France, the French Alps and major ski destinations including Val Thorens, Tignes, Méribel and Chamonix are entering the 2026-27 winter season with upgraded lifts, redesigned facilities, improved transport connections and new approaches to year-round mountain tourism. Across the French mountain sector, resort infrastructure is being renewed while operators also introduce measures covering energy use, mobility, water management and environmental protection. France Montagnes lists new gondolas, renovated facilities and new resort connections for the coming season, while several destinations are also expanding activities beyond downhill skiing. France Montagnes –
French ski resorts upgrade mountain infrastructure
Infrastructure renewal is already visible across several major French resorts. Val Thorens is introducing a new 10-seat Face Nord gondola, replacing the Glacier and Col chairlifts, while Méribel is replacing the Côte Brune chairlift with a 10-seat gondola for the 2025-26 season. France Montagnes –
The projects are designed to improve connections within ski areas and manage skier movement more efficiently. In Combloux, a new 10-seat Beauregard gondola replaces an older chairlift and is intended to improve access for different visitor groups, including families and ski-school users. France Montagnes –
For travellers, modernised lifts can reduce transfer times and provide easier access between different sections of large ski domains. The upgrades also form part of a broader programme of investment in mountain tourism infrastructure.
Climate conditions are changing winter tourism
Changing snow conditions are affecting how mountain destinations plan their winter operations. Research presented through UN Tourism’s sustainable tourism observatory in South Tyrol has documented declining natural snowfall associated with rising temperatures and increased reliance on artificial snow production. Insto
The issue is particularly relevant to lower-altitude ski areas, where warmer conditions can make snow management more difficult. UN Tourism research has also noted that artificial snowmaking can become increasingly resource-intensive as temperatures rise. Insto
French resorts are responding through a mixture of infrastructure renewal, water-management measures, energy projects and diversification of tourism activities. The measures vary between destinations according to altitude, geography and local infrastructure.
Snowmaking and water management receive attention
Artificial snow remains part of ski-area operations, but resorts are increasingly examining how water resources are managed. France Montagnes reports that Arêches-Beaufort uses water from the Roselend dam facility for artificial snow production under an agreement with EDF. Presse – France Montagnes –
Les Saisies has also established an environmental observatory that includes agriculture in its work, with attention to relationships between farming, ski-area management and shared water resources. Presse – France Montagnes –
These measures form part of a wider focus on managing mountain resources while maintaining tourism infrastructure.
Renewable energy becomes part of resort infrastructure
Energy projects are also appearing within ski areas. Méribel has installed a bifacial solar power plant at the mid-station of the Saulire Express gondola. France Montagnes reports that after two years of operation, the installation has generated annual output equivalent to the energy used by the first section of the gondola over three and a half months. Presse – France Montagnes –
Other resorts are incorporating energy efficiency into accommodation and public infrastructure. At Vaujany, a €17 million renovation project upgraded a tourism residence with improved insulation and expanded accommodation space. Presse – France Montagnes –
For visitors, these projects sit alongside changes in transport, accommodation and resort services rather than operating as standalone environmental programmes.
Rail and public transport support winter travel
Transport is another area where French mountain destinations are changing the visitor journey. Peyragudes is accessible again by train through the restored rail service to Bagnères-de-Luchon, with a shuttle connecting Luchon to the ski resort in about 30 minutes. France Montagnes –
France Montagnes also highlights resorts using electric shuttles and other alternatives to private cars. Peyragudes, for example, has used electric public transport, while several destinations are developing four-season tourism that makes better use of existing infrastructure beyond winter. Presse – France Montagnes –
For international visitors, rail and shuttle combinations can provide alternatives to driving from major cities and airports.
Resorts expand beyond traditional skiing
French mountain destinations are increasingly developing activities that can operate outside the conventional ski season. Ski lifts can support hiking, mountain biking and sightseeing during warmer months, while winter resorts are adding wellness, family attractions, cultural experiences and other non-ski activities.
France Montagnes lists new facilities for the 2026-27 season that include family zones, educational trails, accommodation improvements and additional leisure infrastructure. France Montagnes –
This diversification allows resorts to use accommodation, lifts and visitor facilities across more months of the year, reducing dependence on a single winter activity.
What travellers can expect in winter 2026-27
The French ski season is scheduled to begin at different times depending on altitude and resort. Val Thorens and Tignes are scheduled to open on November 21, 2026, while Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Val d’Isère are listed for November 28. Many other resorts are scheduled to open during December. All dates remain subject to weather and snow conditions. France Montagnes –
Travellers planning winter holidays should therefore check individual resort opening dates, snow conditions, lift operations and transport arrangements before departure.
France’s mountain tourism sector is entering the 2026-27 season with a combination of new lifts, improved transport, energy projects, resource management and wider four-season tourism. For visitors, the changes are increasingly visible in how resorts connect, operate and prepare for the future of mountain travel.
