⛷️ Snow & winter sports
Skiing in the Vosges: ski resorts of the Grand Est
In the Grand Est, downhill skiing takes place in the Vosges mountains, on mid-altitude ski areas lying between around 750 m, at the foot of La Mauselaine in Gérardmer, and 1,350 m, at the top of the La Bresse-Hohneck ski area. The resorts are close to the cities: Champ du Feu, the only resort in the Bas-Rhin, is about an hour from Strasbourg, and Schnepfenried around forty minutes from Colmar. People come for the day, or even just a few hours, and several ski areas offer night skiing. The season depends entirely on snow cover.
To choose, start with your level and your group. The large ski areas, La Bresse-Hohneck and Gérardmer, offer a wide choice of runs and areas for children, in towns with the Famille Plus family-friendly label. Markstein adds a snow park and an alpine coaster, Schnepfenried runs for experienced skiers and snowboarders. Ballon d’Alsace and Bussang suit beginners well; Bussang is, moreover, for skiers only. Note that several long-established ski areas no longer offer downhill skiing, such as Le Tanet, Lac Blanc and Ventron. Always check the resort’s opening report before setting off.
How to choose?
If you are a beginner or skiing with the family
Gentle slopes at Ballon d’Alsace (free for under-5s), a snowboard-free resort at Bussang, the Igloo de Loustic kids’ area at Gérardmer and a beginners’ area with a magic carpet at La Bresse.
⛷️ Skiing & Snowshoeing at the Ballon d’Alsace⛷️ Skiing at Bussang – Larcenaire⛷️ Downhill Skiing at Gérardmer – La Mauselaine⛷️ Skiing at La Bresse
If you are an experienced skier
La Bresse-Hohneck offers a wide choice of runs, including a black, Markstein a snow park facing the ridges, and Schnepfenried runs for experienced skiers and snowboarders.
⛷️ Skiing at La Bresse⛷️ Skiing & Sledging at Le Markstein⛷️ Skiing at Schnepfenried
If you want to ski at night
Night skiing from 18:00 to 22:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays at Markstein, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Schnepfenried, and sessions until 21:45 on certain days at La Bresse.
⛷️ Skiing & Sledging at Le Markstein⛷️ Skiing at Schnepfenried⛷️ Skiing at La Bresse
If you are setting off from Strasbourg or without a car
Champ du Feu is about 1 hour from Strasbourg, with 2-hour passes; Markstein is served by snow shuttles in season and Bussang by a shuttle from the town centre.
⛷️ Skiing at Champ du Feu⛷️ Skiing & Sledging at Le Markstein⛷️ Skiing at Bussang – Larcenaire
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skiing at La Bresse📍 La Bresse · Vosges (88) | Opening announced for 19 December 2026; closing depends on snow cover | Half a day, a day or a longer stay; sessions from 06:00 to 21:45 on some days | Beginners (magic-carpet area) to experienced skiers (one black run); Famille Plus label | Ski area on route de Vologne, 9 km from the centre of La Bresse; nearest SNCF station: Remiremont |
| Downhill Skiing at Gérardmer – La Mauselaine📍 Gérardmer · Vosges (88) | Winter season; opening planned from 19 December 2026, snow permitting | Half a day to several days | Beginners to experienced skiers; dedicated children’s areas on the snow front | 2 km from the centre of Gérardmer; 1,200 free parking spaces. TGV stations at Épinal, Remiremont or Saint-Dié |
| Skiing & Sledging at Le Markstein📍 Le Markstein · Haut-Rhin (68) | Skiing depending on snow cover, from December to March; rail toboggan open all year, weather permitting | Half a day to a full day; night skiing from 18:00 to 22:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays | All levels; rail toboggan from age 8 as a driver, from age 3 and 90 cm as a passenger | Via the Thann valley (RD 1066 towards Kruth) or the Guebwiller valley (RD 430 towards Buhl); snow shuttles in season |
| Skiing at Schnepfenried📍 Sondernach · Haut-Rhin (68) | Winter, depending on snow; night skiing on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday | One day (alpine area 09:00–17:00) | Families and beginners (dedicated area), as well as experienced skiers and snowboarders | By car: about 40 min from Colmar via the Munster valley; winter tyres or snow chains compulsory |
| Skiing at Champ du Feu📍 Belmont · Bas-Rhin (67) | December to March, depending entirely on snow cover; opening forecasts updated daily | 2-, 4- or 8-hour passes (“sliding” passes that start from your first lift ride) | Families and beginners (learning area, ESF), cross-country skiers, sledging fans | A35 exit 12 (Barr) or 17 (Villé), then D 414; winter tyres or snow chains compulsory from 1 November to 31 March |
| Skiing & Snowshoeing at the Ballon d’Alsace📍 Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle · Vosges (88) | 2026–2027 season scheduled from 19 December to 7 March, snow permitting | Half a day to a full day | Families and beginners; free for under-5s | A36 exit 13 (Belfort) or 15 (Masevaux), or RN66 via Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle; Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station |
| Skiing at Bussang – Larcenaire📍 Bussang · Vosges (88) | Winter, snow permitting; provisional 2026–2027 dates: 2 January to 7 March 2027 | Half a day or a full day | Families and beginners; skiers only (snowboard-free resort) | 3 km above the village of Bussang, road to La Hutte; shuttle between town centre and resort; winter equipment compulsory |
Map: Skiing in the Vosges: ski resorts of the Grand Est
When to go?
- JanPeak season
- FebPeak season
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayPossible
- JunPossible
- JulPossible
- AugPossible
- SeptPossible
- OctPossible
- NovPossible
- DecPossible
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 The season generally runs from December to March, but each opening depends on snow cover: for 2026–2027, La Bresse, Gérardmer and Ballon d’Alsace are announcing an opening on 19 December 2026, and Bussang on 2 January 2027. Check the resort’s snow report on the morning itself.
Tips & insider advice
- Check the opening report
The Vosges resorts open according to snow cover: check the resort’s website or webcams before you set off.
- Equip your car
Winter tyres or snow chains are compulsory on several access roads, for example at Champ du Feu from 1 November to 31 March.
- Buy your pass online
Several resorts, including La Bresse, offer discounts on passes bought in advance on their website.
- Consider night skiing
Markstein, Schnepfenried and La Bresse open on certain evenings: a handy option after work or at the end of the day.
- Check the slope rules
Bussang is for skiers only: snowboarders should choose Markstein, Schnepfenried or La Bresse instead.
- Plan a sledging break
Free sledging at Ballon d’Alsace and Gérardmer, and an alpine coaster at Markstein, with drivers from age 8.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I ski in the Vosges?
The main downhill ski areas open are La Bresse-Hohneck and Gérardmer-La Mauselaine (Vosges), Markstein and Schnepfenried (Haut-Rhin), Champ du Feu (Bas-Rhin), Ballon d’Alsace and Bussang-Larcenaire. Le Tanet, Lac Blanc and Ventron no longer offer downhill skiing.
Which ski resort in the Vosges is best for beginners?
Ballon d’Alsace, with its gentle, wooded slopes, and Bussang, a skiers-only resort geared towards learning, are well suited to beginners. La Bresse and Gérardmer, both with the Famille Plus label, also have areas for beginners and children. Champ du Feu has a learner area with the ESF (French ski school).
When do the ski resorts in the Vosges open?
Generally between December and March, depending on snow. For the 2026–2027 season, La Bresse, Gérardmer and Ballon d’Alsace are announcing an opening from 19 December 2026, and Bussang is planning to open from 2 January to 7 March 2027. Dates remain subject to snow: check each resort’s website.
Can you go night skiing in the Vosges?
Yes: Markstein opens from 18:00 to 22:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays, Schnepfenried offers night skiing on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and La Bresse holds sessions until 21:45 on certain days. Check the calendar, which also depends on snow cover.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.