With 56.1 million skier-days recorded during the 2025/2026 winter, France regains the world’s top spot among ski destinations.
Attendance rose by 2.4% year over year and by 6% compared to the average of the four most recent seasons.
This performance marks the third-best season ever for French resorts, behind the winters of 2008/2009 and 2012/2013.
The Alps and the Pyrenees made especially strong contributions to the national momentum. Compared with the previous winter, attendance rose by 4.5% in Haute-Savoie, by 5% in the Southern Alps, and by 9% in the Pyrenees.
To read: Skiing in France: the complete panorama and the key figures of 2025!
By contrast, the mid-mountain ranges experienced a more uneven season, with declines of 9% in the Massif Central, 12% in the Jura Mountains, and 5% in the Vosges compared with the previous winter.
Attendance rose by 2.4% year over year and by 6% compared to the average of the four most recent seasons.
This performance marks the third-best season ever for French resorts, behind the winters of 2008/2009 and 2012/2013.
The Alps and the Pyrenees made especially strong contributions to the national momentum. Compared with the previous winter, attendance rose by 4.5% in Haute-Savoie, by 5% in the Southern Alps, and by 9% in the Pyrenees.
To read: Skiing in France: the complete panorama and the key figures of 2025!
By contrast, the mid-mountain ranges experienced a more uneven season, with declines of 9% in the Massif Central, 12% in the Jura Mountains, and 5% in the Vosges compared with the previous winter.
Mountain: an early-season start and a dynamic January
Snow began falling as early as the end of November, enabling several areas to open in good conditions. After a temporary warm spell at Christmas in some massifs, the return of cold weather and fresh snow at the start of January fostered strong attendance.
The January interholiday period therefore posts a 3% year-over-year rise and a 9% increase compared with the four-winter average.
By February 6, national attendance was already 9% above this average.
The March interholiday recorded a 20% rebound compared with the previous winter, bringing attendance back to the four-year average level.
The spring holidays also climbed by 3%, with an Easter weekend that was especially energetic.
All told, the 56.1 million skier-days allow France to move ahead of Austria (53.7 million) and the United States (52.6 million). This marks the first time since the 2014/2015 winter that France has held the world No. 1 spot.
The January interholiday period therefore posts a 3% year-over-year rise and a 9% increase compared with the four-winter average.
By February 6, national attendance was already 9% above this average.
The March interholiday recorded a 20% rebound compared with the previous winter, bringing attendance back to the four-year average level.
The spring holidays also climbed by 3%, with an Easter weekend that was especially energetic.
All told, the 56.1 million skier-days allow France to move ahead of Austria (53.7 million) and the United States (52.6 million). This marks the first time since the 2014/2015 winter that France has held the world No. 1 spot.
The mountains continue to rise in summer as well
The assessment by Domaines Skiables de France also reports a rise in summertime attendance.
During the core season, from July 4 to August 22, 2026, the mountain occupancy rate reached 65.8%, up 2.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the extended season, from June 13 to September 11, occupancy stood at 52.7%, one point higher than in 2025.
To read: Summer 2026: the mountains gain ground and discover their limits
The Pyrenees posted the highest rate, at 55.7%, followed by the Southern Alps at 52.3% and the Northern Alps at 50.8%.
During the core season, from July 4 to August 22, 2026, the mountain occupancy rate reached 65.8%, up 2.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the extended season, from June 13 to September 11, occupancy stood at 52.7%, one point higher than in 2025.
To read: Summer 2026: the mountains gain ground and discover their limits
The Pyrenees posted the highest rate, at 55.7%, followed by the Southern Alps at 52.3% and the Northern Alps at 50.8%.
Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com Voir tous les articles d’Amélia Brille
Ajoutez TourMaG à votre flux Google Actualités 
