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Did you know
Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Isère and Hautes-Alpes all rely heavily on winter sports as tourism is the major industry. Typically, the French will spend the February school holidays in the Alps; holiday lets run from Saturday to Saturday and traffic congestion is a common problem especially if the weather is bad. International tourist flights tend to arrive at Grenoble, Geneva, Chambéry or Lyon airports and coach transport is provided to the resorts.
Below is information on:
Weather & Snow Reports
Getting ThereBy carBefore setting out, it's always a good idea to check road conditions and closures and to see if special equipment is needed for the drive (such as snow chains). Tourist offices will often provide this information. The Sociétés d'Autoroutes website also provides good information.
By Ski TrainSki–trains or snow trains (in conjunction with Eurostar) run from the UK (Waterloo or Ashford) via Paris, and on to the Alps once the season has started (January to April). The overnight service allows travellers to sleep or party at the on-board bar and disco.
By busThe Altibus transports riders from many points in France and Switzerland, including the Lyon Saint-Exupery, Chambéry-Aix les Bains and the Geneva airports to many resorts in the French Alps.
Ski ResortsIn the Savoie and Haute-Savoie regions alone there are 110 ski stations, ranging in size and facilities. These are some of the largest and most popular ski areas in the French Alps:
Mini Glossary
Resorts and PassesAll resorts use a lift-pass system. A ticket to use the resort's lifts and telecabins must be bought and the price of the pass will vary depending on the skier's age, competence, choice of sport and the resort. Passes can usually be purchased at the resort with the minimum being a half-day and the maximum being a season pass. Some resorts have a specific access pass for downhill skiing as the skier uses a smaller area than Alpine skiers and snowboarders. The lift pass office will supply the information. Passes can also be bought by non-skiers for transportation up and down the mountain.
InsuranceMedical insurance for injuries sustained while on-piste (on slope) are sometimes covered by credit card companies if the trip is paid for with the card. It may be worthwhile checking with the card company. Members of the French Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing (La Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l'Escalade/FFME) can obtain insurance for skiing and other winter sports. A medical examination is required.
Members of the Federation of French Alpine and Mountain Clubs (Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne/CAF/FFCAM) can also obtain insurance through membership in the club.
Carré Neige/Licence Carte NeigeThe Carré Neige and Licence Carte Neige provide top-up insurance and assistance for residents of the European Union. Residents of EU countries other than France should carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) while skiing, in case of an accident. The Carré Neige is short-term insurance available at participating resorts. It is sold at lift pass offices and can be bought when buying the lift pass. It is valid as long as the pass is valid for all snow sports (by amateurs) in France and neighbouring Switzerland. The Carré Neige provides insurance and assistance: search and rescue, first transport, medical expenses and repatriation (as well as bad weather insurance for the cost of unusable ski passes). In the event of an accident, a claim should be made within eight days. The claim should include the original lift pass and medical certificate detailing the injuries. The Licence Carte Neige, issued by the Fédération Française de Ski (FFS), provides long-term cover and is available at participating French ski resorts. It is valid for amateurs involved in any mountain sport accident (with some minor exclusions), anywhere in the world. There are various types of Licence Carte Neige providing different degrees of cover depending on individual circumstance.
SkiingMany resorts offer night-time skiing in moonlight or with floodlights. Downhill skiingSki slopes - or pistes - are graded by difficulty:
Down hill skis can be rented, by the day or week, at rental shops or at the ski resort. Off-piste skiing is done off the normal designated slopes, though accessed using ski lifts. It is highly recommended to hire a guide for off-piste skiing. Off-piste terrain is marked by colour to indicate safety risk: yellow is limited risk, yellow and black check is moderate risk, black is very high risk.
Cross-country skiingRefuges for cross-country ski trips can be rented through the Federation of French Alpine and Mountain Clubs. For more information, see the website.
Cross-country skis can be rented from rental shops and at resorts that offer cross-country skiing.
Back-country skiingBackcountry skiing, also known as ski touring, involves hiking and climbing in the wilderness before a descent over (often virgin) snow. Back-country skiing is generally more strenuous than snow-shoeing and requires more technical skill, but the rewards are considered worth the effort for most experienced skiers. It is generally recommended to hire experienced guides trained specifically for this endeavour, as there is a danger of getting lost or triggering avalanches. Overnight stays in maintained refuges are common. Back-country skis have a binding that leaves the heel free for going uphill and a non-slip coating for uphill climbing. Alpine or Nordic (telemark) bindings can be used, depending on preference and whether or not crampons will be needed. It is important to carry an avalanche beacon and shovel when back-country skiing, in case of an avalanche. Though mobile phones are unreliable in the back-country, the emergency phone number for search and rescue is 112.
Ski-mountaineeringSki-mountaineering/ski-touring is similar to back-country skiing, but it is over steeper terrain. Disabled skiingMany resorts in the French Alps cater to disabled skiers. Check with the individual resort, or for information on access in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie regions, contact the respective Handisport Committees.
Nighttime skiingMany resorts offer nighttime skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating and other activities. Inquire at the resort for further information. SnowboardingMany resorts cater to snowboarders. Contact the resort about the availability of half-pipes and boardercross courses. Snowboards can be rented before arriving at the resort at rental shops or at the resort.
SnowshoeingSnowshoeing (raquettes) is becoming more popular and many resorts in the Alps have created special routes with different grades of difficulty. Technology of the shoes is advancing to make the equipment more efficient for going up and down hills and walking on the flat. Ski/Snowboarding LessonsNearly every resort offers lessons from instructors from the French Ski School (Ecole de Ski Français/ESF). Inquire at the resort.
Rules for the Snow
Further Information
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