{"id":21865,"date":"2026-11-12T09:33:08","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T09:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alpvisionresidences.com\/blog\/?p=21865"},"modified":"2026-11-12T09:33:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T09:33:15","slug":"ski-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpvisionresidences.com\/blog\/ski-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to ski in December: Europe’s best resorts for early-season snow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deciding on where to ski in December<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is skiing in December really like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For winter 2026\/27, Val Thorens <\/strong>and Orelle<\/strong> are due to open on 21 November, Courchevel<\/strong> on 4 December and Val Cenis<\/a> on 12 December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros of December skiing<\/th>Cons of December skiing<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Lower prices in the first half of the month<\/td>Some ski areas are only partly open until mid-December<\/td><\/tr>
Quiet slopes before the Christmas rush<\/td>Snow cover can be thin at lower altitudes<\/td><\/tr>
Christmas markets, races and festive events<\/td>Short days, with most lifts closing around 16:30<\/td><\/tr>
Fresh snow after early-season storms<\/td>Christmas week is the most expensive week of winter<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where is the best place to go skiing in December<\/strong> in Europe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re wondering where is the best place to go skiing in December<\/strong>, start with altitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resort<\/th>Country<\/th>Altitude<\/th>Ski area<\/th>Projected opening<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Val Thorens \/ Orelle<\/td>France<\/td>Up to 3,230 m<\/td>Les 3 Vall\u00e9es, about 600 km<\/td>21 November<\/td><\/tr>
Tignes<\/td>France<\/td>1,550 to 3,456 m<\/td>Tignes-Val d’Is\u00e8re, about 300 km<\/td>21 November<\/td><\/tr>
Nendaz<\/td>Switzerland<\/td>1,400 to 3,330 m<\/td>4 Vall\u00e9es, 412 km<\/td>14 November<\/td><\/tr>
Veysonnaz<\/td>Switzerland<\/td>1,400 to 3,330 m<\/td>4 Vall\u00e9es, 412 km<\/td>5 December<\/td><\/tr>
Chamrousse<\/td>France<\/td>1,400 to 2,250 m<\/td>About 90 km<\/td>5 December<\/td><\/tr>
Ch\u00e2tel<\/td>France<\/td>1,200 to 2,200 m<\/td>Portes du Soleil, 600 km<\/td>5 December (partial)<\/td><\/tr>
Val Cenis<\/td>France<\/td>Up to 2,800 m<\/td>About 125 km<\/td>12 December<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 Vall\u00e9es. If you’d rather stay somewhere quieter and cheaper, the village of Orelle<\/a> has a gondola that takes you from the Maurienne valley <\/strong>up into the same ski area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Switzerland, the 4 Vall\u00e9es around Mont-Fort is the country’s largest ski area. Nendaz<\/a> is usually among the first resorts to open, and family-friendly Veysonnaz<\/a> follows in early December. That makes this corner of Valais a strong answer to where is good to ski in December<\/strong> if you want plenty of terrain without paying Verbier prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower resorts are better for late December. Skiing in Ch\u00e2tel<\/a> opens partially on 5 and 6 December, then fully from 19 December, when the whole Portes du Soleil is linked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Best-ski-resorts-alps.jpg\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What weather and snow conditions can you expect in December?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple rule helps when deciding where to go skiing in December<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can you do at ski resorts in December besides skiing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because the days are short, you’ll spend more time off the slopes than you would in March. Most resorts plan for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n