The 15 best ski resorts for cross-country skiing in France
Participation in cross-country skiing is skyrocketing! In fact, it’s been so popular that in the last few years it’s developed a whole new image. Stuck for years in the shadow of alpine skiing, Nordic skiing is returning to the forefront, freshly energized and looking great! Accessible, fun, sociable and sporty, cross-country skiing provides loads of benefits for both body and mind and entices you to escape into dreamlike environments. Nordic skiing combines the fun of downhill skiing, the benefits of a thorough, low-impact workout, and the pleasure of fresh mountain air. In the last decade, the evolution of cross-country equipment has completely revolutionized the sport so whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned veteran you’ll easily find the perfect ski for you! The development of Nordic areas has also contributed to the renewal of the sport. Based in the heart of breathtaking natural terrain, the Nordic ski trails of the different massifs have done a commendable job of maintaining their authenticity while also offering exceptional skiing. From the Vosges to the Pyrenees, between the passes and plateaus of the massifs, France is filled with iconic and pristine sites for the practice of both classic cross-country and skate skiing.
So whether you want to get started in cross-country skiing or work on your technique and improve your performance, check out our suggestions for France’s best Nordic ski destinations…
Where to ski in the Alps
Savoie Grand Revard: the top cross-country ski area in France
Trails: 150 kilometers
Altitude: 1100–1562 meters
Located in the heart of the Parc Naturel des Bauges, Savoie Grand Revard Nordic resort boasts the most cross-country skier visits in France while still maintaining its authenticity due to its location in a nature preserve. From enchanted forests and vast plateaus to views of Mont Blanc and Lac du Bourget, Savoie Grand Revard delivers inspiring scenery that cross-country skiers will find incredibly motivating. With more than 150 kilometers of trails between the resorts of Le Revard, La Feclaz and Saint-François-de-Sales, the area provides plenty of options for skiers of all ability levels. Choose between classic cross-country or skate skiing, and if you’re interested in trying something different the resort also offers snowshoeing routes, a biathlon stadium and dog sledding.
Les Saisies: a sports resort in an idyllic location
Trails: 120 kilometers
Altitude: 1650–1720 meters
As the ski resort for the Winter Olympics in Albertville, Les Saisies lives up to its Olympic label! One of the resort’s sponsored athletes, Julia Simon, reports that Les Saisies is a great place to improve your skills. It’s a challenging spot for recreational skiers of all levels as well as being the perfect place to get a good workout in a magical envoronment. Located in the middle of a nature preserve, the cross-country area of Les Saisies offers unique views of Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain valley and the Aravis range. And thanks to its high altitude, Les Saisies is also one of the snowiest resorts in the Alps.
Le Semnoz: the Annecy crew’s winter sports playground
Trails: 35 kilometers
Altitude: 1450–1701 meters
Just a short drive from the center of Annecy, Le Semnoz is like a natural outdoor activity park for the Annecy posse! At the top of the resort, the Nordic area features different sectors for different skill levels and objectives, as well as a breathtaking, 360-degree view. From the top of Le Semnoz, the view of the Alps stretches from Lac d’Annecy to Lac du Bourget, from Mont Blanc to the Écrins range, and from the Belledonne massif to the Vercours region.
Le Grand Bornand: cross-country skiing and biathlon
Trails: 89 kilometers
Altitude: 1000–1300 meters
Welcome to the sacred temple of French biathlon! At ‘Grand Bo’, don’t be surprised if you run into some of the Olympic medalists who go there to train. The resort honors Nordic disciplines with two stadiums, one of which is used for the only Biathlon World Cup event in France. To learn biathlon or improve your skills, Le Grand Bornand is the perfect place to go! Of course, you can also cross-country or skate ski at the resort’s two sites: Grand Bornand Village and Grand Bornand Chinaillon. And for the brave of heart, the iconic 12-kilometer Tour du Danay is a classic that can’t be missed!
Le Plateau des Confins: family skiing
Trails: 63 kilometers
Altitude: 1420–1650 meters
On the Clusaz side, bring the whole family to the plateau des Confins! With trails for all skill levels and plenty of options for both young and old, Espace Nordique des Confins will keep everyone entertained. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Aravis range, Lac des Confins is set in a natural location that will recharge your batteries. Whether you’re hiking, snowshoeing, classic cross-country or skate skiing, there’s no shortage of tracks and trails! And after you’ve burned through all your energy, there are several restaurants offering mountain specialties to regain your strength, Haute Savoie ambiance guaranteed!
Bessans: skiing at the gates of Parc National de la Vanoise
Trails: 133 kilometers
Altitude: 1740–2000 meters
In the Haute Maurienne Vanoise region time stands still. The small, traditional village of Bessans takes us back to another era, and the beauty of the surrounding mountains invites us to escape. As a high-altitude village, Bessans is blessed with beautiful snow cover from late autumn to spring and it’s not uncommon to see the national teams training at Bessans at the beginning of the season. Overhead, summits and glaciers reaching up to 3000 meters keep watch over our active endeavors!
Autrans: in the heart of the Vercors region
Trails: 200 kilometers
Altitude: 1740–2000 meters
Vercours plateau is a treasure trove of outdoor activities and anyone who enjoys playing outside will be psyched on it, regardless of the season! In winter, the plateau puts on its most beautiful white coat and is transformed into an immense Nordic ski area. Located on the northern tip of the massif, the Autrans Méaudre en Vercours ski area is one of the capitals of French cross-country skiing, with over 200 kilometers of trails for all ability levels. With both classic and skating tracks, trails start in the center and wind around the plateau among forests, lunar-like expanses and ridges.
Vallée de la Clarée and Névache: southern vibes
Trails: 45 kilometers
Altitude: 1400–1750 meters
When you pass over the Col de Montgenèvre, you enter another world: the foliage changes, the sky seems a deeper blue, and the sun is almost always part of the scenery. It’s in this southern landscape that the Névache and Val-des-Prés ski areas provide a warm welcome to La Vallée de la Clarée. Although not far from Serre-Chevalier Briançon, the resorts seem as though they’re a world away, an unspoiled natural setting that provides a unique Nordic skiing experience.
Where to cross-country ski in the Jura Mountains
Les Rousses: the biggest ski station in France
Trails: 280 kilometers
Altitude: 1107 meters
Cross-country skiing is part of the Jura Mountains’ DNA and in Les Rousses ski resort it’s a philosophy, the art of daily living! Located in the heart of the Parc Naturel du Haut-Jura, Les Rousses Resort boasts nearly 300 kilometers of trails and offers lots of variations that will appeal to a wide variety of skiers. The domain is divided into different areas: a play area for the little ones, a touring area for those who want to escape on their skis, and a training area for those who want to work on their cardio. An event that’s not to be missed is the Grande Traversée du Jura, which features 180 kilometers of skiing through wide open spaces, Jura forests and villages that are characteristic of the region.
Plateau du Retord: the Ain region in three resorts
Trails: 150 kilometers
Altitude: 900–1350 meters
Plateau du Retord offers everything you could hope for from a Nordic ski area: gentle slopes, forests and valleys covered in heaps of snow. This is truly a ski area for all tastes and ability levels. The plateau features three starting points ¬– Cuvéry, La Chapelle and Les Plans d'Hotonnes ¬– from which the trails of the Nordic area crisscross the region while providing a wide variety of scenery.
Where to cross-country ski in the Vosges region
La Bressel-Lispach : one ski area, numerous possibilities
Trails: 50 kilometers
Altitude: 635 meters
The top Nordic area in the Vosges region, La Bresse-Lispach, takes you from lakes, forests and peat bogs to high plateaus, which means the home resort of World Cup and Olympic cross-country skier Delphine Claudel suits both hardcores and families. It’s a quiet place where you can spend the day alternating between endurance sessions and moments of discovery and sharing. Cross-country skiing, skating or biathlon, the choice is yours! La Bresse-Lispach features a sledding area for the little ones and picnic areas all along the course that allow you to spend the day with your family while enjoying the fresh air of the Vosges.
Gérardmer: the Vosges region in one resort
Trails: 30 kilometers
Altitude: 675 meters
In connection with La Bresse ski resort, Gérardmer ski area upholds the Vosge’s Nordic spirit with its combination of adventure, friendliness and sport. Trails for all levels of cross-country skiers and skaters are available alongside children’s ski areas, snowshoe trails and even a ski jump!
Where to cross-country ski in the Pyrenees
Font-Romeu: the spirit of the Pyrenees
Trails: 111 kilometers
Altitude: 1600–2000 meters
The Pyrenees also have something to say about cross-country skiing! For Nordic skiing aficionados as well as beginners, Font Romeu Pyrénées 2000 features more than 110 kilometers of trails and numerous loops which enable you to have as much fun as possible with your skis on! Two sectors – la Calme and Estanyols – will immerse you in a postcard-perfect landscape and fill you with the spirit of the Pyrenees.
Plateau de Beille: scenic panoramas and altitude
Trails: 40 kilometers
Altitude: 1800–2000 meters
Plateau de Beille and Nordic skiing are inseparable. The Nordic area here offers nearly 20 groomed trails for cross-country skiing and skating as well as two biathlon areas at high altitude where skiers can enjoy pure mountain air and a 360-degree view.
Where to cross-country ski in the Massif Central
Massif du Sancy: the Auvergne region on skis
Trails: 250 kilometers
Altitude: 1250–1450 meters
The Nordic area at Sancy is one of the largest Nordic ski areas in the Massif Central and brings together several domains to provide a wide variety of experiences. Between the resorts of Super-Besse, Le Mont Dore and La Tour d’Auvergne, every cross-country skiing enthusiast will find something to make them happy. So whether you choose the Alps, Jura, Vosges, Pyrenees or Massif Central, you’ll find there’s no shortage of Nordic ski areas in France, and the number is growing so don’t wait to get started! In addition to being an easily accessible discipline with multiple benefits for both body and mind, Nordic skiing takes place in secure areas where risks related to the alpine environment are limited. Cross-country skiing is a sport that’s both low-impact and highly physical… and falls are more fun than they are bad! Nevertheless, if you want to keep falls to a minimum and focus instead on mastering your technique, we recommend taking a few hours of lessons. So don’t hesitate to contact Nordic ski schools and professionals in the areas you’ll be visiting. Happy gliding!