High altitude ski holidays in France

High altitude skiing is all about one thing: powder, and plenty of it. The higher the resort, the better the snow conditions. Add to this some of the best views that the French Alps have to offer and the fact that you can ski all the way from early December to late April/early May, and you can see why guests head back to high altitude resorts season after season.

With our chalets and hotel sitting at an average altitude of 1,967m above sea level and every bed above 1,800m, the only way is up when you head to the mountains with VIP SKI.

The only catch? Having to choose between our four French high-altitude resorts for your ski fix.

Ask any seasoned skier or boarder what has the biggest influence on the quality of a ski trip, and we guarantee they’ll say the snow. Whether you’re a newbie to the slopes or you’re returning to the Alps for the first time in years, snow quality can be the difference between a ‘good’ and a ‘great’ trip.

As a rule, the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature. Snow tends to fall across the highest peaks first - and because of the freezing climes, it’s more likely to stick here. So, you can trust that there’ll be an established snow base by the time you reach resort. For more insight about the role altitude plays on a ski holiday, read our blog: Why altitude = assurance.

Lower-altitude resorts may also see some pre-season snow, but because the temperatures don’t tend to be as cold as they are higher up, the snow doesn’t always pack well and is more prone to melting as the end of the season approaches.

Ski holidays from one end of the season to the other

Snow quality and reliability are the main draws of high-altitude resorts, but so is flexibility. It’s tricky to predict what the weather and snow conditions will be like at either end of the season, but at altitude, a decent snowpack is pretty much guaranteed from late November/early December through to late April/early May.

If you’ve already planned your main trip but you’d like to squeeze in a last-minute week of skiing at the start or end of the season, a high-altitude holiday is ideal.

High altitude doesn’t mean high difficulty

If you’re new to skiing or boarding or you’re taking the children away for the first time, remember that high altitude isn’t synonymous with steep or tricky skiing. Snow reliability is the biggest advantage of booking a ski holiday to this type of resort, and they’re all home to hundreds of kilometres of pistes of all levels. Think cruisy blues that help you find your feet on day one, playful reds that’ll have you zipping through the trees, and world-renowned black runs that’ll give you an adrenaline rush.

The snow-sure nature of the higher elevation that’s the real cherry on top, giving you the freedom to enjoy every run without worrying about the snow beneath your skis.

While we can’t forecast the weather, we can promise you some of the best snow conditions of the season on a VIP SKI holiday. Altitude is the main reason that we operate in the four French resorts that we do, with the villages and slopes sitting at 1,800m+. Club 21Forty is one of our chalets in Arc 2000 with an altitude of 2,140m - the views are absolutely breathtaking!

Val d’Isère

With the longest season of any French ski area, it’s no wonder that Val d’Isère is where more Brits head to for their winter sports fix than anywhere else in the world.

The village itself sits at 1,850m and serves the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area, which is home to two glaciers: Grande Motte and Pissaillas. Peaking at 3,456m and 3,240m respectively, they guarantee quality snow all season long and some of the best views that the French Alps have to offer.

If you’re after a pre-Christmas play on the slopes, you can head out as early as the end of November. More of a fair-weather skier? The ski area’s open until mid-May, and you won’t only find the last of the season’s snow but stunning bluebird days and t-shirt worthy temperatures, too.

Les Arcs & Arc 1950

Arc 1950 may be a purpose-built resort, but with chocolate-box architecture and snowlined streets, it captures the essence of a picturesque alpine village.

Sitting at 1,950m, the village is on the doorstep of the Paradiski ski area, which is home to 425km of pistes. Over 70% of these slopes are at 2,000m or higher, making the region one of the most snow-sure you can get.

With high, challenging runs, open bowls, and tree-lined pistes, Les Arc’s a true mountain playground - its altitude makes it a reliable one, too.

La Plagne

Pistes peak at 3,250m, so you can feel confident there’ll be a solid snowpack for whichever week you head out, be it Christmas, February half term, or Easter. All of the villages in La Plagne are purpose built, with plenty of ski-in/ski-out options that make it easy for you to explore the wide blues and adrenaline-filled blacks that the area has to offer.

Avoriaz

In the middle of the Portes du Soleil ski area you’ll find Avoriaz, the village at 1,800m that’s known for its postcard-worthy mountain landscape.

Many of the slopes in this high-altitude resort are north facing, too, which means colder temperatures and longer-lasting snow. With 600km of linked pistes, it doesn’t matter whether you’re taking on the world-famous ‘Swiss Wall’ or perfecting your snowplough, there are runs for all abilities.

The village itself is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, with horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, and plenty of other activities to keep the children entertained after a day on the mountain.

Let the altitude take care of the snow, and we’ll look after everything else. Experience the very best that the French Alps has to offer on a luxury catered chalet holiday with VIP SKI. Contact our friendly team to book your holiday or get advice on which resort is the right one for your group.

What is high-altitude skiing?

Altitude is how far above sea level somewhere is, so high-altitude skiing happens on slopes with high elevations. The benchmark tends to be around 2,000m - any piste at or above this is classed as high altitude. Remember that just because the ski area itself is high, the resort may not be. For instance, Val d’Isère village sits at 1,850m, but the highest skiable point of the Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area is 3,456m - the top of the Grande Motte Glacier.

Read more about what makes a resort high altitude: The 10 highest ski resorts In Europe 2026/2027.

Does higher altitude mean better snow?

Temperatures tend to get lower as altitude gets higher, so the further above sea level a ski area is, the more likely snowfall is (and the more chance it has of sticking to the mountain rather than melting). No one can guarantee or predict the weather, but heading to a high-altitude resort gives you the best chance of having a snow-sure holiday.

When do high-altitude ski resorts open?

Most open in late November/early December, with the season ending in late April/early May. Exact dates change from year to year and resort to resort, depending on snow conditions. If you’re after an early or late season holiday, a high-altitude resort will have the most flexibility for your dates.

For dates for our holidays to Val d’Isère, Les Arcs, La Plagne, and Avoriaz this season, please contact our team.

Is high-altitude skiing suitable for families and beginners?

Absolutely! We always like to remind guests that just because a ski area is high altitude, that doesn’t necessarily make it more difficult. Higher elevation resorts have some of the most reliable snow conditions, which is always a bonus for anyone beginning to ski. They’re home to a wide variety of pistes, too, from nursery slopes for those starting out to trickier runs for the more intermediate and advanced skiers in your group.

For help finding the resort that’s most suited to your family or group’s abilities, please speak to our team. And if you’re planning the first trip to the slopes for you or a loved one, we recommend taking a read of our blog: 5 top tips for beginner skiers.

Which of your chalets is at the highest altitude?

Club 21Forty in Arc 2000 sits at 2,140m above sea level and is the highest chalet in our portfolio. Awarded the World’s Best New Ski Chalet in 2018 and nominated a top ten ‘sexiest chalet’ of all time in The Times, it’s no ordinary home for a week’s holiday. With space for 14 guests, 360-degree views of Mont Blanc, and in walking distance of the Taj-I Mah hotel, famous for its après-ski cocktails, Club 21Forty has the altitude - and the attitude - that epitomises the modern ski chalet.