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
- On 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.)
- Les Deux Alpes, 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
- Les Saisies
- 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

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
- Les Saisies
- 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 !
You might also be interested in these articles:
40 good reasons to go to the French Alps in winter when you don't ski!
The Alps in winter are sporty, regenerating, and exotic! AlpAddict offers you 40 activities to discover!
Skiing in Switzerland when you live in the South of France
AlpAddict offers you a selection of winter sports resorts in Switzerland easily accessible from the southern half of France.
Go skiing in Switzerland from the North of France
AlpAddict's advice for going skiing in Switzerland from the northern half of France.
Avoriaz, good reasons to go there this winter
Avoriaz, a magical resort, integrated into its natural environment and which benefits from exceptional snowfall. A favorite!
Les Rousses: see the Alps from the Jura
Sometimes you have to get away from the Alps to appreciate their highest peaks. AlpAddict invites you to reach higher ground in the Jura.
Val Thorens: great skiing all season long
Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe, guarantees you unparalleled snow and sunshine! Go skiing with AlpAddict.
Méribel, a pearl in the Three Valleys
Méribel, four villages for a large resort in the heart of the three valleys ski area. AlpAddict invites you to discover.
The five spots with the most beautiful views in La Plagne
La Plagne, a balcony overlooking the Tarentaise Valley, offers breathtaking views. We take a tour with AlpAddict.
Haute Maurienne in winter
Haute Maurienne, a wild and still preserved valley, attracts travelers in search of authenticity. AlpAddict helps you discover its villages.
Where to go on a mountain vacation in the French Alps
Going to the French Alps for a mountain holiday? Where to go, how to choose the mountain resort? AlpAddict guides you!









