France once again the world’s leading ski destination in 2025/2026 winter season review

With 56.1 million skier days recorded over the whole of the 2025/2026 winter, up 2.4% on the previous winter and 6% on the average of the past four seasons, France has regained the position of the world’s leading ski destination, ahead of Austria (53.7 million skier days, +3.7%) and the United States (52.6 million skier days). This is a first since the 2014/2015 winter. It is also the third-best season ever achieved by French ski resorts, behind the winters of 2008/2009 (58.6 million skier days) and 2012/2013 (57.6 million skier days). Domaines Skiables de France reports on a winter that confirms the public’s attachment to the mountains, to snowsports and to shared moments at altitude, across every French mountain range.

A very solid season, driven by the Alps and the Pyrenees

The 2025/2026 winter was particularly dynamic in the Alps and the Pyrenees, which delivered a high-level season and pulled national performance upwards. The Massif Central, the Jura Mountains and the Vosges had to contend with more variable snow cover this year.

An early start to the season

The pre-season was marked by early snowfall from the end of November, allowing many ski areas to open in very good conditions. The Christmas holidays were in line with a good national average, with the Alps and the Pyrenees making full use of the snow cover in place, while the Massif Central, the Jura Mountains and the Vosges had to cope with a temporary mild spell.

An excellent January inter-holiday period everywhere

The return of cold weather and fresh snowfall in early January enabled all mountain ranges to open their ski areas widely. Helped by particularly favourable weather, the January inter-holiday period proved excellent, with national visitor numbers 3% above the previous winter and 9% above the average of the past four winters. This momentum particularly benefited the Vosges, the Jura Mountains and the Massif Central, which were thus able to make up significant ground. As of 6 February, cumulative national visitor numbers stood 9% above the four-year average, with the Alps and the Pyrenees consolidating the national lead.

Solid winter holidays

Across the four weeks of the winter holidays, national visitor numbers held at a level very close to that of the previous winter and to the four-year average, with the Southern Alps and the Jura Mountains performing particularly well. As of 6 March, cumulative national visitor numbers were 5% above the average of the previous four winters, and comparable to last season at the same date.

A March inter-holiday period finally picking up again

The March inter-holiday period marked a clear rebound, with — for the first time since the post-Covid recovery — an increase in visitor numbers compared with the previous winter: +20% nationally, bringing this period back into line with the average of the past four winters. This upturn, supported by snow cover that remained generally above average, notably benefited the Jura Mountains.

Spring holidays up (+3%), with a dynamic Easter weekend

Notably, the end of the season, which included the Easter weekend, saw visitor numbers rise by 3% year on year. This result confirms the vitality of April, a structurally important period for resorts and for the economy of the valleys. It illustrates the ability of ski areas to extend their activity for as long as snow conditions and the appeal of the mountains allow.

A season that confirms the enthusiasm for skiing and the mountains

With 56.1 million skier days, the 2025/2026 winter ranks as the third-best season ever recorded by French ski resorts. Season after season, it confirms the strength of the enthusiasm for skiing and for the mountains: extraordinary sensations, fresh air, snowsports, time shared together — motivations that continue to bring together a broad and loyal public, in the Alps and the Pyrenees as well as in the mid-mountain ranges.

In this respect, Domaines Skiables de France underlines the remarkable adaptability and professionalism of the industry, which delivered an exceptional level of visitor numbers throughout the winter, thanks to the quality of the investments made by operators, the excellence of their expertise and their daily commitment to serving customers.

2026 summer review: the mountains are firmly establishing themselves as a summer destination

Summer 2026 confirms the mountains’ position as a fully fledged summer destination. Over the peak season (4 July – 22 August), the occupancy rate reached 65.8%, up +2.5% on summer 2025, with a peak of 80.7% in the week of 8 August. Across the extended season (13 June – 11 September), the French mountains strengthened their progress with 52.7% occupancy (+1 point vs 2025), driven by a particularly dynamic end of August: the week of 22 August rose by +2.3 points and August ultimately reached 72.8% (+0.7 point). This momentum is fuelled by the search for cooler temperatures (“coolcations”), the richness and diversification of the offer, and major events (notably the Tour de France and festivals). All mountain ranges are growing: the Pyrenees confirm their status as the best-performing range (55.7%, +1.2 points, with a peak of 79.4% in August), ahead of the Northern Alps (50.8%, +1.3 points) and the Southern Alps, which maintain a very good level (52.3%). Among accommodation providers, the professional sector passed the 50% occupancy mark (+1.3 points) and peer-to-peer rentals held at an excellent 55.5%, with a clearly improving peak season (+2.3 points in July, +1.5 points in August).

Domaines Skiables de France (DSF) is the professional chamber of French ski area and cable transport operators. DSF brings together 380 members, including 230 active members (ski lift or ski area operators) and around 150 associate members (suppliers, manufacturers, training centres, project managers, etc.). Ski areas are the main source of appeal for mountain resorts, which welcome 10 million tourists each winter, 7 million of whom take part in snowsports. As key players in the dynamism of mountain resorts, ski areas underpin the economic activity of local stakeholders (retailers, accommodation providers, ski and mountain professionals, etc.). The activity of ski areas is essential to sustaining employment and social life in these territories. In the mountains, DSF members employ 18,500 staff across some twenty different professions. Each winter, more than 120,000 jobs in France (direct and indirect) depend on ski areas opening (shops, accommodation, ski schools, resort services, etc.). With 56.1 million skier days in 2025/2026, France ranks as the world’s leading ski destination, ahead of Austria and the United States. www.domaines-skiables.fr