Where to ski at Christmas? The resorts you can count on in December
101 resorts have had at least 30 cm of snow on the ground in December in more than 4 winters out of 5 over the past twenty years. La Forêt Blanche leads: 100% of winters, 89 cm on average.
The Christmas holidays fall at the very start of the season: this is when the choice of resort makes the biggest difference. For each resort we looked, winter after winter since 2005, at how often the ground carried at least 30 cm of snow in December — the depth from which natural pistes ski properly.
The resorts below manage it in more than 4 winters out of 5. Unsurprisingly, altitude rules: 24 of them have a village above 1,800 m, and they break down as follows: Northern Alps (81), Southern Alps (16), Pyrenees (4). The “December” column gives the average depth and the share of successful winters, at the altitude shown in “measured at”: a nearby Météo-France station, or failing that an estimate from reanalysis (marked “model”).
These figures are averages: any given winter can contradict the statistic either way. As the holidays approach, the day’s snow report and the webcams on each resort page are what count.
Click a column heading to sort. Resorts with no reading stay at the bottom.
| # | Resort | Range | Snow in December | Measured at | Village | Pistes | Day pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Forêt Blanche | Southern Alps | 89 cm · 100% | 1,855 m | 1,660 m | 71 km | — |
| 2 | Vars La Forêt Blanche | Southern Alps | 89 cm · 100% | 1,855 m | 1,860 m | 87 km | €58 |
| 3 | Lanslevillard | Northern Alps | 79 cm · 100% | 2,101 m | 1,478 m | 67 km | €50 |
| 4 | Val Cenis | Northern Alps | 79 cm · 100% | 2,101 m | 1,466 m | 76 km | — |
| 5 | La Norma | Northern Alps | 75 cm · 100% | 1,958 m | 1,387 m | 62 km | — |
| 6 | Valfréjus | Northern Alps | 75 cm · 100% | 1,958 m | 1,545 m | 45 km | — |
| 7 | Bonneval sur Arc | Northern Alps | 67 cm · 100% | 1,830 m | 1,815 m | 31 km | — |
| 8 | Montgenèvre Voie lactée | Southern Alps | 67 cm · 100% | 2,134 m | 1,860 m | 232 km | — |
| 9 | La Grave | Southern Alps | 100 cm · 99% | 1,523 m (model) | 1,135 m | 55 km | — |
| 10 | Le Chazelet | Southern Alps | 100 cm · 99% | 1,783 m (model) | 1,783 m | 22 km | — |
| 11 | Bernex | Northern Alps | 59 cm · 98% | 1,535 m | 985 m | 24 km | — |
| 12 | La Chapelle d'Abondance Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 59 cm · 98% | 1,535 m | 999 m | 23 km | — |
| 13 | Thollon-les-Mémises | Northern Alps | 59 cm · 98% | 1,535 m | 1,622 m | 22 km | — |
| 14 | Aime 2000 La Plagne | Northern Alps | 97 cm · 97% | 2,111 m (model) | 2,100 m | 251 km | €58 |
| 15 | Champagny-en-Vanoise Paradiski | Northern Alps | 97 cm · 97% | 1,234 m (model) | 960 m | 57 km | — |
| 16 | Aussois | Northern Alps | 95 cm · 97% | 1,489 m (model) | 1,120 m | 43 km | — |
| 17 | Orelle Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 93 cm · 97% | 987 m (model) | 819 m | 19 km | — |
| 18 | Brides-les-Bains Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 89 cm · 97% | 588 m (model) | 556 m | 6 km | — |
| 19 | Saint-Martin-de-Belleville Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 86 cm · 97% | 1,370 m (model) | 640 m | 82 km | — |
| 20 | Val Thorens Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 82 cm · 97% | 2,356 m | 2,300 m | 425 km | — |
| 21 | Arc 1800 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 103 cm · 96% | 1,701 m (model) | — | 300 km | — |
| 22 | Arc 2000 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 103 cm · 96% | 2,127 m (model) | 2,145 m | 324 km | — |
| 23 | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 97 cm · 96% | 1,048 m (model) | 1,048 m | 35 km | — |
| 24 | Saint-Gervais-les-Bains Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 96 cm · 96% | 834 m (model) | 571 m | 32 km | — |
| 25 | Bourg Saint Maurice Paradiski | Northern Alps | 94 cm · 96% | 815 m (model) | 815 m | 17 km | — |
| 26 | Montchavin Paradiski | Northern Alps | 94 cm · 96% | 1,187 m (model) | 1,200 m | 137 km | — |
| 27 | Peisey-Vallandry Paradiski | Northern Alps | 94 cm · 96% | 1,351 m (model) | 1,351 m | 211 km | — |
| 28 | Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval Grand Massif | Northern Alps | 84 cm · 96% | 786 m (model) | 728 m | 22 km | — |
| 29 | Le Monêtier-les-Bains Serre Chevalier | Southern Alps | 97 cm · 95% | 1,465 m (model) | 1,465 m | 59 km | — |
| 30 | Combloux Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 79 cm · 94% | 993 m (model) | 720 m | 43 km | — |
| 31 | La Toussuire Les Sybelles | Northern Alps | 77 cm · 94% | 1,723 m (model) | 1,723 m | 105 km | — |
| 32 | Bisanne 1500 Espace Diamant | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 94% | 1,636 m | 1,500 m | 56 km | — |
| 33 | Le Cernix Espace Diamant | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 94% | 1,636 m | 1,240 m | 86 km | — |
| 34 | Les Saisies Espace Diamant | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 94% | 1,636 m | 1,650 m | 129 km | €52 |
| 35 | La Plagne Vallée La Plagne | Northern Alps | 83 cm · 93% | 686 m (model) | 686 m | 20 km | €58 |
| 36 | Barèges Grand Tourmalet | Pyrenees | 72 cm · 93% | 1,740 m | 1,472 m | 22 km | — |
| 37 | Domaine du Tourmalet | Pyrenees | 72 cm · 93% | 1,740 m | 2,116 m | 65 km | €55 |
| 38 | La Mongie Grand Tourmalet | Pyrenees | 72 cm · 93% | 1,740 m | 1,785 m | 55 km | €55 |
| 39 | La Flégère | Northern Alps | 96 cm · 92% | 1,850 m | 1,900 m | 61 km | — |
| 40 | Les Grands Montets Grands Montets | Northern Alps | 72 cm · 91% | 1,970 m | 1,951 m | 50 km | — |
| 41 | Planpraz | Northern Alps | 72 cm · 91% | 1,970 m | 2,000 m | 51 km | — |
| 42 | Hauteluce Val Joly Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 75 cm · 89% | 1,780 m | 1,239 m | 59 km | — |
| 43 | Les Contamines Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 75 cm · 89% | 1,780 m | 1,955 m | 76 km | — |
| 44 | Les Contamines-Montjoie Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 75 cm · 89% | 1,780 m | 1,199 m | 42 km | €45 |
| 45 | Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 75 cm · 89% | 1,780 m | 1,164 m | 72 km | — |
| 46 | Les Boisses Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 89% | 2,080 m | 1,820 m | 80 km | — |
| 47 | Tignes Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 89% | 2,080 m | 1,440 m | 221 km | €78 |
| 48 | Tignes Le Lavachet Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 89% | 2,080 m | 2,099 m | 225 km | — |
| 49 | Tignes le Lac Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 89% | 2,080 m | 2,100 m | 222 km | — |
| 50 | Val Claret Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 69 cm · 89% | 2,080 m | 2,110 m | 204 km | — |
| 51 | Le Mourtis | Pyrenees | 49 cm · 89% | 1,456 m | 1,411 m | 14 km | — |
| 52 | Arc 1600 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 85 cm · 88% | 2,040 m | 1,604 m | 185 km | — |
| 53 | Arc 1950 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 85 cm · 88% | 2,040 m | 2,048 m | 337 km | €76 |
| 54 | Termignon | Northern Alps | 83 cm · 87% | 1,295 m (model) | 1,295 m | 30 km | — |
| 55 | Serre Chevalier Serre Chevalier | Southern Alps | 81 cm · 87% | 1,401 m (model) | 2,491 m | 191 km | — |
| 56 | Arvieux | Southern Alps | 72 cm · 87% | 1,686 m (model) | 1,686 m | 10 km | — |
| 57 | Molines-en-Queyras | Southern Alps | 69 cm · 87% | 1,784 m (model) | 1,625 m | 23 km | — |
| 58 | Orcières Merlette 1850 | Southern Alps | 83 cm · 86% | 2,130 m | 1,850 m | 49 km | — |
| 59 | Le Freney-d'Oisans Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 73 cm · 86% | 924 m (model) | 871 m | 32 km | — |
| 60 | Les Deux Alpes | Northern Alps | 73 cm · 86% | 1,656 m (model) | 1,650 m | 109 km | — |
| 61 | Alpe d'Huez Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 66 cm · 86% | 1,860 m | 1,860 m | 136 km | — |
| 62 | Oz-en-Oisans Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 66 cm · 86% | 1,860 m | 1,350 m | 112 km | — |
| 63 | Sainte-Anne-la-Condamine | Southern Alps | 61 cm · 86% | 1,824 m (model) | 1,824 m | 17 km | €26.50 |
| 64 | La Joue du Loup Dévoluy | Southern Alps | 47 cm · 86% | 1,915 m | 1,450 m | 63 km | — |
| 65 | Superdévoluy Dévoluy | Southern Alps | 47 cm · 86% | 1,915 m | 1,487 m | 74 km | — |
| 66 | Roche Béranger Chamrousse | Northern Alps | 92 cm · 85% | 2,022 m | 1,750 m | 51 km | — |
| 67 | Abondance Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 74 cm · 85% | 1,635 m | 1,096 m | 23 km | — |
| 68 | Avoriaz Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 74 cm · 85% | 1,635 m | 985 m | 176 km | — |
| 69 | Linga - Pré La Joux | Northern Alps | 74 cm · 85% | 1,635 m | 1,407 m | 66 km | — |
| 70 | Super-Châtel Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 74 cm · 85% | 1,635 m | 1,407 m | 66 km | — |
| 71 | Courchevel Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,746 m | 313 km | — |
| 72 | Courchevel 1850 Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,760 m | 317 km | — |
| 73 | Courchevel Le Praz Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,264 m | 184 km | — |
| 74 | Courchevel Moriond Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,584 m | 254 km | — |
| 75 | Courchevel Saint-Bon Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,105 m | 186 km | — |
| 76 | Courchevel Village Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,469 m | 244 km | — |
| 77 | La Tania Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,355 m | 154 km | — |
| 78 | Méribel-Les Allues Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 84% | 1,780 m | 1,140 m | 48 km | — |
| 79 | Risoul La Forêt Blanche | Southern Alps | 60 cm · 83% | 1,128 m (model) | 872 m | 15 km | — |
| 80 | Le Sauze | Southern Alps | 56 cm · 83% | 1,352 m (model) | 1,352 m | 42 km | — |
| 81 | La Rosière Espace San Bernardo | Northern Alps | 71 cm · 82% | 1,867 m | 1,844 m | 142 km | €59 |
| 82 | Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise | Northern Alps | 71 cm · 82% | 1,867 m | 1,633 m | 97 km | €46 |
| 83 | Chamrousse Chamrousse | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 82% | 1,725 m (model) | 1,384 m | 51 km | — |
| 84 | Le Recoin Chamrousse | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 82% | 1,665 m (model) | 1,650 m | 52 km | — |
| 85 | Col de Plainpalais | Northern Alps | 62 cm · 81% | 1,400 m | 1,173 m | 34 km | — |
| 86 | La Féclaz Savoie Grand Revard | Northern Alps | 62 cm · 81% | 1,400 m | 1,324 m | 15 km | — |
| 87 | Le Revard Savoie Grand Revard | Northern Alps | 62 cm · 81% | 1,400 m | 1,500 m | 15 km | — |
| 88 | Vaujany Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 50 cm · 81% | 1,720 m | 752 m | 28 km | — |
| 89 | La Daille Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 80% | 1,854 m | 1,800 m | 146 km | €78 |
| 90 | Le Fornet Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 80% | 1,854 m | 1,940 m | 106 km | €78 |
| 91 | Val-d'Isère Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 63 cm · 80% | 1,854 m | 1,785 m | 167 km | — |
| 92 | La Grande-Terche Roc d'Enfer | Northern Alps | 56 cm · 80% | 1,530 m | 1,482 m | 27 km | — |
| 93 | Les Gets Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 56 cm · 80% | 1,530 m | 1,170 m | 182 km | — |
| 94 | Morzine Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 56 cm · 80% | 1,530 m | 985 m | 105 km | — |
| 95 | Praz de Lys - Sommand | Northern Alps | 56 cm · 80% | 1,530 m | 1,462 m | 48 km | — |
| 96 | Roc d'Enfer Portes du Soleil | Northern Alps | 56 cm · 80% | 1,530 m | 943 m | 21 km | €41.50 |
| 97 | Crévoux | Southern Alps | 51 cm · 80% | 1,572 m (model) | 1,169 m | 26 km | — |
| 98 | Méribel Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 48 cm · 80% | 1,700 m | 1,418 m | 277 km | — |
| 99 | Méribel-Centre Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 48 cm · 80% | 1,700 m | 1,435 m | 318 km | — |
| 100 | Méribel-Mottaret Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 48 cm · 80% | 1,700 m | 1,450 m | 300 km | — |
| 101 | Méribel-Village Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 48 cm · 80% | 1,700 m | 1,942 m | 297 km | — |
Frequently asked questions
Which resorts are certain to have snow at Christmas?
Those with a high ski area: La Forêt Blanche (100% of winters), Vars (100% of winters), Lanslevillard (100% of winters), Val Cenis (100% of winters), La Norma (100% of winters), Valfréjus (100% of winters). No resort is guaranteed 100%: the statistic gives the odds, the day’s report gives the reality.
Above what altitude is snow reliable in December?
In this selection, half of the villages sit above 1,465 m, and the lowest at 556 m. Below 1,500 m, December remains a gamble in most ranges.
Does skiing at Christmas cost more?
Lift passes usually do not change price over the holidays, but accommodation does. The pass prices shown are those of the official price lists we have read; accommodation can be compared through the partners listed on each resort page.
Guides
Where to learn to ski? The resorts for beginnersWhere to ski in April? The resorts that hold on in springHigh-altitude ski resorts: snow you can count onSki touring: the resorts with waymarked uphill routesThe ski resorts with a snowparkCross-country skiing: the resorts and nordic areasSkiing without a car: the resorts you can reach by trainThe resorts with the Famille Plus labelThe resorts that are fun without skiing too Near a city All guides
Rankings
Ski resorts open today in FranceSnow depths in French ski resorts todayLift pass prices, resort by resortSki resorts for families and beginnersThe largest ski areas in FranceSki resorts for off-piste and freerideCheap skiing: the cheapest lift passes in FranceSki resorts with a lively après-ski: bars and nightclubsThe most upmarket ski resorts: 5-star hotels, spas and boutiquesValue for money: kilometres of pistes per euroThe longest ski runs in FranceThe highest ski lifts in FranceLive webcams in French ski resorts All ski resorts in France