#1. Chamonix, France

Chamonix offers some truly excellent freeriding and great natural freestyle terrain. It's not great for beginners and can suffer if there's not much snow. It's rough round the edges - but therein lies its charm. If you can, wait until there's fresh snow then jump in your car.

Summary

Freeride - 95%

Tree runs & amazing off-piste

Freestyle - 70%

Half-pipe but great natural

Pistes - 60%

Spread out & ungroomed slopes

Beginners - 50%

Too rough round the edges

Value - 60%

Pricey but possible on a budget

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#2. Serre Chevalier, France

One of the best resorts in France. Great freeriding with powder and full-on, freestyle terrain. Shame it's pricey and packed with skiers.

Summary

Freeride - 80%

Great tree runs & good off-piste

Freestyle - 72%

Parks & 2 halfpipes

Pistes - 76%

Lots of trees & open pistes

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#3. Les Arcs, France

A great freeriders resort with lots of off-piste and powder, plus natural hits to explore. A major tourist spot with lively nightlife.

Summary

Freeride - 76%

Tree runs & excellent off-piste

Freestyle - 70%

Park & half-pipe

Pistes - 85%

Pisted to perfection

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#4. Tignes, France

Snow sure, true boarders' moonscape Great all-round resort with something for everyone, no matter what your ability. However, watch out some for long lift queues and crowds during school holidays and weekends.

Summary

Freeride - 80%

No tree runs but huge off-piste

Freestyle - 70%

All year parks & halfpipe

Pistes - 76%

Open motorway cruisers

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#5. Courchevel, France

Good all-round resort. Miles of groomed piste and natural terrain. An excellent intermediate/advanced resort but expensive. If you're a beginner, save your money and come here when you can fully utilise the whole resort.

Summary

Freeride - 74%

Tree runs & some good off-piste

Freestyle - 63%

Park & half-pipe

Pistes - 87%

Pisted to perfection

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#6. Avoriaz, France

Good resort with excellent freeriding and carving areas. The main problem with Avoriaz are the crowds and long lift queues.

Summary

Freeride - 80%

Tree runs & some good off-piste

Freestyle - 85%

Excellent Parks & half-pipe

Pistes - 80%

Plenty of good slopes

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#7. Val d'Isere, France

Great mountain, expensive town. Overall, Val d'Isere has something for everyone. There's varying terrain for all abilities, some great off-piste and a good snow record but be ready to pay for it. They take card and cash, don't you worry.

Summary

Freeride - 80%

Some tree runs & good off-piste

Freestyle - 70%

Park & Pipe

Pistes - 80%

Plenty of good wide slopes

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#8. Sainte-Foy, France

Fantastic freeriding when there's fresh snow, but it's no longer an unheard of resort

Summary

Freeride - 80%

A few tree runs & excellent off-piste

Freestyle - 40%

no park but good natural

Pistes - 35%

Forget it

Beginners - 30%

Limited slopes

Value - 60%

Not sky high prices

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#9. La Grave, France

With the right conditions: awesome and deadly

Summary

Freeride - 80%

Proper hardcore

Freestyle - 35%

As natural as it gets

Pistes - 25%

Not at all what this place is about

Beginners - 10%

Go somewhere else

Value - 60%

Cheaper than nearby resorts

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#10. Les Deux Alpes, France

Decent all-year, all-style resort, with some great carving terrain and good off-piste, but the place can be hellishly busy at weekends and over holidays.

Summary

Freeride - 68%

Few trees, some good off-piste

Freestyle - 80%

Park & half-pipe

Pistes - 70%

Wide motorway pistes

Beginners - 60%

Lots of paths and flat bits

read more about Les Deux Alpes