How to plan a dog-friendly ski holiday in the French Alps
A dog-friendly ski holiday in the French Alps brings a different rhythm to the mountains. The day gains an hour it did not have before: a walk through the snow, taken at a slower pace than skiing allows, across a landscape most guests only ever see from a chairlift.
With the right chalet and a little preparation, bringing your dog to Val d’Isère, Méribel or Courchevel can be relatively straightforward. From dog-friendly ski chalets and winter walking routes to restaurants, travel documents and packing for the mountains, here is what to consider before your stay.
Ski chalets that welcome dogs in the French Alps
Six properties across the Consensio portfolio welcome dogs. In Val d’Isère, there is Chalet des Légendes, Chalet Juno, Chalet Lhotse and Chalet Marco Polo. In Courchevel 1850, dogs are welcome at Penthouse B and Carat.
Dogs of any size are welcome, provided they comply with French breed regulations. An additional charge and signed waiver apply at the time of booking.
If Consensio is arranging your transfer, your dog can travel with you in the same vehicle, provided this is confirmed in advance. There is no need to arrange a separate journey.
Walks beyond the pistes
Val d’Isère
A network of marked snowshoe trails runs through the village and the fir forest beyond it. Some reach over 2,500 m for a proper mountain view, while others stay low and sheltered. They tend to be quietest by early afternoon.
Méribel
La Traie is the longer route, at around six hours return from Méribel Centre, with views of the Vanoise massif and Mont Blanc. Alternatively, a shorter two-hour route starts from Le Villard.
The Altiport route through Morel is more accessible, at around three hours return, with a shuttle back if the legs (yours or your dog’s) have had enough.
For something gentler, Lac de Tuéda is a lakeside walk from the Chatelet shuttle stop in Méribel-Mottaret. Dogs must stay on a lead throughout.
Courchevel
Lac de la Rosière is small, wooded and crossed by a wooden footbridge. It is open from 1 December to 30 April, conditions permitting.
A small number of pedestrian gondolas take dogs on a lead, but rules and access vary between lifts and often come down to the attendant’s discretion on the day. It is worth checking locally before you head up.
The Vanoise National Park, whose boundary reaches into the Val d’Isère and Méribel valleys, prohibits dogs within its protected core, including on a lead. Rules vary outside that boundary, so it is worth checking your route before setting off.
A table with room for one more
Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère’s tourist office lists a number of dog-friendly addresses in the village. Bar Jacques serves traditional French cooking, Savoyard specialities and pizzas in a friendly setting, while Casa Scara specialises in Italian food. On the Mangard piste, René offers bistronomic cooking overlooking the Fornet valley, while Edelweiss serves fresh, refined dishes from its sunny terrace.
Méribel
Méribel Tourisme notes that many establishments welcome dogs on a lead. Le Cro Magnon, between Méribel Centre and the Altiport, serves refined cooking alongside traditional Savoyard dishes, with a sunny terrace and mountain views. At the Rond Point des Pistes, Lilie offers a cosy setting for lunch or dinner.
Nearby, Le Rond Point is a livelier option for lunch and après-ski. Its large outdoor terrace is particularly good on a sunny day, although the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed and seasonnaire-led. Elsewhere in Méribel, Clos Bernard offers mountain cooking in a secluded forest setting, while Le Monchu is a welcoming choice for traditional Savoyard dishes. La Table de la Traye is worth travelling a little further for, serving seasonal French cooking at the secluded Refuge de la Traye.
Courchevel
Courchevel also has several dog-friendly addresses. Alessandro serves Italian food in Courchevel 1850, while Le Cap Horn offers a livelier mountain lunch. Kinugawa welcomes small dogs during its first evening service.
In Courchevel Moriond, Manali Lodge is another excellent choice for a leisurely mountain lunch.
Policies can vary depending on the restaurant, the size of the dog and where you are seated, so it is always worth confirming when booking.
The paperwork
Dogs travelling within the EU generally need an EU pet passport, microchip and rabies vaccination. Those arriving from Great Britain usually need an Animal Health Certificate and tapeworm treatment before returning. Additional rules apply to some breeds and countries, so always check the latest official guidance before travelling.
Packing for altitude
Salted roads and long stretches through deep snow are harder on paws than most owners expect over the course of a week. Paw balm or dog boots can help, provided your dog is already comfortable wearing them.
A coat matters more here than it might at home, particularly for smaller or short-haired breeds. Bring your dog’s usual food, as resort supermarkets may not carry a particular brand, along with any medication and a blanket that already carries the scent of home.
When you need a hand
There will be days when skiing, lunch or dinner keeps you away from the chalet for longer than expected. Your concierge can arrange dog walking or sitting in Val d’Isère, Méribel and Courchevel, allowing your dog to remain settled while you are out.
Once the papers are filed and the coat is packed, it is not, in the end, a different kind of ski holiday. The chalet retains its standards, skiing keeps its place and dinner remains part of the week. Only the company changes, and the shape of the day around it.
Explore our collection of dog-friendly properties in the French Alps or speak to our team about bringing your dog.