With 200 ski resorts in the French Alps, how do you choose the right one for a holiday with your dog? In this article, I'll help you find an alpine resort that matches your needs and is, of course, dog-friendly!

Going to a mountain resort with Musher, my dog, has become an essential ritual. Several times a year, regardless of the season, we escape to the high altitudes. What I love about the Alps is their vastness, these breathtaking valleys bordered by immense mountains, both inspiring and relaxing.

As for hiking , whether in summer when everything is green, or in winter on the pedestrian trails and snowshoe routes, there's plenty to enjoy! I also like to observe the typical architecture of some resorts with their pretty wooden chalets.

And if you want to take your dog to a ski resort to ski or simply enjoy the snow, you should know that some Alpine resorts are dog-friendly ! It's even possible to ski with your dog in some of them.

Whether you're going with family or friends , whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier , here are 10 winter sports resorts in the Alps for a holiday that's perfect for you and your dog . Personally, I think the last ones on this list are the best and truly dog-friendly!

Before that, here are some important tips for finding your stay in the Alps and enjoying it to the fullest with your dog.

Summary

Going to a ski resort in the Alps with your dog

The Alps are magnificent in every season . It's truly a mountain range where I feel like I can breathe freedom . And I think Musher shares this feeling: she's bursting with energy as soon as we arrive!

Contrary to what one might imagine, it is quite easy to find dog-friendly hotels and holiday residences for off-season ski or mountain holidays.

Some ski lifts are also open to dogs (check their conditions), which allows you to explore even further with your furry friend!

However, while holidays in alpine resorts are possible with a dog, a few common-sense rules apply:

  • It is advisable to keep your dog on a leash To protect wildlife, but also to ensure one's own safety in the face of the dangers of the terrain. Often, a leash is even mandatory.
  • In summer, be particularly vigilant regarding guard dogs tending the flocks in the mountain pastures.
  • Stay safe off the ski slopes with his dog Not only are they forbidden to dogs, but they are also very dangerous. Hiking trails – and sometimes snowshoeing trails if permitted – are preferable for walking your dog.
  • In winter, remember to bring a tanning balm and/or slippers for your dog's paws and Don't let him walk on the de-icing salt., very aggressive on the pads (or rinse its paws thoroughly when you return from your walk).
  • Above all, don't let your dog eat too much snow.He risks having serious stomach pain (or even gastric torsion).
  • Dry your dog thoroughly upon returning from the walk so that he doesn't get cold.

Now that you know how to have a great stay in a resort in the Alps with your dog, choose the ideal resort for your holiday according to your profile!

Alpine resorts ideal for beginners

Are you starting out in skiing? Are you not very comfortable on skis or a snowboard? Alpine or cross-country skiing: to get off to a good start, choose ski areas offering wide slopes and gentle inclines.

Skiing with a dog at a resort in the French Alps

Autrans Méaudre en Vercors (Isère)

Located within the Vercors Regional Natural Park, this area offers 35 wide trails through the forest, mostly green or blue. Autrans Méaudre is also one of Europe's most important sites for cross-country skiing and Nordic walking.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ snowshoeing, ski touring, ski-joering; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking.
  • Please note: dogs are strictly prohibited in the Vercors High Plateaus Nature Reserve. Please also keep your dog on a leash in nearby Sensitive Natural Areas.
  • Dogs are not allowed on the station's shuttle buses.

Orcières Merlette (Hautes-Alpes)

Overlooking the Champsaur valley south of the Écrins National Park, this resort offers exceptional snow conditions on over 60 slopes for a wide range of accessible winter sports. Blending a sense of spaciousness thanks to its unobstructed views of the Alpine peaks with a touch of Mediterranean influence, Orcières Merlette provides a gentle introduction to skiing and snowboarding.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ skiing during times defined by the Tourist Office, snowshoeing and hiking from the Orcières leisure centre, outside the Ecrins Regional Natural Park; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking.
  • Dogs must be kept on a leash on all hikes.
  • The 3 mixed lifts (Rocherousse, Drouvet I and Drouvet II) are accessible with dogs only during the summer season.

Bessans (Savoie)

This small resort on the Swiss border is a paradise for a variety of activities. With 133 km of cross-country ski trails and an easy 3 km alpine ski area facing south, it's the perfect place for beginners. The traditional architecture and rich heritage of Bessans add to the village's charm.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ ski-joering on the Pré de l'huile and Traribon slopes, numerous snowshoeing and walking routes; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking. Several trails start directly from the village.
  • However, be aware that they are prohibited in the Vanoise National Park.
  • Dogs are welcome in many restaurants.

Resorts suitable for a holiday with children in the Alps

When the family grows, some Alpine resorts provide everything needed to keep children happy. Here are the ones I recommend for a family holiday with your dog.

Les Gets (Haute-Savoie)

Awarded the Famille Plus label, this resort in Morzine, south of Lake Geneva, boasts a pedestrian-friendly village on a human scale. Its gentle slopes make it accessible to children, with a snow garden for toddlers. Located on a mountain pass at 1,170 meters altitude, the slopes of Les Gets allow you to enjoy all winter sports. In summer, you can also go rafting and paragliding.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ snowshoeing; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking.
  • He can accompany you on the gondolas on the slopes of Chavannes and Mont Chéry, as well as on the shuttle buses running in summer and winter.

Serre-Chevalier (Hautes-Alpes)

The largest ski area in the Southern Alps, near the Swiss border, Serre-Chevalier offers a vast playground of 410 hectares, stretching from larch forests to panoramic peaks. The resort goes to great lengths to delight children: fun ski areas, protected zones for gentle ski lessons, activity centers…

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ snowshoeing; ☀️ guided or unguided hiking, mountain biking.
  • Warning: dogs are not allowed in the Ecrins Natural Park.
  • In winter, it can access certain cable cars (Prorel, Ratier, Pontillas, Aravet) to reach the mountain restaurants.
  • Access to chairlifts is permitted only in summer and for small dogs carried in a bag.

Ski resorts that appeal to experienced skiers

If you are looking for elevation gain, technical slopes and magnificent panoramas, these resorts will meet your expectations while also welcoming your dog.

Alpe d'Huez (Isère)

Nicknamed "the island of the sun" thanks to its exceptional sunshine, this high-altitude resort (up to 3,330 m) just an hour from Grenoble is a paradise for experienced skiers. Alpe d'Huez offers a vast ski area connecting several villages, with renowned black runs and safe off-piste areas. In summer, the panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks remain breathtaking.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ ski touring, snowshoeing; ☀️ hiking.
  • Your dog is accepted on some ski lifts and well tolerated on most restaurant terraces.

Les Arcs (Savoie)

This resort in Bourg-Saint-Maurice boasts one of the greatest vertical drops in Europe (2026 m) and over 200 km of slopes, extending to 425 km with the adjacent La Plagne ski area. Renowned for its off-piste skiing, particularly the north face of the Aiguille Rouge, Les Arcs is a haven for expert skiers.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ snowshoeing; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking; all year round: visit to the apple museum.
  • Several walks are accessible to dogs, particularly in the village resorts of Arc 1600, Arc 1800 and Arc 2000.
  • Some ski lifts allow dogs free of charge: funicular, Dahu, Cabriolet and Villards.

Alpine resorts for a multigenerational family holiday

To reconcile the desires of grandparents, parents and children, these resorts offer a variety of services and optimal accessibility for all, including dogs.

Dog on a sled with a mother and her child at an accessible ski resort in the Alps at La Cluzas
In La Clusaz with the family

La Clusaz (Haute-Savoie)

An authentic and vibrant resort, La Clusaz offers a wide range of winter sports on 130 km of slopes, before relaxing in the large heated aquatic center. With the Massif des Aravis ski pass, you also have access to the Grand-Bornand ski area, for a total of 220 km of slopes. Located just 30 minutes from Annecy, La Clusaz boasts easy access, a change of scenery, high-quality services, and proximity to unspoiled nature.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ snowshoeing, ski touring; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking, golf.
  • Dogs are welcome on all ski lifts and shuttle buses (large dogs must be muzzled).

Avoriaz (Haute-Savoie)

The Morzine resort remains one of the most dog-friendly, both in summer and winter. Avoriaz's varied slopes, reaching an altitude of 2,277 meters, offer something for everyone, from young children to teenagers, parents to grandparents, all while allowing for easy progression. You'll also appreciate the resort's remarkable architecture, inspired by modernism and nature. The entirely pedestrianized village provides true tranquility for outings with dogs and children!

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ ski-joering and cani-scootering between Avoriaz and Lac des Mines d'Or, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing on free trails; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking.
  • Dogs are allowed on the shuttle buses and on the Prodains Express cable car line A
  • They are also welcome in many restaurants, both on the terrace and inside.

Le Grand Revard (Savoie)

Located in the heart of the Bauges Mountains with breathtaking views of Lake Bourget, near Chambéry, this exceptional resort offers 150 km of slopes. Renowned for its excellent snow conditions, Le Grand Revard guarantees satisfaction for everyone, from beginners to experts. Beyond winter sports and hiking in the great outdoors, numerous other artisanal and agricultural discoveries await you.

  • Activities to share with your dog: ❄️ snowshoeing, ski-joering on the multi-activity trails of the La Féclaz area; ☀️ hiking, mountain biking; all year round: discovering the Maison des Artisans.
  • Dogs can walk in the Bauges Massif outside of certain protected areas.
  • Dogs are allowed on most shuttles.

So, when are we leaving? Musher is practically ready to hit the slopes! These alpine resorts are all magnificent and promise wonderful holidays with your dog . I hope you find what you're looking for in this article!

I've tried to give you as much information as possible, but if you need more, don't hesitate to call the Tourist Offices of the resorts directly!

Do you have a particularly dog-friendly resort in the Alps to recommend? An experience to share? Let me know in the comments!