Before booking a ski trip in the Vosges, it pays to compare resorts rather than rely on proximity alone. Altitude, exposure and opening status vary significantly between La Bresse, Gérardmer, Lac Blanc and Markstein, with a direct impact on your odds of skiing in December or January. Here is a comparison based on data published by the resorts themselves.
Altitude and exposure: the criteria that matter
In the Vosges, altitude remains the most decisive factor: weather systems arrive from the west and drop most of their precipitation on the ridges before moving on, drier, toward Alsace. A resort that peaks higher captures more natural snow and holds onto it longer, especially on north-facing runs.
The La Bresse-Hohneck ski area runs from 900 to 1,350 m according to the resort, facing the Hohneck (1,363 m, according to the tourist office on labresse.net). The Alsace-side areas sit noticeably lower: the Lac Blanc site ranged between 900 and 1,200 m according to its official site, before the vote to stop operating its lifts. That 150 m gap explains why opening dates often differed from one area to the next early in the season.
La Bresse Hohneck: the highest point in the range
With 29 runs (5 green, 12 blue, 11 red and 1 black), 15 lifts, 360 snow cannons and 220 hectares, La Bresse Hohneck remains the largest alpine ski area in the range, according to the resort. As of 6 October 2026 it announces its opening from 19 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, depending on snow conditions. The tourist office listing (labresse.net) gives 30 runs for its part: this article uses the 29 runs published by the resort. The area spans two sectors: one lower down around the village, the other reaching the summit of the Hohneck. It is also the starting point for several backcountry ski touring routes along the ridges when natural snow is sufficient off the groomed runs.
To compare lift pass prices across the Vosges resorts, our comparison of Vosges ski lift passes breaks down day rates resort by resort.
Gérardmer La Mauselaine: opening expected on 19 December 2026
Gérardmer’s alpine area lists 22 runs over 35 km, spread across the Mauselaine, Chaume Francis and Grouvelin sectors according to gerardmer-ski.com; Mauselaine has the advantage of direct access from central Gérardmer. The resort’s site shows a banner at the top of the page: “expected opening of the ski area from Saturday 19 December 2026 (depending on snow conditions)”, for alpine and cross-country alike. No 2027 closing date is published. The 2026-2027 cross-country fee is: 7 euros for an adult day and 4 euros for under-16s, with trails open from 9am to 4pm. Before booking accommodation in Gérardmer for winter, check the opening status on the resort’s site.
On the Alsace side: Lac Blanc bows out, Markstein remains
On 1 July 2026, the joint committee running the Lac Blanc site, in the commune of Orbey, voted to stop operating the ski lifts from the 2026-2027 season: 15 alpine runs and seven lifts, spread between 900 and 1,200 m of altitude. France 3 reported on 8 July that the closure might not be irreversible, and no official decision to the contrary has been published since. ICI reported on 9 September 2026 that alpine skiing will not open at Lac Blanc this winter, the elected officials taking more time to think about what comes next. The 13-trail cross-country area and the summer activities are not affected: the site stays open, minus downhill skiing. Its position further east, on the Alsace-facing slope, left it more exposed to thaws anyway than a resort sitting on the main ridge.
Le Markstein, near the Grand Ballon, has 13 runs served by 8 drag lifts, according to lemarkstein.net, which had not announced a 2026-2027 opening date as of 6 October 2026. The resort focuses on families: a beginner area with green and blue runs, a ski kindergarten from age 4, a snowpark, a boardercross, and two floodlit runs open for night skiing on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Quick comparison
| Resort | Alpine runs | Altitude | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Bresse Hohneck | 29 (220 ha) | 900 to 1,350 m | Largest ski area, opening announced 19/12/2026 to 21/03/2027 |
| Gérardmer La Mauselaine | 22 (35 km) | not published | Access from town centre, opening expected from 19/12/2026 |
| Lac Blanc | cross-country only (13 trails) | 900 to 1,200 m | Vote to end alpine skiing from 2026-2027 |
| Le Markstein | 13 | not published | Family-friendly, night skiing, 2026-2027 opening not published |
When to book and how to track snow conditions
Booking as early as September makes sense to secure accommodation, but keep some flexibility on dates if you are targeting early December: natural snow is not a given before the Christmas holidays. Each resort publishes a daily snow report in season (look for the “snow conditions” or “snow report” section of the official site): it is the most reliable source 10 to 15 days out, before you finalize on-site activities.
A stay in the Hautes Vosges is not just about the slopes. Between ski outings, several craft breweries around La Bresse are worth an afternoon stop. For the summer side of your future trips, our guide to swimming in the Vosges lakes lists the supervised areas around La Bresse.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Vosges resort has the best odds of good snow cover?
The La Bresse-Hohneck area runs from 900 to 1,350 m according to the resort, higher than Lac Blanc, which gives it the clearest statistical edge. Areas sitting lower or further east rely more on machine-made snow early in the season, which weighed on Lac Blanc (900 to 1,200 m) in particular: its ski lifts will no longer be operated from the 2026-2027 season.
When do the La Bresse and Gérardmer ski areas open for winter 2026-2027?
As of 6 October 2026, La Bresse-Hohneck announces an opening from 19 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, and Gérardmer an expected opening from Saturday 19 December 2026, in both cases depending on snow conditions. Markstein has not yet announced a 2026-2027 opening date. Check the status on the resort's site before booking ski-related accommodation.
Which resort works best for young beginners?
Le Markstein has a dedicated beginner area with 3 green runs and 1 blue run, plus a ski kindergarten from age 4. It is the main fallback on the Alsace side since Lac Blanc voted to stop operating its ski lifts, though its 13-trail cross-country area stays open.