In this section, explore the different types of skiing and make the most of everything the mountains have to offer. Here are a few ideas for your next trip!
Piste/Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing is a sliding sport that involves descending a snow-covered slope on skis. Today, alpine skiing is practised primarily at ski resorts equipped with ski lifts that carry skiers to the top of the mountain. The snow is groomed and avalanches are managed. Many ski resorts also have snowmaking equipment to allow people to ski when natural conditions would not otherwise permit it.
Understanding run colours!
At a ski resort, each run is colour-coded according to its difficulty level: the green run is considered the easiest, with gentle slopes that are easy to access and wide enough to make broad, smooth turns. Also great for learning to ski, refining your technique and progressing at your own pace. Next comes the blue run, easy to intermediate, with a steeper gradient but still accessible for beginners and intermediate skiers. The red run is aimed at confident skiers, as the slopes are steeper and narrower. Finally, the black run — the most challenging — is tackled by advanced skiers, with more pronounced difficulty, greater technical demands and steep gradients for building speed.
How do you get started?
For a first experience, it is recommended to take a lesson with a ski instructor. They will help you learn the right techniques and build solid foundations from the start.
Who is it for?
Piste skiing is for everyone — young and old, thrill-seekers and those who simply want to take in the beauty of the winter landscape. A chance to enjoy the pure mountain air with family or friends, and above all to have fun on marked and secured ski runs.
Where can you do it?
In France, most major mountain ranges — the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Vosges, the Jura and the Massif Central — have infrastructure suited to skiing, so the choice is vast.
Cross-country skiing
Photo by Thomas Dils on Unsplash
Cross-country skiing is the oldest ski discipline. On groomed trails or off-piste, on rolling or flat terrain, young and old alike will find cross-country skiing a fun, complete outdoor sport! There are no ski lifts in cross-country skiing — it's your own body that carries you back up the slopes.
Trails are groomed for cross-country skiing and are identifiable by two parallel rails set at the edges of the track, allowing classic cross-country skiers to glide with their feet parallel inside them.
What is the difference between Classic and Skating?
In cross-country skiing, there are two techniques: classic cross-country skiing, practised using the "diagonal stride" technique, which involves moving forward in two parallel tracks and resembles walking. Skating, also called the "skate step", is practised on groomed trails and resembles ice skating. At ski resorts, you will find dedicated areas for easy beginners and cross-country skiing instructors to support your progression.
It is a highly complete sport, engaging the entire body and all muscle groups, regardless of your level. It is therefore excellent for maintaining or improving your physical fitness.
Finally, there is a label for Nordic sites called Nordic France, rated from one to four fir trees based on four key criteria: the quality of the ski domain, the diversity of activities on offer, durable development and the quality of resort services. This label can help you find the resort best suited to your needs for this discipline.
Recommended resorts for cross-country skiing: Avoriaz, Les Saisies, Megève and Font Romeu.
Freeride/Off-piste skiing
Off-piste skiing is not something to take lightly. It requires a very high level of skiing ability and solid experience. Snow and terrain conditions encountered off-piste can be very different from those on groomed runs. An off-piste skier must be able to ski confidently and maintain full control in all conditions. This demands both technique and versatility. Keeping control of your skis and speed at all times is non-negotiable. You also need to be able to assess risks and stay as alert as possible to your surroundings. Always check the weather forecast and avalanche bulletins before heading out!
Stay safe out there!
The right equipment is essential for off-piste skiing. Here is the list of gear you should always carry for your safety:
- Avalanche transceiver (DVA): in the event of an avalanche, it can save your life. It sends signals that allow rescuers to locate and find the person buried under the snow.
- The shovel: used to dig out someone buried under the snow more easily.
- The probe: the most important piece of equipment, as it allows you to locate someone buried under the snow and determine how deep they are.
For those who haven't yet tried off-piste, the best way to progress is to hire an instructor or a mountain guide who can help you develop the right technical reflexes and ski safely.
Recommended resorts for off-piste skiing: Chamonix, Val d'Isère, Alpes d'Huez, La Grave and Tignes
Ski Touring
The basic principle of ski touring is to move through the mountains without using ski lifts — to climb summits and descend beautiful snowy slopes, carving your own line. Ski touring allows you to immerse yourself in nature, combining the pleasure of gliding with the discovery of nearby or distant terrain. It is an environmentally respectful discipline that requires no infrastructure and no ski pass.
Ski touring boots have a walk mode and a ski mode, providing flexibility on the ascent and rigidity on the descent. To climb on snow, ski touring requires skins — adhesive strips applied under the ski to prevent sliding backwards on the way up. To allow a full range of motion and avoid restriction, only the toe of the ski touring boot is locked into the binding during the ascent. On the descent, it is similar to alpine skiing or off-piste, depending on where you are skiing.
As a beginner, it is recommended to hire a guide or take a lesson led by a ski instructor first. As with off-piste skiing, you will need safety equipment such as an avalanche transceiver (DVA), a shovel and a probe to carry in your backpack.
When it comes to clothing, the ski tourer should wear technical garments, prioritising breathability and the 3-layer system. Carry a pack with the necessary equipment, including warm and waterproof clothing. A beanie, gloves and sunglasses and/or a ski mask will complete the kit.
Recommended resorts for ski touring: Arêches-Beaufort, Orcières, La Clusaz, La Plagne and Puy Saint Vincent.
