The best charming small ski resorts in France

If you’ve visited many of the larger ski areas, you may just be wishing for a change. Perhaps you feel like spending more time off the skis relaxing or having a go at other alternatives. Well there are plenty of charming smaller resorts which do just nicely as alternative ski holiday options. Here are a selection of our favourite smaller ski resorts in France.

Le Semnoz overlooking Lac d’Annecy

A renowned ski playground in a grandiose setting which has developed a big following with snowkiters, in particular. Avoid Sundays if you can, when locals take to the slopes.

Le Sappey in the Chartreuse region

Despite its proximity to the city of Grenoble, visible from its slopes, Le Sappey stands in a wild and unspoilt setting at the heart of a “parc naturel régional”. The ambience here is much more intimate, characterised by family-run hotels, cosy bed & breakfasts, a few drag lifts and several cross-country skiing trails through the surrounding forests.

Saint-Véran, in the Queyras

This picturesque, well-protected village, the highest “old” village in Europe (2,042m), is connected via several drag lifts and one ski lift to Molines, an equally charming and quiet village, where families can explore thirty or so downhill runs. With its cross-country ski trails and welcoming inns, this corner of the Queyras has its own distinct atmosphere.

Reallon

Réallon overlooking Lac de Serre-Ponçon

Clinging to the slopes of the Aiguilles de Chabrières, in the Embrunais, this resort on a human scale boasts superb views of France’s largest man-made scale.

Chabanon a haven in the Alpes de Haute-Provence

Located in the unspoilt Vallée de la Blanche, not far from the Ubaye river, this ski resort stands amid a wild and grandiose landscape perfect for cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts who are keen to get away from it all.

Gavarnie-Gèdre, at the heart of the Hautes-Pyrénées

Nestled in the famous Cirque de Gavarnie (an impressive natural amphitheatre crowned by lofty mountain peaks), this ski area is renowned for its excellent snow conditions.

Artouste, an attractive corner of the Béarn

Tucked away in the delightful Vallée d’Ossau, south of Pau, this resort renowned for its spectacular mountain train which runs in summer, also boasts a number of attractive pistes, a “kidpark” and “snowpark”.

Le Schnepfenried, in the Vosges

This attractive, “miniature” ski resort, one of many similar resorts in the Vosges mountains, is surrounded by a number of welcoming farm-inns (renowned for their cheese specialities) on the Alsatian side of the Munster Valley. The perfect location for a quiet family ski holiday far from the madding crowds.

Chalmazel between the Auvergne and Forez

During winters with abundant snowfall, this ski area hidden away in the forests of the Monts du Forez (north of Saint-Etienne) is popular with young freestylers. Despite being a long way from some of the country’s trendier ski areas, the dynamic freestyle ski club here is hugely popular.