Ski Season in France 2024: A Guide to Living in the French Alps

So you have been tempted by the mountains in the French Alps, the allure of powder and fresh croissants has got your mind preoccupied. Well, don’t worry because in this article I will break down exactly how you can make your dreams of doing a ski season in France 2024 come true.

This post aims to give you all the necessary information so you can do a ski season in France 2024.

Visa situation

The dreaded visa situation can be enough to turn any dream into a nightmare but fear not because good things come to those who know how to do paperwork. 

If you belong to the EU then skip ahead as you have the right to live, work and crave fresh turns in France already. 

if you belong to another nation like myself then here is how you get your booty into France. The first thing to figure out is if you want to work in France. If not then in most circumstances you can use a tourist visa to stay. This visa can be for up to one year with the possibility of being renewed.

If you do want to earn your keep while doing a ski season in France, then the next best option would be the working holiday visa, the duration of which is up to one year. To be eligible for this week you do have to meet a few requirements. 

• You are from one of these countries Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Taiwan and Uruguay.
• Must be between 18 and 30 years old unless you are from Argentina, Australia or Canada where the age is 35

If you don’t meet these requirements then you would need to obtain a work visa another way. I don’t know enough information about this to provide you with any assistance. If you do have experience with this please let us know in the comments below. 

To apply for this working holiday visa you can find more information here: France Visa

Choosing a ski resort

There will be many factors when choosing which ski resort you want to move to for your ski season in France. I would recommend doing some research to find one that suits you best.

Here are 5 resorts to get you started:

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Known as the “Gateway to the European Cascades,” Chamonix offers some of the most challenging slopes in the world. Its claim to fame includes the stunning views of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, and the Vallée Blanche, a legendary off-piste route. Chamonix also boasts a vibrant après-ski scene and a rich mountaineering history.

Val d’Isère/Tignes

These neighbouring resorts form one of the largest ski areas globally, known as Espace Killy. Val d’Isère offers a charming alpine village atmosphere, while Tignes provides high-altitude skiing with guaranteed snow throughout the season. Together, they offer a vast network of slopes suitable for all skill levels, including the famous La Face de Bellevarde black run and extensive off-piste opportunities.

Courchevel

Part of the Three Valleys ski area, Courchevel is renowned for its luxury accommodations, Michelin-starred restaurants, and exclusive clientele. It’s composed of several interconnected villages, each catering to different preferences and budgets. Courchevel provides diverse terrain suitable for all levels of skiers, along with excellent facilities and impeccable grooming.

Les Deux Alpes

This resort stands out for its extensive skiable glacier, offering year-round skiing opportunities. Les Deux Alpes features one of the largest skiable glaciers in Europe, making it popular for summer skiing as well. It offers a lively atmosphere with a wide range of après-ski activities, including bars, restaurants, and shops.

Meribel

Meribel is known for its picturesque setting and excellent intermediate skiing terrain. The resort’s traditional Savoyard architecture adds to its charm, with wooden chalets nestled among the pine trees. Meribel provides easy access to the vast ski area of the Three Valleys while offering a more relaxed ambience compared to neighbouring Courchevel.

Job and accommodation

Finding a job

Unless you already speak French then getting a job is going to be your next hurdle when doing a ski season in France. A lot of places only hire French speakers so it might be time to download Duolingo 6 months to a year before arriving. That’s to say it’s not impossible, I had many friends during my season who didn’t speak French myself included. The key here is to start looking early, find FB pages for the area you want to go and start the search. Don’t be afraid to make a post letting people know your skills and what you are looking for. FB pages like this one can be your ticket to a job for the winter: Chamonix Job Seekers

You can also check job boards like this one here: Job Board

Finding accommodation

The best thing you can do is to land a job with accommodation but this isn’t always the case so if you do manage to find a job but accommodation isn’t provided then your next search will be for a home for the winter.

Places for rent especially in towns like Chamonix can be difficult to find and expensive. Again your best bet is to start looking early and scroll through different Facebook pages like this one: Chamonix Accommodation. CAUTION there are many scammers on these pages, do your due diligence, ask to Zoom them, ask for a virtual viewing of the place, and ask for documents to prove they own the place. These scammers are getting better and better each year so keep your wits about you.

Lastly, there is always Airbnb, definitely a more expensive option but if you book for a month or more you can get a discount. 

Safety in the mountains

Now you have a visa, a job and accommodation you are ready for your ski season in France. If you are planning to head off-piste make sure you have done all the necessary safety training and have the right equipment with you. Areas in the mountains are unpatrolled and a number of deaths occur each year. 

Do an avalanche safety training course, buy a beacon, probe and shovel and learn how to use it. If it’s your first time getting off-piste then join some tours with some more experienced skiers and snowboarders. Apps like Oak make this possible: Oak App

Language

Lastly, language. You are in a different country, they speak a different language, and learn some while you are there. Not only will it make your experience more meaningful but it will open you up to some new friends. French people are more receptive to someone attempting to speak French than someone who doesn’t bother.

 

France is a wonderful country. From the cheese to the breed, from the mountains to the sea, you will have an epic time this winter. Be safe out there and go shred!!!

Let me know below if you are planning on living in France and which ski resort you choose. Or if you have any questions drop them below. 

This post aims to provide a guide for doing a ski season in France 2024, from finding a job and accommodation to finding the best ski resort for you.