The Best Ski Resorts for Advanced Skiers in France

Looking for ski resorts that will challenge your abilities and push your skiing to the next level? Our Advanced rankings feature the top resorts rated specifically for their capacity to challenge competent skiers. These rankings are compiled exclusively from verified Snomad user ratings, ensuring you get genuine insights from fellow skiers who've tackled these slopes. Resorts only appear if they've received sufficient ratings to provide a reliable assessment. Visited any of these recently? Submit your own review to help others find their perfect challenging terrain.

Fancy exploring other aspects of these ski areas? Check out our rankings for Off Piste, Expert Skiers, Powder Zones or Lift Efficiency to get a more complete picture of what's on offer.

Best Ski Resort for Advanced Skiers in France: Val Cenis - Advanced Rating 4.63

Val Cenis delivers brilliantly for advanced skiers without the crowds. A user who is an advanced snowboarder praised the "great variety of runs, which are well linked" and the "easily accessible large bowl" for off-piste potential. Tree runs receive particular acclaim, with Sam noting they offer "some of the most peaceful and beautiful piste and off-piste runs" he's experienced. Advanced skiers might consider exploring beyond the main area – Susan recommends taking a car to Bonneval sur Arc for "some really great skiing." Though not enormous, Val Cenis provides enough challenge and variety to keep skilled riders entertained, especially when blessed with good snow conditions.

#2 Val d'Isère - Advanced Rating 4.51

Val d'Isère delivers exceptional advanced skiing across its vast terrain. One Snomad community member liked Le Fornet for its powder fields, while another highlighted the challenging routes near Aiguille Percée. The off-piste options receive consistent praise, with Dominic mentioning the Vallée Perdue as a "fun narrow run through a tight gully" that's perfect on low visibility days. Advanced skiers appreciate the efficient lift system that lets you explore the entire Espace Killy area without repetition. As Peter notes, you can "ski from the glacier all the way to Tignes Brev for lunch and back," making it ideal for those seeking variety and technical challenges.

#3 La Tania - Advanced Rating 4.50

For advanced skiers and snowboarders, La Tania offers excellent access to the wider Three Valleys area with efficient lift systems that quickly connect to both Courchevel and Meribel. Several Snomad users highlight the quality of the tree-lined runs, particularly Folyères, which provides a fantastic end-of-day descent. One advanced snowboarder mentioned that La Tania delivers "great value for money" compared to the more pretentious atmosphere in Courchevel. While the resort itself has fewer runs, it serves as a perfect gateway to the extensive 650km of pistes across the Three Valleys, with one user praising the "fast lift system" that enables you to explore the entire area.