Best of Hautes-Alpes
Best Ski Resorts in Hautes-Alpes, France 2026/27: Largest, Highest & for Beginners
By Book & Ski · Sources checked
The short answer
By mapped runs, the biggest ski areas in Hautes-Alpes, France are Serre-Chevalier (250 km), Forêt Blanche : Vars/Risoul (131 km) and Les Deux Alpes (220 km). The highest is Les Deux Alpes, with runs from 3,600 m (11,811 ft); the biggest vertical is at Les Deux Alpes (1,950 m); and Domaine Skiable Saint-Léger-Les-Mélèzes has the largest share of easy terrain (84%).
| Resort | Top elevation | Vertical | Mapped runs | Easy terrain | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serre-Chevalier | 2,800 m | 1,600 m | 250 km | 60% | source |
| Forêt Blanche : Vars/Risoul | 2,728 m | 1,096 m | 131 km | 66% | source |
| Les Deux Alpes | 3,600 m | 1,950 m | 220 km | 77% | source |
| Dévoluy | 2,496 m | 1,039 m | 70 km | 65% | source |
| Montgenèvre | 2,581 m | 808 m | 62 km | 65% | source |
| Les Orres | 2,702 m | 1,150 m | 54 km | 43% | source |
| Orcières Merlette | 2,732 m | 906 m | 49 km | 51% | source |
| Puy-Saint-Vincent | 2,666 m | 1,516 m | 42 km | 63% | source |
| Claviere | 2,544 m | 1,009 m | 41 km | 48% | source |
| Queyras - Molines/Saint-Véran | 2,805 m | 1,066 m | 30 km | 53% | source |
Highest ski resorts in Hautes-Alpes
Higher resorts generally hold snow longer into spring. These have the highest mapped runs in Hautes-Alpes, France.
Les Deux Alpes: 3,600 m (11,811 ft) →Queyras - Molines/Saint-Véran: 2,805 m (9,203 ft) →Serre-Chevalier: 2,800 m (9,186 ft) →Orcières Merlette: 2,732 m (8,963 ft) →Forêt Blanche : Vars/Risoul: 2,728 m (8,950 ft) →Biggest vertical drop
Vertical is the height difference between the highest and lowest mapped runs: a guide to how long the longest descents can be.
Les Deux Alpes: 1,950 m vertical →Serre-Chevalier: 1,600 m vertical →Puy-Saint-Vincent: 1,516 m vertical →Les Orres: 1,150 m vertical →Forêt Blanche : Vars/Risoul: 1,096 m vertical →Best for beginners (most easy terrain)
Ranked by the share of mapped run length graded novice or easy. A big share of gentle runs gives beginners more room to progress; also check where the ski school meets.
Domaine Skiable Saint-Léger-Les-Mélèzes: 84% easy (15 km total) →Les Deux Alpes: 77% easy (220 km total) →Ancelle: 67% easy (23 km total) →Forêt Blanche : Vars/Risoul: 66% easy (131 km total) →Dévoluy: 65% easy (70 km total) →How we chose
“Best” here means measurable: size (km of mapped downhill runs), top elevation, vertical drop and the share of easy terrain, across the 19 ski areas with at least 20 km of runs and five lifts in Hautes-Alpes, France. Figures come from OpenStreetMap via OpenSkiMap, retrieved 2026-10-10, and can differ from resorts’ own published numbers.
All ski resorts in Hautes-Alpes →Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest ski resort in Hautes-Alpes?
By mapped runs, Serre-Chevalier, with about 250 km and 58 lifts.
What is the highest ski resort in Hautes-Alpes?
Les Deux Alpes, with mapped runs starting at about 3,600 m (11,811 ft).
Which Hautes-Alpes ski resort is best for beginners?
By share of easy terrain, Domaine Skiable Saint-Léger-Les-Mélèzes (84% of runs graded novice or easy). Also consider ski school locations and lift access.
Official sources
Checked on . Prices and timetables change; confirm with the operator before you pay. How we research.