If you are a telemark enthusiast, France is one of the top destinations for this exciting winter sport. With breathtaking mountain scenery and pistes to suit all abilities, French ski resorts offer a unique experience for telemark skiers.
A selection of the most popular destinations for telemark
In this article we will introduce you to the best telemark spots in France, with detailed information on the different ski resorts, slopes, difficulty levels and unique landscapes.
The French Alps
The French Alps are one of the most popular regions for telemark in France. This mountainous region offers a wide range of ski areas, with runs for all levels of ability. Here are some of the most popular destinations for telemark in the French Alps :
The Arcs
Located in Savoie, Les Arcs is one of the best telemark ski spots in France. With over 200km of pistes, the resort offers a wide variety of runs for all levels. Telemark skiers will particularly appreciate the resort's well groomed runs, which offer many opportunities for telemark.
Les Arcs is suitable for all levels of skiers, with routes for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers. Beginner telemark skiers can take telemark courses to learn the basic techniques of the sport, while advanced skiers can take on more technical and challenging runs.
Chamonix
Chamonix is one of the most popular telemark areas in France, thanks to its steep slopes and abundant snow. Telemark skiers can enjoy a variety of runs with stunning views of Mont Blanc.
Chamonix offers routes for all levels of skiers, with runs for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers.
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is located in the Savoie department and is part of the 3 Valleys ski area, the largest ski area in the world. With over 600 km of pistes, telemark skiers will find itineraries suitable for all levels. For telemark beginners, Val Thorens has a dedicated green telemark run which allows for a gentle introduction to the sport. For intermediate skiers, the resort offers blue and red runs with descents in the forest or on virgin snow fields for guaranteed sensations.
Experienced telemark skiers will find their happiness on the resort's black runs, which offer a technical and varied playground for perfecting their telemark skills. It is also possible to practice off-piste skiing under the supervision of high mountain guides for a unique experience.
The Contamines-Montjoie
Located in the Haute-Savoie, Les Contamines-Montjoie is a popular destination for telemark skiers. The resort offers a variety of slopes, suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. The ski area is situated between 1200m and 2500m altitude and offers a panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif. The telemark runs are well marked and groomed, offering a smooth and enjoyable skiing experience. It is possible to take telemark lessons on site with experienced instructors.
The Pyrénées
The Pyrenees are a lesser-known mountain range than the Alps, but offer quality telemark and a unique mountain experience. The ski resorts in the Pyrenees are less crowded than those in the Alps, which means that there are often fewer people on the slopes and prices are more affordable.
The Angles
Situated in the Pyrenees-Orientales, Les Angles is a family ski resort with pistes for all levels, including telemark skiers. The slopes are well groomed and offer technical and varied runs. Telemark skiers can enjoy steep slopes and technical descents that allow them to perfect their technique.
Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000
Font-Romeu is another popular ski resort in the Pyrénées-Orientales. This resort offers a unique telemark experience in an exceptional natural setting. The ski area is situated between 1650m and 2213m and offers pistes for all levels. The telemark runs are well marked and groomed, with gentle slopes for beginners and more technical runs for advanced skiers. The resort is also equipped with a snowpark for freestyle enthusiasts.
The Massif Central
Although not as well known as the Alps or the Pyrenees, it also offers great opportunities for telemark skiers. Located in the centre of France, the Massif Central is a mountainous region that spans several departments, including Cantal, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire and Ardèche.
The Mont-Dore
Located in the Puy-de-Dôme, is another popular telemark ski resort in the Massif Central. The resort offers over 41km of runs, with courses to suit all levels of ability. It has a wide variety of runs for all levels, with downhill routes, forest runs and freeride areas. Telemark skiers can also take advantage of a cross-country skiing area.
Beginner telemark skiers can enjoy the green and blue runs, while advanced skiers can try the more technical and demanding red and black runs.
Super-Besse
Super-Besse is another popular ski resort in the Puy-de-Dôme. This resort offers runs for all levels, including telemark skiers. The slopes at Super-Besse are well groomed and offer great views of the surrounding mountains. Telemark skiers can enjoy technical runs and tight turns on the resort's slopes.
The Vosges
The Vosges, located in eastern France, is also a popular destination for telemark. Although the Vosges mountains are not as high as the Alps or the Pyrenees, they offer beautiful scenery and well-groomed ski runs.
Bresse
The ski resort of La Bresse-Hohneck is one of the best telemark ski spots in the Vosges. It is located in the Grand Est region, about an hour and a half drive from Strasbourg. The resort has 220 hectares of ski runs, with a maximum altitude of 1,350 metres. It offers runs suitable for all levels, with blue, red and black runs.
Telemark skiers will particularly enjoy the slopes of La Bresse-Hohneck, which are wide and offer plenty of space to practice their technique. The resort also has a snowpark for freestylers and jumpers. Children are not left out, with a special area for beginners and younger children.
Gérardmer
Situated at an altitude of 660 metres, the resort offers 40 km of pistes, suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers. Telemark skiers can enjoy wide, sunny slopes as well as more technical runs in the forest. The resort also offers off-ski activities such as snowshoeing and dog sledding.
Each region has its own specificity, offering varied landscapes and slopes adapted to all levels of practice. Telemark skiers can take advantage of technical and fun slopes to learn or improve their skills in this demanding but exciting discipline. In addition to telemark, French ski resorts also offer many other activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledging and dog sledding.
