France has regained its position as the world’s leading ski destination after recording 56.1 million skier days during the 2025/2026 winter season. The figure represents a 2.4 percent increase from the previous winter and stands 6 percent above the average of the previous four seasons.
According to Domaines Skiables de France, the result puts France ahead of Austria, which recorded 53.7 million skier days, and the United States, which recorded 52.6 million. It is the first time France has led the global rankings since the 2014/2015 winter.
France Posts Its Third-Best Ski Season
The 2025/2026 season was the third-best ever recorded by French ski resorts. Only the 2008/2009 season, with 58.6 million skier days, and the 2012/2013 season, with 57.6 million, produced higher totals.
The Alps and Pyrenees were major contributors to the strong national performance, while ski areas in the Massif Central, Jura Mountains and Vosges experienced more variable snow conditions.
Early snowfall helped many resorts open in strong conditions before the Christmas holidays. A return to colder weather and additional snowfall in early January then allowed ski areas across France to expand operations.
The January period was particularly strong, with skier numbers 3 percent higher than the previous winter and 9 percent above the four-year average. By February 6, cumulative national visitation was 9 percent above the four-year average.
March and Spring Helped Extend the Season
Visitor numbers remained close to previous levels during the four-week winter holiday period before March brought another significant boost.
The March inter-holiday period recorded a 20 percent increase compared with the previous winter. Domaines Skiables de France said this marked the first year-over-year increase during that period since the post-Covid recovery.
Spring holidays also produced gains, with visitation up 3 percent year over year. The Easter weekend helped reinforce the importance of April for French ski resorts and mountain communities.
French Mountains Continue Growing in Summer
The report also highlighted the growing importance of the mountains outside the traditional ski season. During the peak summer period from July 4th through August 22nd, occupancy reached 65.8 percent, up 2.5 points from 2025.
Across the extended summer season, occupancy reached 52.7 percent, an increase of one point. Domaines Skiables de France attributed the growth to cooler mountain temperatures, expanded summer activities and major events.
The organization said the results demonstrate continued demand for mountain recreation while highlighting the importance of ski areas to employment and local economies throughout France.