Spotlight on France – Skiing excellence in the heart of the Alps
In the vast expanse of the French Alps, school groups can discover the ultimate winter playground. With a broad selection of ski resorts, each offering unique characteristics, France remains one of the best options for educational group trips, combining a perfect balance of fun, learning, and adventure.
Navigating through the myriad of world-class resorts might seem overwhelming – but we're here to help. In this blog, we’ll reveal what makes France’s ski regions ideal for school groups, covering everything from essential learning opportunities to the best resorts for your group’s needs.
If you’re looking for stunning slopes, welcoming resorts, and a quintessential Alpine experience, look no further – read on to explore the top ski destinations in France.
What sets skiing in France apart from anywhere else in Europe/North America?
World-renowned ski infrastructure
France boasts some of the world’s most modern and efficient ski infrastructure, with high-speed chairlifts, gondolas, and extensive snow-making facilities. This ensures easy access to a variety of slopes, perfect for all skill levels, so your students can focus on improving their technique.
Snow-sure slopes
The French Alps are known for their reliable snowfall, with many resorts reaching over 2,000 metres in altitude. Resorts like Tignes and Val d'Isère offer excellent snow conditions throughout the season, ensuring your group will always find perfect skiing weather.
Accommodation for all budgets
From traditional chalets to purpose-built lodges, France’s ski resorts cater to a range of budgets. Whether your group is looking for affordable self-catering options or comfortable full-board accommodations, there are plenty of choices to suit your needs.
Après-ski and cultural immersion
Aside from the slopes, French ski resorts offer unique après-ski experiences, allowing students to engage with local culture. From visiting picturesque Alpine villages to enjoying traditional French cuisine, there's plenty to learn and explore outside the classroom.
Ski resorts in France
School ski trips to La Plagne 1800
With its exceptional snow record and combination of high mileage, varied slopes, there’s little wonder La Plagne is so popular among British school groups. Here, you and your students will be situated at the hub of the Paradiski ski circuit – one of Europe’s largest – which features two glaciers, two cable cars, and a thrilling vertical drop of two kilometres. It’s also incredible easy to travel between each of La Plagne’s villages, giving your group the impression they’ve truly seen it all – even if you never leave the resort!
School ski trips to La Plagne Montalbert
Authentic, self-contained and charming, Montalbert is a small village in La Plagne which offers a quieter perspective of this impressive ski area. Located in one of the largest ski areas in the world, Montalbert skiing means your students could be finding their bearings on wide, tree-lined green runs one day, and darting around the larger region’s two glaciers the next!
School ski trips to Les Arcs
Enjoy 200 kilometres of high-altitude skiing at Les Arcs, which joins La Plagne as part of the Paradiski circuit. With its slopes spread across several unique villages, Les Arcs is one of France’s ‘big hitters’, offering something for all abilities. Between ski sessions, students can also search for souvenirs, baked goods and cheeses in several charming traditional shops, which you’ll find throughout the resort.
School ski trips to Les Saisies
With its breathtaking scenery and traditional Savoie villages, Les Saisies in Espace Diamant provides a fairytale setting for any school ski trip. Despite its quaint appearance, the resort offers state-of-the-art amenities, while the majestic backdrop of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain, only adds to its allure. Les Saisies enjoys numerous benefits when compared with more established Alpine resorts: it’s much less well known, meaning quieter slopes and a more personal and friendly feel and service. One of France’s best-kept secrets, we recommend visiting now – before the word gets out!
School ski trips to Les Deux Alpes
A long-standing school ski favourite, Les Deux Alpes is among Europe’s highest winter sports resorts, possessing a relaxed and friendly cosmopolitan atmosphere, plus fabulous skiing and snowboarding opportunities for all levels. Set beneath staggering 4,000-metre peaks, the resort is sure to impress your students, who’ll be further spoilt by the range of evening activities available after a day on the slopes.
School ski trips to Morzine
A traditional Haute-Savoie village with a typically French ambience – think fine chalet buildings, a good variety of shops, a weekly market and genuinely friendly cafés – Morzine is one of 12 resorts that forms the immense Portes du Soleil ski circuit. Here, your group can access over 600km of piste across two countries, plus incredible views of Mont Blanc.
School ski trips to Pra Loup
Nestled within the Southern Alps, Pra Loup’s sunny weather, laid back vibe and family friendly focus make it a great choice for school ski trips. More popular with French families than British crowds, Pra Loup also gives school groups an opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and brush up on their language skills, while the low-key nightlife means that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.
School ski trips to Serre Chevalier
With several small villages dotted throughout its valley and breathtaking scenery on its pistes, sunny Serre Chevalier has always been a brilliant option for school ski groups. Whether it’s the picturesque Chantemerle, which sits at the bottom of the famous Luc Alphand ski run, the historic UNESCO-listed walls of Briançon, or charming Le Monêtier-les-Bains, the fifth-largest ski resort in France has something for everyone.
School ski trips to Superdévoluy
A quiet resort in one of the Southern Alps’ largest ski areas, SuperDévoluy is a great choice for school groups seeking an easy week away. Purpose-built with superb piste access, the resort is surprisingly uncrowded, with lots of space to help build everyone’s confidence. Still need to burn off energy after a day on the slopes? There's also plenty to do for après-ski; your group can watch the weekly torchlit descent, or eat crêpes to their heart’s content.
School ski trips to Tignes
Home to some of Europe’s highest slopes, Tignes shares its ski area with neighbouring Val d’Isere, offering huge mileage for visitors and exceptional snow cover. In a seven-minute funicular ride, students can reach the incredible Grande Motte glacier, or opt to enjoy the shops, restaurants and sports centre spread across five villages in the region. Attracting everyone from first-timers to professional freeriders, Tignes is a great place for any school group to visit.
School ski trips to Val Cenis
Nestled in the Maurienne Valley just a short transfer from Turin, Val Cenis is a high-quality ski resort with plenty of opportunities for skiers of all abilities. Gentle slopes trailing back to your accommodation allow for good progression, while the resort’s smaller queues ensure your group will benefit from longer time on the mountain – and more time improving their skills through the week. Outside of ski time, the traditional villages of Lanslevillard and Lanslebourg offer plenty of evening entertainment.
Ready to book your school ski trip to France?
France’s school ski trips offer the perfect mix of adventure, learning, and cultural immersion. With reliable snow, world-class infrastructure, and a variety of resorts to choose from, your students will not only develop their skiing abilities but also gain a deeper appreciation for the country’s Alpine beauty and rich heritage.
To find out more about our school ski trips to France, or enquire about booking a trip to a specific resort, please call us on 01273 648248. You can also fill out our webform, and our school ski experts will get back to you as soon as we can.
