The ski areas of the Alps open their slopes from the end of November or beginning of December! We have listed for you the opening dates and the main events that will mark the season. So, get on the slopes!
Alpe d'Huez
From December 2, 2022 to April 21, 2024
Between the Moguls World Cup on December 15 and 16, the Alpe d'Huez Ski Marathon (January 7), the International Comedy Film Festival of Alpe d'Huez (January 15 to 21) without forgetting the new edition of Tomorrowland Winter (March 16 to 23) or the Sarenne Snowbike (April 21), the season promises to be exciting in the resort of Oisans, in Isère.
Alpe d'Huez (External link)
Avoriaz
From December 15, 2023 to April 21, 2024
Rock On Snow celebrates the opening of the season with concerts, introductions to winter sports and special packages, before the spectacular Freeride World Qualifer in January, followed by the Rock The Piste and Snowboxx Red music festivals in March, and the Challenge des Moniteurs at the end of the season (April 13-21, 2024). A cocktail of emotions in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area.
Avoriaz (External link)
Courchevel
From December 2, 2023 to April 21, 2024
In addition to the festive events that punctuate the winter season such as the International Festival of Fireworks (February 15 to March 7) or La Folie Douce Courchevel Festival (April), the resort of the 3 Valleys ski area will host this year, with Meribel, the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2023. For the second year in a row, experienced skiers will compete in the Winter Legacy By Alexis Pinturault (April 6).
Courchevel (External link)
La Clusaz
From December 16th 2023 to April 14th 2023
Trail on snow for sportsmen with the second edition of the Bélier Blanc (January 12 to 13), animations for families with the carnival (February 13), the Christmas Pestacles (December 23 to 5 January) and the Good Vibes Week (March 17 to 22) as well as a festive program at the end of the season with the Radio Meuh Circus Festival (4th to 7th April), the winter is going to be joyful in La Clusaz, one of the closest ski resorts of Annecy.
La Clusaz (External link)
La Plagne
From December 16th 2023 to April 27th 2024
Winter will be more sporty than ever in La Plagne with no less than 4 ski touring competitions organized day and night in the different villages of the Tarentaise resort, not to mention the Ice Climbing World Cup (January 18 to 20) and the Super Slalom, a 4km event bringing together amateurs and professionals in the discipline. Families will not be left out with the seventh edition of Subli'Cimes (April 6 to 11) and its many activities at altitude to awaken the senses of children (and adults!)
La Plagne (External link)
The Rosiere
From December 16th 2023 to April 20th 2024
For the first time, the Espace San Bernardo ski area is organizing a golf tournament on snow for professionals and amateurs (April 2024). Other highlights of the season include the Magic of Christmas (December 24 to 26, 2023) and the Great Easter Egg Hunt for families and gourmets (April 1st). As for sportsmen, several events are dedicated to them such as La Rosière Trail Blanc (February 9), the Balade du Roc Noir, a night ski touring race (January 23) or the Safety Shred Days by Victor Daviet (January 10 to 14), an event much awaited by free-riders.
La Rosière (External link)
Les 2 Alpes
From December 2nd 2023 to April 28th 2024
The winter begins on the hats of wheels in Les 2 Alpes with an event dedicated to the new glides: The Snowboard cross World Cup (December 1st and 2nd). For the end of the year festivities, the spirit of Christmas will take over the Oisans resort from December 19 to 31 with parades, music, giant puppets and illuminated characters. Other festive events include the Rise festival (December 9-15) and a concert by the group C2C at an altitude of 3200 m, on the 2 Alpes glacier. The Night Snow Trail, which celebrates its 10th anniversary (January 20), is a must for night trail enthusiasts.
Les 2 Alpes (External link)
Les Arcs - Bourg Saint Maurice
From December 16th 2023 to April 27th 2024
Everyone to the First Ascent of Les Arcs (December 9), a ski touring event that opens the winter season. Catch up on March 4th with La Belle Aventure des Arcs. For thrill-seekers and snowboarding enthusiasts, the European Big Air Ski and Snowboard Cup (Les Arcs Launch Pad) will be held from January 20 to 25, followed by highline, slackline and jumpline demonstrations (Les Arcs Winter Festilack). On the cultural side, the program is rich with Les Arcs Film Festival (December 16-23),
Don't miss the Electronic Peak Festival (March 17-22) and Les Arcs Design Week in from 3 to 5 April with a traveling exhibition in the villages of the resort and on the Paradiski ski area.
Les Arcs - Bourg Saint Maurice (External link)
Meribel
From December 2, 2023 to April 21, 2024
See you on December 16, 2023 for the Opening of Meribel and its futuristic show "Meribel in Lights", a season that promises to be exceptional in the 3 Valleys ski area with the organization of the Alpine World Ski Championships from March 22 to 23, 2024 in Meribel and Courchevel. The resort also offers a 100% relaxation program during the Zen Altitude Fortnight from April 9 to 12, 2024.
Méribel (External link)
Tignes
From November 25, 2023 to May 5, 2024
The winter season starts with a bang in Tignes on November 25 with the opening of the Tignes-Val d'Isère ski area and its 300 km of slopes and the Yeti Race the next day (unusual obstacle race). Among the sporting events this year, the World Cup of slopestyle skiing and the qualifying events for the Freeride World Cup in March. On the festive side, giant karaoke for New Year's Eve, the second edition of Mountain Shaker and the European Snowpride in March...and concerts in altitude all season long! The resort is not neglecting families, however, with the opening of a new Club Med residence designed for families and snow lessons for children as young as 3 years old... enough to honor the Family Plus label, which will be awarded in 2022.
Tignes (External link)
Val d'Isère
From December 2nd 2023 to May 5th 2024
The resort is organizing on December 2nd and 3rd a "Premières Traces" weekend to celebrate its opening. Also to be followed, the Magic of Christmas in December or Classicaval, the classical music festival of Val d'Isère in January and March. Sports events are also expected with the Critérium de la première neige (December 16-17), Altigliss (March 16-23) and the Scara (April 1-5).
Val d'Isère (External link)
Val Thorens
From November 25, 2023 to May 5, 2024
In Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe, winter is longer than elsewhere. We put on our skis from November 25, 2023, for La Grande Première, and we won't leave them until May 5, 2024, for La Grande Dernière which will close the season.
In the meantime, a host of major sporting events awaits visitors. Ski Mountaineering World Cup (November 24-26), E-Trophée Andros with electric vehicles (December 9-10), Val Tho Trail Snow (January 13), and many other festive events: Christmas and New Year activities, Carnival, Valentine's Day in the sky, and the 16th edition of Festi Val Tho (Electro festival).
Serre-Chevalier
From December 9 to April 14, 2024
You can hit the slopes at Serre-Chevalier from 9 December and celebrate Les Premières Glisses in the evening with a big Sound of Legend DJ set concert. And this year, the resort in the southern Alps is hosting the twentieth Snowkite Masters (2-4 February) with introductory sessions. Other events not to be missed include the Altitude Jazz Festival in January, the Serre Che Snow Trail (20-21 January), the Mondial du Monoski (2 February) and the Grand Prix de Serre Chevalier (22 March)!
Serre-Chevalier (External link)
Vars
From 16 December 2023 to 7 April 2024
The season opens in Vars on 16 December with the Vars en Scène concert, this year with the singer Jain, followed by the opening of the ski resort and its 185 kilometres of pistes. The season also promises to be a sporting one, with the Outdoormix Winter Festival (19-21 January), the Speed Ski World Cup (24-29 January) and the Speed Masters (16-29 March).
Vars (External link)
Suggestions and advice :
Do you love skiing, beautiful landscapes and a warm atmosphere despite the winter cold? The ski resorts of the Alps tick all your boxes, both on and off the slopes! However, it's important to realise that if you want to enjoy winter sports in the mountains for a long time to come, you need to adopt a few small gestures and new habits to protect the mountains and their ecosystem. Here are a few ideas: take the train or shuttle bus (which are becoming increasingly popular) to get to your resort, choose eco-friendly addresses, support local producers and enjoy seasonal products to reduce your carbon footprint... And when you are outdoors, keep to the marked areas so as not to damage biodiversity (flora and fauna). 1, 2, 3, ski!
Learn more :
- Find more resorts on France Montagnes (External link)
- Go with the program "Départ 18 - 25" of the ANCV (External link) , an operation to help disadvantaged people go on vacation.