Aussois vs Valloire: which should you book?
Book Valloire if you want the bigger, more varied ski area and a genuine old Savoyard village with real character. Book Aussois if you want a quiet, sunny, gentle resort with lower crowds and prices and lovely Vanoise scenery. Both are likeable Maurienne resorts in Savoie, so this is a choice between size and village charm or peace and value.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Valloire wins overall on size, variety and village character. Aussois wins on quiet, sunshine, gentle family skiing and value.
Aussois and Valloire are two of the friendlier resorts of the Maurienne, the long Savoie valley that offers far better value than the famous Tarentaise next door. Aussois is a small, sunny village at around 1,500 m on the edge of the Vanoise national park, with around 55 km of gentle pistes and a calm, traditional feel. Valloire is larger, an old Savoyard village at around 1,430 m linked with neighboring Valmeinier into the Galibier Thabor area, around 150 km of more varied terrain.
For a traveler who loves a sense of place, Valloire has the edge with its genuine old village, complete with a famous baroque church and centuries of life before the lifts arrived. Aussois is quieter and more intimate, its setting beneath the Vanoise peaks especially beautiful in the morning sun. Valloire has more mountain and more village; Aussois has the calmer, gentler, more affordable week.
The numbers side by side
| Aussois | Valloire | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | around 1,500 m | around 1,430 m |
| Top lift | around 2,750 m | around 2,600 m |
| Ski area | around 55 km of pistes | around 150 km with Valmeinier in Galibier Thabor |
| Terrain character | Gentle, sunny, family friendly | Varied, with more for all abilities |
| Village style | Small, traditional, calm | Genuine old Savoyard village |
| Evening scene | Very quiet | Modest village bars and restaurants |
| Day pass | Around $40 to $50 | Around $45 to $55 |
| Nearest airport | Chambery or Lyon, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours | Chambery or Lyon, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours |
The skiing
Valloire takes this for size and variety. Linked with Valmeinier into the Galibier Thabor area, it offers around 150 km of pistes with a real spread for every level, from gentle greens to steeper reds and some good off piste. Aussois has around 55 km of mostly gentle, sunny runs that are lovely for beginners and families but quickly explored by stronger skiers. For variety and a full week, Valloire, while for relaxed gentle skiing, Aussois. Winner: Valloire.
The village
Valloire wins this, narrowly but clearly. It is a genuine old Savoyard village with real history, a famous baroque church and a lived in feel, while Aussois is also traditional and pretty but smaller and quieter. For village character and life, Valloire, while for intimate calm, Aussois. Winner: Valloire, with Aussois close on charm.
Cost
Aussois wins this. Both are excellent value by Alpine standards and sit in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, but Aussois is the cheaper and quieter of the two, ideal for a family watching the budget. Valloire asks a little more for its size and village. Winner: Aussois.
Families
Both are good family resorts, with a slight split. Aussois is gentle, sunny and calm, with short distances and low crowds that suit young children and nervous beginners. Valloire has more terrain for families to grow into and a livelier village. For the youngest and a quiet week, Aussois, while for a family with mixed abilities, Valloire. Winner: Aussois for young families, Valloire for mixed groups.
Apres and evenings
Valloire wins for choice. Its larger village supports a modest but real spread of bars and restaurants and a bit more evening life, while Aussois stays very quiet. For a little more going on, Valloire, while for a peaceful night, Aussois. Winner: Valloire.
Access
This is a genuine tie. Both sit in the Maurienne off the main valley road and are roughly two to two and a half hours from Chambery or Lyon, with an easy approach by Alpine standards. Winner: a draw.
The verdict
Book Valloire if you want the bigger, more varied ski area, around 150 km in the linked Galibier Thabor, and a genuine old Savoyard village with real character. Book Aussois if you want a quiet, sunny, gentle resort with lower crowds and prices and beautiful Vanoise scenery. Valloire is the richer all round trip, Aussois the calmer and cheaper one. For more in the Maurienne, compare Aussois vs La Norma, Aussois vs Les Karellis or Bonneval sur Arc vs Valloire.
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Common questions
Is Aussois or Valloire bigger?
Valloire is bigger. Linked with Valmeinier into the Galibier Thabor area, it has around 150 km of pistes against roughly 55 km at Aussois, with more variety for all abilities.
Which has the nicer village?
Valloire edges it with a genuine old Savoyard village and a famous baroque church, though Aussois is also traditional and pretty, smaller and quieter on the edge of the Vanoise.
Which is better value, Aussois or Valloire?
Aussois is the cheaper of the two and very quiet, ideal for a family budget, while Valloire asks a little more for its size and village. Both sit comfortably in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person band.
Which is better for young families?
Aussois, for the youngest. Its gentle, sunny slopes, short distances and low crowds suit small children and nervous beginners. Valloire has more terrain for families to grow into.
Are Aussois and Valloire snow sure?
Both ski well through the core season, helped by altitude up top and snowmaking. Valloire's larger, higher linked area gives more options in a lean snow year, while Aussois is sunny and gentle.
How far are they from an airport?
Both sit in the Maurienne and are roughly two to two and a half hours from Chambery or Lyon, an easy transfer by Alpine standards.