Where to Ski for Free in France: An Alpine Resort Abolishes Lift Pass Fees

A French ski resort has made skiing free in 2025/2026. Find out where the resort is located, the reason for the decision and what it means for European tourism

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There is a place in the French Alps where you can ski for free this winter – without ski passes or additional costs. Euronews reports that the resort of Saint-Colombant-de-Villars has opened its slopes to all comers, offering a rare opportunity for the Alps to enjoy a winter holiday without financial pressure.

Where exactly is this resort located, who is it suitable for and why this skiing format appeared in France, we tell in this article.

Feel the magic of the winter Carpathians, read here about the best ski resorts in Ukraine – Bukovel, Slavske, Dragobrat, Pylypets, Myhove and Krasiya, their slopes, prices, entertainment for children and additional activities for the whole family.

Which French resort has canceled the fee for ski passes?

This year, you can ski for free in Saint-Colombant-de-Villars, a small mountain village in the Savoie region, located at an altitude of about 1,100 meters above sea level.

Why was the decision made to abolish ski passes in Saint-Colombant-de-Villars?

This ski resort has been operating at a loss for almost 25 years, but in the last two seasons the situation has become critical. According to Mayor Pierre-Yves Bonnivard, the deficit used to be 400,000-600,000 euros per year, but due to unstable snowfall and climate change, operating losses will reach 1 million euros in 2025. For a municipality with an annual budget of 2.7 million euros, this meant a financial impasse: almost 40% of the budget was spent on covering loss-making activities.

How will the abolition of ski passes help get out of the crisis?

After months of negotiations with lift operators and external companies, it became clear that there was no longer a viable business model, as selling ski passes required: operating a ticket office, launching a ticketing system, and hiring staff.

The cost of this is €36,000–€41,000 per season, while the projected revenue from beginner passes was only around €18,000.

Given these figures, the mayor explains that it is indeed cheaper for the resort not to charge than to operate a ticketing system.

As a result, the municipality decided to drastically reduce the ski area and make skiing free. The costs of such a format are estimated at €150,000–€200,000 per season, which is five times less than last year.

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What does the Saint-Colombant-de-Villars resort offer tourists this winter?

In 2025/2026, the Saint-Colombant-de-Villars resort will operate in the format of a mini-skiing area, which is primarily aimed at:

- beginners,

- families with children,

- locals.

What will be available to tourists for free at the Saint-Colombant-de-Villars resort?

For recreation this year, tourists will have access to:

- Two tow lifts,

- A children's training trail.

Will this experiment be able to bring tourists back is an open question, especially given the increasingly unpredictable snow conditions at mid-altitudes.

The ranking of the best budget ski resorts in Europe is in this article.

Why has the resort of Saint-Colombant-de-Villars lost its popularity and profits?

The main reason for the decline of Saint-Colombant-de-Villars and the decrease in the number of tourists is climate change in the Alps, which is happening faster than expected. Due to global warming, snow is becoming less common at an altitude of 1,100 meters, and therefore the opportunities for traditional skiing in the resorts are gradually disappearing.

How can Saint-Colombant-de-Villars change in the future?

In parallel with the winter experiment, the village is actively diversifying its tourist offer, in particular:

- creating snowshoeing routes;

- winter and off-season hikes;

- hiking trails;

- working on the development of summer tourism.

Saint-Colombant-de-Villars aims to position itself as an authentic Alpine valley, where the main value is nature, silence and active recreation throughout the year.

The final results of the experiment on the abolition of ski pass fees are planned to be evaluated in the spring. That is when it will become clear whether such a model can become an example for other European resorts. For tourists, this is a great opportunity to save significantly on a holiday in the Alps this ski season.

Even if skiing in the French Alps this season is free, the costs in case of illness or injury still remain high. Winter sports are included in the list of high-risk sports, and medical care in France for foreigners can cost thousands of euros.

For Ukrainians traveling or staying abroad, insurance for a ski vacation is not a formality, but real protection. The policy covers the costs of treatment, hospitalization, emergency care and, if necessary, transportation.

Take out insurance for active recreation from Visit Ukraine and travel without unnecessary risks!

Let's remind you! How much does a budget ski vacation in Europe cost and which resorts offer the best value for money. We have already told you which eight destinations Lonely Planet recommends for the 2025–2026 season and how to prepare for an active trip.

Photo – Freepik

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