Skiing in the French Alps isn’t just about stunning scenery—it’s an entirely different culture. Americans try to conquer the slopes; the French embrace the spirit of the mountain. When American skiers stay out on the slopes until they’re half-frozen, the French savor long lunches and warming wine.¹

And here’s a well-kept travel secret: It can actually be cheaper to plan a ski vacation in the French Alps than in the U.S. A single-day lift ticket at a high-end resort in the United States can cost more than $250. Compare that to the ski resorts in Europe, where a walk-up, one-day lift ticket is usually around $75.² Some resorts accept the Epic Pass as well.

Planning an Alpine getaway? We’ll suggest a few of the best things to do and places to go in this French Alps travel guide, plus travel insurance to protect your journey.

3 reasons to buy travel insurance for France

1. Insurance protects your vacation investment. A trip to the French Alps isn’t cheap, so don’t risk losing money on a last-minute trip cancellation. Travel insurance with trip cancellation/trip interruption benefits can reimburse your nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason (up to the limit specified in your plan). Prepaid lift tickets, ski lessons, and other expenses can be protected too.
2. Insurance can cover emergency medical care. Wait—isn’t healthcare free in France? Not if you’re a tourist. You may have to pay for medical services before receiving treatment, and most doctors and hospitals in France do not accept U.S. health insurance.³ Travel insurance with emergency medical benefits can reimburse the cost of care following a covered medical emergency.
3. Insurance can cover an emergency medical evacuation. If you have a medical emergency in the French Alps, such as a skiing injury or a stroke, you may need to be airlifted to a major city. That’s a major expense that’s typically not covered by your health insurance. Emergency transportation benefits can cover the cost of a medically necessary evacuation for a covered illness or injury plus repatriation home, up to the limits in your plan. (Losses caused by high-risk activities, such as skiing or snowboarding outside marked trails or in an area accessed by helicopter, are not covered. Read your plan for other exclusions.)

3 of the best travel insurance plans for France

1. One of the best all-around travel insurance plans for France is OneTrip Prime. It includes all the essentials for international travel: emergency medical benefits, trip cancellation and interruption, travel delay, baggage benefits and more. Plus, kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent. (One child per insured adult; free coverage for children is not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents.)
2. For similar coverage at a lower price point, consider OneTrip Basic. Enjoy all the benefits of OneTrip Prime, just with lower maximum limits. (Kids are not covered free with this plan.)
3. For frequent travelers, AllTrips Premier can be a money-saving choice. Get automatic protection for every trip you take in 365 days, whether you’re in the U.S. or overseas. Plus, rental car protection up to $45,000 is included (not available to residents of KS, TX, and NY).

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3 of the best towns to visit in the French Alps

Annecy is called “the Venice of the Alps” for its canals and footbridges, which make this charmingly colorful town a delight to explore. The best way to see Annecy and its neighboring lake is to rent a bike (in warmer seasons) and ride along the Lake Annecy Greenway. Then walk around Vieille Ville (“Old Town”) to see the five iconic bell towers and sample cheeses at the local shops.

Aix-les-Bains is known for its thermal baths, which are perfect for soothing ski-sore muscles or just relaxing. Enjoy sweeping views of Lac du Bourget, see an ancient Roman arch, and shop the boutiques on Rue Albert 1er.

Chamonix is the adventure capital of the region, surrounded by some of the best ski resorts in the French Alps. Even if you’re not a skier, there’s plenty to do! Hike (in season), visit a spa, or take the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car to 12,602 feet, where you get a 360° view of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. If you’re feeling brave, step into the glass-floored observation box and look down.

3 of the best things to do in the French Alps in winter (beside skiing)

Hike or snowshoe Vanoise National Park. This reserve is home to chamois, ibex, mountain hares, marmots, and other high-altitude wildlife. For a magical experience in winter, book an evening snowshoe trek with the moon shining on the snow. 

Shop a holiday market. Browse crafts and food from vendors, warm up with hot chocolate, and skate around an ice rink under twinkling lights. You’ll feel like the star of your own Hallmark movie. The town of Les Gets offers something special: Alta Lumina, a light show that turns the forest into an immersive holiday story.

Taste local cheese. The cheeses of the Savoie Valley are world-renowned, and you can spend many happy hours tasting and learning about them. They include soft, creamy Reblochon; Emmental de Savoie, a buttery cheese made in large wheels;  and Raclette, a cheese typically used for melting.⁴

What do I need to travel to the French Alps?

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