When to go skiing in winter?
If you're looking for thrills and spills, we recommend going to the mountains in winter to enjoy winter sports. The opening of the season in December is the ideal time for a family vacation. In fact, all ski areas open in mid-December, often with low-cost packages for those who want to spend Christmas skiing. You can also head to the mountains on New Year's Eve to start the new year in awe-inspiring surroundings.
Skiing in January and February generally means excellent snow conditions. You can be sure of regular, high-quality snow for maximum thrills on the slopes. However, this is a period when prices are at their highest. If you want to save money, waiting until March can be a good idea, especially when it comes to the cost of equipment and lifts.
What about off-season skiing?
To save money on your vacation rentals, you can also go to the mountains out of season. In spring, prices drop and the mountains start to blossom. France's ski resorts regularly offer special deals to attract customers at this time of year. In terms of activities, you won't be outdone during the summer season, as there are numerous tourist attractions and magnificent hikes to be had. Visit the mountains on foot or by bike and recharge your batteries in a magnificent, unspoilt environment.
The best places to go in the mountains
There are a multitude of places to go in the mountains, with breathtaking scenery and numerous activities in both summer and winter. However, we can name a few places that are totally unmissable to visit on a mountain vacation in France:
- The Col du Galibier in Savoie: famous thanks to the Tour de France, this mythical summit is rich in history.
- The Cirque de Gavarnie in the Hautes-Pyrénées is a 1,700-meter-high wall that stretches for 14 kilometers. Listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, it is home to Europe's largest waterfall.
- Mont Aiguille in Isère: Mont Aiguille is one of the Seven Wonders of the Dauphiné.
- The Aiguille du Midi in Haute-Savoie: this is the most visible summit from the town of Chamonix. At an altitude of 3,842 metres, it can be reached by cable car from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. Alpinists and pedestrians alike come here to admire some of the finest views in the Alps.
- Le Ballon d'Alsace in the Vosges: this 1,247-meter-high peak is classified as a Grand Site National. It offers breathtaking views of the Black Forest to the east and the Vosges ridges to the north. It is renowned for the quality of its air and its varied flora and fauna.
- Lac Léman: this is the largest of the Alpine lakes, covering 582 km² between Switzerland and France. Like Lac d'Annecy and Lac du Bourget, it was created by the melting of the Rhône glacier 15,000 years ago.
- Mont-Blanc in Haute-Savoie : the "roof of Europe" never disappoints. The famous Chamonix ski resort lies at its foot. The birthplace of mountaineering, it is one of the most beautiful sights in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
- The Col du Tourmalet in the Hautes-Pyrénées : this is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees, at almost 2,115 meters above sea level. In winter, it is the link between the resorts of La Mongie and Barèges.
- La Vallée des Merveilles in the Alpes-Maritimes : this valley in the Mercantour National Park is famous for its rock engravings. There are 40,000 prehistoric engravings and 100,000 historical engravings.
Chamonix, world capital of mountaineering
When thinking about where to go in the mountains, it's impossible to miss Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the Vallée Blanche. The mountaineering capital of the world is a major ski destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lives.
With its four ski areas, 90% of which are above 2,000 meters, the resort enjoys optimum snow cover in winter and breathtaking views in summer. You can even ski in April , when the morning snow is of the highest quality!
While you're in Chamonix, take a stroll around Montenvers and the Mer de Glace, visit the Aiguille du Midi and get inspired by the typical Alpine way of life. There are even a number of summer music festivals to enjoy during the long summer evenings.
