Each year, the French Alps become the winter playground of roughly 8.5 million skiers, flocking from all over Europe to enjoy a slice of its snow-sure slopes. Boasting a long sporting season from December to the beginning of April – although January and February are your best bet for consistent conditions – there are more than 6,000 slopes covering 25,000 hectares, and more than 300 resorts here, making France home to the largest ski area in the world. Feeling a tad overwhelmed trying to decide where to book this winter? We’ve got you covered. Here are the best ski resorts in France – and the most luxurious hotels to book for five-star treatment, alpine style… 

Tignes

Best ski destination for: Guaranteed snow

Tignes is in a prime position among the French Alps for a steady flow of snow throughout the winter, making it a great choice for those who like to ski early in the season (pre-Christmas) and up until the Easter holidays. Elevation here ranges from 1,550-2,100m, while the jewel in its crown, the skiable Grande Motte Glacier, boasts a height of 3,456m. The pistes closer to the five central villages – Val Claret, Le Lac, Lavachet, Les Boisses and Les Brevieres – are armed with 350 snow guns to supplement snowfall when nature doesn’t cut it. Tignes also links up with Val d’Isère in the Espace Killy ski area, providing a gateway to even more unparalleled runs should skiers get bored of its 300km of slopes. 

Where to stay: Hotel Le Diamond Rock

This five-star boutique hotel is a hidden gem in the resort of Tignes, reserved for those in the know. Boasting classic alpine-chic interiors, Hotel Le Diamond Rock’s 64 rooms are designed for cosiness, featuring the warmth of mountain wood, while it’s perfectly positioned at the foothills of Tignes valley, no more than a 200m walk to the closest high-speed lift, Palafour. For unrivalled views of the mountains, head to the panoramic bar and restaurant while those looking to rejuvenate after a long day on the mountain should unwind at the Pure Altitude Spa. Complete with an indoor pool, hammam, sauna and hot tub, this is the perfect place to rest your ski legs.

From £359 per night. 

Chamonix

Best ski destination for: Expert skiers

Known for its challenging, winding runs, clifftop pistes and rough terrain, only head to Chamonix if you’re happy to take on a black run every day of your holiday. The valley is home to four distinct ski areas – the Grands Montets, Brévent-Flégère, Les Houches and the Domaine de Balme – and boasts one of the most picturesque runs in France: Vallée Blanche. An off-piste ski route that’s 20km long, expect awe-inspiring views and an unexpected sense of stillness as you descend the 2,700m slope. Chamonix is also home to some of the best backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the world, regularly hosting the Freeride World Tour and competitions for up-and-coming skiers, boarders, climbers, mountaineers, paragliders, and wingsuit fanatics.

Where to stay: Hotel Mont Blanc

Located in the heart of Chamonix, and therefore surrounded by local shops and bars, this boutique hotel features just 20 bedrooms and 20 suites. Inside, discover warm, cosy interiors, alongside a private balcony which overlooks the mountains and the much-needed luxury of heated boot racks. After a long day on the slopes, unwind at the on-site Clarins spa, take a dip in the outdoor heated swimming pool or relax in a hot tub boasting views of the snow-dusted peaks of Mont Blanc. Plus, foodies won’t be disappointed with the flagship restaurant, Le Matafan, offering modern French cuisine combined with an Alpine touch – think scallops and organic lentils from Haute Savoie, octopus with Burgundy parsley and chorizo, and truffle gnocchi with pear and parmesan. Bon appétit. 

From £267 per night. 

Megève

Best ski destination for: Beau monde skiers

Established by the Rothschild family as a premium ski destination more than a century ago, Megève steadily competes with Courchevel as the go-to slopes for well-heeled Parisians and Europeans looking to let off some steam in the snow. So, if you want to know where English high society flocks when the temperature in the French Alps drops, this is your best bet. A winter playground featuring magical, mountaintop Alpine charm, skiing isn’t the only activity on offer here – although we’d recommend bombing it down the Mont d'Arbois, Rochebrune and Le Jaillet runs, all of which boast tree-lined slopes and are therefore sheltered when the weather is poor. Also don’t miss horse-drawn carriage rides, snow mountain biking, and electric snowmobiling expeditions too. 

Where to stay: Four Seasons Megève

Offering a contemporary approach to a conventional alpine chalet, it was only a matter of time until the Four Seasons moved into one of the most aristocratic resorts in France. Once owned by Edmond de Rothschild, the hotel is steeped in history, with its original stone facade built more than a century ago to combine French style and Alpine tradition. Boasting an intimate setting with a front-row seat to the French Alps, take advantage of the hotel’s ski-in, ski-out access, 55 rooms and suites (some adorned with key pieces from Ariane de Rothschild’s art collection), the region’s largest spa, and refined restaurants, from Japanese-style Kaito, where sushi meets alpine ingredients, to Idéal 1850: perched 1,850m above Megève with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and serving spit-roasted meats and fresh shellfish. 

From £1,642 per night. 

Morzine

Best ski destination for: Beginners

Offering a plethora of green and blue runs, as well as learner areas, this is where to take novices this winter. Morzine is one of the most popular ski areas in France, so do expect families with little ones in tow (who can probably run rings around beginner skiers). It feeds into the Portes du Soleil – one of the largest ski regions in Europe with more than 600km of pistes that span seven French and five Swiss ski resorts – so there will always be plenty of slopes to choose from if friends and family want to play it safe on easier routes. Plus, Morzine town centre is the perfect place to soak in local life, with a number of quaint cafes, micro-breweries and historic restaurants ready to welcome you with open arms. 

Where to stay: Chalet Sarcleret

Looking for a home-from-home? Chalet Sarcleret was recently renovated by the renowned Salvesen Graham design studio in the style of a classic English country home, featuring six sizable ensuite bedrooms and a bunk room for up to six children to make your next ski holiday one to remember. Inside, the top floor boasts an open-plan kitchen and dining room with stunning views of Nyon mountain, while downstairs you’ll find a cinema room and a hot tub in the grounds with panoramic vistas of the mountains. Plus, come winter, the chalet is catered and comes with a chauffeur service so you need never lift a finger. 

From £8,615 per week.  

Val Thorens

Best ski destination for: Families and mixed abilities

The biggest ski resort in Europe – and dubbed the world’s best – Val Thorens is the highest resort in the Alps, and therefore often has some of the best snow. Part of the interlinked network that makes up the Three Valleys, expect miles upon miles of piste-perfect conditions for skiers of all abilities, divided into 78 runs across 150km. Not only are the snow and slopes an attraction, but Val Thorens hasn’t skimped on its state-of-the-art resort amenities either. Pistes run alongside villages, taking the term ‘ski-in, ski-out’ to the next level, while the town itself boasts a wide variety of shops, restaurants, bars and a vibrant après scene. 

Where to stay: Le Fitz Roy

Designed as a destination for skiers and mountain enthusiasts to live in understated luxury, guests of Le Fitz Roy will find themselves instantly at home. Cosset away in one of the 72 design-led rooms – some with uninterrupted views of the snow-packed peaks, village below or the slopes – and be sure to book one of the many interconnecting suites to make this holiday a fun family-friendly experience. Downstairs, the restaurant serves chef Johan Audren’s reimagination of classic French dishes, while the newly-renovated Spa Du Fitz Roy offers tailor-made treatments guaranteed to impress on days when the weather doesn’t. Located around a vast square pool, don’t skimp on the sauna and steam bath when looking for a luxurious opportunity to recover from a day on the slopes. 

From £240 per night. 

Courchevel

Image: Shutterstock/Boris B

Image: Shutterstock

Best ski destination for: Intermediates

Also nestled in the heart of the Three Valleys, Courchevel is known not only for its reputation for attracting a well-heeled clientele (it regularly competes with aforementioned Megève for that trophy) but also for its intermediate runs. Catering to large group holidays where skiers vary in ability, Courchevel’s mix of blue and red runs shouldn’t be underrated, with 70 per cent of the destination’s terrain designated for intermediate to advanced skiers. The lively towns that form part of the resort are named after their altitudes in metres, ranging from Courchevel 1300 to Courchevel 1850. Within each you’ll discover a unique atmosphere and charm, with the latter known as the destination for rubbing shoulders with high society while the 1650 village is where to get more bang for your buck (and probably spot a few university ski trips too). 

Where to stay: Hotel Ecrin Blanc

Famous not only for being supremely convenient – Hotel Ecrin Blanc boasts ski-in ski-out access to the Three Valleys – the hotel also prides itself on being family friendly. Offering a range of accommodation, from cosy twin rooms to spacious three-bedroom suites catering to various party sizes, kids will love the on-site Aquamotion water centre, accessible through a private tunnel and including a pool, waterslide and indoor surfing pool. At dinner time, take your pick from three on-site restaurants, ranging from delectable sharing small plates at The Factory to wood-fired pizzas at The Grill. 

From £176 per night. 

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