Where to Ski and Ride in November in France?
With abundant snow in the French Alps in early November, it’s an ideal time to plan a skiing trip, as several ski resorts are opening their slopes this month. Here’s where you can ski in November and what the resorts offer:
- Bessans:
- Opening Dates: November 4, 2023 – April 7, 2024
- Known as a cross-country skiing paradise, Bessans is the first resort to open its trails in France. The Ski Nordic Opening Winter (S.N.O.W.) event starts on November 4, 2023. Thanks to snowmaking techniques, Bessans is once again the first non-glacier ski area to open in France. The resort welcomes visitors with a day of cross-country skiing, festivities, and activities, including a chance to meet the French national cross-country skiing and biathlon teams.
- Les 3 Vallées: Val Thorens and Orelle:
- Val Thorens Opening Dates: November 18, 2023 – May 5, 2024
- Orelle Opening Dates: November 25, 2023 – May 5, 2024
- Pre-opening on November 18, with the season’s first turns during the Grande Première at Val Thorens on November 25. Val Thorens is the highest point in Les 3 Vallées, the world’s largest ski area, encompassing 600 km of trails and 7 mountain resorts. The resort is known for its excellent skiing conditions, with 99% of trails above 2,000 meters. Activities include snow mountain biking, wellness treatments, and various entertainment options.
- Tignes:
- Opening Dates: November 25, 2023 – May 5, 2024
- Pre-opening on November 18, following significant snowfalls. The resort offers early access to the slopes with 1,300 meters of vertical drop. The official launch weekend is on November 25. The connected Tignes-Val d’Isère area opens on December 2. This area offers over 300 km of trails at peak season. Tignes — Val d’Isère also caters to all levels, including beginner areas, freestyle zones, cross-country trails, and handicap ski accessibility.
- Les 2 Alpes:
- Opening Dates: December 2, 2023 – April 28, 2024
- Special opening of the high-altitude ski area on November 25 & 26 with reduced day pass prices (29€). The 2 Alpes resort offers pre-opening access to its high-altitude area due to significant snowfall and well-prepared trails. Activities include ski touring, paragliding, electric mountain biking on snow, snowshoe hiking, wellness facilities, and a variety of après-ski options.
