Alpine skiing
Skiing, and more specifically alpine skiing, is one of the most popular winter activities in Europe and around the world. A byword for freedom, thrills and breathtaking landscapes, it draws millions of enthusiasts to the snow-covered summits each year. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, skiing offers a unique experience, whether gliding gently down green runs or tackling the world’s greatest descents. A close-up on this winter sport that is a must in the Alps.
The history of alpine skiing: from utilitarian origins to a winter sport
Alpine skiing traces its origins back more than 4,000 years to Scandinavia, where it was first and foremost a means of getting around in winter. Wooden planks and rudimentary poles made it easier to move through the snow. It was only in the 19th century, with the emergence of modern skiing in Norway, that skiing became a sport.
Alpine skiing as we know it today emerged in the Alps at the end of the 19th century and saw its popularity grow after the Second World War with the development of mountain tourism and ski resorts such as Méribel in the 1950s.
The world’s two largest ski areas: Les Trois Vallées and Paradiski
France is fortunate to host the two largest ski areas in the world, both set in the Alps, and more precisely in Savoie.
Les Trois Vallées
With more than 600 km of pistes linked ski-in/ski-out, Les Trois Vallées brings together the legendary resorts of Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires and Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe. It is a true paradise for skiers of every level, with modern infrastructure, a great variety of pistes and spectacular panoramas. Skiing in Courchevel and Méribel transports you into an exceptional setting, both for the preserved nature and for resorts of unique charm.
Courchevel, renowned for its refinement, blends luxury and tradition with its luxury chalets, 5-star hotels and fine-dining restaurants. A few valleys away, Méribel charms with its quintessentially Savoyard architecture: stone-and-wood chalets, lauze-stone roofs and an urban planning perfectly integrated into the alpine landscape. These two resorts offer a chic and warm atmosphere, ideal for combining quality alpine skiing and the mountain art of living.
Paradiski
Made up of the resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs, Paradiski covers 425 km of pistes and offers an incredible variety of terrain. Connected by the famous Vanoise Express cable car, this area lets you ski without ever taking the same descent twice. From forests to glaciers, the experience is immersive and complete.
La Plagne stands out for its multiple villages, each with its own identity, ranging from modern high-altitude resorts to more traditional hamlets with stone-and-wood chalets.
In Les Arcs, the architecture is bold and visionary: designed in the 1960s by Charlotte Perriand, the resort blends modernism and landscape integration, with buildings of clean lines perfectly oriented towards the massifs. Skiing here is also a unique aesthetic experience, between grand nature and architectural heritage.
High-altitude alpine ski resorts
The ski resorts of Les Trois Vallées at Méribel and Courchevel and of Paradiski at La Plagne and Les Arcs are all set at high altitude, with more than 70% of the ski area above 2,000 metres.
In La Plagne, you can ski on the glacier up to 3,000 metres. The altitude and the expert grooming of the snow ensure optimal cover.
This makes it possible to ski throughout the winter season, from December to late April.
The different types of alpine ski pistes
To find your way around the resort, the pistes are graded by level of difficulty:
- Green: ideal for beginners, with very gentle gradients.
- Blue: for skiers who have gained a little experience.
- Red: reserved for confident skiers, with steeper slopes.
- Black: the most technical, often very steep and sometimes ungroomed.
Fun ski zones are set up across the areas with Fun Slopes and boardercross, slalom and freestyle zones.
The best pistes for beginners in Les Trois Vallées and Paradiski
Even beginners can fully enjoy these two alpine giants thanks to wide, accessible and well-laid-out pistes.
Dedicated “Cool Ski” zones are even set up especially for beginners.
In Les Trois Vallées:
- Les Verdons in Courchevel 1850: a beautifully groomed green run with splendid views.
- The Blanchot piste in Méribel: ideal for first descents, in the heart of the forest.
In Paradiski:
- The Mont Blanc piste at Arcs 1600: gentle and long, perfect for learning to turn.
- Dou du Praz in La Plagne: a panoramic green run with a view of Mont Blanc.
Our partner ski schools offer group or private lessons close to the chalets to help you get started or fine-tune your technique.
The most challenging ski pistes for experts
For thrill-seekers, some itineraries are real technical challenges.
In Les Trois Vallées:
- The “Combe de Caron” piste in Val Thorens: black, long and exposed, requiring a very strong level.
- Grand Couloir in Courchevel: one of the steepest marked pistes in Europe, accessed via an impressive chute.
In Paradiski:
- The “Face Nord” of Bellecôte (off-piste): reserved for accompanied and experienced skiers.
- The Aiguille Rouge in Les Arcs: a descent of more than 7 km from 3,226 m, with technical sections.
Alpine skiing at sunrise
Strong (and early-rising) skiers can enjoy the first runs on freshly groomed pistes with the First Track activity in our Savoie resorts. This complementary activity to alpine skiing creates unforgettable memories.
When to go skiing: the best moments of the season
The alpine skiing season generally runs from December to April. Here are the best times to make the most of it:
- December (before Christmas): fewer people, a magical atmosphere with the first snowfalls.
- Christmas and New Year on the slopes: end-of-year holidays on the snow are an opportunity for magical and unforgettable family reunions.
- January: quality snow, cold temperatures and few holidaymakers.
- March: longer days, plenty of sunshine and good snow at altitude.
- April: ideal for spring skiing, particularly in high-altitude resorts such as La Plagne, Les Arcs, Méribel and Courchevel.
Did you know?
Did you know that skiing almost did not become an Olympic sport because of… cows? At the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Germany, certain alpine disciplines were contested by the Nordic countries, which felt that skiing should only be practised on flat terrain, like cross-country skiing. It took intense negotiations — and despite the protests of Bavarian farmers worried about their pastures — for alpine skiing to officially join the Olympic programme!
Why rent a chalet for a ski holiday?
Spending your ski holiday in a chalet is an experience in itself. Here is why:
- Comfort and authenticity: with their wooden architecture, chalets offer a warm atmosphere after a day on the pistes.
- Stunning views: often set at altitude, they offer magnificent panoramas over the snow-covered peaks.
- Spacious living areas: unlike small in-resort apartments, chalets are designed for families or groups of friends, with comfortable spaces for getting together and real privacy for everyone.
- Premium services: many chalets include spa, sauna, jacuzzi, fireplace, even a private pool. We arrange your winter holiday on a bespoke basis. For added comfort, catering services with a private chef or meal delivery let you make the most of your stay. We book your sporting and leisure mountain activities on your behalf.
- Close to the slopes: many chalets are at the foot of the pistes, even “ski-in/ski-out”, meaning directly accessible on skis. Your car, too, takes a holiday in the car park during your stay, and you can get around on foot or by free shuttle within the resort.
Renting a ski chalet lets you combine the pleasure of skiing with that of returning to a cosy nest in the heart of the mountain.
Book your stay to ski this winter
Alpine skiing is not just a winter sport: it is an adventure, a tradition, a moment of sharing and disconnection. Thanks to gigantic ski areas such as Les Trois Vallées and Paradiski, France is a dream destination for snow lovers. Whether you are a novice or an expert, whether you love speed or contemplation, modern or authentic chalets, skiing has something to offer you. So, ready to put on your skis?
We offer packages with no instruction or with half-day or full-day instruction, in group classes or private lessons with our partner instructors.
Whatever your level, alpine skiing is the iconic discipline of winter sports. And it is on the world’s most renowned ski areas (Les Trois Vallées, Paradiski) that we invite you to enjoy these gliding pleasures.
Get in touch to book your stay in the Alps in the best possible conditions.
