{"id":58816,"date":"2024-04-29T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2024-04-28T22:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.topsnowtravel.com\/?p=58816"},"modified":"2026-10-28T13:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T03:29:14","slug":"best-time-to-go-skiing-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topsnowtravel.com\/fr\/best-time-to-go-skiing-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Quand est le meilleur moment pour faire du ski en France ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last updated: 28 October 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A regular question we get from people thinking about a ski trip to Europe is \u201cWhen is the best time to go skiing in France?\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Here are our recommendations for the best times to go skiing in France:<\/p>\n

January: Empty Slopes and Powder Days<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

January is perhaps the best month to take a trip to the French ski fields.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> and Val d’Is\u00e8re<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018vacances scolaires\u2019 in mid-February.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018low season\u2019.<\/p>\n

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

January 2nd to Feb 6th<\/sup> 2027<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>is the cheapest and best time to go (low season), followed by 6<\/strong>th<\/sup> March until early-April 2027<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0(the shoulder season).<\/p>\n

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\u2019 low season.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Europeans and the Brits flock to the resorts through February into March (DO NOT TRAVEL<\/u><\/strong><\/span> from 6th<\/sup> Feb to 6th<\/sup> Mar 2027<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0as 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.\u00a0 Even all the restaurants are booked out!<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

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