A Guide To Snowboarding In France
France is renowned as a world-class skiing destination which makes it popular not only with the British ski family but with skiers and snowboarders around the world. A snowboarding trip to France offers the opportunity to visit some of the most incredible mountains, with large combined ski areas, and some of the best facilities. France offers many ski in ski out villages at some of the biggest name resorts in skiing, it is hard to argue that France is anything but a premiere ski holiday destination.
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France is home to around 200 ski resorts split between the French Alps and the Pyrenees, with many bordering neighbouring ski areas in Italy and Switzerland. Skiing between resorts in France and local neighbour countries is becoming a theme in France with many areas joining together to offer extended ski areas by combining multiple ski resorts and villages. France is home to some of the largest combined ski areas in the world with the 3 Valleys, Paradiski, Port Du Soleil, Grand Massif, & Les Sybelles being just a few.
With a seemingly endless choice of world-class skiing choosing where to ski in France can seem overwhelming. Luckily, Frances ski resorts can differ greatly meaning that they can cater for specific requirements or needs narrowing down the options.
Most of the so-called French mega-resorts will allow skiers and snowboarders to cover huge distances throughout your holiday ensuring that you make the most of the lift pass. These resorts are also bases for large ski schools that can help beginners access ski lessons in France. This mix allows France to cater to the whole family/group meaning holidays with skiers and snowboarders of varying abilities should not be a problem.
French ski resorts also invest heavily in the infrastructure ensuring that their ski areas remain modern and that connections between resorts run smoothly. Whether it is new fast gondolas or fresh accommodation that is going up, French ski resorts offer fantastic facilities.
THE FRENCH ALPS
The French Alps border the other European giants of skiing Switzerland and Italy, offering many resorts with cross-border skiing opportunities. The ski resorts of the French Alps, not only offer some of the biggest names but also some of the most expansive terrain available. The French Alps are home the the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy, Grand Massif and many more combined ski areas.
A huge factor in the popularity of the French Alps is the accessibility for British tourists. Regular ski transfers are available in winter from the major airports in Geneva, Lyon, Chambery and Grenoble. Alternatively, the ski resorts of the French Alps are connected to London by the ski train that runs via Paris into Bourg St Maurice.
It is possible to ski and snowboard in the French Alps in the winter and summer with some of the highest ski areas offering glacier skiing in Les Deux Alpes and Val d’Isere.
THE FRENCH PYRENEES
The French Pyrenees is often overlooked in favour of the Alps, however the Pyrenees has a number of excellent ski resorts to suit all abilities. As a generalisation, French Pyrenees ski resorts tend to be smaller than those in the alps, with less infrastructure. This doesn’t need to be a negative though with ski resorts in the French Pyrenees tending to remain uncrowded and cheaper than their French Alps counterparts. The Pyrenees doesn’t have the big names, but it does have snow-sure resorts with some excellent skiing and snowboarding. I have had some great weeks skiing in the French Pyrenees in the resort of Gourette and I look forward to exploring even more of the Pyrenees soon.
COMBINED SKI AREAS FRANCE
THREE VALLEYS
The Three Valleys is the largest combined ski area in the world offering 600km of pistes between the ski resorts of Val Thorens, Meribel, Courchevel, Les Menuires and St Martin de Belleville. Each of the resorts offers something
GRAND MASSIF
Five Resorts combine to make the Grand Massif ski area with the best known being Flaine. Flaine is joined by; Samoëns, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt to form this exciting ski area. The Grand Massif is perfect for Brits with short transfer times from Geneva Airport.
PORTES DU SOLEIL
The Portes Du Soleil is a combination of 12 ski resorts split across the border of France and Switzerland. Snowboarding in the Portes Du Soleil includes access to Avoriaz where you can tackle the Swiss Wall or head into the Stash. The Portes du Soleil is a short transfer from Geneva.
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LES SYBELLES
Les Sybelles is the 4th largest ski area in France combining six French Ski Areas. Les Seybelles offers 310km of ski trails accessible via the same lift pass ensuring its place as Top 10 largest ski area in the world!
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FRENCH SKI RESORT GUIDES
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HOW TO GET TO FRENCH SKI RESORTS
The most popular way to travel to French ski resorts is by air with most arrivals landing at Geneva Airport in nearby Switzerland. The Geneva International Airport has a regular flight schedule to many UK and European cities and this makes it the preferred entry route. It is possible to get flights into Chambery, Grenoble and Lyon airports, which can have shorter transfer times to ski resorts in the French Alps. The trade of is usually more expensive flights and less choice in transfer companies. It is also possible to visit the French Alps via the Italian airports in Milan, which for example is a 2 hr 30 min drive from Chamonix.
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France is also very accessible by train and some of my favourite ski trips have started by taking the train from London to my French ski destination. Whilst some are put off by the station transfer in Paris, in reality, the journey between Paris Gare Du Nord and Gare De Lyon is simple, even with luggage. Access to French ski resorts by train is excellent with Bourg St Maurice and Moutiers being fantastic entry points to the Paradiski and 3 Valleys respectively. Travelling by train to French ski resorts allows you to not worry about luggage restrictions and can consist of some beautiful scenery when close to the mountains.
Self-drive to French ski resorts is a popular option with multiple ferry crossings and train crossings via Le Shuttle possible. Although I have found the journey to French ski resorts long by car it has occasionally been the best option, especially when travelling with multiple people/pets. When driving be sure to have the correct tyres and chains as these remain legal requirements.
WHY SNOWBOARD IN FRANCE?
France gives you access to some of the largest combined ski resorts with impressive facilities and some of the best ski towns in the world. A snowboarding trip to France is likely to include ski-in-ski-out accommodation in one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges. Whether we are talking fast lifts, fantastic accommodation or exceptional restaurants, French ski resorts have the whole package.
One of the charms of skiing and snowboarding in France is the purpose-built mountain villages that offer on-slope accommodation. France has some of the highest ski towns in the world that not only guarantee snow throughout the season but also have a party atmosphere. Although some French ski towns are lamented for their ugly architecture (Flaine, Les Menuires) you can’t fault the location and access to door-step skiing.
A real selling point for French skiing is the large number of combined ski areas. These ski areas combine individual resorts on one lift pass allowing you to ski between the neighbouring resorts. Ski areas like the Three Valleys, Grand Massif, Paradiski and Portes Du Soleil combine huge amounts of terrain which not only makes for a diverse ski area but also exceptional value.
FRENCH MULTI-RESORT PASSES
France offers nowhere near the value of Multi-Resort Ski Passes that can be found in North America or even neighbouring Switzerland with their Magic Pass. It is worth noting that a weeks skiing in the 3 Valleys is included on Vail Resorts Epic Pass, something that I have taken advantage of during a trip to Val Thorens. Additionally, IKON Pass holders benefit from 7 days skiing at Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley further to their numerous North American holder benefits. Realistically, there isn’t a major ski pass that will combine the resorts of France, however France does hold an ace up its sleeve… MEGA RESORTS.
France’s Mega Resorts like; Les 3 Valleys, Paradiski, Grand Massif, Espace Killy, Grand Domaine Alp d’Huez, Porter Du Soleil, and Les Seybelles offer skiing and snowboarding at multiple local resorts on one lift pass. Even more, these mega resorts are so well interconnected with great infrastructure such as modern lifts and transport routes it is possible to ski multiple resorts in one day.
Sadly, these French ski resorts know that they are offering a great package and they charge accordingly. A season pass for Les 3 Vallees for example is over €1300 but covers the 8 local ski resorts. Some value can be found in resorts that offer early bird discounts with the Grand Massif holding a sale before December that means season passes can be bought for half price.
Although there isn’t a one pass to rule them all like the Epic Pass or Magic Pass in France, France does offer multi-resort skiing. My advice is buy your passes early to save the most money.
THE FRENCH SKI SEASON
France offers a long winter of skiing usually starting in November at some of the higher ski resorts such as Val Thorens with the season getting into full swing in mid-December. The ski season in France tends to last into the middle of April with a couple of key exceptions. Les 2 Alpes and Val d’Isere are both open for summer skiing, although the dates for this are being adjusted to preserve the glaciers. One thing is sure that throughout winter France offers skiers plenty of options for snow sure ski resorts to make for a great ski and snowboard holiday.
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Saint Sorlin d'Arves Ski Resort Guide
Saint Sorlin d’Arves is a modest ski resort that goes under the radar of its larger neighbours in the French Alps. With a quiet village steeped in history and tradition Saint Sorlin is more than just a ski holiday. A bonus, Saint Sorlin is linked via chairlift to surrounding Les Seybelles resorts allowing access to 144 slopes and 310km of trails on the same lift pass. The Les Seybelles region consists of Saint Sorlin d’Arves, Le Corbier, Saint Jean d’Arves, Saint Colomban des Villards, La Toussuire and Les Bottières and forms one of the Top 10 largest ski resorts in the world. .
SAINT SORLIN FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Approaching Saint Sorlin d’Arves can feel surreal compared to arriving in other well-known French Alps resorts. The resort feels calm and there is little hustle or nightlife. On our trip, we were based in the village a short walk from the slopes and there was a solitary bar nearby. It was hard to tell if this was due to being a pre-Christmas trip and maybe the village wasn’t quite in full swing but the quietness was also reflected on the slopes. With no lift lines or crowds, it was easy to enjoy the skiing on offer in Saint Sorlin.
SAINT SORLIN SKI AREA
The local area of Saint Sorlin d’Arves has 44 runs with a slight bias towards beginner terrain with 27 green or blue pistes. The 17 red and black runs offer some challenge, however experts will want to ensure they get the Les Seybelles lift pass so they can explore the wider ski region.
Stating that Saint Sorlin d’Arves is mainly suitable for beginners would do the area a disservice as we were able to find some interesting spots away from the piste to explore. Not only was the slackcountry incredibly enjoyable but it certainly felt as if we had less competition for powder turns than at other French ski resorts.
Within the boundry of Saint Sorlin d’Arves, it is possible to ski 1000m of vertical drop between Les 3 Lacs (2620m) and the village (1600m). Close to the village the La Balme (2240m) area has many chilled green pistes which meander their way back to the village lifts. Rather strangely this seemingly gentle area is also home to the Bartavelle black piste, but ensure you are comfortable riding drag lifts to re-enter the resort from here.
The Vallons run from Les 3 Lacs is a long blue that leads to Chalets D’Olle and the access points to the remainder of the Seybelles region. Those looking for a higher concentration of red runs should head towards Le Corbier where there are some excellent options.
The real beauty of the combined ski areas like Les Seybelles, Paradiski, Portes du Soleil and the Three Valleys is the option to explore multiple ski resorts on one lift pass. Despite not being a big-name ski area, Les Seybelles sits within one of the ten largest combined ski areas in the world. The 310kms of pistes accessible from Saint Sorlin d’Arves make this one of the must visit ski resorts in Europe.
SAINT SORLIN D’ARVES GALLERY
SAINT SORLIN PROS
Saint Sorlin offers a quiet alternative to overcrowded French Alps Resorts
Access to the whole Les Seybelles region is possible using just one lift pass.
Lots of beginner and intermediate terrain coupled with quiet slopes make Saint Sorlin d’Arves a great place to learn.
Ski in - Ski Out accommodation is possible to find in Saint Sorlin
SAINT SORLIN CONS
Five Black runs could be seen as too few for a more advanced skier
Saint Sorlin sits on the edge of the Les Seybelles region meaning skiing over to St Colomban Des Villards can be tiresome.
WHERE IS SAINT SORLIN D’ARVES
Saint Sorlin d’Arves is located in the Maurienne Valley in the French Alps. The resort of Saint Sorlin and the rest of Les Seybelles are located close to the border of Italy a short drive from the city of Turin. You will access Saint Sorlin via St Jean de Maurienne which is around half an hour from the ski resort village.
TRAVEL TO SAINT SORLIN SKI RESORT
Saint Sorlin is accessible from both Chambery and Grenoble airports which offer direct flights into London and other major European cities. Located in the Maurienne Valley the village of Saint Sorlin d’Arves is 104km from Chambery Airport which has the closest transfer. Grenoble and Lyon are 177km and 180km away respectively.
TRAIN TO SAINT SORLIN SKI RESORT
Arriving to Saint Sorlin d’Arves by train is an option for both domestic and international travellers. The nearest train station to Saint Sorlin is Saint Jean de Maurienne which is conveniently linked to Paris, Chambéry and Turin. On arrival to the station a direct transfer shuttle can be taken to the resort. You can search for the latest train prices here.
OTHER FRENCH SKI RESORTS
SAINT SORLIN ACCOMMODATION
Saint Sorlin d’Arves is a ski village that offers a calmer more traditional base for your ski holiday. Throughout Les Seybelles there are six villages and although Saint Sorlin’s neighbours may offer more nightlife, I enjoyed the quiet base that Saint Sorlin offers. The majority of the accommodation on offer is self-catering apartments, with modern chalets accompanied by exceptional views of the surrounding mountains.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SAINT SORLIN D’ARVES
Saint Sorlin d’Arves is a resort that I would be keen to revisit. The lack of crowds is a real draw especially when compared to other French ski resorts. The pistes are great, with some super fun side country. With the option to explore further across the Les Seybelles region, there is plenty here to discover.