Top 8 French Ski Stations to celebrate New Year’s Eve
Sextant has scoured the Alps for the biggest and best New Year celebrations. We’ve wrapped up our findings in this Top 8. If you’re planning to see in the New Year at an alpine ski resort, you can do it in two ways: partying through the night or getting back to the roots of New Year’s Eve traditions. Here is the Top 8 French Ski Stations to celebrate New Year’s Eve!
- TIGNES
What: “Eloise Circus Performers”, a spectacular urban show with electro music, projected images and outstanding acrobatics.
Where: Tignes le Lac- snow front at 11 p.m.
Tignes is part of the well-linked Espace Killy ski area, along with neighbouring Val d-Isere, and has over 150 km of pistes. It is known for its incredible off-piste with good lift access, has the 1992 Olympic downhill course and also offers ice-diving, hang-gliding, ice-climbing, ski-joring, snowshoeing, river with recreation area and indoor tennis. Original Savoyard village with several bars and restaurants, hotels, shops, post office, cashpoint, ski hire, 18th century churchBoth Geneva and Chambery airports can be reached within 90 minutes.
- VAL THORENS
What: DJ live show, torchlight descent, ski and snow freestyle show and a firework at midnight!
Where: Place Caron and on the snow front
Val Thorens is at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area, taking its place in the central valley between those of Courchevel and Meribel. Val Thorens is the highest ski station of France. The Three Valleys area comprises over 200 lifts and 293 marked runs, covering a distance of over 600 kilometres and making it the largest linked ski area in the world. Val Thorens continues to be a popular ski destination amongst the Brits and the jet set elite, offering access to this vast domain and unlimited off-piste. Under his guidance the resort was built in the traditional chalet style meaning that today it exudes an Alpine charm that ensures its reputation as being one of the most attractive French ski resorts.
- LA PLAGNE
What: the « Nuit du Pompon Rouge » is a public show with fireworks and music.
Where: Snow front and in the village centre
La Plagne, an immense ski area belonging to the Paradiski ski domain that has 200kms of runs and is ideal for both beginners and expert skiers. It is divided into four sites with varying amounts of hotels and amenities. La Plagne has been perfectly integrated into the surrounding mountains, with original chalets left untouched and modern creative architecture using local materials. Geneva and Chambery airports can be reached within 90mins.
- COURCHEVEL
What: DJ show of DJ Steph, ski show and fireworks
Where: everywhere in the village and on the Snow front
Courchevel is one of the world’s most prestigious ski resorts, located in the Tarentaise (Savoie) in the Rhone Alpes region. It comprises 5 separate villages at different levels of altitude: 1100m, 1300m,1550m, 1650m and 1850m. Free shuttle service links the villages together. This ski area is set in a 1304 acre mountainous land and provides 150km slopes (119 slopes for all levels), 62 ski lifts, 563 snow machines. Courchevel’s highest peak is La Saulire (2738m). It also offers 17km hiking tracks and many other activities (paragliding, climbing, spa…). The resort hosts numerous events such as The ISF (International Ski Federation) European Alpine Skiing Cup, The International Ski Jump Grand Prix or the International Junior Ice-skating Grand prix. It has a wide range of restaurants (traditional cuisine, creperie, foreign cuisine..), of pubs/bars and more than 100 shops. Both Geneva and Chambery airports can be reached within 90 minutes.
- MÉRIBEL
What: “Snow Dance Floor “and fireworks
Where: La Chaudanne
Meribel is at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area, taking its place in the central valley between those of Courchevel and Val Thorens. The Three Valleys area comprises over 200 lifts and 293 marked runs, covering a distance of over 600 kilometres and making it the largest linked ski area in the world. Built by an Englishman Meribel continues to be a popular ski destination amongst the Brits and the jet set elite, offering access to this vast domain and unlimited off-piste. Under his guidance the resort was built in the traditional chalet style meaning that today it exudes an Alpine charm that ensures its reputation as being one of the most attractive French ski resorts. It is located at 1400 metres at the centre.
- LES MENUIRES
What: at 6 p.m. a beautiful torchlight descent by the ESF ski instructors and food market
At 10.30 p.m. an incredible music show of “Les Inglorious Fonkers” and fireworks
Where: La Croisette
Les Menuires is at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area, taking its place in the central valley between those of Courchevel and Val Thorens. The Three Valleys area comprises over 200 lifts and 293 marked runs, covering a distance of over 600 kilometres and making it the largest linked ski area in the world. Les Menuires continues to be a popular ski destination amongst the Brits, offering access to this vast domain and unlimited off-piste. Under his guidance the resort was built in the traditional chalet style meaning that today it exudes an Alpine charm that ensures its reputation as being one of the most attractive French ski resorts.
- CHAMONIX
What: Fireworks, food market, music concert, torchlight descent
Where: in the town centre and on the Snow front
Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhone-Alpes region of France. It is a haven for skiing and snowboarding, with over 700km of pistes and Europe’s highest mountain, the Mont Blanc, a constant backdrop. The valley has six separate ski areas catering for all skiers, from the beginner to the more advanced who can go off-piste, and experience the world famous 26km route of the Vallée Blanche glacier. Other sports which can be enjoyed include ice climbing, rock climbing, paragliding, rafting and mountain biking. One can also enjoy a ride in the spectacular cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi (3842m), as well as the Mont Blanc Tramway. Regional food specialities include fondue, raclette, the tartiflette (potatoes and bacon smothered in melted cheese) and the croute savoyarde (toasted bread soaked in white wine and baked with cheese, mushrooms or tomatoes). There are of course a range of shops, restaurants, bars, an alpine museum and exhibitions to explore. Chamonix is one hour from Geneva airport.
- L’ALPE D’HUEZ
What: from 5.30 p.m. torchlight descent and firework.
From 9.30 p.m., a Special 80s Party
Where: on the snow front and in the “Palais des Sports et des Congrès”
Alpe d’Huez is one of the most famous and spectacular French ski resorts. Situated in the Grandes Rousses Massif, it provides 249 km of slopes for all levels, 2000 acres of skiable mountains, 2 snow parks, 870 snow machines and separated zones for beginners. You can ski from the slopes to the village. At a high altitude (between 1860m and 3330m with the Pic Blanc), this health resort enjoys the winter and summer seasons. Grenoble can be reached within 90mins.