Posted on 12 July 2024
Look no further than glacier skiing in France for an unforgettable adventure. Nestled in the breathtaking Alps, France boasts of stunning glacier resorts with towering peaks, pristine snow, and spectacular views. Skiing on these majestic glaciers offers unique experiences for both seasoned skiers and beginners alike.
This blog post will explore the top glacier ski destinations, ideal times to visit and tips to make the most of your alpine adventure. Whether craving thrilling runs or soaking in awe-inspiring scenery, glacier skiing promises an exhilarating escape into winter wonderland. Grab your gear, and let’s dive into this icy paradise!
Where to Go for Glacier Skiing in France
Beautiful Scenery in Tignes
Thanks to the Grande Motte and impressive art lift systems, Tignes is a winter and summer destination. Standing at an exceptional altitude, this Glacier offers an incredible experience when you ski from the top to Val Claret, 1365 metres down.
With vast slopes and various difficulty levels, Grande Mottee caters to beginners and advanced skiers alike. Boasting fantastic ski lifts, cross-country skiing is also popular for enjoying gliding through snow-covered terrain.
The Funicular Perce Neige transportation system operates from June to July during the operation hours of 06:45 to 16:05 But besides exhilarating skiing opportunities, the panoramic restaurant provides 360-degree mountain landscape views, and delightful culinary experiences, allowing guests to savour the delectable flavours while admiring the breathtaking scenery.
Get ready, because the mountain views in Tignes are spectacular. Towering peaks, dramatic cliffs, and pristine snow display the best of nature’s wonders. Whether hiking or mountain biking, you will enjoy this alpine destination. (More about Tignes in France.)
Les Deux Alpes – The Largest Glacier Ski Area
Les Deux Alpes, also known as Les 2 Alpes, offers a short but fantastic summer season, and exceptional winter skiing. Situated in the Isère department, Les 2 Alpes features Mont-de-Lans Glacier with 11 summer slopes. Mont-de-lans offers year-round skiing conditions, but lifts generally open from July to September. The funicular railway takes skiers up to 3450 meters for amazing views of Mont Blanc and Alpe D’Huez, while glacier skiing happens on Girose and Mont de Lans glaciers from 2900 to 3600 meters.
Also, expect 410 hectares of runs and a maximum vertical drop of 2300 meters. We are talking about one of the Alp’s highest peaks. Meanwhile, the snow park features a superpipe, airbag and rails, tables, and freestyle modules. There are two different T bar lifts for shorter waiting times, and it is one of Europe’s best snow parks.
Aside from that, red, blue, and green runs, with a majority being blue are serviced by two chair lifts, two gondolas, one cable car, and the funicular mentioned above. Buying the pass will get you between a half-day and 15 days of access, including the bike park.
Alpine Experts Love Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère summer alpine village in Tarentaise Valley is a popular summer and winter sports resort with modern facilities. Val D’Isère, in France’s southeastern region in the Sasvoie department near Italy’s border, is 282 kilometres (175 miles) southeast of Lyon, and getting there is easy.
Renowned as one of France’s top ski destinations with iconic peaks, Val d’Isère offers winter wonderland experiences for avid skiers and leisure visitors. However, Val d’Isère also boasts vibrant après-ski scenes, excellent cable car facilities, and many activities for visitors to enjoy.
The glacier ski season revolves around Pisaillas skiable Glacier, previously called Grand Pisaillas, in Savoie, France, near the Italian border in Haute-Maurienne. Situated on the western side of Aiguille Pers and Pointe du Montet facing Col de l’Iseran to the west, Pisaillas Glacier is within Bonneval-sur-Arc, part of the Val-d’Isère ski area.
Sitting at over 3000 metres in Vanoise National Park, the summer season runs from mid-June to mid-July. However, check opening and closing dates because they change yearly according to conditions and snow reliability. You can buy ski passes for the summer ski season at the base of Cascade chairlift in Col de l’Iseran, and opening hours are typically from 7 am to 12 pm.
At the top, Les Montets lift reaches the highest point of 3197 metres, from which you can also see Rande Motte in Tignes. Enjoy yourself on the three winter pistes of Combe du géant, Montets and Moraine. For skiing on green and red slopes to the height, the summer sun soon turns the snow to slush, so get there early.
On your way down, stop at the Cascade Mountain restaurant at the Col de l’Iseran base. Note: Professional teams reserve the Pisaillas, Roche, Champions, and Aiguille-Perse tracks for training. Such is the reputation of this area; summer skiing has been happening since the late 1960s, proving its worth alongside the typical winter season.
Its lack of crowds sets Val d’Isère apart from other summer destinations. While other popular ski resorts can become overcrowded and chaotic during summer, Val d’Isère remains refreshingly tranquil. Skiers can enjoy the slopes without the usual long lift queues, allowing for uninterrupted skiing. (More about this French Alps destination.)
Alpe d’Huez and Adrenaline-packed Adventures
Alpe d’Huez is famous for extensive slopes, natural snow, and sunny weather. During summer, skiing is available on the Sarenne Glacier, which offers well-maintained summer conditions. As one of France’s largest skiable glaciers, it provides various runs for different skill levels from late June to early August.
With mixed terrain, including wide slopes for beginners and more challenging runs for advanced skiers, skiing at Sarenne offers breathtaking panoramic views. Many professional ski teams use the summer training camps to take advantage of reliable snow.
Alpe d’Huez stunning views, diverse terrain, and reliable snow conditions make it an excellent destination for casual skiers and professionals looking to extend their season. Whether you’re hitting the slopes for fun or training, this is paradise for skiers.
Beautiful Peaks of Les 3 Vallées Glacier
Les 3 Vallées encompasses several interconnected resorts, including Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens. It features various glaciers and an array of winter and summer skiing facilities. As Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens is part of the incredible Three Valleys and offers skiers access to Péclet Glacier. With over 600 kilometres of slopes, it guarantees an adventurous experience.
Meanwhile, La Plagne entices skiers with the Bellecôte Glacier. This resort comprises ten villages where visitors enjoy stunning alpine views and excellent ski conditions. The Grand Tourmalet Pyrenees resort boasts of La Mongie Glacier. With stunning mountain views and reliable conditions, it is an excellent choice for glacial experiences.
Sainte Foy is in Tarentaise Valley and features the Le Monal Glacier. It’s off-piste options, and untouched slopes attract skiers seeking pristine skiing environments. Located in Chamonix Valley, Les Houches is near Bossons Glacier. Its stunning panoramic views of Mont Blanc and high-quality slopes make it popular for skiers and nature enthusiasts.
What is Glacier Skiing?
Glacier skiing, an exhilarating experience that allows ski enthusiasts to glide over pristine snowfields, even during summer, is not for the faint-hearted. This adrenaline-fueled activity occurs on glaciers and combines breathtaking scenery with challenging terrain, attracting recreational skiers and professional athletes.
Think skiing on snow-covered glaciers, which are large masses of ice formed from accumulated snowfall over centuries. These glaciers are worldwide and include the Alps, Andes, and Rockies. The skiing experience on glaciers is distinct from traditional downhill skiing due to the unique environment, snow conditions, fantastic views, and challenges.
Summer skiing on glaciers often means fewer crowds compared to traditional ski resorts in winter. Skiers can enjoy more space and less competition for runs. Many professional ski teams and athletes choose glaciers for summer training camps, because the consistent snow provides an ideal environment for honing skills and preparing for competitive seasons.
Glaciers provide good conditions and excellent terrain. The morning snow is firmer and turns slushy as temperatures rise, allowing varied skiing experiences. As the sun heats, meltwater creates wet snow, which can be excellent for skiing but requires careful navigation to avoid deep slush.
Glacier skiing can be physically demanding, so preparing your body is essential. Focus on leg and core strength to help with stability and control while skiing on varied terrain. Many skiers also experience heightened awareness of environmental issues in these beautiful landscapes.
Other Glacier Skiing Destinations for Alpine Experiences
The Hintertux glacier in Austria, covering 60 kilometres and spanning 1500 to 3250 metres, is open 365 days a year. It is excellent for Autumn skiing and pleasant glacier hikes. The Stubai, Austria’s largest glacier ski area, is just 45 minutes from the airport. Meanwhile, choose from Saas Fee or Zermatt for the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Switzerland’s highest cable car station.
Another choice for more extended summer durations is in Valtellina. Passo Stelvio Glacier, with over 20 km of slopes, runs from late May to November. Such is the fame; famous ski champions flock to Passe Stelvio during the alpine summer sunshine to hone their skills.
The Titlis Glacier, near Engelberg in central Switzerland, is easily accessible via the Titlis Rotair cable car, which provides breathtaking views. It reaches an altitude of about 3,020 meters (9,882 feet). The Titlis Cliff Walk suspension bridge extends over the Glacier, offering spectacular views. At the same time, the Ice Flyer Chairlift transports visitors.
Presena Glacier, in the Italian Adamello-Presanella mountain range, is near Passo del Tonale resort. It reaches an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) and ensures reliable snow coverage throughout the year. It spans around 5 kilometres and provides beautiful views of the Adamello and Ortles-Cevedale Mountain ranges.
The snow park, with various jumps and obstacles, caters to different skill levels for freestyle skiers. Like many glaciers worldwide, Presena Glacier is affected by climate change, and the retreat indicates environmental shifts. It is ideal for skiing from June to September, offering unique opportunities to ski when most resorts close. The Glacier is accessible from Passo del Tonale, with convenient connections via cable cars and lifts. So, as you can see, glacier skiing in France is great fun, but you might also like to read our article about the best ski resort in the world.