Do you live in Aix-en-Provence and want to go skiing nearby? On this page, discover the main ski resorts near Aix-en-Provence, accessible by train or car. This selection of enjoyable resorts popular with locals focuses on destinations in the Alps, particularly in the Southern Alps.
Looking for a family-friendly resort? Want to combine your ski trip with a visit to the Mercantour National Park? Are you searching for a snowboarding hotspot, or large areas for cross-country skiing? Discover our selection of resorts near Aix and learn how to easily rent your ski equipment.
Vars (2h45 by car)
Located only 2 hours 45 minutes from Aix (about 220 kilometers), Vars is open to skiers and snowboarders from late November until the first day of May.
Do you know the largest ski area in the Southern Alps? It’s the Forêt Blanche ski area, combining Risoul and Vars, reaching 2,750 meters in altitude.
Vars is particularly popular among snowboard enthusiasts, offering a huge playground with 7 snowparks and a boardercross. This ski resort near Aix is a top choice for a weekend or week-long trip combining sports and fun. The resort offers packages such as Gliss & Mix (accommodation + 3-day ski pass + free concert access).
Beyond snowboarding, Vars offers unique activities like ice caves, jumps, big air, as well as traditional sledding, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
The resort also provides a full après-ski offering: baths, spas, restaurants, bars...
Where to rent ski equipment?
You can reserve your equipment online in just a few clicks at the following stores:
- Center of the resort: Sport 2000 S'Baril
- Côté Marmottons: Sport 2000 La Charpenterie Sports (Marmottons)
- Opposite the ski lift ticket office: Sport 2000 La Charpenterie Sports
Access Aix-en-Provence / Vars
Take the A51, then D942, N94, and D902 towards All. Paul Charlot in Vars.
Risoul (2h45 by car)
Neighboring Vars, Risoul is also a prime destination for winter sports enthusiasts in the heart of the Forêt Blanche ski area.
Nestled in the Guil Valley, with panoramic views of Mont Pelvoux and the Écrins Massif, the Risoul resort is one of the top ski destinations in the Southern Alps.
A true mountain village, Risoul welcomes visitors with chalets, wooden and stone residences, hotels, holiday villages, and tourist residences.
But don’t be mistaken: Risoul is primarily a sports-focused resort. It created France’s first snowpark, featuring fun zones, jumps, big airs, gaps, and slide rails, near the former Surfland site, which now hosts one of the country’s longest half-pipes.
Beginners are also well catered for, with a 100% safe and fun space for kids to learn skiing and snowboarding: free and easily accessible.
Risoul is open from late November until the first day of May, so you can book your mountain holiday at any point in the season.
Where to rent ski equipment?
You can reserve your gear online in just a few clicks: Sport 2000 Le Chalet du Skieur
Access Aix-en-Provence / Risoul:
Take the A51, then D942 and D186 towards Rue du Pied du Bois in the center of Risoul.
Val d’Allos (2h45 by car)
Highly popular with people from Marseille, the Val d’Allos resort, combining the villages of Val d’Allos, La Foux d’Allos, and Le Seignus, is also much loved by locals from Aix.
And it’s easy to see why: this family-friendly resort has preserved its traditional architecture with wooden chalets and stone houses. Val d’Allos is also the perfect gateway to the Mercantour National Park, offering stunning and untouched nature.
For skiing, Val d’Allos is ideal for family holidays: the ski area includes 65 slopes served by 27 lifts, as well as freeride areas and secure beginner zones.
The resort is “Famille Plus” certified and very kid-friendly, with many free activities for children. Kids can learn skiing with certified instructors, enjoy sledding, and take part in many snow and indoor activities.
The resort also offers a full après-ski experience: baths, spas, restaurants, bars...
Where to rent ski equipment in Val d’Allos?
Reserve your gear online in just a few clicks at one of our stores: here.
Access Aix-en-Provence / Val d’Allos:
Take the A51, then D17 towards D907 in Mezel, follow the Grenoble road towards Route d’Allos in Saint-André-les-Alpes, then follow signs to Allos Station.
Pra Loup (2h30 by car)
Just 2h30 from Aix, the Pra Loup resort is open to snow and skiing enthusiasts throughout the winter season into spring.
With a 180-kilometer ski area (linked to Val d’Allos) reaching 2,500 meters altitude, this Southern Alps resort is particularly popular with locals from Aix.
For snowboard enthusiasts: 1 snowpark, 4 boardercross, and 3 fun zones. For families: daycare, protected kids’ areas (snow garden), and “Parent-Child” zones such as Snake Gliss.
Teens and young adults are not left out: Pra Loup also offers bars, karaoke, snowmobile areas, and a 1,000-meter sled run called Pra Loops.
The resort also has a full après-ski offering: baths, spas, restaurants, bars...
Where to rent ski equipment in Pra Loup?
Reserve your gear online at the resort center in our shop: Sport 2000 Wolf Ski Shop.
Access Aix-en-Provence / Pra Loup:
Take the A51, then the Grenoble road to N85, D900/D109 until Pra Loup station.
The list of ski resorts near Aix-en-Provence doesn’t stop here. You could also ski at Serre-Chevalier, Isola 2000, Saint-Léger-Les-Mélèzes, Puy-Saint-Vincent, etc., by car or train. All these resorts offer excellent alpine skiing as well as cross-country trails and a variety of winter sports.
If you live in the south of France but in another major city, also check out our recommendations for alpine and cross-country skiing from Marseille, Toulon, Toulouse, etc.