The French ski resorts in the Southern Alps are mainly located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Separating them from the Northern Alps, there is the line that follows the Vercors, the Croix-Haute pass, the Dévoluy ridges, the Bayard pass, the Écrins ridges, the Lauteret pass and the Galibier pass. Therefore, the Southern Alps include the areas of the Alpes de Haute-Provence, part of the Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes and Drôme, the Var and north-eastern Vaucluse.
The relief of the Southern Alps is made up of hills, plateaus, pre-alps and internal massifs. Also, the south-western part is made up of low hills and plateaus (400 – 1,200 metres). Near the Italian border are the interior massifs (2,500 metres above sea level) and most of the range is occupied by the Pre-Alps.
The Southern Alps have several rivers, including the Durance, the main one, which is 300 kilometres long.
The French ski resorts in the Southern Alps have a mountain climate with a strong Mediterranean influence. They have high temperatures, low humidity and plenty of sunshine, more than 2,400 hours a year, resulting in a great differentiation between the mountain slopes, which change from a Mediterranean environment to an atmosphere comparable to that of the Northern Alps.
Table of Contents
The ski resorts of the Southern Alps
Auron
Altitude: Minimum 1100 m – Maximum 2474 m
The Auron ski resort is located in the commune of Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, at the gateway to the Mercantour National Park. This village of strong character will charm you with its Italian-style mountain architecture. The Auron ski resort offers more than 135 kilometres of slopes and numerous activities for young and old alike.
This resort offers its visitors the comfort they are looking for while preserving a traditional lifestyle. The highest peak close to the resort is the summit of Les Donnas, which rises to 2,474 metres. Situated at an altitude of 1,140m, the Auron ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats: the Chalet d’Auron, the Blainon and the Hotel Edelweiss.
It also offers a wide range of unforgettable activities such as tobogganing and dog sledging.
Beuil les launes / Valberg
Altitude: Minimum 1500 m – Maximum 2027 m
The ski resort of Beuil les launes / Valberg is a village in the French Alps, on the edge of the Mercantour National Park. It is 78 km from Nice, the capital of the Côte d’Azur. The ski resort of Beuil les launes offers more than 130 kilometres of skiable slopes at an altitude of between 1,500 and 2,100 metres.
The sectors of La Condamine and Les Launes offer beautiful ski runs and a link to the Valberg ski area. In Beuil les Launes, cross-country skiing enthusiasts will be delighted. The resort has a Nordic area with a total of 25 kilometres of groomed slopes.
The ski resort of Beuil les Launes / Valberg offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as the Hotel Escapade and the Hotel Génépi.
In winter, cross-country skiing will allow you to discover wonderful landscapes. The alpine ski area of Beuil / Valberg, with its 90 km of slopes, will satisfy the most demanding skiers.
Chabanon
Altitude: Minimum 1600 m – Maximum 2000 m
The ski resort of Chabanon is one of the French ski resorts in the Southern Alps. It is a charming village resort in the Vallée de la Blanche, in the area of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Chabanon on the edge of the river, in the heart of a rich and varied natural site. This ski resort of Chabanon offers more than 40 kilometres of slopes and numerous activities such as gliding, ski touring, dog sledging, paragliding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and igloo building.
The resort offers the longest night ski slope in Europe (3 km of illuminated slopes with a gradient of 400 m). In addition, the resort offers childcare services such as the municipal nursery “Les Lutins de Chabanon” which can accommodate children from 3 months to 6 years old and the Piou Piou Club: a snow garden with a snow line for children from 3 years old.
The ski resort of Chabanon offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: the hotel-restaurant Le Blanchon, L’espace Montclar.
Chabanon is also endowed with numerous waterways, and the alpine regions are not lacking in places for fishing enthusiasts. The waterways are very diverse, as are the fish to be found.
Gréolières les neiges
Altitude: Minimum 1550 m – Maximum 3456 m
The famous resort of Gréolières les Neiges is situated on the northern slopes of the Massif du Chiron and covers an area of more than 1,000 hectares. The ski resort of Gréolières les Neiges offers more than 30 kilometres of skiable slopes. For several years now, the resort has had a snowmaking system with 76 snow cannons spread over 4 km of pistes.
From the top of the Cheiron, you can admire a unique 360° panorama of the entire Côte d’Azur, from the Esterel mountains to southern Italy, Corsica on a clear day and the Alps.
The ski resort of Gréolières les Neiges offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as the hotel Les Fougères or the flats in front of the slopes. It also offers the unforgettable experience of paragliding.
Isola 2000
Altitude: Minimum 1800 m – Maximum 2610 m
The ski resort of Isola 2000 is located less than 100 km from Nice and the Côte d’Azur. Isola 2000 is one of the largest resorts in the south of France. The Isola 2000 ski resort offers more than 120 kilometres of skiable slopes and is undoubtedly one of the best French ski resorts in the Southern Alps for those who want to learn to ski and experience a holiday in the mountains.
At an altitude of 870m, come and discover the calm and serenity of the village of Isola through its historical heritage and local culture, with which you can share a bit of history.
The ski resort of Isola 2000 offers a wide range of hotels and flats, such as the Hotel Le Pas du Loup and the Hotel Le Druos. From the Chalet Belvédère, discover the pleasure of snowmobiling! Ride alone or as a couple in a magnificent setting.
La Colmiane
Altitude: Minimum 1400 m – Maximum 1800 m
The ski resort of La Colmiane is located 1 hour from Nice (65 km). La Colmiane offers more than 30 kilometres of skiable slopes. The whole family can enjoy unforgettable activities: the longest zip-line in France, summer tobogganing, accrobranche, mini-golf, mountain biking, climbing and via ferrata, horse riding, paragliding, trampolining, hiking with donkeys, relaxation and wellness, farm visits.
The ski resort of La Colmiane has all the assets to seduce all the members of your group. Snow cannons, mega half-pipe for freestyle, French ski school, with a new snow garden for the little ones with conveyor belt and merry-go-round.
The ski resort of La Colmiane offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: Adrechas et Spa residence and the ecogite Mercantour le Chaperon.
Dévoluy
Altitude: Minimum 1470 m – Maximum 2500 m
The Dévoluy ski resort, located at the south-western gateway to the Hautes-Alpes, extends over 300 km² and offers a diversity of snowy landscapes. Dévoluy offers more than 100 kilometres of skiable slopes equipped with modern and efficient ski lifts, each one different in its architecture and atmosphere. The ski resort of Le Dévoluy offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: the hotel Les Chardonnelles, the hotel La Neyrette and the hotel La Souloise.
Caving will allow you to experience a unique moment. In a cave, this sporting and leisure adventure is waiting for you to discover it. Because of its geology, the Dévoluy is one of the most suitable French massifs for caving.
Le Sauze
Altitude: Minimum 1400 m – Maximum 2450 m
Le Sauze is a French ski resort in the Alpes de Haute Provence, in the Ubaye valley. Le Sauze offers more than 65 kilometres of skiable slopes equipped with 23 ski lifts. The ski resort of Le Sauze has a snowpark equipped with 3 slopes: a skicross / boardercross slope, a slope equipped with freestyle modules, big airs of different widths and workshops with bars and rails to suit all levels and types of practice.
With the resort of Val d’Isère, it forms the Espace Killy, one of the best ski areas in the world. Le Sauze offers you ice karting, a 10-minute race to the top! The activity is available for both children and adults.
For lovers of technical skiing, Sauze also has a permanent training and competition stadium.
Les Orres
Altitude: Minimum 1550 m – Maximum 2720 m
The ski resort of Les Orres is located in the high Alps, in an unrivalled mountainous landscape. Do you need a little rest, a little tranquillity and a little escape? The resort welcomes you in winter in an exceptional natural setting. The ski resort of Les Orres has more than 88 kilometres of skiable slopes and offers quality skiing in a dense forest full of charm, suitable for both expert skiers and beginners.
For the more adventurous, there is a well groomed snow park for freestyle enthusiasts, an ice rink, dog sledding and snowmobile rides.
Les Orres ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: Les Écrins Hotel, L’escale Blanche and Les Trappeurs.
The ski resort of Les Orres rises above the Serre-Ponçon. You can admire the panorama of the Ecrins National Park on one side and the Parpaillon on the other, hike the slopes lined with larch forests and enjoy the sunshine of the French ski resorts of the Southern Alps.
Montgenèvre
Altitude: Minimum 1850 m – Maximum 2700 m
The ski resort of Montgenèvre is situated at an altitude of 1860 m on the Italian border. Montgenèvre is a real haven of peace where you can enjoy the richness of a preserved nature and a mountain accessible in total freedom. The Montgenèvre ski resort offers more than 100 km of skiable pistes and 400 km of shared pistes. Wooded, hilly, with freeride areas, the Montgenèvre ski area will seduce you with the beauty of its landscapes and its diversity.
The Montgenèvre ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats: The Anova hotel and spa, the Valerie hotel and the Alpis Cottia hotel.
Montgenèvre is the only French resort linked to the Turin 2006 Olympic Games, so you will have the opportunity to ski on 400 km of slopes shared between the areas of Montgenèvre, Clavière, Cesana, Sestrière, Sansicario and Sauze d’Oulx.
Orcières
Altitude: Minimum 1850 m – Maximum 2725 m
The Orcières ski resort is one of the French ski resorts in the Southern Alps, located at the gateway to the Ecrins National Park. Perched at an altitude of 1850 m, Orcières has Alpine roots. Surrounded by peaks of more than 4000m, Orcières is a ski area which peaks at 2725m. The Orcières ski resort offers more than 100 kilometres of skiable slopes and a large area dedicated to cross-country skiing.
In Orcières you will find a 16000m² Snowpark at 2280m, innovative ski lifts with 3 Telemix, a boarder-skier cross, a downhill slope, a slalom stadium and fun slopes.
The Orcières ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats, such as the leisure centre hotel or the hotel Les Gardettes. Orcières offers many activities such as an igloo village on the Rocherousse plateau, cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snowshoeing.
Puy Saint Vincent
Altitude: Minimum 1400 m – Maximum 2700 m
The ski resort of Puy Saint Vincent is also one of the French ski resorts in the Southern Alps, located at the gateway to the Ecrins National Park. The ski resort of Puy Saint Vincent is made up of three villages (le Puy, les Alberts and les Prés) spread over a sunny plateau at an altitude of about 1400m.
Puy Saint Vincent offers more than 75 kilometres of skiable slopes and a 9.150 km piste for 35 to 50 minutes of continuous skiing between larch forests and nature trails. After a good skiing session, or during your day off, a visit to the Igloo village of Pelvoo is a must.
The ski resort of Puy Saint Vincent offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: Hotel Saint Roch, Hotel La Pendine and Hotel Edelweiss.
This dominant position gives you an unrestricted view of the Vallouise valley.
Risoul
Altitude: Minimum 1850 m – Maximum 2750 m
The ski resort of Risoul is one of the French ski resorts in the Southern Alps, located in the Hautes-Alpes area. With the exceptional orientation of the Risoul and Vars slopes it is guaranteed to those who choose them an excellent snow cover and quality of the slopes. The Risoul resort offers more than 185 kilometres of skiable slopes with good snow conditions and affordable prices, making it an ideal destination for families.
From Risoul, the lifts branch off and ascend through the forest to the three main peaks at 2,400 metres: L’homme de Pierre, Peyrefolle and Clos Chardon. There is also a safe sledging area in a free and equipped area.
The Risoul ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: Snow Chill & Spa hotel, Le Chardon bleu hotel and Au Bon Logis hotel.
Serre Chevalier
Altitude: Minimum 1200 m – Maximum 2800 m
This ski resort of Serre Chevalier is one of the French ski resorts in the Southern Alps, located near the Ecrins National Park. The Serre Chevalier Valley is the combination of the town of Briançon (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and 3 villages: Saint-Chaffrey/Chantemerle, Villeneuve/La Salle les Alpes and Monêtier les Bains.
This Serre Chevalier ski resort offers more than 250 kilometres of slopes and is one of the largest skiable areas in Europe. For those who wish to bathe under the snowflakes, there is an outdoor thermal pool at Monêtier 1500 with water naturally heated to 37°C, open all year round until 11pm.
The Serre Chevalier ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as Le Grand Aigle hotel and spa, Les Alpes D’Azur club.
Serre Chevalier ski resort is one of the French ski resorts in the Southern Alps, at the crossroads of the French and Italian regions and at the northernmost point of the Ecrins National Park.
Val d’Allos – Espace lumière
Altitude: Minimum 1500 m – Maximum 2600 m
The ski resort of Val d’Allos is located in the heart of the Mercantour National Park, in the Alpes de Haute Provence area. It is a particularly popular place for families. The ski resort of Val d’Allos offers more than 230 kilometres of slopes and a large area dedicated to cross-country skiing. There are no skyscrapers or concrete cubes here, just chalets and small tourist residences beautifully clad in wood.
Slopes winding through larch forests, bends in the valleys, unspoilt areas, the ski areas of the Val d’Allos are up to the wishes of everyone, from the most experienced skier to the beginner.
The Val d’Allos ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as the Hotel La Source, the Hotel Chez Franz and the Hotel du Hameau.
The toboggan run located in the resort is a real attraction for the whole family in Val d’Allos.
Vars
Altitude: Minimum 1650 m – Maximum 2750 m
The ski resort of Vars is located between the Dauphiné, Provence and Italy, in the Hautes-Alpes area. The Vars ski resort offers more than 185 kilometres of skiable slopes and offers skiing for everyone, with a wide variety of slopes for all levels spread throughout the ski area. Its staggered slopes allow children from the first star to ski directly on the Forêt Blanche with very comfortable equipment.
Only in the Vars “Forêt Blanche” area can you discover the magic of the ice cave. You can make an unusual break with your family, for young and old.
The ski resort of Vars offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: Hotel le 16 / 150 & spa Nuxe, Hotel Les Escondus and Hotel Les Lores.
This ski resort in the Southern Alps is surrounded by high mountains in a preserved environment, nestled amidst splendid larch forests, with surrounding peaks (Massif des Ecrins, Ubaye and Queyras) and slopes at almost 3000 m altitude.
Le Queyras
Altitude: Minimum 1350 m – Maximum 2900 m
Le Queyras ski resort is located in the Beauregard massif, and its highest point is the peak of Châteaurenard. Le Queyras ski resort offers more than 90 kilometres of skiable slopes and a large area dedicated to cross-country skiing. It can be accessed through narrow and impressive gorges or through passes with prestigious names: Col de l’Izoard (2,361 m) and Col Agnel (2,744 m) which can be crossed by car in summer, Col Lacroix (2,299 m), Col Girardin (2,699 m) and many others, reserved for hikers.
In this admirable area is protected by the Queyras Regional Natural Park, where wonder is a daily occurrence.
The ski resort of Le Queyras offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as the L’Alta Peyra Hotel & Spa, Les Chalets du Villard and the hotel restaurant Le Grand Tetra.
To make the most of all the slopes, an inter-resort shuttle service links the different villages throughout the winter season.
Ancelle
Altitude: Minimum 1340 m – Maximum 1800 m
Ancelle is a ski resort in the Southern Alps, located in the area of Hautes-Alpes, in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. The resort of Ancelle offers more than 30 kilometres of skiable slopes. This small village in the Southern Alps is a popular holiday destination for its charm and outdoor activities. It offers alpine skiing in a well-exposed and varied domain, cross-country skiing to discover the Rouanne valley, or snowshoeing.
The Ancelle ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as the residence Les Écrins, the hotel Les Autanes and the auberge Le Vieux Chaillol. In Ancelle you will find everything you need: snow garden, nursery, restaurants, grocery shop, butcher and visits to local producers.
With a ski school and snow garden, Ancelle is perfect for the whole family.
Crévoux
Altitude: Minimum 1550 m – Maximum 2550 m
The ski resort of Crévoux is located in the heart of the Parpaillon massif in the Hautes-Alpes. It is made up of four villages: Champrond, Praveyral, La Chalp and Crévoux. The ski resort of Crévoux offers more than 22 kilometres of slopes and a large area dedicated to cross-country skiing. It is one of the most popular French family ski resorts in the Southern Alps. The slopes wind through larch forests for unforgettable walks. For animal lovers we recommend trying the dog sledding experience.
The ski resort of Crevoux offers a wide range of hotels and flats, such as the Hotel Le Parpaillon and the Hotel de la Mairie. With its snow front dedicated to welcoming beginners and the very young, learning to ski is stress-free under the relaxed gaze of parents enjoying deckchairs on the terraces.
An extra little treat: a 7 km long blue piste with a 1,000 m gradient which, from the crests, will take you back to the foot of the resort at your own pace, passing through the mountain restaurant…
Font d’urle
Altitude: Minimum 1550 m – Maximum 3450 m
The ski resort of Font d’Urle is located in the Drôme area, and is a ski resort for both alpine and cross-country skiing. Font d’Urle offers more than 300 kilometres of skiable slopes and a large area dedicated to cross-country skiing. The resort of Font d’Urle / Chaud Clapier offers various snow activities. First of all, Alpine and Nordic skiing, but also orienteering and snowshoeing. Not forgetting its snowpark and its boardercross which will delight freestylers.
The Font d’Urle ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats divided into two areas: the Gîte Les Erges and the Col de La Machine hotel. Font d’Urle / Chaud Clapier also welcomes you in summer. You will find the Espace Sport Orientation: a mapped natural site for orienteering sports.
The Font d’Urle / Chaud Clapier resort is home to Gliss Kite, the first SnowKite school in France.
La Grave
Altitude: Minimum 1470 m – Maximum 3534 m
The ski resort of La Grave is situated at an altitude of 1250 m, in the north of the Hautes Alpes, between Serre Chevalier Vallée and Les 2 Alpes. On “Pays de La Meije” (La Meije region), the resort includes some beautiful and special places. The ski resort of La Grave – La Meije is considered one of the best freeride destinations in Europe.
If you’re looking for activities out of the ordinary, choose an introduction to ice climbing at the Haute-Romanche, one of the most famous in France. Or an introduction to snowkiting on the Col du Lautaret when conditions are right.
Another activity proposed by the resort, the most unusual, is the initiation to snowshoeing in search of DVA (Avalanche Victims).
The ski resort of La Grave offers a wide range of hotels and flats: The Panoramic Village – La Grave hotel, the Castillan hotel and the Gîte Le Rocher hotel.
In addition to its 10 kilometres of ski slopes, the resort of La Grave offers a wide range of activities in addition to skiing and snowboarding.
Le Grand Puy
Altitude: Minimum 1300 m – Maximum 1800 m
Le Grand Puy is a ski resort in the Southern Alps, located in the commune of Seyne-les-Alpes, in the Alpes de Haute Provence, only 2h30 from Marseille and 40km from Digne-les-Bains. The ski resort of Le Grand Puy offers more than 22 kilometres of skiable slopes and a large area dedicated to cross-country skiing. The resort offers a friendly welcome and a wide range of activities for beginners and sportsmen. Le Grand Puy has many good reasons to fully enjoy an “energetic” experience in the sunshine of the Southern Alps. The resort is pure mountain life at a very competitive price.
Le Grand Puy ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as: Les Balcons du Grand Puy, the Gîte de Rocheclose and the Vieux Tilleul hotel.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, the Grand Puy ski area will satisfy your desire to ski.
Pra Loup
Altitude: Minimum 1600 m – Maximum 2500 m
The ski resort of Pra Loup is located in the Southern Alps of Haute Provence, at an altitude of 1600m, and includes the village of Molanès (Pra Loup 1500) at 1500m.
The Pra Loup ski resort offers more than 100 kilometres of skiable slopes and its ski area, which overlooks the majestic Grande Séolane, allows skiers and snowboarders to climb to an altitude of 2,500 metres. It has a total of 39 pistes (3 black, 18 red, 12 blue, 6 green) and 19 lifts at an altitude of between 1,500 and 2,600 metres, linked to the Haut Verdon side by the Observatoire chairlift.
The Pra Loup ski resort offers a wide range of hotels and flats such as Hotel Le Cocon des Neiges, Hotel Marmotel & Spa and Hotel Le Loup Blanc.
In addition to its 100 kilometres of skiing and snowboarding slopes, Pra Loup also offers a wide range of activities to complement the skiing.
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