The ski resorts of the Southern Alps include Serre Chevalier, Puy St Vincent, La Grave, Montgenevre, Risoul and Vars. Situated between Chamonix and Marseilles to the north and south, and Grenoble and Turin to the east and west, these resorts are easily accessible and offer high altitude skiing at particularly reasonable prices compared with their better known neighbours to the north. Furthest south is the resort of Isola 2000 which is only an hour and a half's drive from Nice airport on the Cote d’Azur.

The Southern Alps comprises a number of separate ski resorts, some of which, whilst not physically linked, include a day’s skiing in other resorts on their lift pass. Serre Chevalier offers extensive skiing over a surprisingly large ski area, known as the ‘Grand Serre Che', with over 250km of pistes shared between the historic town of Briancon and three smaller villages. Risoul and Vars are part of La Foret Blanche ski area which enjoys a good snow record as well as plenty of sunshine. Isola 2000 is a small, purpose-built resort with mainly self-catering accommodation, much of it slopeside, making it a popular choice for families.