Les Orres vs Montgenevre: which should you book?
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Montgenevre wins on size and snow, thanks to its high border location and access to the Milky Way area. Les Orres wins on quiet, wooded family skiing and lake views, and it is the more peaceful, scenic base. Both are strong value in the Hautes Alpes.
These are two of the better value resorts in the Hautes Alpes, but they offer different weeks. Montgenevre is high, snow sure and connected to a huge cross border domain. Les Orres is a sunny, family focused resort with wooded slopes above the Serre Poncon lake. One is about scale and snow, the other about calm and scenery.
The numbers side by side
| Les Orres | Montgenevre | |
|---|---|---|
| Village altitude | around 1,650 m | around 1,860 m |
| Top lift | around 2,720 m | around 2,680 m |
| Pistes | around 100 km | around 100 km local, far more on the Milky Way |
| Snow reliability | Good, high and mostly wooded | Very good, high border location |
| Village style | Modern, wooded, family friendly | Traditional core, high, snow sure |
| Best for | Quiet, families, lake scenery | Size, snow, cross border skiing |
| Day pass | around $40 to $50 | around $45 to $55, Milky Way options |
| Nearest airport | Turin or Marseille, roughly 2 to 3 hours | Turin, roughly 1.5 hours |
The skiing
Montgenevre has the edge for skiers who want room to roam, with around 100 km on its own slopes and access to the much larger Milky Way area stretching across the border toward Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx. Les Orres offers around 100 km of mostly wooded, well groomed runs that are superb for families and intermediates and sheltered on a stormy day. For scale and cross border adventure, Montgenevre; for tidy, sheltered family skiing, Les Orres. Winner: Montgenevre for size.
Snow
Montgenevre wins, narrowly. Its high border position and exposure to weather from both France and Italy give it reliable cover through the season. Les Orres is also high and holds snow well on its wooded northerly slopes, but it can be sunny and is a touch lower at the base. Both are dependable; Montgenevre is the safer late season book. Winner: Montgenevre.
The village
This is closer than the skiing suggests. Montgenevre has a traditional core that has been modernized, sitting right on the pass with an easy, snow sure feel and shops and restaurants along the road. Les Orres is a tidy modern resort with a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere and the bonus of the stunning Serre Poncon lake nearby. For a livelier base with a border buzz, Montgenevre; for calm and scenery, Les Orres. Winner: tie, by taste.
Cost and value
Both are among the best value resorts in the French Alps, with day passes in the region of $40 to $55 and a comfortable family week often in the under $2,000 to $2,000 to $4,000 per person bands. Montgenevre's Milky Way access arguably gives more skiing for the money, while Les Orres is reliably cheap and quiet. Winner: tie, with Montgenevre offering more terrain per dollar.
Service and where to stay
Neither is a luxury destination. Both lean toward apartment style and ski near lodging with a handful of hotels and good catered options, and both keep prices sensible. Montgenevre has a slightly wider spread thanks to its road through location and cross border traffic. Winner: Montgenevre, narrowly, for choice.
Access and getting there
Montgenevre wins. It is roughly an hour and a half from Turin, one of the quickest serious resorts to reach from that airport, and also reachable from the French side. Les Orres is more out of the way, closer to two to three hours from Turin or Marseille. For an easy trip, Montgenevre. Winner: Montgenevre.
The verdict
Book Montgenevre if you want size, snow security and access to the Milky Way area, with a quick transfer from Turin. Book Les Orres if you want a quieter, sunnier, wooded family week above a beautiful lake and the keenest prices. Both are strong value, but they suit different moods. See the France ski guide and our pick of the best budget resorts in the Alps.
If you want either resort priced by specialists, tell us your dates and budget below and we will route your brief to the right operators.
Common questions
Which has more skiing?
Montgenevre, once you count the Milky Way area it links into across the border toward Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx. On its own slopes the two are similar at around 100 km, but Montgenevre opens up far more terrain on the right pass.
Which has better snow?
Montgenevre, narrowly. Its high border location catches weather from both France and Italy and holds cover well. Les Orres is also high and snow holds on its wooded northerly slopes, but it can be sunnier and a touch lower.
Which is better for families?
Both are good family resorts. Les Orres is quieter, wooded and sheltered, with lake scenery nearby. Montgenevre is bigger and snow surer with a livelier, road through feel.
Which is closer to an airport?
Montgenevre, at roughly an hour and a half from Turin. Les Orres is more remote, closer to two to three hours from Turin or Marseille.
Are they good value?
Yes, both are among the best value resorts in the French Alps, with day passes in the region of $40 to $55 and family weeks that often sit in the under $2,000 to $2,000 to $4,000 per person bands.
Can you ski into Italy from Montgenevre?
Yes. The Milky Way area links across the border toward Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx on the right pass, which is a big draw. Les Orres is a self contained French ski area with no cross border link.