Each season, we speak to our resort partners to hear what's new and exciting for the winter ahead. Thanks to our close relationships and long-standing collaborations, we often get the inside scoop on new lifts, expanded ski areas, fresh activities and resort upgrades.
Here is our pick of the most exciting new developments across the French Alps for winter 2025/26.
Interested in a particular resort? Jump to it here:
Les 2 Alpes expands night skiing and beginner access
Les 2 Alpes is a lively resort in the Isère area that is always innovating. Last year a huge new gondola replacement project (the new Jandri Express) improved access to the ski area. This year they are making their night skiing experience accessible to even more skiers.
A green run will now be open for night skiing alongside the red run that usually opens. This means that even beginners can enjoy this special experience. Both of these runs are on the Vallée Blanche side of the resort, which is good news for those staying at our Les Clarines residence as access to this side of resort is super easy from the property.
© Les 2 Alpes OT
Also aimed at improving access for new skiers, brand new beginners' areas have been opened up at altitude in the ski area. These are located between 2100m and 2600m to ensure ideal learning conditions throughout the season.
New activities in the resort include Snooc and Yooner sessions. These hybrid sledges combine ski elements (such as a ski blade) with a seated sledge. Definitely one to try if you like an adrenaline rush!
A calmer option amongst the new activities is a nighttime snow shoe walk that combines walking in stunning natural surroundings with wildlife observation in hides and with cameras set up to capture any local fauna.
Courchevel turns 80!
This iconic 3 Valleys resort is turning 80 in 2026. This milestone anniversary will be marked throughout the winter with a series of special events. Keep an eye out for what’s happening if you are skiing in or around the 3 Valleys this winter as what they have planned is sure to be both spectacular, stylish and infinitely instagrammable! We’ll add any updates and events here as we are told about them.
One event already on the calendar is the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup on 16 December 2025. Don’t miss the spectacular night-time slalom race!
Courchevel has also reinforced its position as a gastronomic destination par excellence. The Baumanière 1850 restaurant has earned its second Michelin star bringing the total of Michelin-starred restaurants in the resort to seven!
The Chenus gondola is being upgraded, doubling capacity, and a picnic room, panoramic terrace and indoor relaxation area with large bay windows are being added at the arrival station. Sustainability is at the heart of the new development with solar panels, a rainwater recovery system and measures to protect wildlife all being incorporated into the project.
© Courchevel OT
For little ones, Courchevel 1850’s ESF children's village has been reimagined with new magic carpets, and completely redesigned slopes to create skiing areas for levels from Piou Piou to Flocon. There’s even a mini boardercross with banked turns!
Older children will love the Family Park in Courchevel 1850 as well as a previously extended boardercross, rails have been added after the existing jumps to allow younger and beginner rides to try out freestyle safely.
© Isola 2000 OT
If you’ve ever wanted to feel at the heart of the action then this is the event that can make that happen as Isola's competition slope and the finish line are easily accessible to everyone, skiers and pedestrians alike.
Isola 2000 and neighbouring Auron, both just above Nice, offer the rare opportunity to combine a week’s skiing with a few days on the Mediterranean coasts!
La Plagne reveals new Roche de Mio gondola
A few of our team skied in La Plagne last winter and saw the beginnings of this project to replace the Roche de Mio gondola. The idea is to offer easier access to La Plagne’s high altitude sectors and improve the flow of skiers at the bottom of the slopes.
© La Plagne OT
The gondola follows a different route to the old one. Its mid-station offers a wider choice of routes and easy access to either the Plagne Bellecôte / Belle Plagne sector or over to south-facing skiing above Champagny-en-Vanoise.
For those staying at our Manaka property in Plagne Centre, it’ll now be possible to bypass Plagne Bellecôte when heading up to the top of the ski area at 3000m and save significantly on journey time too!
Speed up your journey in Les Arcs
In Les Arcs, a new gondola is replacing the two lifts that take you back up to Plan des Violettes (at 2119m) from Villaroger. This will take skiers from 1200m to 2119m in just 7 minutes, as opposed to 17 minutes previously.
© Les Arcs OT
The Transarc gondola is benefiting from a new panoramic observation terrace, which will have a fun slide and a climbing wall. Whilst budding geologists can learn how minerals have shaped human history in the Mineral Gallery at the mid-station, which will also boast a new themed indoor picnic area.
Relax in style in Serre Chevalier
Any ski trip to Serre Chevalier ought to take in the thermal spa, Les Grands Bains du Monêtier, in, you’ve guessed it, Monêtier-les-Bains (a village just down the road from our Serre Chevalier accommodation).
For winter 2025/26, a new premium spa space is coming. This new destination will offer experiences such as a ‘sparkling water pool’ - a world first, a panoramic sauna with views over the surrounding peaks, a snow room and a terrace with five hot tubs with unforgettable views.
© Les Grands Bains du Monêtier
We can’t wait to go back! If you are heading to Serre Chevalier this season then this is an experience not to be missed. The Inside Track top tip: We recommend visiting in the evening, nothing beats sitting in the outdoor pools and looking up at the stars.
New panoramic terrace for Saint-Martin-de-Belleville
In Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, the top of the St Martin Express chairlift (at 1800m) has a new panoramic terrace and picnic area for winter 2025/26. The 250m² “chill zone” offers spectacular views over the Belleville Valley, creating a special spot to relax or enjoy lunch al fresco.
© Saint-Martin-de-Belleville OT
Tignes upgrades access, adds adventure, and unveils a unique new dining spot
Tignes has added a new 6-seater chairlift to improve access to the skiing in the area of the Aiguille Percée, the iconic ‘eye of the needle’ rock formation that freerider Candide Thovex spectacularly jumped through in a video that went viral (definitely worth looking up!).
Budding adventurers will love the new Aventure Park (which opened this summer) in Tignes Val Claret. It features an aerial course that allows even the youngest visitors to walk, climb or jump around a network of suspended nets. There are also three impressive zip lines (from 60m-150m long) for the more daring.
© Tignes OT
New in Tignes le Lac is a brasserie called ‘Drôle d’Endroit’ (literally an ‘odd place’). It’s in a converted industrial building with high ceilings and huge entrance doors. With service from breakfast right through to dinner, an affordable menu, and a ski-in terrace with views of the lake, this is bound to become the hot ticket for this winter.
Val d’Isère makes life easy for beginner skiers
New Ski Tranquille zones in the Solaise sector of the Val d’Isère ski area made it easy for beginners to feel relaxed and confident on the slopes last winter. This initiative, with dedicated calmer slopes, has been extended and the Bellevarde sector will now have Ski Tranquille zones for 2025/26. Logos, arrows and flags help beginners find their way around the ski area on gentle green and blue slopes.
© Val d'Isère OT
Two new terraces in the ski area are equipped with the usual orientation tables so you can admire (and name) the surrounding peaks, but also binoculars so that you can spot wildlife and birds or get a closer view of the stunning rock formations and peaks.
New gondolas, stunning views, and exciting new hangouts in Val Thorens
A new 10-seater gondola will improve access to the Asters and Face Nord slopes in Val Thorens this season. This replaces the old Glacier and Col chairlifts.
The new Cime Caron cable car will also open this season, giving easy access for both skiers and pedestrians to the panoramic walkway and viewpoint at 3195m, and the Caron 3200 restaurant, wine bar and café that are situated at the top. Breathtaking views guaranteed!
© Val Thorens OT
We’re also excited about a brand-new bar, La Timbale, that is being opened by two passionate locals, Bastien and Téo, and the prospect of a revamped Folie Douce!
A fresh take on après-ski in Chamrousse
Apéro time is a tradition we’re happy to adopt on our ski holidays – pre-dinner drinks and snacks with friends and family is a great way to end your ski day.
In Chamrousse you can do apéro differently this season with a new activity. Enjoy a gentle late afternoon hike up the mountain then pause to taste a selection of the best regional products, including cheeses, charcuterie and honey accompanied by local wine and beers, all this with the sun setting over the mountains. What more could you ask for?
See Vercors in Lights in Villard-de-Lans
A new immersive light show will open this winter in Bois Barbu in Villard-de Lans. Vercors en Lumière combines light, sound and storytelling to create a magical nighttime adventure in the forest.
© Villard-de-Lans OT
As darkness falls, follow in the footsteps of Papito and his granddaughter and discover the landscapes, wildlife and stories that shape the soul of the Vercors.
Combloux celebrates 90 years
Combloux will be hosting a programme of events and activities to celebrate 90 years of skiing in the resort. The new 10-person Beauregard gondola will replace the chairlift of the same name. The lift will take skiers from the village up to the Portes du Mont-Blanc ski area faster.
© Combloux OT
New lift in Méribel
Opening in December 2025, the Côte Brune chairlift in Méribel is being replaced by an ultra-modern gondola. With 50 spacious bubbles and accommodating up to 10 people each, it will transport up to 2,600 skiers per hour. The gondola also has just 14 pylons compared to the previous 25 and features two boarding platforms to reduce the risk of queues, even at peak times.
© Méribel OT
Le Grand-Bornand revives a classic with an upcycled lift
This winter, Le Grand-Bornand breathes new life into its oldest chairlift with a clever upcycling project. The former 2-seater has been transformed into a fixed-grip 4-seater using refurbished parts from two older lifts, including the Les Gettiers chairlift. The result is the new La Taverne chairlift, which now offers improved access to the Le Rosay plateau as a secondary option alongside the La Joyère cable car, carrying up to 1800 skiers per hour.
Discover new accommodation from Peak Retreats
For winter 2025/26, we’ve added a selection of new accommodation across the French Alps. From a brand new 4* residence in Saint Gervais to luxury ski-in/ski-out apartments in La Rosière, there’s something for everyone. View new accommodation.