France recorded **56.1 million skier days** for the winter of 2025/2026, making it the world's leading ski destination, surpassing Austria (53.7 million) and the United States (53.1 million). This is the first time since the 2014/2015 season that France has reclaimed the top spot, and it ranks as the third best season ever recorded in French ski resorts, following the 2008/2009 season (58.6 million) and the 2012/2013 season (57.6 million). The increase is 2 percent compared to the previous year and 6 percent compared to the four-year average. Austria saw a 3.7 percent increase in skier days, while the United States experienced a 14 percent decline. France's return to the top is attributed more to the U.S. decline than a significant French surge. The economic implications of this podium reorganization differ from a scenario where France had created additional skier days to surpass its rivals. The success of the French ski season is supported by early snowfall in late November, excellent mid-January conditions, and an unprecedented March improvement since the pandemic, with a 20 percent increase during the intervacation period. Spring holidays, including Easter weekend, saw a 3 percent increase. The Alps and the Pyrenees drove the overall performance, while the Massif Central, the Jura, and the Vosges faced more capricious snowfall but made up for their delays in January. For every 1 euro spent on lift passes, 6 euros are spent in the station, with accommodation accounting for 29 percent of expenditures and the lift pass only 16 percent. Additional expenses include food (15 percent), ski rental (5 percent), bars and restaurants (10 percent), and lessons (2 percent). French ski resorts represent 12 billion euros of winter expenditures for 10 million tourists, of which 32 percent are foreigners, mostly intra-European, contributing 2 billion euros to the country's trade balance and an additional 2 billion euros in the summer. Investments in ski resorts reached 555 million euros in 2025, or 32 percent of the tax-free turnover, a record level. New chairlifts remain the top priority, with 281 million euros allocated, but the most dynamic segment is in reception buildings, with 62 million euros invested, an 80 percent increase compared to the five-year average and 125 percent compared to the ten-year average. These investments aim to extend the time spent on site and capture additional spending. France's reliance on artificial snow is less than its Alpine neighbors, with 40 percent of its slopes secured by artificial snow compared to 75 percent in Austria, 54 percent in Switzerland, and 90 percent in northern Italy. Over the last ten years, France has invested two times less than Austria in this area. The artificial snow market has been shrinking since the pandemic, but France's water abstraction for artificial snow is 25 million cubic meters per year, with 84 percent returning to the soil during melting. The future of French ski resorts depends on managing increasing investment costs, ensuring solidarity among regions with varying investment levels, and leveraging summer tourism. During the core summer season (4 July - 22 August), the occupancy rate reached 65.8 percent, with a peak at 80.7 percent during the week of August 8. The shift towards multi-service buildings aims to sustain the mountain's appeal beyond winter activities.