France registered 56.1 million skier days during the 2025/2026 winter season, capturing the top spot in the global rankings for the first time since the 2014/2015 winter. According to final figures released by Domaines Skiables de France, the country’s performance marked a 2.4 percent increase from the previous winter and the third-busiest ski season in French history.
Global Skier Day Rankings for Winter 2025/2026
France surpassed both Austria and the United States to claim first place worldwide, driven by strong domestic participation and a sharp decline in American visitor numbers. Austria finished second with 53.7 million skier days, representing a 3.7 percent growth rate compared to the prior season. Meanwhile, the United States dropped to third place after a difficult winter that saw a 9.1 percent decrease, totaling 52.6 million skier days. Italy secured the fourth position, though final visitor numbers for Italian resorts remain pending publication.
A single skier day accounts for one person utilizing a ski area on a single day. The French total sits comfortably above the four-year average, outperforming it by six percent. Only two historical seasons outpaced the 2025/2026 results: the 2008/2009 winter, which recorded 58.6 million skier days, and the 2012/2013 winter with 57.6 million.
Seasonal Progression and Snow Conditions
Early snowfall in late November established favorable conditions across French resorts ahead of the holidays. The Christmas period performed near the national average, with the Alps and Pyrenees benefiting from solid snowpacks. January delivered exceptional momentum, pushing skier numbers three percent higher than the previous year and nine percent above the four-year average. Lower-altitude medium mountain ranges recovered from earlier deficits thanks to sustained cold weather and fresh snow.
The latter half of the season maintained the positive trajectory, supported by steady turnout in March and April. March saw its first clear year-on-year increase since the pandemic, with the gap between school holidays recording a 20 percent surge in activity. February retained its status as the busiest month of the season, accounting for roughly 31 percent of all skier days due to domestic school breaks. January contributed 23 percent of the total, December’s Christmas window added 14 percent, the pre-Christmas weeks generated 17 percent, March held 12 percent, and April delivered the remainder.
Visitor Demographics and Resort Infrastructure
Domestic visitors formed the backbone of the French ski economy, accounting for 68 percent of all guests. British tourists represented the largest foreign contingent at 11 percent. Most visitors opted for multi-day excursions, with 38 percent purchasing five- to seven-day lift passes. Single-day and half-day passes combined represented 32 percent of sales, while day-trippers accounted for just 14 percent of the total volume.
Large ski resorts dominated the market, capturing over 80 percent of all skier days. The Savoie region alone generated roughly 42 percent of France’s total activity, bolstered by extensive high-altitude networks in domains such as Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski, Tignes-Val d’Isère, and Les Sybelles. To maintain this infrastructure, the French ski industry injected €555 million into resort improvements during 2025, with more than half of those funds dedicated to installing new ski lifts.
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