Ski The Tour de France

A lot of Brits love France, cycling and skiing, so why not combine your love of all three? Why not ski in one of the resorts that also hosts the famous Tour? Read on to find out more.....

One of, if not the biggest cycling event in the world, is the Tour de France. Having the tour come through your town or city is a big event and has been for the past hundred years. But there is a way you can combine both skiing and your love of cycling, we will take a look at 5 ski resorts that have a small slice of history to them as the Tour passed through them. A cycling or a skiing fan is sure to enjoy any of these resorts!

Peyragudes

Located in the heart of the Pyrenees, this resort is something of a hidden treasure not very well known outside of France and Spain. The large domain covered by the resort includes two base camps, an older and a newer camp. The older camp has some dated buildings and naturally an older feel to it, great for getting away but may be a little off putting to skiers used to super modern resorts. The Les Agudes is older but is also the best choice for starter skiers with gentler slopes and more learning areas. The newer area of Peyresource village has a completely different feel to it, its much busier and lively.

Méribel

One of the most versatile resorts in France and features one of the largest linked ski areas in the whole world. A true cosmopolitan resort, it has both quiet charm and lively action. It has been home to a large number of events not just including the Tour de France.

The 1992 Winter Olympics was held here as well, so there is a lot to offer for those that don’t ski as well as skiing and cycling. With three valleys and an Olympic village to choose from there is something here for everyone, and a lot of culture and history to go around. Alpine Action has some nice places to stay and enjoy this wonderful resort with classic wooden chalets.

+ Méribel Ski Resort Guide

Serre-Chevalier

High in the French Alps is the Serre-Chevalier, a large ski resort with 250 km of slopes and a maximum elevation of 2,800 metres above sea level. This resort boasts some of the best weather and most favourable ski conditions of almost anywhere, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Even in the summer months the weather is just too good to let the resort lay fallow, and it offers many outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, paragliding and of course, cycling. In fact not just the Tour de France has graced this resort but it was also the site of other events such as the MTB French Time Trials and the European BMX games.

+ Serre Chevalier Ski Resort Guide

Alpe d’Huez

Set in pastoral mountains and featured regularly in the Tour de France, is the resort of Alpe d’Huez. This resort and range offers some of the best views anywhere, from the highest point not only can you see the Alps, but a fifth of all France! With almost 300 days of sunshine you can behold these views almost year around. Summer or winter these mountains offer a sight of the Alps few can match, by ski or by cycle.

+ Alpe D'Huez Ski Resort Guide

Avoriaz

Having access to close to 650 km in ski area, and one of the more modern resorts, Avoriaz is a bit of a contrast, despite the modern resort and lifts, it still has lots of old world charm. Because of the travel restrictions and the high altitude it means you will spend most of your time skiing back and forth from your hotel and slopes, but that could just add to the fun and unique style of this resort.