Portes du Soleil area
The average snow cover is 514 cm per season. A great score for this resort is located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area. The resort, entirely pedestrian, offers a departure at 1800 meters of altitude to the most beautiful summits up to 2400 meters. Here the wood is omnipresent, the resort is warm, the sleds replace the cars and the skiers come back to their residence on skis.
It is a beautiful resort with more than 600 km of slopes, connected to 12 resorts between France and Switzerland, which is full of activities to meet with family and friends.
Essential information:
- Altitude: from 1800 to 2400 m
- Number of lifts: 34
- Number of slopes: 50
- Price of the adult pass: 48 €/day
We Like
- The sleds that replace the cars
- The resort with snowy streets
Don’t Like
- The price and the lack of accommodation in high season
5- Bonneval sur Arc, the authentic Savoyard resort
Nestled at the foot of the Iseran Pass, in Savoie near Val d’Isère, Bonneval sur Arc is classified and labeled “Most Beautiful Villages of France”. Between 1 800 and 3 000 meters of altitude, it offers an exceptional quality of snow, it is one of the snowiest ski resorts in France. This resort located in the heart of an authentic and preserved mountain has magnificent stone chalets, covered with slate.
Essential information:
- Altitude: from 1 800 to 3 000 m
- Number of lifts: 10
- Number of slopes: 26
- Price of the adult pass: 30,50 €/day
We Like
- The pretty mountain village
- The guaranteed snow at the bottom of the slopes
- The price of the ski passes
Don’t Like
- The nightlife
- Few slopes for experienced skiers
6- Val Cenis, the village resort surrounded by fir trees
Val Cenis is the largest ski resort in the Haute-Mauricienne and is composed of 5 villages (Termignon, Lanslebourg, Les Champs, Lanslevillard and Le Haut). The snow is always there and promises wonderful moments. At the same time family, sporty, and restful, this resort is warm and simple. And a point not to be overlooked: the prices of accommodation are much more affordable than in other large resorts!
Essential information :
- Altitude: from 1300 to 2800 m
- Number of lifts: 28
- Number of slopes: 62
- Price of the adult pass: 41 €/day
We Like
- The beautiful panorama in altitude
- The forest sector very pleasant to ski
Don’t Like
- The lifts are not always well placed
7- Piau-Engaly, the entirely pedestrian resort in the Pyrenees
Great performances for the ski resort Piau-Engaly in the Pyrenees! In the last few years, it has recorded an average of 628 cm of snow per winter! This entirely pedestrian resort, authentic and traditional, is perfectly adapted for families. It is far from the concrete resorts without charm. Finally, it offers beginners and experienced skiers 42 slopes, the latest lifts, modern and fast.
Essential information :
- Altitude: from 1850 to 2600 m
- Number of lifts: 11
- Number of runs: 42
- Price of the adult pass: 38 €/day
We Like
- The authentic high mountain setting
- The ski lifts are very well placed in the resort
- The friendly and family atmosphere
Don’t Like
- Few activities for non-skiers
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