Val Cenis, French Alps
French Alps

Val Cenis

On the sunny Haute-Maurienne, Val Cenis is a big, friendly family domain crowned by L'Escargot, the longest green run in France at 10 km. Two unspoilt stone villages give it a warmth most large resorts have lost.

Altitude
1400 - 2800 m
Vertical drop
1400 m
Pistes
125 km
Lifts
22
Snow score
77/100
Season
Dec 14 β†’ Apr 21

Val Cenis is a ski resort with genuine ski-in/ski-out hotels in France, in the French Alps. The village sits at 1400 m and the lifts top out at 2800 m, with 125 km of pistes and 22 lifts. Its BestSnowHotels snow score is 77/100, and the season usually runs Dec 14 β†’ Apr 21.

How we score and classify resorts

Pistes and lifts

What you can ski here
AlpineSnowboardSnowparkSki touring
49 marked runs
Green
10
Blue
16
Red
18
Black
5
Average snow by month
110cm
Dec
160cm
Jan
200cm
Feb
190cm
Mar
120cm
Apr

Run counts and piste kilometres are indicative. Green runs only exist in France, Spain, Andorra, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Japan, the United States, Morocco, Algeria, Lesotho, South Africa, Egypt, Canada, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Chile; Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany start at blue. Indicative average snow depth near the top of the resort, in cm.

Where to stay

A handful of well-rated hotels in and around the resort. Pick one, then compare live prices across Booking, Expedia and Hotels.com.

Les Alpages de Val Cenis
4.4728 reviews
€110
β˜… Top pick

Les Alpages de Val Cenis

Very good Β· 728 reviews

Why we like it

Strong value for Val Cenis, with a high guest rating that punches above its nightly price.

Guests rate this hotel as very good (4.4/5 from 728 reviews). It sits about 450 m from the slopes. A mid-range option for Val Cenis, with live nightly rates shown for your exact dates so you always see the best price.

β‰ˆ 450 m to the slopesMid-range
From
€110/ night
Check availability β†’
Saint Charles HΓ΄tel & Spa Val Cenis
4.3623 reviews
€100

Saint Charles HΓ΄tel & Spa Val Cenis

Very good Β· 623 reviews

Why we like it

A long-standing favourite in Val Cenis, trusted by thousands of guests before you.

β‰ˆ 900 m to the slopesBudget-friendly
From
€100/ night
Check availability β†’
CGH RΓ©sidences & Spas - Les Chalets de Flambeau
4.4343 reviews
€105

CGH RΓ©sidences & Spas - Les Chalets de Flambeau

Very good Β· 343 reviews

Why we like it

Strong value for Val Cenis, with a high guest rating that punches above its nightly price.

β‰ˆ 550 m to the slopesBudget-friendly
From
€105/ night
Check availability β†’
La ClΓ© des Champs
4.7138 reviews
€135

La ClΓ© des Champs

Excellent Β· 138 reviews

Why we like it

Moments from the lifts in Val Cenis, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.

β‰ˆ 350 m to the slopesMid-range
From
€135/ night
Check availability β†’

Ratings from Google, prices indicative per night. Live availability and rates via our booking partners.

Ski-in/ski-out

Several residences along the snow-front at Lanslevillard and Val-Cenis Termignon are ski-in/ski-out; the two old villages themselves sit a short ski-bus hop from the lifts.

Get to know the resort

Val Cenis rises above the twin villages of Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard at the foot of the Mont-Cenis pass, with 125 km of varied piste climbing to 2800 m. It is famous for L'Escargot, a gentle 10 km green that lets a true beginner ski all the way from the top, yet stronger skiers find plenty on the Solert and Termignon sides. Snow holds well thanks to altitude and a north-leaning aspect, and prices stay refreshingly down to earth for the central Alps.

Good to know

  • The terrain is well balanced: 10 green, 16 blue, 18 red and 5 black runs, which suits a mixed group skiing together at different levels.
  • From 1400 m at the base to 2800 m up top, the resort leans on grooming and snowmaking in lean spells (score 77/100).
  • At 125 km of piste on 22 lifts, it is a substantial mountain that earns a multi-day stay.
  • The lifts typically turn for about 18 weeks a season, planning around late January to late February tends to land the most reliable cover.
Val Cenis, French Alps
Val Cenis, French Alps

Hotels in Val Cenis

Hotels and apartments around the lifts. Compare prices on Booking, Expedia and Hotels.com.

Plan your trip

Keep exploring from here

Everything on our site connected to Val Cenis: its area, the lists it makes, head-to-heads and trip guides.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Val Cenis good for beginners?+

Val Cenis offers 125 km of pistes across 22 lifts, from 1400 m to 2800 m. Whether it suits beginners depends on the dedicated learner zones at the base of the slopes, so check the local ski-school options for green and blue run access.

When is the best time to ski Val Cenis?+

The season runs from Dec 14 to Apr 21, with a snow score of 77/100. The best conditions are usually from late January through February, while spring skiing in March and April brings longer days and softer afternoons.

Where should I stay for true ski-in/ski-out?+

Several residences along the snow-front at Lanslevillard and Val-Cenis Termignon are ski-in/ski-out; the two old villages themselves sit a short ski-bus hop from the lifts.

How big is the Val Cenis ski area?+

Val Cenis has 125 km of marked pistes served by 22 lifts, between 1400 m and 2800 m of altitude.

Is Val Cenis more for beginners or experts?+

Val Cenis counts about 49 marked runs in total. The colour breakdown above shows how they split by difficulty, a good guide to whether the resort fits your level.