France Ski Season: What's Open When

Across France, the opening date for ski slopes is set for December 20, but Tignes in Savoie (at 1550 metres) has had pistes open since October 4 and will open the Killy area on November 26.

Of course, a sudden warm snap could change the game, but for the moment the resort says it will definitely be able to stay open at least until the end of November and an obliging weather forecast will keep the slopes open all winter.

Various other ski stations are opening for the weekend of December 6-7 and a good dump of the right kind of snow could see a flurry of additional openings.

But for now, this is what is on the cards when it comes to resorts opening before December 20:

The French Alps

- In Isère, Autrans (1050m) says it will open all pistes from 1st December for the whole season and Villard de Lans/Corrençon (1050m) will open on 6th December.
- In Savoie, Les Menuires (1850m) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a whole host of special events and pistes open on December 6.
- Flumet-St Nicolas La Chapelle (1000m) is also planning to open from December 6.
- Valloire (1430m) will be open on December 13
- and St-Martin de Belleville (1450m) will also be partially open from December 13, with access from Les Menuires.

- In Haute Savoie, La Clusaz in Haute Savoie at 1100 metres will be open from November 29.
- Les Contamines Montjoie (1164m) will be open at the weekends from December 3,
- Le Grand Bornand (1000m) will also be partially open from December 3.
- Megève (1113m) hopes to open for the season on December 6, snow willing.
- Châtel (1200m) will be opening some pistes from December 3 and then others will follow on 13.
- Combloux (1100m) will be open for the weekend of December 13-14.

- In the Haute Alpes, Serre-Chevalier (1200m) predicts that it will be open by November 29 and remain so at least until December 7 but if there is enough snow, it will stay open all season.
- Puy Saint-Vincent (1400m) hopes to open for the weekend of December 6-7.

- Val d'Allos-La Foux (at 1800 metres) and Val d'Allos-Le Seignus (at 1500 metres) in the Alpes de Haute Provence will also be open the weekend of December 6-7.
- Isola 2000 in the Alpes Maritimes (at 1800 metres) is also opening on December 6.

The Pyrenees

- In Ariège, Ax les Thermes in Ariège (1400m) will open on November 29.
- In Haute Pyrénées, the Domaine du Grand Tourmalet (1400m) will open on November 24 and St-Lary Soulan (1700m) will be open on December 6.
- In Pyrénées Orientales, Les Angles (1600m) will be open from November 22 and Font Romeu (1712m) will open on November 30.

The Massif Central

- In Puy de Dôme, both Besse Super Besse (1350m) and Le Mont-Dore (1200m) will open on November 29.

Jura

- In Doubs, Métabief (1000m) will open on December 6.

Vosges

- In Vosges, Gérardmer (750m) will open on December 5,
- Ventron (870m) opens on 14,
- and Saint-Maurice sur Moselle (1100m) opens on December 15.
- In Haut Rhin, Le Lac Blanc (900m) opens on November 29.

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