Have you planned a winter holiday in the Alps next season but don’t know the opening and closing dates of the ski lifts at the resorts? Unsurprisingly, most major resorts open in December, depending on the weather. However, for skiers who can’t wait until then or want to ski after the Easter holidays, there are other resorts in France ready to welcome them. Here are the dates to remember to help you choose your ski resort and book your stay at the right time.
Early openings of Alpine ski resorts
Some Alpine resorts open earlier in the season because they are high-altitude resorts. It is therefore possible to ski very early, either by renting skis through ski rental or bringing your own equipment. Skiers eagerly await the opening of these Northern Alps ski resorts every year.
Val Thorens
Located in Savoie, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort village in Europe. Its ski area has several sectors, the highest being Val Thorens-Orelle, reaching up to 3,200 meters. Consequently, Val Thorens opens early and closes late: from the third week of November until early May. However, the full 3 Valleys ski area—including Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Méribel, Courchevel, etc.—is usually accessible from early December.
Tignes
Like Val Thorens, Tignes is a high-altitude resort (1,550–3,456 meters). You can even ski in summer on glaciers and catch a view of Mont Blanc.
Therefore, it also opens very early and closes very late: from late November to early May, with guaranteed snow until April.
Val d’Isère
Among the highly anticipated Alpine ski resort openings is Val d’Isère, connected to Tignes. Skiing is possible from the last weekend of November until late April–early May. With an altitude ranging from 1,835 meters to 3,599 meters, Val d’Isère ensures abundant snow all season.
Later openings of Alpine ski resorts
Some Alpine resorts open later than the previously mentioned ones, but they are no less iconic. If you are looking for excellent ski areas and snow coverage, here are some options to explore.
L’Alpe d’Huez
It is hard to talk about Alpine ski resort openings without mentioning this resort. With a maximum altitude of 3,330 meters, L’Alpe d’Huez offers 250 km of slopes. It is also known for its exceptional winter sunshine (earning it the nickname “Island of the Sun”), with 300 sunny days per year. To enjoy both the sun and the snow, plan to visit from the last weekend of November or the first weekend of December and stay until mid-April.
Serre-Chevalier
Serre-Chevalier, in the Southern Alps, has 250 km of slopes reaching up to 2,830 meters. Beyond its natural beauty, Serre-Chevalier Vallée Briançon (its full name) is a town surrounded by fortifications built by Vauban, completed in 1734, now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This Alpine resort opens around December 10 and closes in late April.
Les 2 Alpes
Les 2 Alpes offers a ski area of 200 km with an average altitude of 2,243 meters (1,280–3,523 m). Suitable for beginners (110 km of blue slopes) and advanced skiers alike, the lifts are generally open from early or mid-December until the first half of April.
La Plagne
A must-visit for ski lovers in the Vanoise and Tarentaise regions, La Plagne is part of Paradiski, a high-quality 425 km ski domain.
When the resort opens, skiers can enjoy slopes up to 3,250 meters, along with other activities like ice climbing or bobsled runs.
La Plagne usually opens mid-December for the Christmas holidays and closes end of April.
Méribel
Méribel starts its ski season at the beginning of December and closes in the second half of April. Located between 1,400 and 2,952 meters (85% above 1,800 meters), Méribel is one of the snowiest resorts in the French Alps. Its opening attracts skiers annually. The large ski area caters to both beginners and advanced skiers, with green and blue slopes making up half of the domain.
These dates for major Alpine ski resorts will help you plan your winter holiday and ski equipment rental!
Planning to go to the Pyrenees, the Massif Central, or further north in the Vosges or Jura? The season there is usually shorter than in the Northern Alps, but you can still ski from December to March. Check the tourist office or ski lift websites for precise opening and closing dates, and stay updated on any changes due to snow conditions and weather.