The United States, Germany, And Austria Face Stiff Competition As France’s Ski Industry Sees A five Percent Growth And Breaks Record In 2024-2025

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In the 2024-2025 winter season, France’s ski industry achieved remarkable success, recording a 5.5% growth in skier visits and reaching an all-time high of 54.8 million skier days. This strong performance has placed France in direct competition with global ski tourism leaders like the United States, Germany, and Austria. The United States, traditionally the largest ski market, still leads with 61.5 million skier visits, but France’s surge presents a formidable challenge. Germany and Austria, known for their established ski resorts, are also facing increased competition as France’s resorts continue to attract international visitors, including significant numbers from the UK and other European nations. The strong growth in France is driven by favorable snow conditions, an influx of foreign tourists, and a shift in school holiday schedules, extending the ski season and boosting visits. This dynamic shift underscores the increasing appeal of French ski resorts, threatening the dominance of Austria and Germany, and potentially reshaping the global ski tourism landscape.

During the 2024–25 winter season, France recorded 54.8 million skier visits, marking a significant 5.5% increase compared to the previous year. This performance is the country’s best in over a decade, reflecting a strong recovery in its ski tourism sector. These numbers also solidify France’s position as the second-largest ski market globally, behind the United States, which recorded 61.5 million skier visits, and ahead of Austria, which saw an estimated 52.6 million visits.

The 2024–25 season’s success can be attributed to a combination of favorable snow conditions and a steady influx of international visitors. These international visitors accounted for about 35% of skier days in France. France’s skier market is particularly strong in attracting British skiers, who make up approximately 12% of all skier visits to the country. This figure highlights the significant cross-channel traffic between the United Kingdom and France, which remains a crucial segment of the French ski industry. Austria, on the other hand, draws a larger share of international visitors, with 66% of skier days coming from outside the country, primarily from Germany. While France’s international market is bolstered by British visitors, Austria’s most substantial international audience hails from its neighboring country.

Compared to the United States, which relies predominantly on domestic skiers—international visitors account for just around 3% of skier visits—France’s mix of international and domestic visitors strengthens its position in the global ski tourism market. French ski resorts have long attracted skiers from all over Europe and beyond, with the accessibility and variety of the country’s ski areas being key factors in this appeal.

The 2024–25 season saw favorable snow conditions early in the winter, which helped set the stage for higher skier numbers. The snow coverage at all altitudes, from the lower valleys to the highest peaks, was much better than the previous year, which had been marked by a lack of snow at medium altitudes. This early snowfall, combined with weeks of clear weather, helped boost attendance during the crucial holiday period, a time when many ski resorts experience their highest levels of visitation. The snow conditions allowed skiers to enjoy good conditions throughout the season, and the clear weather encouraged even more visitors to take advantage of the favorable skiing opportunities.

By January, skier visits were up by 3% compared to the previous winter, and 7% higher than the average of the past three seasons. This early boost to the season was followed by continued growth, with visits increasing by another 6% during the February holiday period. This uptick in visits continued even after a volatile March, during which warmer weather and inconsistent snow conditions affected some regions. Despite these fluctuations, the overall increase in skier visits remained robust, with national skier days still 4% higher than both the previous season and the three-year average by early April.

An unexpected surge in skier visits occurred in the latter part of the season, driven by changes in school holidays, particularly in the UK and Flanders. This shift resulted in more international visitors traveling later in the season, extending the ski season well past the traditional closing dates. Between April 4 and May 8, several ski resorts reported higher numbers than in previous years, marking an unexpected boon that helped further solidify the season’s success. This extension of the season was particularly beneficial to resorts that rely on international tourism, as it allowed them to capitalize on late-season visitors who had altered their holiday plans to coincide with the new school schedules.

The final tally of 54.8 million skier visits reflects a strong recovery and growing stability in the French ski market. After several years of stagnation, during which skier visits hovered around the 50-million mark, France’s ski industry is showing signs of renewed growth. This period of stagnation was punctuated by the global pandemic, which caused significant disruptions in the ski sector, with resorts closed for much of the 2020 season. However, following the recovery in 2021–22, when France saw 53.9 million skier visits, the sector began to show positive growth once again. This momentum was temporarily interrupted in the 2022–23 season, which experienced a 5.5% decline in visits. But with this year’s 5.5% increase, the French ski industry appears to be back on track.

The growth of skier visits in France is a sign of the sector’s recovery, not only in terms of snow conditions but also in terms of the renewed enthusiasm for skiing among international visitors. French ski resorts, which number approximately 282, are benefiting from an increase in both snow cover and interest from foreign tourists. Ski resorts across the country reported higher-than-usual attendance, particularly in regions that had struggled with a lack of snow in the previous year. For example, areas such as the Massif Central, the Vosges, and the Jura Mountains showed some of the most significant growth, with skiers flocking to these regions for better snow conditions and improved infrastructure.

In terms of the distribution of skier visits, small resorts accounted for around 7% of the total visits, while medium-sized resorts contributed 12%. The remaining 81% of skier visits came from large resorts, with a significant 41% concentrated in just 15 major destinations. These resorts are known for their high-end facilities, extensive ski areas, and international appeal. Among these top destinations are some of the most famous ski resorts, which attract a large share of both domestic and international visitors.

In the 2024-2025 winter season, France’s ski industry recorded a 5.5% growth, breaking records and challenging the United States, Germany, and Austria for dominance in the global ski market. This surge was driven by favorable snow conditions, a strong influx of international visitors, and extended ski seasons due to changes in school holidays.

the 2024–25 season marks a successful year for France’s ski industry, with a notable increase in skier visits, a favorable snow season, and continued international interest in French ski resorts. With France continuing to solidify its place as a top destination for skiing, the future of its ski tourism industry looks bright, poised for further growth and success in the coming seasons.