Aussois vs La Norma: which should you book?
For families with young children, book La Norma. It is a small, car free, purpose built resort with ski in ski out convenience and a safe, traffic free layout that is ideal for little ones. Book Aussois if you prefer an authentic, sunny old village with more charm and character. Both are small, quiet, good value resorts in the Haute Maurienne near Modane, so this comes down to car free convenience against village charm.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
La Norma wins for families with young children thanks to its car free, ski in ski out layout. Aussois wins for charm as a sunny, authentic old village. Both are small, quiet, good value Maurienne resorts near Modane.
Aussois and La Norma sit close together in the Haute Maurienne near Modane, and both are small, affordable resorts that suit families looking to avoid the crowds. I have skied both with children. La Norma is a compact, car free, purpose built resort where everything is on the snow. Aussois is an old sunny village with a fort and real character. Convenience against charm is the whole decision.
The numbers side by side
| Aussois | La Norma | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | Around 1,500 m, sunny old village | Around 1,350 to 1,400 m, purpose built |
| Ski area | Around 55 km of pistes | Around 65 km of pistes |
| Layout | Traditional village, short trip to lifts | Car free, ski in ski out |
| Village style | Authentic, sunny, historic | Compact, modern, traffic free |
| Best for | Families wanting charm and value | Families with young children |
| Nearest airport | Chambery or Lyon, roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours | Chambery or Lyon, roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
The skiing
Both are small areas best suited to families, beginners and easygoing intermediates rather than mileage hungry skiers. La Norma has around 65 km of pistes rising above the resort, while Aussois has around 55 km on sunny, gentle slopes. Neither will keep a strong skier busy for a full week, but both are ideal for learning and relaxed family days. Winner: a tie, both are small and family scaled.
The village
Aussois wins on charm. It is a genuine sunny old village with stone houses, a historic fort and a lived in feel that purpose built resorts cannot match. La Norma is functional and modern, designed for convenience rather than character. Winner: Aussois for atmosphere, La Norma for convenience.
Cost
Both are among the best value resorts in the French Alps, and most family weeks land in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person range. Self catering keeps costs down at both, and lift passes are modest for these small areas. Winner: a tie, both are budget friendly for families.
Families and beginners
La Norma wins this category. Its car free, ski in ski out layout means children can walk to the lifts in ski boots with no roads to cross, which is reassuring with young ones and tired legs. Aussois is family friendly too, with gentle slopes, but you are in a working village with a little traffic and a short trip to the lifts. Winner: La Norma for young children and convenience.
Apres and evenings
Neither is a party resort, and both are quiet, family focused in the evening. Aussois has a little more village life with its restaurants and old streets to wander. La Norma is calm and self contained after the lifts close. Winner: Aussois, narrowly, for village evenings.
Access
Access is a tie and easy for both, since they sit close together near Modane in the Maurienne valley. Both are roughly an hour and a half to two and a half hours from Chambery or Lyon, with good road and rail links up the valley. Allow extra time after snowfall on the final climb. Winner: a tie.
The verdict
Book La Norma for a family with young children who will love the car free, ski in ski out convenience and the safe, traffic free layout. Book Aussois for a family that wants charm, sunshine and an authentic old village, and does not mind a short trip to the lifts. Both are small, quiet and excellent value.
For more in this valley, see the best ski resorts in the Maurienne valley, the best budget resorts in the Alps, or compare Aussois with Bonneval sur Arc.
If you want this trip priced by specialists, tell us your dates, group and budget below and we will route your brief to the right operators.
Common questions
Which is better for families, Aussois or La Norma?
La Norma for families with young children, thanks to its car free, ski in ski out layout with no roads to cross. Aussois is family friendly too but is a working village with a short trip to the lifts.
Is La Norma car free?
Yes. La Norma is a compact, car free, purpose built resort where lodging is on the snow, which makes it safe and convenient for families with young children.
How big is the skiing?
Both are small. La Norma has around 65 km of pistes and Aussois around 55 km, ideal for families, beginners and easygoing intermediates but limited for strong skiers wanting big mileage.
Which has the more charming village?
Aussois, clearly. It is a genuine sunny old village with stone houses and a historic fort, while La Norma is modern and built for convenience rather than character.
How far are they from an airport?
Both sit near Modane in the Maurienne and are roughly an hour and a half to two and a half hours from Chambery or Lyon, with good road and rail links up the valley.
Which is better value?
Both are excellent value, with most family weeks in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person range. Self catering and modest lift passes keep family costs down at each.