The top 20 cheapest ski stations in France named in new study

A new study has revealed the 20 most affordable ski stations in France, including daily ski passes and the average cost of accommodation. 

The report by booking website Holidu has listed reviews stations throughout the country.

Read also: 2024-25 dates for ski slopes to open in French Alps and Pyrenees 

The company compiled the list using several criteria, including: 

• The size of the resort (more than 20 kilometres of pistes)

• The cost of a daily ski pass (a pass that grants you access to the mountain, including on ski lifts and pistes; mandatory if you are going to ski or snowboard)

• The average price of accommodation per person. 

Top 20 most affordable ski stations

The top 20 most affordable ski stations in France, by these criteria, are (lowest-cost first):

1. Réallon (Hautes-Alpes). With 40 kilometres of slopes located at between 1,560 and 2,146 m in altitude, this resort is the cheapest not only in France, but also Europe, at just €44.50 per day on average in high season, including ski pass and accommodation.

2. Roubion-les-Buisses (Alpes-Maritimes). With 30 kilometres of downhill skiing pistes and 12 of cross country skiing fields, this 1,400-1,920m-altitude station costs just €48 per day. Christmas skiers beware however: last year it did not open until February 27 due to a lack of snow.

3. Hautacam - Argelès-Gazost (Hautes-Pyrénées). With 26 km of pistes, this resort’s ski pass starts at just €22 per day, for an average cost of €48 including accommodation.

4. Crévoux (Hautes-Alpes). With 22 km of pistes you can access this resort for €49 per day including accommodation and ski pass from December 21.

5. Artouste - Laruns (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). This 27 km station also has snowboarding and moonbike pistes, as well as a spa and sauna space, for €49.50 per day, with a ski pass for €24.

6. Le Collet d’Allevard (Isère). With 35 kilometres of slopes and 11 ski lifts, this 70-year-old station costs on average €52 per day.

7. Pelvoux-Vallouise (Hautes-Alpes). A daily cost of €52.50 per day including ski pass and accommodation grants access to this 23-kilometre resort.

8. Lans en Vercors (Isère). Just 30 minutes away from Grenoble, this 23 km station costs just €54 per day, with a ski pass of €24.

9. Chabanon-Selonnet (Alpes de Haute-Provence). Stretching 40 km from 1,530 metres to 2,039 metres altitude, this varied resort costs €55 per day on average.

10. Le Mourtis (Haute-Garonne). This family-friendly resort opens on December 18, at €55.50 on average per day, of which the ski pass is €29 per person.

11. Ceillac en Queyras (Hautes-Alpes). This 25 km domain costs €57.50 per day.

12. Luchon-Superbagnères (Haute-Garonne). The super-accessible resort (just 90 minutes from Toulouse) will set you back €58 per day including accommodation.

13. Aillons-Margériaz (Savoie). With 40 km of slopes across two stations, this site will cost you €58.50 per day.

14. Gavarnie/Gèdre - Les Espécières (Hautes-Pyrénées). With 33 km of pistes and a bobsled luge track, this resort costs an average of €59.

15. Super Sauze (Alpes de Haute-Provence). With pistes from 1,700 to 2.400 metres altitude, this resort costs €60.50, with a ski pass for €37.

16. Guzet (Ariège). A small-but-sweet 40 km of pistes, for a daily average of €61.50.

17. Le Lioran (Cantal). Good for Christmas, with 60 km of slopes opening on December 21, for €62 per day including ski pass and accommodation.

18. Espace Villard Corrençon – Villard-de-Lans/Corrençon-en-Vercors (Isère). A huge 125 km of pistes, for €63.50 per day.

19. La Colmiane (Alpes-Maritimes). 30 km of pistes, for €63.50 per person per day.

20. Formiguères (Pyrénées-Orientales). With 22 km of pistes, and a daily pass at €39. Daily costs per person are €63.50.

The full list, which goes up to 30, can be seen on the Holidu website here.

Rising rates

In general, France has one of the lowest rates for ski passes in the world, show figures from ski operators’ union les Domaines Skiables de France. 

However, data still shows that the passes account for 16% of holidaymakers' budgets, making them the second-highest expense for ski holidays after accommodation.

In 2000 a ski pass cost an average of €22.90, figures show (adjusting for inflation), compared to €34.70 in 2024.

A ski pass at €500 a week 

Some resorts are clearly more expensive than others. 

For example, in Les Arcs, in the Tarentaise valley (Savoie), a basic pass costs €68 per day, or €348 for a week. The Premium Pass - which gives you unlimited access to the whole Paradiski area (425 km of pistes) and extra activities including a zip-line, swimming pool, and sledding - costs €85 a day, or €463 a week.

Yet, in Tignes, one of the earliest stations to open so far this year, visitors over the opening weekend were able to buy a ski pass at a promotional daily rate of €30, instead of the usual €60-70.

Read also: No snow: Largest ski resort in Pyrenees delays its opening date 

It comes as the largest ski station in the Pyrenees announced it was postponing its opening date by at least a week due to a lack of snow, and ski stations in France gradually open up for the new season.