French snowboarding is fantastic. Each resort delivers for different riders and is welcoming to snowboarders on the slopes. If you’re looking to drop into some deep powder or cruise on wide-open pistes, there’s something for everyone. Our experts have created a guide to the best snowboarding in France.
Alpe d’Huez
Conditions are superb in Alpe d’Huez for most of the season due to its high altitude of 1,860m-3,330m. This is why the ski resort has some of the best snowboarding in France. If you’re searching for excellent freeride opportunities the open powder field of Le Grand Sablat and Cheminées du Macles couloirs are great spots to ride. There’s also an impressive 250km of slopes to enjoy too. All of which can be accessed with a brilliant lift network. There’s also a giant snowpark if you’re a thrill-seeker.
Avoriaz
Part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, Avoriaz is an excellent destination for snowboarders. It’s truly a winter playground with 600km of pistes and fantastic off-piste terrain to explore. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced rider there’s something for everyone. The lift network is state-of-the-art and there are brilliant beginner areas to progress. The Stash Park is a unique fun park in the treeline with specialised features to try tricks on. Freeriders will enjoy the many powder pockets across the ski resorts in the area.
Chamonix
Top snowboarders from around the world love to ride in Chamonix. Its challenging freeride terrain is unique to the area and is a major pull to professional riders. If you buy a full lift pass you can ride 150km of perfectly groomed pistes. The terrain on-piste is yet again mainly suited to an advanced rider with many steep slopes to try. If you’re a freestyler, head to the Grands Montets glacier where there’s an excellent snow park and halfpipe. Regular contests are held throughout the season in the park and halfpipe.
Courchevel
Located in the Three Valleys ski area, Courchevel has some of the best snowboarding in France. As part of the largest ski area in the world, you can ride an incredible 600km of slopes. So if you’re a first-time snowboarder or an advanced rider, there’s something for different levels. If you head up to the 1650 area there’s great cliff drops and powder bowls to try with a mountain guide. Under the Plantrey chairlift, there are great kickers and two halfpipes if you’re a freestyler.
Flaine
If you have a relaxed carving style of riding, Flaine is the ideal snowboarding destination for you. There are plenty of long fast runs with lots of cruisey blues and some steeper red runs. For more advanced snowboarders there are great freeride opportunities within Flaine. There are great hidden tree runs and steep powder bowls to explore with a local mountain guide. Freestylers will love the Jampark in Aujon or the snowpark in Les Carroz.
Les Arcs
Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski area and has 425km of slopes to ride. If you’re a beginner snowboarder there are great nursery slopes and gradual terrain. For more intermediate to advanced riders, there’s also steeper terrain to carve on. Freeriders will be very pleased in Les Arcs with great terrain in Arcs 2000 and Peisey-Vallandry. If you want to try tricks, Les Arcs has a large snowpark with many rails, kickers and jumps. A welcoming ski resort for snowboarders of different levels and preferences.
Les Deux Alpes
Snowboarders will enjoy Les Deux Alpes because of the fantastic snow conditions. It has the second-largest glacier in France and a high altitude of 1,650m-3,570m. Beginners can enjoy blue slopes at the top of the mountain but there’s steeper terrain heading back to the village. The resort is mainly suited to intermediate and advanced riders. On a powder day, there’s great terrain to explore with a mountain guide in La Grave. Les Deux Alpes also has some of the best freestyle facilities in the country. You can enjoy the boxes rails and kickers for all levels and halfpipe and super-pipe.
Méribel
Another resort in the Three Valleys that makes our best snowboarding in France list is Méribel. You can explore an impressive 600km of slopes in the area, with a state-of-the-art lift network to other resorts. Freeriders will enjoy the diverse terrain in the Mont Vallon and Saulire peaks, or you can head higher to Val Thorens. There are brilliant two terrain parks too, with rails, boxes and kickers. On top of that, there are four half-pipes to drop into too.
Serre Chevalier
Considered the hidden gem of the Southern French Alps, Serre Chevalier is fantastic for snowboarding. For a relatively unknown resort, it has an impressive 250km of pistes to explore if you buy a full lift pass. Beginners have easy access to nursery slopes and blue slopes. There’s also plenty of terrain for intermediates and advanced riders. Freeriders will enjoy the off-piste as there’s lots of lift-served terrain to enjoy.
Tignes
Part of the Espace Killy ski area, Tignes is an excellent winter destination for snowboarders. If you buy a full lift pass you can enjoy 300km of slopes. There are excellent lift connections to neighbouring Val d’Isere. If you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced rider, you’ll enjoy your time. For freeride opportunities, head to the long powder-runs such as the Aiguille Percee to Tignes Les Brevieres. Freestylers will be in their element with a 2km snow park that has features, a pro pipe and a boardercross course.
Val d’Isère
Like neighbouring resort Tignes, Val d’Isère is fantastic for snowboarders. Whether you’re a first-time rider or an advanced powder hound, you’ll have a great experience on the mountain. There are plenty of powder bowls and drop-ins to enjoy in the area. If you’re looking for jumps and rails, Val d’Isère has an excellent snow park to enjoy. On top of this, you have access to an impressive 300km of slopes.
To find out more about the best snowboarding in France, please call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
