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A nation of enormous ski areas, blood-curdling couloirs and off-piste like you’ve never seen it before, France has some of the world’s most challenging terrain. Factor in seamless lift access, award-winning guides and boundary breaking snow parks and you can see why this is the motherland of many of the earth’s most accomplished skiers.
You’ll find powder, parks and gruelling gradients in ski resorts all over the country, but a handful are a head above the rest when it comes to holiday destinations for expert skiing and snowboarding. Whether you’re looking to get race ready, or simply keep your ski technique sharp, head to any of the following 10 and rise to the challenge.
France: Top 10 Advanced Ski & Snowboard Resorts
From a tonne of serious steeps to powder that’s knee-deep, Val deserves a place on any expert snow lover’s to-do-list. La Face - a gruellingly steep, at times bumpy, drop down to the village that featured in the ‘92 Olympics Men’s downhill - wins the black run popularity contest,… + more
A piste blaster’s paradise, runs of all colours seem to go on and on in Les Arcs. The demanding Aiguille Rouge down to Villaroger begins as a narrow black that widens into an 8km red, making a massive drop from 3226m to 1200m (that’s 6.7 Eiffel towers). If you’re left feeling the… + more
With some of the toughest terrain in the land and as a place many instructors come to qualify, Chamonix is something of a rite of passage for an expert. After a fresh dump head to the Aiguille du Midi area to descend Alpine legend Vallee Blanche unlocking some of Europe’s very… + more
Courchevel has some of the toughest pistes we’ve honestly ever skied, and they’re some of the most immaculately groomed. You’ll need some serious mettle for the stomach-churning Grand Couloir, at least for the first steep stretch – it gets mercifully wider as it goes down, giving… + more
Tignes’ several different villages each have several different chairs and gondolas to choose from as you clip into those bindings each morning. Between them you’ll find tens of steep pisted blacks, ungroomed naturides and some semi-black reds that you can navigate according to… + more
If you’ve perfected the piste and want to progress to the park, Les 2 Alpes is the place to do it. The famous MGM park team annually take to the top of the Toura chairlift to carve out all sizes of kickers, hits, rails and jibs, as well as a 120m-long half pipe. There’s even an… + more
From waist-deep powder runs above Ardent, to hair-raising blacks like the Swiss wall, and the Machon run in the Hauts Fort area – there’s an itinerary of mouth-watering prospects for hardy skiers here. Once you’ve exhausted those, you’ll find tonnes to be explored further out… + more
A powder-hound is going to have an absolute field day here, where the likes of the Bureau des Guides provide expert tuition in how best to shred a waist-deep level of the white stuff. Couloirs, like those from Saulire into Courchevel abound, one of which is affectionately known… + more
Totalling a socking great 66km, black run skiers will have a hoot in Alpe d’Huez. Most famous is the Sarenne, which streams down from the Pic Blanc peak for a thigh-testing 16km, making it the longest black in the Alps. Though without too many steep surprises, it’s actually one… + more
The Grand Massif is blessed with an impeccable snow history, thanks to the nearness of the mighty Mont Blanc. On a powder day, it’s all about tucking into the white stuff in the Gers Bowl (exclusive advanced skier territory) with a guide from Flaine Super Ski. This resort goes… + more
Above is the ultimate list of advanced ski and snowboard resorts in France - the best French mountains to visit if you’re an expert. If you’re keen for challenging terrain and your skill level’s up to it, the best expert resorts will take your technique to the next level.
All of these expert resorts have been declared the "best for advanced skiing" or have featured in lists like the "top French resorts for advanced level skiers. They are simply France’s finest expert resorts.
With lift accessed powder runs, signposted steeps and some of the best snowparks in Europe, France has a lot to offer experienced skiers and snowboarders.
If you’ve visited most of the resorts on this list or just want to try somewhere different, have a look at our Top 10 guides for experts in Austria, Italy and Switzerland or plan a transatlantic trip to America or Canada. Or to experience the best of the best, see our favourite expert resorts worldwide.
France - best intermediate ski resorts
| Resort | Best features |
|---|---|
| Val d'Isere | Olympic downhill run, plenty of steeps, incredible powder terrain |
| Les Arcs | Ungroomed Naturide runs, mogul fields, big ski area |
| Chamonix | Famous Vallee Blanche run, oodles of backcountry, steep pistes |
| Courchevel | Challenging couloirs, moguls, steep pistes and powder trails – all in the world’s biggest ski area |
| Tignes | Steep pistes, ungroomed trails, great off-piste, super snowpark |
| Les 2 Alpes | Great freestyle terrain, legendary La Grave descent, steep black pistes |
| Avoriaz | Notorious Swiss Wall run, deep powder trails, top notch snow parks |
| Meribel | World’s biggest ski area, crazy couloirs, steep black runs |
| Alpe d'Huez | 60km+ black runs, moguls, off piste, couloirs |
| Flaine | Super snow record, powder bowls, moguls & steeps |
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