When is the best time to go skiing in France?

A regular question we get from people thinking about a ski trip to Europe is “When is the best time to go skiing in France?”

Our years of experience at Top Snow Travel have taught us when to get the best value from your trip and which dates to avoid.

Here are our recommendations for the best times to go skiing in France:

January: Empty Slopes and Powder Days

January is perhaps the best month to take a trip to the French ski fields.

By this point, most resorts have been open for at least a month (or more, in the case of high-altitude resorts like Val Thorens and Val d’Isère).

This means that resorts are likely to have a good snow depth already, plus the coverage from snow cannons is extensive if there is any need to top up with man-made snow.

It is true that at this time of year the days are shorter and colder than later in the season, but the payback is that the slopes are so much quieter.

While Australians can enjoy their (summer) school holidays through to the end of January, European nations go back to school after New Year with no more time off until ‘vacances scolaires’ in mid-February.

At this point, queues lengthen, and prices go up, but in January not only can the slopes be empty, but there are great deals available as it is ‘low season’.

We often see discounts of up to 50% over peak season prices, making January the best value month to go skiing in France.

January 4^th to Feb 8^th 2025 is the cheapest and best time to go (low season), followed by 8^th March until early-April 2025 (the shoulder season).

For Australians travelling to France to ski during our January summer holidays, we benefit from the cheaper rates on offer in the French ski resorts’ low season. This happens to be when the French and Europeans go back to work and school after the 2 week Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Europeans and the Brits flock to the resorts through February into March (DO NOT TRAVEL from 8^th Feb to 8^th Mar 2025 as this is the French school holidays). The slopes are extremely busy, the queues at the lifts are long and the price for accommodation is very expensive during that time. Even all the restaurants are booked out!

Typically, in January, the snow is dry with the largest build up. It is also the coldest time, so you will need to make sure that you dress warmly. It is still wise to choose a high-altitude resort in case mother nature has not been kind earlier in the season. Bear in mind though, that snow-making is used to supplement natural snowfall in high traffic areas.

So, not only is January the cheapest time to go skiing in the French Alps, it is also the best time to go thanks to the weather conditions, the lack of queues, more availability and choice of accommodation and you get to breathe fresh air with your loved ones, rather than with thousands of other people!

Val Thorens - © C.cattin / OT Val Thorens

Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski resort at 2,300m and provides guaranteed snow from November to May

March: Sunshine and Longer Days

Our second recommendation for skiing in France is to travel in March.

It is late enough that you will avoid the crowds of peak season in February but comes [in most years] before the final peak period of Easter.

Snow depths typically reach a peak in March, with accumulations at a maximum before the end of season melt starts.

In March you can typically expect longer and warmer days, with more sunshine. Sun baking on the terrace of your chalet while enjoying a view of the mountains is an option that is not going be available to you earlier in the year.

In our current era of the ‘new normal’ you might prefer to eat outside in restaurants, more feasible than in January when it snows more often.

For advice on which resorts to choose for a ski trip to France in March, please contact Top Snow Travel for impartial, expert advice.

Val d'Isère ski resort © Top Snow Travel

Relax in the sunshine in Val d’Isere ski resort with stunning views of the mountains and nearby village

Christmas & New Year: A Magical Time

While we will always suggest that you avoid February, there is still one high season period that we are happy to recommend.

Everyone should experience a ‘White Christmas’ at least once in their lives. The thrill of spending Christmas Day in the Alps, tasting the beautiful fresh mountain air and sliding from one slope to the next is something you’ll never forget.

At both Christmas and the following week at New Year, resorts put on extra events, including spectacular firework displays that light up the clear Alpine skies.

Yes, it is busier, and it is more expensive than other times of the year, but there’s a unique and international atmosphere for the festive season.

Many of our clients enjoy both weeks in the snow by booking two-centre holidays. For example, Christmas in a traditional and more intimate resort such as Megève, followed by New Year in the more exclusive Courchevel 1850.