Which ski resorts to choose for non-skiers and skiers

It's time to choose the ski resort to spend a mountain holiday this winter, but not everyone skis. He's not up to it, she has a sore knee, he gets tired quickly, she's a beginner, etc.

So it's not always easy to make a choice when you don't have any reference points choosing a ski resort.

So this is the big question that needs to be answered when you go with several people and not everyone skis: Which resort allows the whole family or group to have fun? ?

So we're going to try to form groups with different needs and we'll give you some advice (informed, I hope!) on the best ski resorts to target.

Choosing a ski resort for advanced skiers

Are you going on holiday to the mountains to have fun all day on the slopes? The whole group is skiing, who more, who less, but no need for other activities than skiing, apart from a few walks in the snow in bad weather. No beginners. Everyone can at least do blue runs. This is a first group that we find quite frequently among friends or in families of skiers who have introduced the children very early.

Your thing is large ski areas, because you leave in the morning, you cover the miles, you cross valleys and you come back exhausted in the evening:

Avoriaz and the Doors of the Sun
Flaine, Morillon, Samoëns, Les Carroz, around the Grand Massif
La Toussuire, Le Corbier, the Arves Valley on the estate of Sybelles
The Three Valleys, from Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires or Val Thorens. Méribel is not bad, because you can go from one side or the other without crossing everything every day.
La Plagne, great for skiing always in the sun
Les Arcs, a fairly large area suitable for all types of skiing
Space Tignes-Val d'Isère, for experienced skiers
Space The Rosiere-La Thuile, with sometimes shorter slopes, but large skiable areas.
Valmorel-Saint Francois Longchamp, especially with children. Very beautiful trails to do with the family.
Serre Chevalier and its immense domain
The Light Space : Pra-Loup and the Foux d'Allos
The White Forest : Vars and Risoul 1850
L'Alpe d'Huez and its massif (Vaujany, Auris, etc.)
The two Alps, for its height difference
The Seven Laux, in Belledonne, even if the slopes are shorter.
Montgenèvre, with the aim of also discovering the Milky Way in Italy, up to Sestriere

A ski resort for everyone: experienced skiers and beginners

So we need easier slopes where everyone can have fun, but with lots of easy greens or blues. That way, beginners will meet more expert ones, or even ski together as they progress.

Les Houches – Saint Gervais – Le Bettex – Megève
Les Saisies, Notre Dame de Bellecombe, Crest Voland, Cohennoz, Praz sur Arly: Diamond Space
La Plagne
Val d'Isere, with the “beginners” zone at altitude
Montgenevre
In reality, all those seen previously are also valid, provided you choose the right routes.

In all cases, Choose resorts with slopes facing south or west to ski in the sun on not too frozen slopes.

A ski resort especially for children

Your children ski, but you ski from time to time and definitely not every day!

There, clearly, in order not to get bored, you have to choose “village stations”", with good ski schools (remember to book several months in advance!). It is also necessary that theeasy access to the slopes for children, because you may have to carry their skis…

Les Gets
Seizures
Megève-Combloux (Half-Quarter)
Valmorel
Montgenevre
Auron
Châtel
Vars
Risoul 1850
Morzine
Avoriaz
Areches Beaufort

A mix of skiers and non-skiers

In addition to the major areas already mentioned, the following stations can be added to benefit from thevillage atmosphere.

Les Contamines Montjoie
The Valley of Chamonix (Argentière, Le Tour-Vallorcine, Brévent, Flégère)
La Clusaz
Le Grand Bornand

Are you looking for a lively ski resort in the evening, with fun:

This is the choice that young people who want to have a good time will make. after skiing and in the evening. Music, relaxation and chill atmosphere to make new friends!

Les Alpes 2
L'Alpe d'Huez
Les Arcs
Val d'Isere
Tignes
Val Thorens
Courchevel 1850
Megève
Avoriaz
Chamonix

Méribel Mottaret a resort in the heart of the slopes

Do you want a more confidential ski resort, with a good mix of skiing, après-ski (restaurants, bars) and pretty architecture?

A choice that epicureans will appreciate. Beautiful atmosphere and beautiful architecture in very snowy landscapes. No fuss, the main thing is to have a good time.

Bonneval sur Arc
Val Cenis
Valloire
Les Gets
Praz-sur-Arly
Montgenevre
Saint Veran
Auron
Or even Barcelonnette, whose ski resorts are a few kilometers away.

Which ski resorts allow you to practice downhill skiing AND cross-country skiing?

It is clearly more difficult to have a beautiful area for each of the disciplines, since the geographical and climatic conditions are not the same. You need flat for some and slope for others!

However, you can bet on the following stations:

Le Grand Bornand
La Clusaz
Seizures
Les Contamines Montjoie
Valley of Chamonix
Bonneval sur Arc, with Bessans
Peisey-Nancroix
Champagny in Vanoise
Villard of Lans-Corrençon
Chamrousse
Montgenevre (with a possible exit to the Clarée Valley)
L'Alpe d'Huez

Even if it means going a few kilometers and splitting up for the day:

Le Queyras
Ubaye, around Barcelonnette
Abondance Valley

In any case, the French Alps offer ski resorts suitable for every group and every individual. Not all of them have been mentioned in this article, so do not hesitate to contact us if you have any specific questions! The email address is contact@alpaddict.com.

To learn more about how to choose your ski resort based on your criteria, you can download this little complete guide !

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