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The best ski resorts to find snow at Christmas

The end-of-year celebrations, Christmas and its magical traditions... To enhance this celebration, nothing beats spending it with your family on skis, surrounded by snow. And this famous white coat is sometimes expected at this time!

To get snow, some ski resorts have a recipe for fresh powder :altitude, exposure, and equipment that plays a lot.

Because spending Christmas with the family in a real Lapland atmosphere is priceless, here is a little ranking of our own . All schuss towards the top 5 French resorts, perfect for finding snow at Christmas!

1. Val Thorens

Welcome to the Tarentaise valley in the Alps, in the highest ski area in Europe! Val Thorens, located at 2300 meters above sea level, is very famous for its 150 km of slopes and its majestic glacier. The Savoie winter sports resort was even voted "best European ski destination" in 2016. This is an opportunity to test its many assets!

  • Member of the 3 valleys ski area with Les Menuires and Courchevel, two other exceptional resorts.
  • A pleasant semi-pedestrian village for families.
  • "Famille Plus Montagne" label obtained in 2016 and "Best ski resort in the world" in 2014 .
  • Many activities and hotels ready to welcome you for Christmas.

2. Val d'Isere

The Savoie resort is coupled with Tignes, in the Espace Killy area. Considered one of the world capitals of skiing , it enjoys beautiful sunshine and fresh snow for the winter period. If you want to discover the best ski resorts in the world, it's here!

With 146 km of slopes culminating at 3400 m in altitude , the resort of Haute-Tarentaise offers good snow cover for skiing in December. Some years, we have even recorded up to 120 cm of snow, which shows its potential!

3. Avoriaz

The village of Avoriaz, located at an altitude of 1800 m in Haute-Savoie , is an ideal place to relax with the family. 100% pedestrian , it has kept its authentic side to offer a variety of activities in a ski area that is very popular throughout Europe. On site, you can indulge in traditional activities, but also discover snowmobiling or Nordic walking.

  • In the Portes du Soleil area, between France and Switzerland.
  • Labeled "New snow sports resorts" and "Grands ski areas resorts".
  • A family-friendly atmosphere perfect for spending the end of year celebrations there.

4. Piau-Engaly in the Pyrenees

The highest resort in the Pyrenees is located at an altitude of 1860 meters in the Aure valley. Near Spain, you have 65 km of slopes, with guaranteed natural snow cover. At the top of the slopes, you reach an altitude of 2600 m!

You can take your children on slopes at their level, or even go freeride If you want. The intimate resort is a good compromise to get together with family at Christmas. In the resort, you can of course ski, but also enjoy snowshoeing or dog sledding for example.

For adrenaline, the Derby of the Pyrenees , a sliding race open to all, is held every year. You can book your family Christmas stay for cheap at VTR-Voyages, go check it out!

5. La Clusaz

The village has remained a place full of authenticity. Member of the famous "Top of the French Alps" label, just like Val d'Isère and Val Thorens, it attracts many visitors every year for these same reasons. Located at the foot of the Aravis massif near Annecy in Rhône-Alpes, the resort offers 83 km of slopes for all levels.

Apart from skiing, you can also go to the ice rink in winter, and why not try Nordic skiing, because it is the largest area in Haute-Savoie in the discipline.

Many French resorts are worth being in this unofficial ranking , but we had to choose. With a national and sometimes even international reputation, or for their preserved authenticity, these ski resorts are our favorites, for a refreshing Top 5 of the best ski resorts in which to spend Christmas!