Between late November and mid-December, French resorts open their runs one after another, depending on altitude and snow cover. Some get going nearly a month ahead of the others. Here is the provisional calendar for the 2026-2027 season, and why it is (almost) always the same resorts that open first.
The 2026-2027 opening calendar
The resorts that (almost) always open first
It's no coincidence that the same names top the calendar each year. Last season already, Tignes and Val Thorens had opened together, on 22 November 2025 — almost exactly one year before their 2026 opening. Year after year, this duo competes for the title of first resort in France to reopen its runs, usually closely followed by Val d'Isère, Les 2 Alpes and the Grands Montets sector in Chamonix.
Why these resorts can open so early
What these resorts have in common is altitude: Val Thorens peaks at 2,300 m, Tignes largely lies above 2,500 m thanks to the Grande Motte glacier, and Les 2 Alpes relies on one of the largest skiable glaciers in Europe. This altitude guarantees reliable natural snow from late November, whereas mid-mountain resorts have to wait for heavier snowfall and top up with artificial snow to open in good conditions.
Key takeaways
If you dream of putting your skis on before everyone else, head for the heights of the Tarentaise or the Oisans at the end of November. For the rest, it's best to keep an eye on official announcements during October, and book your stay at the right time rather than at the last minute.
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