How can I get to the ski resorts in France?

If you would like to go skiing this winter but are not sure how to reach the resorts, we outline different ways to reach the mountains this winter.

France has 364 ski resorts, most of which are in the Alps and the Pyrenees, but there are also ski resorts in the Massif Central, the Jura, Corsica and the Vosges.

Over 200 of these resorts are for cross country skiing, which is cheaper than alpine skiing. A season pass for cross country skiing costs the same price as a two-day pass in Chamonix, for example.

Read more: France sees strong interest in cross country skiing despite less snow

Despite its cost, alpine skiing is immensely popular in France, with the Alps the most popular region.

Over the 2022-23 season, there were 51 million days of skiing overall in France, according to figures from the US-based National Ski Areas Association (NSAA).

This puts France in second place worldwide - ahead of Austria, Italy, and Switzerland - and just behind the US.

Read more: Ski results for 2022-23 French Alps season and winter open dates

What is the best way to get to the French ski resorts?

Depending on where you are coming from the best way is either by plane or train.

Traffic can be particularly difficult on the winding mountain roads to resorts, and drivers are obliged to fit winter tyres and have chains and ‘auto-socks’ in the boot

Read more: Should French car hire firms provide winter tyres or chains?

Visitors can travel by rail and bus services to many ski resorts, including:

• Avoriaz - France’s only 100% pedestrian resort is close to the Thonon-les-Bains TGV station with a bus link to the resort
• Les Arcs - via a train to Bourg Saint Maurice and a cable car connection to the resort
• La Bresse - via a train to Remirement and a bus link to the resort
• L’Alpe d’Huez - via a train to Grenoble and a bus link to the resort
• La Norma - via TGV to Saint-Michel-Valloire (Modane is still cut-off by the landslide in the Maurienne valley) and a bus link to the resort

TGV and Intercities train tickets for the ski season are available on the SNCF website.

What airports are near the French ski resorts?

Lyon and Grenoble airports are closest to the alpine ski resorts.

Easyjet says its winter capacity to destinations in France has increased this year by more than 400,000 seats.

It now has a total of nine million seats on winter flights to France, including 2.5m to the winter ski resorts.

Both Lyon and Grenoble airports have good connections to the UK:

• Lyon from Belfast, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Liverpool and Manchester

• Grenoble from Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Southend and Manchester

Read more:

French ski stations appeal higher costs for seasonal employees

French ski stations under pressure as energy contracts up for renewal