Ski tourism in France has been a tradition across Europe for decades.  The French Alps and Pyreness boast the highest variety of ski terrain and most ski area in Europe.

From heartily challenging terrain to spectacular views and tremendous elevations, French ski holiday resorts offer the best of everything. The appeal of France's slopes comes from its central location in Europe. Neighbours like the United Kingdom deliver a high percentage of skiers that take ski holidays in France each year.

While fabulous skiing is available in Andorra, Italy, Austria, and as far away as the U.S. and Canada, French slopes are also close to home for Britons. And France surpasses many of these offerings by sheer size and quality –making a French ski holiday a great experience.

The extensive on-piste mileage across the peaks and slopes of France is just one of the unmatched offerings available throughout the country. The seven French mountain ranges attract skiers to their unique attributes based on their interests. Massif Central, Jura, Vosges, Corsica, and most notably, the Northern and Southern Alps and the Pyrenees range comprise the list offering French ski holidays.

Accommodation varies from very basic ski-focused atmospheres to more elaborate ski resorts. The "ski-in and ski-out" runs appeal more to the slope-focused, while all-inclusive resorts attract more social skiers for a ski holiday in France.

The world-renowned resorts of Val d’Isère and Chamonix offer the highest profile skiing and the most challenging ground to cover. These resorts offer stimulating social atmospheres and elaborate evenings after a day on the slopes.

Guests expect a family-friendly French ski resort to generally accept snowboarders, offering options for younger guests.

 Family-friendly resorts also offer beginner trails, small classes and day care while parents are enjoying their ski holidays in France.

The resort in Valmorel catches many positive online reviews from family visitors. One guest mentions the simplicity and safety of a toddlers' learning area, a bonus for young families on a France ski holiday.

For a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere away from the crowds, holiday goers' best bets are either La Grave or L'Alpe de Huez.  Resorts in the southern portion of the Pyrenees range such as Tourmalet and Cauterets offer a more laid-back community experience. Little known French ski holiday resorts on the Massif Central range provide quieter and cheaper alternatives to the more publicised mainstays.

Additional and improved ski lifts are being installed in many of the popular French ski holiday areas of the Alps and the Pyrenees. Lodging that is typically cramped is being expanded to cater to those with a North American state of mind.

Ski area development companies are connecting ski areas to offer the most options to travelers.  Most recently, a 200-passenger cable car connected resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs in the Northern Alps. This permits travel between the two French ski holiday areas within three minutes.

Some ski resort booking companies have focused on sustainable tourism in their operations. Their aim is to eliminate an unnecessarily large carbon footprint for their visitors. While other countries still sometimes use chemicals in their machine-generated snowfall, France uses only water in their snow machines. In addition, operations like Peak Retreats will only book ground transportation, such as rail or ferry, for minimal environmental impact.

With a fifth of France covered in mountains, it is no surprise that the French ski holiday industry brings in nearly 10 billion dollars of revenue each year. France offers more than 350 ski areas from which to choose; with thousands of acres skiable terrain. Exotic destinations birth new resorts each year but France remains secure in the global ski market. Despite concerns over the impact of global warming and reductions in world tourism numbers, there is little worry that ski holidays in France will remain a favourite for many visitors.