The French ski resorts of the Vosges are located in the Grand Est region, in the heart of the mountain massif of the same name: the Massif of the Vosges. It is divided into three parts:
– Lower Vosges Sandstone or Northern Vosges.
– Upper Vosges sandstone or Vosges Sandsitone or Middle Vosges
– Hautes Vosges critallines or Hautes Vosges, home to the Ballons of the Vosges Regional Nature Park and the highest peaks.
Table of Contents
The French ski resorts of the Vosges reach an altitude of 1,423 metres.
With an altitude of 1,423 metres, the highest point of the Vosges is the Grand Ballon. The fauna of the Vosges consists mainly of conifers and its two emblems are the blueberry and the daffodil. As for the fauna, the capercaillie, which is in danger of extinction, is the animal symbol of the Vosges. The climate of the massif is cool all year round, humid and with a heavy snow cover. It is a climate that is also subject to strong oceanic disturbances.
The Vosges massif is home to several French ski resorts, including Bresse Hohneck, located in the heart of the Ballons of the Vosges Natural Park, at an altitude of between 600 and 1,363 metres, which is the most important in eastern France. Its highest peaks are in the south of the Vosges, in the resorts of Gérardmer and Bresse Hohneck. The French ski resorts of the Vosges offer alpine and cross-country skiing as well as many other activities.
Champ du Feu
Altitude: Minimum 900 m – Maximum 1099 m
The Champ du Feu ski resort is located in Ban de la Roche, at the highest point of the Bas-Rhin in the Vosges massif. It offers almost 90 kilometres of marked cross-country ski runs for all levels, making it one of the largest cross-country ski areas in Alsace. It also has a toboggan run and two tubing runs.
Champ du Feu is also suitable for alpine and cross-country skiing, as well as hiking and snowshoeing. The resort is divided into three sectors (Le Vieux-Prés, la Serva and les Myrtilles). You will find an equipment rental service, a ski school, restaurants and numerous accommodations at the foot of the slopes.
Gérardmer – Mauselaine
Altitude: Minimum 750 m – Maximum 1140 m
The Vosges de Gérardmer ski resort is located in the municipality of Gérardmer and is the second largest ski area in the Vosges. It offers 40 kilometres of skiable slopes in the middle of the fir trees, spread over 21 runs, including one of 2.9 kilometres: the longest ski run in the Vosges. The Gérardmer resort also offers a snowpark, a boardercross and a ski school. It is connected to the Bas-Rupts cross-country ski area. Gérardmer has been awarded the “Famille Plus” label and offers a wide range of activities and entertainment for young and old. Part of its preserved natural environment belongs to the Regional Natural Park of the Ballons of the Vosges and gives it the nickname “Pearl of the Vosges”.
La Bresse Brabant
Altitude: Minimum 865 m – Maximum 1030 m
The charming Vosges ski resort of La Bresse Brabant is located on the Col du Brabant in the commune of La Bresse in the Vosges. Together with La Bresse Hohneck and Lispach, it is one of the three ski areas of the commune of La Bresse. It has eight slopes of different levels (five kilometres of skiable slopes), four ski lifts, a toboggan run, a snowkiting area, a ski school and a rental service. The slopes of Bresse-Barbant offer a magnificent view of the Bresse valley thanks to its north-eastern exposure. It is also the starting point for numerous excursions with four snowshoeing circuits spread over 23 kilometres of routes.
La Bresse Lispach
Altitude: Minimum 910 m – Maximum 1120 m
The ski resort of the Vosges de La Bresse Lispach is located in the Chajoux valley, facing the lake of Lispach. It is connected to the ski areas of Xonrupt and Gérardmer and is one of the best snow areas in the Vosges. Lispach offers a Nordic area with 50 kilometres of skiable slopes and eight alpine ski runs of different levels. There is also a toboggan run, a ski school and several free and paid snowshoe trails. At the foot of the family-friendly resort of Lispach, you will find equipment rental, as well as a café, a bar and a south-facing terrace.
La Bresse-Hohneck
Altitude: Minimum 900 m – Maximum 1350 m
The Vosges ski resort of La Bresse-Hohneck is located in the Lorraine region, in the heart of the Ballons of the Vosges Regional Park, in the Cologne valley. It is the largest ski area in the Vosges massif and in the north-east of France. Bresse-Hohneck offers 50 kilometres of skiable slopes divided into 34 runs spread over 220 hectares, as well as two cross-country ski runs and a boardercross. Its snow cannons (more than 300) guarantee good quality skiing. Thanks to its sister resorts: La Bresse Lipach and La Bresse Brabant, La Bresse Hohneck offers a great variety of skiing and a great atmosphere.
La Schlucht
Altitude: 1139 m
The resort of La Schlucht is situated on the Col de la Schlucht, between the Vosges and Alsace. It is at an altitude of 1139 metres. It is an ideal resort for beginners thanks to its two blue pistes of 700 metres in length. La Schlucht has the largest and most complete snowpark in the Vosges. It offers courses adapted to all levels. The resort also has an 800-metre boardercross (for the general public), 15 kilometres of cross-country ski runs, a toboggan run on rails and numerous snowshoe trails. Accommodation and restaurants can be found at the foot of the slopes.
Lac Blanc
Altitude: Minimum 900 m – Maximum 1200 m
The ski resort of the Vosges the Lac Blanc is located in the Grand Est, in the Ballons of the Vosges Regional Nature Park, in the Kaysersberg valley. It offers 67 kilometres of cross-country ski runs, 14 kilometres of downhill ski runs, but also a snowpark and a freestyle area with a boardercross. Compared to other French ski resorts in the Vosges, most of the accommodation in the family resort of Lac Blanc is located in the surrounding communes. It offers a wide range of activities, such as snowscooting or snowshoeing. There is also a wide range of catering services.
La Planche des Belles Filles
Altitude: Minimum 950 m – Maximum 1148 m
The ski resort of La Planche des Belles Filles is one of the most emblematic in the Vosges, particularly because it regularly hosts a stage of the Tour de France. It is located in the heart of the Southern Vosges massif. It offers 4.5 kilometres of skiable slopes divided into 6 slopes of different levels, 23 kilometres of Nordic ski runs linked to the Ballon d’Alsace resort, a 50-metre toboggan run and three snowshoe circuits (14 kilometres). The Vosges ski resort of La Planche des Belles Filles also offers 64 metres of tubing to do alone or as a couple, as well as two orienteering courses. There is also a ski school, equipment hire and food and drink.
Larcenaire
Altitude : Minimum 830 m – Maximum 1100 m
The ski resort of the Vosges de Larcenaire is located in the commune of Bussang, in the area of the Vosges. You will be seduced by the friendliness of this small resort which has eight pistes, a slalom stadium, a children’s playground and ski jumps. Thanks to its eastern orientation, it enjoys an incredible amount of morning sunshine. The Larcenaire ski resort is a family resort. It has four ski lifts and 42 snow cannons. There is also a ski rental service, a ski school (ESF), a bar and a restaurant.
The Ballon d’Alsace
Altitude: Minimum 1044 m – Maximum 1247 m
The Ballon d’Alsace ski resort is located in the heart of the Ballons of the Vosges Regional Natural Park, in the commune of Lepuix, in the territory of Belfort and on the borders of Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté. It offers 40 kilometres of skiable pistes, i.e. a total of 10 pistes for all levels, 11 lifts and a toboggan run. Not forgetting its evolutive snowpark, suitable for all levels, and its 22 kilometres of Nordic slopes extending as far as the Planche des Belles Filles resort. The Ballon d’Alsace ski area has vast untouched areas, ideal for snowshoeing and all kinds of activities.
The Frenz
Altitude: Minimum 770 m – Maximum 990 m
The very small ski resort of the Vosges the Frenz is located in the Hautes Vosges of Alsace, on the heights of the commune of Kruth, at an altitude of 770 metres. On sunny days, you can admire the Thur valley from the resort. The ski resort of Frenz offers skiing for beginners on its two unique beginner slopes and has one ski lift: the Solmont lift. Sledging and snowshoeing are also available.
Le Gaschney – Petit Hohneck
Altitude: Minimum 980 m – Maximum 1290 m
The Gaschney ski resort is located in the Munster valley, in the heart of the Hohneck massif. It lies between 970 and 1290 metres above sea level. It has seven slopes of different levels, which are among the longest of the French ski resorts in the Vosges. This variety of slopes makes it popular with competitors and good skiers. There is also a ski school, an equipment rental area and a toboggan run. Le Gaschney is the starting point for many hiking and snowshoeing routes due to its beautiful scenery.
Le Grand Valtin
Altitude: Minimum 750 m – Maximum 1147 m
The ski resort of Grand Valtin is situated in the heart of the Hautes Vosges, only a quarter of an hour from the ski resort of La Bresse and 10 kilometres from Gerardmer. It claims to not only be the smallest ski resort in the Vosges, but also in Europe, and that’s what makes it so charming! In fact, it offers only 1.5 kilometres of skiable slopes, i.e. 3 pistes, as well as a toboggan run. Le Grand Valtin is a family resort particularly suitable for beginners. There is an inn to eat in, as well as several chalets for rent surrounded by a forest of fir trees.
Le Poli
Altitude: Minimum 800 m – Maximum 965 m
The Poli ski resort is located a few kilometres from the Longemer lake, in the Upper Cologne Valley, in the Hautes Vosges. It offers three kilometres of alpine ski slopes spread over four pistes, as well as an area reserved for sledges and two ski lifts. The village is just a few metres from the Poli ski resort. You will find all the services you need for your stay: restaurants, mini-markets, chalets, hotels and equipment hire.
The Schlumpf
Altitude: Minimum 675 m – Maximum 1015 m
The small ski resort of Le Schlumpf is located in the heart of the Ballons of the Vosges Natural Park and extends over 20 hectares. It offers 1.8 kilometres of ski runs (two pistes), two ski lifts and a toboggan run. The red slope “La Verdure” stands out with its 1250 metres in length and 340 metres of vertical drop. At the foot of the slopes of this family ski resort, you will find restaurants serving local cuisine. Around the resort, there are several types of accommodation: inns, hotels or flats.
Le Tanet
Altitude: Minimum 990 m – Maximum 1288 m
The Vosges ski resort of Le Tanet is situated on the slopes of the mountain of the same name and is, together with Schnepfenried, Gashney 360 and Trois Fours, one of the French ski resorts of the Munster valley. It offers five kilometres of skiable slopes divided into seven slopes of different levels. They are served by four ski lifts. In Tanet you can take skiing and snowboarding lessons or go hiking. Thanks to its location in a protected area, you can enjoy a beautiful and preserved environment.
Les Bagennelles
Altitude: Minimum 836 m – Maximum 1074 m
The ski resort of Bagenelles is located in the Vosges mountain range, around the Pré de Raves pass and the summit of Tête of the Chats. It offers the best snow cover of all the French ski resorts in the Vosges. The resort of Les Bagenelles offers 3.5 kilometres of skiable slopes spread over three pistes, as well as a very complete Nordic area of 33 kilometres. It offers numerous snowshoeing routes and a toboggan run. At the foot of the slopes of this family ski resort is a farm inn, where you can enjoy a meal.
Markstein
Altitude: Minimum 1040 m – Maximum 1265 m
The ski resort of Markstein is situated on the route of the Crêtes in the Vosges. It is linked to the Grand Ballon resort and forms a cross-country skiing complex with the Breitfirst site. It offers eight kilometres of skiable slopes spread over 11 runs, as well as a 40-kilometre Nordic area, all served by eight ski lifts. The Markstein ski resort also has a snow park, a toboggan run and a slalom stadium, which has hosted International Ski Federation races every year since 2006. Snowshoeing enthusiasts can take advantage of three circuits of different levels.
Les Truches (Rochesson)
Altitude : Minimum 580 m – Maximum 625 m
The ski resort of Vosges Les Truches is situated at an altitude of 600 metres in the commune of Rochesson, in the area of the Vosges, in the Grand Est region. It is mainly frequented by families. The Truches ski resort is run by volunteers and is one of the smallest in Europe. It has a single 210-metre alpine ski run, 10 kilometres of cross-country ski runs and one ski lift. Due to its low altitude and lack of snowmaking facilities, the Truches ski resort is only open three days a week. However, it offers many hiking trails.
Rouge Gazon
Altitude: Minimum 1100 m – Maximum 1250 m
The ski resort of the Vosges de Rouge-Gazon is situated at an altitude of 1080m in the Grand Est region, in the area of the Vosges, in the commune of Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle. It has 10 slopes of different levels, i.e. 5 km of skiable slopes and 20 km of cross-country ski runs, all served by five ski lifts. There is also a ski school, a snowpark, a toboggan run and a tobogganing area. On the two snowshoeing circuits, you can admire the beautiful panoramas of the Alsace and Doubs plains. At the foot of the slopes, you can relax after a good day’s skiing.
Schnepfenried
Altitude: Minimum 1010 m – Maximum 1258 m
Also known as “Schnepf”, the ski resort of the Vosges de Schnepfenried is located in the municipality of Sondernach in the Munster valley. It has 11 kilometres of skiable slopes with a total of 16 slopes of different levels, more than 30 kilometres of cross-country ski runs (up to the Markstein ski resort), a snowpark, a boardercross and a sledging area. The artificial snow production at the Vosges de Schnepfenried ski resort guarantees good snow conditions on 3.5 kilometres of slopes. There is also the possibility to enjoy night skiing or to discover the pleasures of dog sledding.
Trois Fours
Altitude: Minimum 800 m – Maximum 965 m
The Trois Fours ski resort, situated between the Col de la Schlucht and the Hohneck, and more specifically on the edge of the Route of the Crêtes, has one kilometre of pistes at an altitude of between 1150 and 1250 metres. The magnificent view of the Munster valley, the Black Forest and the Alps will delight skiers seeking escape and serenity. It is a perfect ski resort for beginners, with four cross-country ski runs, as well as a snowshoe circuit and a sledging area. In addition, the family-run inn of the same name, located just a few minutes away, is the ideal place to rest and refuel after a day on the slopes.
Frère-Joseph
Altitude: Minimum 870 m – Maximum 1108 m
The small ski resort of Frère-Joseph is located at an altitude of 900 metres in the commune of Ventron, in the Vosges area. Also known as “Ermitage Frère Joseph” and “Les Pistes de Ventron”, the resort has 10 kilometres of skiable slopes spread over nine runs. Its Nordic area extends over 16 kilometres and consists of three pistes (La Futaie, La Ronde Bruche and Les Buttes). Its authentic, mountainous character makes it one of the most popular French ski resorts in the Vosges. The slopes of the resort have a beautiful, diverse and varied landscape.
You may also be interested in:
