Language 
No results found
The next Winter Olympics? It’s the French Alps in 2030
Wondering when and where are the next Winter Olympics? Here’s a first look at the French Alps 2030, including dates, host cities, and travel tips.
Following the success and excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, sports fans and travelers are already looking ahead.
When and where are the next winter Olympics being held? And will they top Italy’s Olympic Games?
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, including when you can start planning your next winter sports adventure!
When and where are the next Winter Olympics?
- Year: 2030
- Region: French Alps
- Host country: France
- Expected dates: 1–17 February, 2030 (final schedule TBC closer to event)
Yes, the Olympic Games are staying in Europe and in the Alps, but instead of Northern Italy, it will take place in France’s Alpine regions.
This isn’t France’s first rodeo, as they have hosted the Winter Olympics three times in the past. They’ve also hosted three Summer Olympics, including the most recent 2024 Games. Plus, given that French athletes won an impressive 23 medals at the Italian Winter Olympics, they make for a natural host for the next Winter Olympics.
Where in the French Alps will events take place?
In Olympic tradition, during the closing ceremony of Milano Cortino 2026, Italy handed the baton to France, signaling the end of their hosting journey and the beginning of France’s.
While this was happening, a video sequence played on the big screen, showcasing various landscapes in the French Alps and teasing what the French Alps 2030 could look like.
The exact venues have yet to be confirmed, but France will use a multi-resort model, splitting the games into alpine clusters, as Italy did.
Unlike the recent 2024 Summer Olympics, the Winter Games won’t be held in Paris. Instead, they will take place in the Alpine regions that border Italy and Switzerland.
The events will take place in ski resorts and existing stadiums across two regions:
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (southeast France)
- Nice (in Alpes-Maritimes) is confirmed as the main city to host the ice events
- Briançon, the highest city in France (in Hautes-Alpes), will host freestyle skiing and snowboarding events.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (eastern France)
- Haute-Savoie (home to Chamonix and Mont Blanc) will host cross-country skiing and biathlon events.
- Savoie will host alpine skiing at its ski resorts, as well as sliding sports.
Why the 2030 Winter Olympics could look different
Italy’s Winter Olympics felt different from past hosts because they were held across multiple cities and regions, rather than concentrated in one area.
France is set to follow suit, using multiple Alpine venues and resorts. This differs from the traditional single-city Olympic hosting model, meaning the 2030 Winter Olympics will combine sports with travel.
Another key difference is that France is planning to use existing infrastructure from their previous Winter Olympics, as well as functioning ski resorts.
Some of these venues will be renovated ahead of the games, but they do not plan to build any new venues from scratch, except for a new ice arena in Nice. Other planned construction projects are five Olympic villages, spread across the host cities.
Using 85% existing infrastructure minimizes the environmental impact of the games, as it creates a much smaller construction footprint than previous editions.
What this means for travelers
The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in established mountain resorts across multiple regions.
What does this mean?
It won’t just be one of the most-watched sporting events in the world; it will be a full-scale alpine travel experience.
The unique hosting model presents the opportunity for travelers to combine Olympic events with:
- A city break on the French Riviera, like Monaco, Cannes, or Saint-Tropez
- A ski holiday in the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley
- A spa weekend in an Alpine spa town like Aix-les-Bains (Savoie) or Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie).
- A multi-country winter trip including France, Switzerland, and northern Italy
However, it won’t be without its downsides. February 2030 in the French Alps will bring:
- Price surges in hotels and short-term rentals: During major events like this, the dynamic of a destination shifts completely; a stark contrast between visiting vs living in Olympic cities.
- Alpine resorts that sell out months in advance: Many places will start taking bookings 12 to 18 months before the Olympics.
- Improved and more frequent regional train connections between alpine towns: Rail and shuttle systems will be the best modes of transport, as snow conditions and road closures may affect driving.
Is it too early to start planning?
The French Alps 2030 might be four years away, but preparation is already well underway in France, so there is no reason why you can’t start thinking ahead, too.
Event tickets
Ticket sale dates have not yet been announced. Advance registration for the 2026 Winter Olympics began around 1 year before the Games. Considering this, you can expect the first sale cycle for the 2030 Winter Olympics about 1 to 1.5 years before the Games, so in late 2028 or early 2029.
For now, monitor official Olympic channels and sign up for alerts to ensure you’re among the first to hear about ticket launches.
Flights and hotels
Flight prices and hotel rates will likely spike as soon as tickets go on sale. So it’s recommended to book as early as 12 months in advance.
There is no reason why you can’t book your flights or accommodation before you secure tickets. However, if you do, choose fully refundable flights and accommodation that allows free cancellation in case of any changes to event venues or dates.
FAQs about the next Winter Olympics
- Where are the next Winter Olympics after 2026? The next Winter Olympics will be held in February 2030, taking place in the French Alps in France.
- Are the 2030 Winter Olympics in one city? No, they will be spread across multiple alpine regions, with competitions in zones like Nice, Savoie, Haute‑Savoie, and Briançon.
- When will tickets go on sale? Official ticket sale dates haven’t been confirmed yet. Based on previous Winter Olympics, ticket sales will likely begin 1–2 years before the Games with early registration and phased releases.
- Will events be spread across multiple resorts? Yes, like Milano‑Cortina 2026, the 2030 Winter Olympics will be spread across multiple alpine venues and resorts, combining winter sports with travel.
Start planning your 2030 Winter Olympics trip today
Planning your French Alps 2030 trip isn’t just about securing tickets and booking hotels. It’s also about ensuring you have a reliable internet connection to coordinate your itinerary.
With Holafly, you can activate an eSIM the moment you land and get fast unlimited data throughout your trip. Navigate public transport, map out travel between resorts, and check event schedules in real time, all without scrambling for Wi-Fi.
Explore the Holafly eSIM for France and get a head start on your Winter Olympics adventure.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.
Plans that may interest you
Hey, I’m Mika! I’m an SEO specialist with 7+ years of experience and a passion for travel info that actually helps you explore smarter. I write travel guides and tips backed by SEO insights so you can spend less time searching and more time adventuring.
