Wanting to ski in France next January, any advice?

I'll be studying abroad next spring in Aix-en-Provence, and I would really like to do some skiing in the Alps while I'm there. Since I've never skied in France before I am completely clueless about what I should do. If anyone has any tips it would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to find out: where the best/closest ski areas are, info on season passes and when/how to get them, if it's worth it to try and fly my gear over there or should I just rent, is there a good public transportation system to get to the mountains, etc.

Oh yes, and I would classify myself as an intermediate/advanced skier, and I have skied both western and eastern mountains, if that helps.

Thank you all in advance!

dorriesiobhan welcome to J2ski :D

J2ski has a good list of French resorts, http://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/France/ which could be a place to start.

France has a pretty good public transport system, and if you plan to ski at weekends, then perhaps look at a resort's links page to see which bus companies serve it locally, and find a timetable. If you have your own equipment, I believe it will be financially astute to bring it with you, as rental costs can soon mount up.

Season Tickets go on sale anytime (generalisation) from the summer onwards. It's usually possible to order them online, or by post and collect from the ticket offices. You will need a passport size photo.

Thanks for the info. What should I expect from the conditions out there? Are the mountains larger, the trail ratings similar? I'm assuming it's more like skiing in western U.S. than eastern, is that right?

dorriesiobhan wrote:Thanks for the info. What should I expect from the conditions out there? Are the mountains larger, the trail ratings similar? I'm assuming it's more like skiing in western U.S. than eastern, is that right?

Trail (piste) ratings are different. As a broad generalisation, a French "red" is equivalent to a US single black diamond.

I have skied in Colorado and also around Lake Tahoe, and would say that European resorts are generally bigger and the mountains are generally more pointy!

One of the biggest differences is that there is pisted resort skiing, and then there is off piste. Europe does not go in for sanitised in bounds "front/side country" stuff. Between the pistes is off piste, be insured!

There are a few resorts with Freeride areas offering natural skiing, but essentially, in Europe you ski where you want (subject to local byelaws).