Aussois vs Val Cenis: which should you book?
For most families, book Val Cenis. It is the bigger of these two Haute Maurienne resorts, with around 125 km of long, gentle, sunny runs that are a joy for beginners and improving skiers, plus a traditional village feel and good value. Book Aussois instead if you want the quietest, calmest, smallest first week, because this little sun trap is one of the most relaxed places in France to take your very first turns. Both are gentle and family friendly, so the split is more terrain and progression against pure peace and simplicity.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Val Cenis wins for families and improving beginners, with around 125 km of long, gentle runs and a charming village. Aussois wins for the calmest, smallest, lowest stress first timer week. Both are kind, sunny and good value, so choose by how much mountain you want.
Aussois and Val Cenis are neighbours in the Haute Maurienne, both sunny, traditional and friendly to learners, but they are different sizes. Aussois is a small, peaceful sun trap at around 1,500 m, with roughly 55 km of gentle slopes and a calm village. Val Cenis is the larger resort along the valley at around 1,400 to 1,500 m, with around 125 km of long, easy cruising runs and a more substantial traditional village. The decision is whether you want the bigger, more varied family mountain or the smallest, quietest base for a first trip.
The numbers side by side
| Aussois | Val Cenis | |
|---|---|---|
| Village altitude | around 1,500 m | around 1,400 to 1,500 m |
| Ski area size | around 55 km | around 125 km |
| Terrain | Gentle, sunny, compact | Long, gentle cruising runs, more variety |
| Learning | Very calm, easy nursery slopes | Excellent, lots of gentle progression |
| Village | Small, quiet, traditional | Traditional, more shops and choice |
| Apres | Very quiet | Quiet, a little more going on |
| Cost | Very good value | Good value |
| Nearest airport | Chambery or Turin, roughly 1 hour 45 to 2 hours | Chambery or Turin, roughly 2 hours |
The skiing
Val Cenis is the bigger and more rewarding mountain, with around 125 km of long, gentle, sunny runs that let beginners and improvers cover real distance without fear, including some of the longest easy descents in the Alps. Aussois has a smaller, sweet sized area of about 55 km, sunny and gentle, perfect for a first week but quickly explored.
Winner: Val Cenis for size and long cruising runs, Aussois for a compact, friendly mountain.
Beginners and learning
Both are lovely places to learn, and neither will intimidate a first timer. Val Cenis has the edge for progression, with wide nursery areas and a wealth of gentle blues to graduate onto, so a learner can keep improving all week. Aussois is the calmest possible start, with quiet, sunny, easy slopes and a tiny resort where nothing feels daunting.
Winner: Val Cenis for room to progress, Aussois for the gentlest, quietest first turns. Book lessons and ski hire ahead at #AFFILIATE_LESSONS and #AFFILIATE_SKIHIRE.
The village
Val Cenis is the more complete village, traditional and pleasant with more shops, restaurants and services across its hamlets. Aussois is smaller and very quiet, a peaceful old village with the essentials and little more.
Winner: Val Cenis for choice, Aussois for peace.
Families
Both are excellent for families, especially with young children. Val Cenis suits families who want more terrain and progression for the week, while Aussois suits families with very young or first time skiers who value calm, short distances and simplicity.
Winner: Val Cenis for active family weeks, Aussois for the youngest and most nervous.
Apres and evenings
Neither is lively. Val Cenis has a little more going on in the evening across its village, while Aussois is very quiet and geared entirely to family wind downs.
Winner: Val Cenis by a small margin, Aussois for early nights.
Cost
Both are good value, and a week for a couple at either typically lands in the under $2,000 to $2,000 to $4,000 per person range. Aussois is often the cheaper of the two, ideal for a simple family week, while Val Cenis is still very reasonable for its size. Buy lift passes early to save; compare at #AFFILIATE_LIFTPASS.
Winner: Aussois on price, Val Cenis on value for the size.
Access and snow
Both are reachable from Chambery or Turin, with Aussois roughly an hour and three quarters to two hours and Val Cenis around two hours. On snow, both sit high enough in the Haute Maurienne to hold a good season, with Val Cenis benefiting from a bit more high terrain, while both can soften in the strong spring sun.
Winner: a near tie, leaning to Val Cenis for slightly more snow sure higher slopes. A booked transfer keeps arrival day simple; see #AFFILIATE_TRANSFER.
The verdict
Book Val Cenis if you want a bigger, gentle family mountain with long cruising runs and room to improve all week. Book Aussois if you want the calmest, quietest, best value first timer week, where a young child or nervous beginner can find their feet without any pressure.
Both are honest, gentle Haute Maurienne choices. Browse more French resorts, or compare nearby valley villages with Aussois vs La Norma, Aussois vs Bonneval sur Arc and Bonneval sur Arc vs Val Cenis.
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Common questions
Is Aussois or Val Cenis better?
For most families Val Cenis is better, with around 125 km of long, gentle runs and a more complete village. Aussois is the better pick for the calmest, smallest, best value first timer week, where a young child can learn without any pressure.
Which is better for beginners?
Both are kind to first timers. Val Cenis has the edge for progression, with wide nursery areas and lots of gentle blues to grow onto. Aussois is the calmest, quietest start, with sunny, easy slopes in a tiny, unintimidating resort.
Which is bigger?
Val Cenis is bigger, with around 125 km of pistes compared with about 55 km at Aussois. Val Cenis is known for some of the longest easy cruising runs in the Alps, which suit improving skiers.
Which is cheaper?
Aussois is often the cheaper of the two, ideal for a simple family week. Val Cenis is still very good value for its size. A week for a couple at either typically lands in the under 2,000 to 4,000 dollars per person range.
Is the snow reliable?
Both sit high enough in the Haute Maurienne to hold a good season, with Val Cenis enjoying a bit more high terrain. Both can soften in the strong spring sun, so aim for January to March for the best conditions.
How far are the airports?
Both are reachable from Chambery or Turin. Aussois is roughly an hour and three quarters to two hours, and Val Cenis is around two hours.