Métabief

It is in the heart of the Jura mountains where the French department Haut Doubs takes root and where we also find the Métabief ski resort. Through sumptuous, colorful and diverse landscapes you will discover the villages and surroundings of Métabief, Malbuisson, and les Fourgs, serene in either winter or summer. Its terrain is a typical Jurassic relief adorned with sumptuous fir forests as far as the eye can see. Its picturesque valleys and pastures are occupied during the summer by the peaceful Montbéliardes (species of cow specifc to the region)! This truely is one of the best terrains to ski in France.

Founded in 1953 in the city of Métabief by Maurice Lagier, Roger Maire and Xavier Authier, the Métabief ski resort quickly gained importance in the 60s, 70s and 80s, both in terms of infrastructure and notoriety. More recently, 2005, marked the beginning of a new era at the resort with the launch of the Morond detachable chairlift, which is intended to show the resort’s commitment to a new generation of skiers. Nowadays, the resort is constantly improving, which is why on 2019 it had an attendandce redord.

If you want even more motivation to visit, here is an article where you will find 5 reasons to ski in Métabief. Also, there are special discounts if you are a loyal customer of the station, which is great for ski lovers. In addition, you cannot miss their special activities that they do as an exception, like the time where you could ski for 15€ as long as you were wearing a costume!

An idyllic place to enjoy with friends or family it’s one of the most important stations in the French Jura, which you can discover either skiing or with their marked treks. The Métabief resort will show you the opposite, thanks to its marked, maintained and monitored trails, classified by color and level of difficulty.

The Métabief ski area is made up of three sectors:

The Métabief sector:

It comprises some of the longest slopes of the Métabief ski resort. You can find a great variety of trails and activities for skiers and snowboarders of all levels: green, blue, red or black. For experienced skiers, we recommend descending the famous Reversal: a fast and direct connection guaranteed from the summit to the heart of the resort! In the Snowpark, you can give your skiing a touch of freestyle! There you can perform all the craziest moves while in complete safety. 

The Super Longevilles sector:

This wooded hillside is exposed to the west. With friends or family, you can enjoy its great white spaces, or glide between fir trees on groomed trails or in the valleys of virgin snow. Ideal for all avid skiers who like to immerse themselves in nature and want to enjoy generous sun all afternoon. 

The Piquemiette area:

The Métabief ski resort borders Switzerland. The Piquemiette area is located at the foot of the Mont d’Or cliffs.  This area contains large slopes coupled with abundant snow, guaranteed by its exposure to the east. It’s a savage area with ideal steep slopes where you can try hard turns, and really open the nose of your skis for maximum velocity.

The Métabief ski resort is a unique snow holiday destination, offering wide trials for all levels whilst providing an intimate atmosphere amidst the snow and the mountains. There you can relax and enjoy skiing in complete placidity, avoiding the large crowds.

It is also a great destination during the summer to practice all kinds of sports, including cycling and mountain biking. Métabief truly is one of the best resorts to ski in France.

Skiing in Métabief: the resort’s strengths

Located in the heart of the French Jura, Métabief Mont d’Or offers a mountain alternative that combines authenticity, accessibility, and a privileged natural environment. The alpine domain extends between 900 and 1,430 m in altitude, allowing you to take advantage of varied orientation and sufficient elevation difference to generate interesting descents within a medium topography. The resort has around 26 km of alpine slopes (according to specialized sources) served by 12 ski lifts that make it possible to cover the entire domain efficiently.

One of Métabief’s great strengths is its diversity for all levels. The ski area comprises approximately 9 green, 12 blue, 11 red, and 3 black runs, providing a good balance between beginner areas and challenging descents. For those looking for quieter, less crowded areas, the Super Longevilles sector (Les Longevilles Mont d’Or) offers trails through forests and gentle slopes, while the Piquemiette area, bordering Switzerland, consists of steep trails and an orientation that favors morning snow. In addition, the Métabief “main” sector includes the longest and most connected slopes to the core of the domain, facilitating progression and fluidity of skiing.

Another key point is the infrastructure of services and complementary offerings. Approximately 25% of the domain is covered by artificial snow, which helps maintain conditions on the lower slopes when snow is scarce. Métabief has three freestyle areas, including the Snowpark, BioPark, and EasyPark, allowing freestyle enthusiasts to practice with suitable modules. In terms of cross-country activities, the resort offers some 65 km of cross-country ski trailsconnecting the valley and the surrounding municipalities, providing a Nordic skiing dimension that is highly valued by those seeking variety and different types of exercise. As if that weren’t enough, the resort organizes local events, such as torchlight descents, entertainment, and even promotional seasons (e.g., inexpensive ski days with costumes), which help to create a festive and accessible atmosphere.

Finally, a distinguishing feature of Métabief is its more intimate and less crowded atmosphere compared to the large Alpine resorts: lift pass prices are very competitive (for example, around €33 per day in high season) and its proximity to the Swiss border makes it even more appealing for those who want to combine experiences in both countries. However, it should be noted that one of the sectors of the domain, Piquemiette, was temporarily suspended by decision of the managing body due to the high operating costs associated with the irregular snow cover. This measure reduces the skiing offer in some winters, but also reflects the need for these mid-mountain resorts to adapt to climate change.