France has once again become the world’s top ski destination, according to the organization Domaines skiables de France (DSF). For the 2025-2026 season, French ski areas recorded 56.1 million skier-days, narrowly outpacing Austria (53.7 million) and the United States (52.6 million). This marks the first time France has held the lead in 11 years, with the U.S. having been number one during the previous season and France last at the top during the 2014-2015 winter. DSF called the 2025-2026 season the third best in history, following the winters of 2008-2009 and 2012-2013. The success of the season was partly due to early snowfall, which began as early as late November, allowing many resorts to open before the official start of the season. This timing was especially beneficial for attracting visitors during the Christmas holiday. Additionally, good weather conditions, including ample sunshine, enabled resorts to remain open through spring break, a period when visitation increased by 3% compared to the previous year. The performance of French ski resorts was largely driven by the Alps and the Pyrenees, which host the country’s highest-altitude ski areas. These regions experienced more consistent snowfall, making them ideal for skiing. However, other mountain ranges such as the Massif Central, the Jura, and the Vosges faced more unpredictable snow conditions due to milder temperatures. This variability highlights a growing challenge for mid-mountain ski areas, which are increasingly affected by climate change. Despite the strong performance of this season, the long-term outlook for French ski resorts remains uncertain. The Court of Audit, an independent financial oversight body in France, warned in 2024 that the ski industry’s economic model is “on the verge of collapse.” This warning comes amid concerns about declining snowfall, which could threaten the sustainability of ski tourism in the region.