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5 of the best ski resorts for New Year's in France
When it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve in the mountains, the French certainly know how to throw a cracking soiree. With chic alpine glamour, vibrant après-ski, and some of Europe's finest skiing on tap, the French Alps are definitely worthy of your New Year's Eve wish list. We're here to show you exactly why…
With their stunning mountain vistas and exceptional snow stats, French ski resorts are a consistent January crowd-pleaser, catering to everyone from families and couples to solo travellers and large groups. Whether your ideal midnight countdown features spectacular drone and fireworks displays from a glitzy bar balcony - or watching thrilling torch-lit slope descents with steaming hot chocs in hand - the French Alps host a multitude of exciting NYE celebrations well worth exploring. And let's not forget, this is the home of champagne - so you know that New Year's “chin-chin” will be hard to beat!.
But with so many remarkable destinations to consider, where should you choose to venture this January? Well, that's where Heidi comes in. Our experts have crunched the numbers and donned their glad rags to provide you with their list of the top French NYE ski resorts worth checking out this year. From the family-friendly peaks of Avoriaz to the party-to-beat-all-parties in Val d'Isere, we have all the intel on how, where, and why to book la France to welcome in the next January 1st.
1. Val d'Isere & Tignes
Arguably two of the prettiest resorts in the French Alps, Tignes and Val d'Isère have captured the hearts of many skiers and snowboarders over the years. Boasting a blend of traditional wooden architecture, modern amenities, and (of course) stellar skiing, either of these resorts is excellent at any time of the ski holiday season. That said, a trip at New Year's unveils their true party persona, which - for many - has made them two of THE places to be in Europe once the clock strikes 12…
If you're seeking long days on the mountain, then Val d'Isère and neighbouring Tignes are perfect. With miles of cruisy slopes ideal for groups of beginners and intermediates, alongside plenty of technical terrain and off-piste for the more adventurous, the 300km Espace Killy ski area is a certified high-altitude playground, whatever your style.
New Year’s in Val d'Isère
On New Year's Eve in Val d'Isère, the party gets started right in the town square with open-air DJ sets, performers, dancers, pyrotechnics, and spectacular light displays. Midnight sees fireworks erupt overhead, signalling the time for families to start heading back while friends and couples gather to keep the party going at La Folie Douce and Dick's Tea Bar.
Book a New Year's Eve ski holiday in Val d'Isere
New Year’s in Tignes
Well-known for being notoriously epic, NYE in Tignes is nothing short of a festive extravaganza. Dance on Europe's highest outdoor dance floor and cheer for headline acts at the Pop-Rock New Year's Eve concert (featuring David Guetta and Martin Solveig, to name a few…). Witness little ones' eyes sparkle as they marvel at the mesmerising light and fireworks show. It's an experience that truly captures the magic of the New Year!
Book a New Year's Eve ski holiday in Tignes
Heidi's top tip: Starting dry Jan early? New Year's Day is one of the best times to hit the slopes! With New Year's Eve being such a big night in Tignes and Val d'Isère, you'll notice that the pistes of Espace Killy will become far quieter come the 1st.
2. Courchevel
Looking for New Year's luxe? Then take a peek at the slopes of Courchevel. Renowned as one of France's finest resorts and nestled within one of the world's largest ski areas, Courchevel's upscale restaurants, chic clubs, and boujee bars host some of the most happening NYE parties in the French Alps.
When it comes to skiing, the expansive Three Valleys more than delivers the fun. With 339 runs stretching over 600km, there's something for every skier - from beginners gliding back into the resort on gentle north-facing greens and blues to snowboarders catching air on the large kickers and jumps in the parks. With peaks rising 3,200m above sea level, the snow keeps falling for guaranteed pow-packed skiing days, while the four different villages provide plenty of accommodation options - from the affordable La Praz to the glitzy 1850.
New Year festivities in Courchevel are a vibrant and lively affair. Lavish parties, gourmet dining experiences, and ultra-modern drone displays create an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation that's sure to have little ones and big ones whooping with joy. From 4pm, DJs and performers kick off celebrations in the streets that last far past the midnight countdown, with plenty of parties pounding the pavements until the early hours. If you fancy your parties a little more exclusive, then bag a ticket to Les Caves or Le Bubble Bar for a night of clubbing and all-night table dancing. Or head up in the lift to La Folie Douce to enjoy a spectacular dinner show and après-ski party high in the sky.
Book a New Year's Eve ski holiday in Courchevel
3. Val Thorens
Renowned as Europe's highest ski resort at an incredible 2,300m, Val Thorens knows how to host a party just as well as it knows how to throw it down on the slopes. It offers some of the largest celebrations, festivities, and snow totals throughout the French Alps, and is also an excellent choice for little ones, featuring a colourful array of activities and entertainment that will keep them delighted long past the post-Christmas blues.
Grab your skis and snowboards because this New Year, it's time to hit the world's largest skiing area: the magnificent Les 3 Vallées. With a staggering 600km of slopes to explore, 158 lifts to catch, and a top altitude of 3,200m, Val Thorens has certainly got this January all wrapped up (just make sure you are, too! Brrr)
As New Year's Eve approaches, let the kids return to the slopes with warm cocoa in hand while local ski instructors glide down the pistes in an astonishing nighttime torchlit descent. Following this, as the clock counts down, get ready to be part of one of the grandest New Year's Eve celebrations in the French Alps. Dance to live DJs, enjoy children's entertainment on stage, and be captivated by the stunning light show across the resort - all before the mirrorball descends and a breathtaking fireworks display erupts above. - Oooo!
Book a New Year's Eve ski holiday in Val Thorens
4. Meribel
Ahh Meribel. Combining chic charm, alpine ambience, and electrifying energy, Meribel is one of the finest New Year’s Eve ski resorts for families and large groups in Europe. What does this mean for your trip? We’re talking town-wide celebrations, après-ski hotspots, family-friendly fun, and some of the best snow France has to offer. Let’s get into it:
Situated in the centre of France’s vast 3 Valleys ski area alongside Val Thorens, Meribel welcomes skiers and snowboarders to over 600km of slopes, catering to everyone from wobbly first-timers to off-piste powder hounds. Lofty high altitudes at Europe’s highest resort, Val Thorens, keep the white stuff spinning and spinning while over 150 lifts and eight snowparks help keep crowds to a minimum and vibes to a maximum. And that’s without even mentioning the epic NYE parties popping up all across the resort.
Families can reserve a table at one of Meribel’s many superb restaurants to enjoy one of the numerous special NYE menus. Think oysters, foie gras, and a myriad of delicious French cheeses paired well with a few glasses of celebratory champers. Alternatively, groups of friends can hit the bars and clubs to start the party early with cocktails, dancing, and “chin-chins” aplenty!
With the countdown imminent, watch celebrations unfold with music and torchlit descents down the slopes at Méribel Mottaret, Méribel Chaudanne and Méribel Village. Or, get your boogie on at Chaudanne with an open-air disco right on the piste. Just make sure, wherever you are, that you’re back outside come midnight for that must-see fireworks display sparkling over the peaks - it’s not to be missed!
Book a New Year's Eve ski holiday in Meribel
5. Avoriaz
With its unique, avant-garde architecture and vibrant atmosphere, Avoriaz stands out as one of Europe’s top ski resorts for families and large groups. It offers a variety of top terrain, excellent snow conditions, and access to the vast Portes du Soleil - one of the world’s largest ski areas.
Purpose-built for skiing (back in 1966), Avoriaz is fit to burst with fantastic nursery slopes, smile-inducing blues, and some speedy reds and blacks for those pushing to test their mettle. With an altitude of 1,800m, it provides excellent access to some of France’s loftiest peaks, as well as the country’s highest average snowfall. What’s more, its car-free centre and incredible range of ski-in/ski-out accommodation continue to make this a firm favourite with la famille, offering some of France’s most convenient kid-friendly stays.
Avoriaz is a renowned party destination throughout the ski season, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. We recommend enjoying a fantastic morning on the pistes before kicking off the celebrations early at one of the resort’s many superb slopeside bars and restaurants. As evening approaches, gather the group for hot chocolates and vin chauds in the resort centre, followed by a torchlit descent led by the ESF instructors and a dazzling fireworks display overhead. Families can then begin returning to their rooms while friends head out to Avoriaz’s numerous bars and clubs for late-night table dancing, karaoke-fuelled fun, and more than a few champagne showers. “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
Book a New Year's Eve ski holiday in Avoriaz
Want to learn more about the best non-skier snow holidays in Europe? Check out our non-skier holiday page! It is filled with all the very best recommendations.
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