The highest town in France and UNESCO World Heritage-listed for its Vauban fortifications, Briançon is a unique mountain destination. It’s a genuine resort-town that’s alive year-round, bathed in the sunshine of the Southern Alps. Briançon in winter means direct access via the Prorel cable car to the 250km of Serre Chevalier slopes, combining big-mountain skiing with a lively town life. Briançon in summer becomes the base camp for cyclists and hikers setting off to conquer legendary passes and the preserved valleys of the Écrins.
Briançon
Overview
Briançon
📏 Altitude: 1250 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 250 km
⛷️ Cross-country skiing: 45 km
🌟 Resort style: Village resort
💰 From 65.5 €/day (2025-2026)
📅 Open 5 December 2026 to 18 April 2027
Overview of Briançon
Briancon — the highest town in France — is a unique destination combining the charm of a UNESCO-listed City of Art and History with direct access to one of Europe’s largest ski areas: Serre Chevalier Vallee. It is the promise of a complete mountain experience, where urban animation, heritage and culture exist alongside wide-open spaces and snowy slopes. Whether for skiing in winter or outdoor adventures in summer, the town offers an exceptional base camp — lively year-round and bathed in the generous sunshine of the Southern Alps.
Our review — Briançon
5.0/5
Ski area — key figures — Briançon
- 🌟 Village resort (Hautes-Alpes)
- 📏 1250 m Village altitude (2770 m Top altitude)
- 👤 10.178 inhabitants
- 🎿 81 runs
🚠 70 ski lifts
Average lift age: 30 years
When to visit
Briançon in summer
Briancon in summer transforms into a capital for outdoor activities. The town itself is a gem to explore, with its cobbled lanes, gargoyles, fortifications and the panorama from the Fort des Tetes. The Schappe park offers a cool haven in the lower town. It is the ideal starting point for cyclists dreaming of climbing the mythical cols of the Izoard and Galibier, or for walkers wishing to explore the preserved valleys of the Claree or the Ecrins National Park. Families appreciate the water activities on the Durance and the numerous lakes in the surrounding area.
🎯 Things to do in summer:
✅ Road cycling • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking • ✅ Glacier hiking • ✅ Rafting • ✅ Tree climbing • ✅ Canyoning • ✅ Paragliding • ✅ Giant zip line • ✅ Spa & wellness
Briançon in winter
The Briancon winter experience is twofold: enjoy the joys of skiing during the day and the atmosphere of an animated historic town in the evening. The Prorel gondola, accessible from the heart of the town, propels you in a few minutes onto the 250 km of runs of the Serre Chevalier ski area. The Briancon sector is particularly popular with families and beginners for its green and blue forest runs. Apres-ski is rich and varied: shopping, restaurants, cinema, ice rink and of course the discovery of the illuminated Vauban Citadel.
🎯 Things to do in winter:
✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Dog sledding • ✅ Snowshoeing • ✅ Winter walks • ✅ Paragliding • ✅ Spa & wellness
Skiing
Below is an overview of the ski area accessible from Briançon: Serre-Chevalier (alpin).
Ski area — Serre-Chevalier
⛰️ Altitudes: 1200 m – 2770 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 250 km
💰 Day pass: 65.5 €
The ski area extends from Briancon to Le Monetier, from 1,200 to 2,800 m. It has 81 runs (13 green, 26 blue, 29 red, 13 black) and 60 ski lifts. The varied aspects allow you to choose your slope depending on the sun. The skiing caters for all levels: wide runs at Chantemerle, technical sectors towards Le Monetier and well-laid-out beginner zones. The larch forest, the panoramas over the Ecrins and vertical drops of up to 1,600 m make it a ski area appreciated by connoisseurs and families alike. Shuttles link the different sectors.
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Ski pass prices — Briançon
Current lift pass prices for ski areas accessible from Briançon.
| Ski area | Day pass | 6-day pass | Season pass | Season (prices) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serre-Chevalier (alpin skiing) | 65.5 € | 355 € | 1058 € | 2025-2026 |
Where to stay
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Similar resorts to Briançon
Six resorts with a similar style, altitude and ski area to Briançon.
