Deciding on where to ski in December can feel like a gamble. If you go too early in the month, half the lifts might still be closed. Wait until Christmas week and prices jump, queues get longer, and every chalet is taken. Still, December is one of the best months to be in the mountains if you pick the right resort.
This guide covers which resorts open first, what the snow is usually like, what there is to do off the slopes and which festive events are worth planning a trip around.
What is skiing in December really like?
December is when the Alpine season gets going. The highest resorts open in the second half of November, and most others follow over the first three weekends of December.
For winter 2026/27, Val Thorens and Orelle are due to open on 21 November, Courchevel on 4 December and Val Cenis on 12 December.
| Pros of December skiing | Cons of December skiing |
|---|---|
| Lower prices in the first half of the month | Some ski areas are only partly open until mid-December |
| Quiet slopes before the Christmas rush | Snow cover can be thin at lower altitudes |
| Christmas markets, races and festive events | Short days, with most lifts closing around 16:30 |
| Fresh snow after early-season storms | Christmas week is the most expensive week of winter |
Where is the best place to go skiing in December in Europe?
If you’re wondering where is the best place to go skiing in December, start with altitude.
After that, look for glacier access, north-facing slopes and plenty of snowmaking. Here’s how some of the most reliable options compare for the 2026/27 season.
| Resort | Country | Altitude | Ski area | Projected opening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Val Thorens / Orelle | France | Up to 3,230 m | Les 3 Vallées, about 600 km | 21 November |
| Tignes | France | 1,550 to 3,456 m | Tignes-Val d’Isère, about 300 km | 21 November |
| Nendaz | Switzerland | 1,400 to 3,330 m | 4 Vallées, 412 km | 14 November |
| Veysonnaz | Switzerland | 1,400 to 3,330 m | 4 Vallées, 412 km | 5 December |
| Chamrousse | France | 1,400 to 2,250 m | About 90 km | 5 December |
| Châtel | France | 1,200 to 2,200 m | Portes du Soleil, 600 km | 5 December (partial) |
| Val Cenis | France | Up to 2,800 m | About 125 km | 12 December |
Val Thorens is the safest bet for snow. At 2,300 metres, it’s the highest ski resort in Europe, and it links straight into Les 3 Vallées. If you’d rather stay somewhere quieter and cheaper, the village of Orelle has a gondola that takes you from the Maurienne valley up into the same ski area.
In Switzerland, the 4 Vallées around Mont-Fort is the country’s largest ski area. Nendaz is usually among the first resorts to open, and family-friendly Veysonnaz follows in early December. That makes this corner of Valais a strong answer to where is good to ski in December if you want plenty of terrain without paying Verbier prices.
Lower resorts are better for late December. Skiing in Châtel opens partially on 5 and 6 December, then fully from 19 December, when the whole Portes du Soleil is linked.
What weather and snow conditions can you expect in December?
December weather in the Alps can go either way. Some years have meters of snow well before Christmas, and in others the season starts mild and resorts rely on snow cannons.
A simple rule helps when deciding where to go skiing in December. For the first half of the month, choose a resort with lifts above 3,000 metres or a glacier. After mid-December, mid-altitude resorts are usually fine.
What can you do at ski resorts in December besides skiing?
Because the days are short, you’ll spend more time off the slopes than you would in March. Most resorts plan for that.
- Night skiing: Chamrousse runs floodlit skiing from the Croix de Chamrousse down to the resort on Saturday evenings
- Sledging: the Chamrousse Luge Park is open daily, with evening sessions too
- Snowshoeing and winter walks: Nendaz has more than 100 km of winter hiking, snowshoe and cross-country trails
- Ziplining: Châtel’s Fantasticable is one of the longest ziplines in France
- Wildlife and scenery: Val Cenis borders France’s first national park, the Vanoise
- Long lunches: fondue, raclette and tartiflette taste better when it’s -5°C outside
How to plan and pack for a December ski trip
Good timing will save you more money than anything else. Prices peak from around 19 December to early January, so the first two weeks of the month are the sweet spot if you’re flexible.
If you can’t plan that far ahead, a last-minute ski holiday in early December is often easier to find than you’d think.
- Check the live lift status before you travel, as many resorts open in stages
- Fly into Geneva for most resorts in Valais and Haute-Savoie, as Châtel is about 76 km from the airport
- If you’re driving in France, winter tyres or snow chains are required in mountain areas from 1 November to 31 March
- Buy lift passes online, as opening-weekend deals are common
Which December events and festivities are worth planning around?
When you’re weighing up where to ski in December Europe has a packed festive calendar, and the right event can make the trip. These are the dates to note for 2026.
| Event | Where | Dates | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreux Noël | Montreux, Lake Geneva | 20 November to 24 December | More than 170 chalets, with Father Christmas flying over the market every evening |
| Course de l’Escalade | Geneva Old Town | 5 and 6 December | Switzerland’s biggest running race |
| Fête de l’Escalade | Geneva | 11 to 13 December | Free historic festival with costumed parades and a bonfire at St Pierre Cathedral |
| Critérium de la Première Neige | Val d’Isère | 12 and 13 December | Men’s World Cup giant slalom and slalom on the Face de Bellevarde |
| Christmas Eve torchlight descents | Many Alpine resorts | 24 December | Ski instructors carry flares down the mountain, usually followed by mulled wine |
If you’re staying on after Christmas, it’s worth reading up on New Year in the mountains early, as 31 December is the hardest night of the winter to book.
Ready for December? Book your stay with Alpvision Residences
So, where is best to ski in December? Go high in the first half of the month, choose mid-altitude resorts after the 15th and book early if Christmas week is on the cards.
Alpvision Residences has chalets and apartments in several of these resorts. Pick your dates, check the opening calendar and secure your December stay before the holiday rush begins.
