![]()
44.623609, 6.634426
006°38'06"E | 44°37'42"N
la Forêt Blanche
Altitude: 1650-2750m
Downhill Ski Terrain: 180km
104 Pistes:
17 Green | 40 Blue | 37 Red | 10 Black
55 Lifts:
I gondola | 39 drag-lifts
14 chair-lifts
![]()
Beginners/Families
Intermediates
Advanced/Expert
The emphasis is on fun rather than technicality, yet with lots of room to spread your wings. Great for cruising.

-
Value
Accommodation
Dining Out
Nightlife
![]()
- • Fun atmosphere, good value.
- • Safe terrain for timid beginners.
- • Scope for free-riders above Vars.
- • Modern, efficient Lift system.
- • Good sunshine figures.
- • Surprisingly good snow record.
![]()
- • Too much casual parking in Risoul, despite nearby car-parks.
- • Hoteliers trying hard, but Risoul not the smartest ski village we’ve seen.
- • Shopping for essentials can be pricey for self-caterers.
![]()
- • With this much quality skiing consider the premium accommodation option.

Risoul’s sheltered glades,
a safe haven for families.

Signing is as good as it gets.

- Seen, tried and tested.
Sara Residences
05600 Risoul
Situated to the east of the village with views to the slopes or the valley, the accommodation is spread over a number of buildings with 2** to 4**** (optional hotel services) self-catering apartments. We stayed in a 4 person apartment which was pleasantly furnished and adequately equipped. The beds are all pull-out sofas but we felt it would have been cramped with more than 2 people.
It is possible to buy everything you need in the village but it's limited and expensive. Stock up before going to the resort if you're on a budget.
Each apartment has a ski locker in the basement with steps to ground level. The slopes are a few minutes walk from all the Sara apartments - though progress was hampered by parked cars and untreated ice.
Arrivals and departures are a bit of a scramble - our advice would be to arrive promptly to check in.
With prices starting at around 300€ per week for a 4 bed studio, plus a free 6-day ski pass for certain weeks, the apartments are great value.
Enquiries and bookings:
Sara Residences
+33 (0)4 92 46 03 47
info.sara@sara-residences.com
More accommodation ideas in Risoul at
MountainPassions Ski Holidays
Tel: 0845 863 0540 (UK)
![]()

THE FORET-BLANCHE OFFERS 180km of varied ski terrain for all levels in the Southern French Alps and accessible via flights into Lyon, Grenoble, Marseille, Nice and Turin. It would suit those in search of something slightly alternative. A solid and underrated option for families and those with an eye for value, there's also off-piste terrain above Vars, which has established quite a reputation among free-ride skiers. The villages of Risoul 1850 and Vars sit at either end of the ski area and are very different in style. Between them they should satisfy most tastes, with Risoul attracting younger (including Eastern European) skiers and Vars Sainte-Marie those preferring a quieter, more traditional experience. Somewhere between the two is the less than low-rise development of Vars Les Claux. 
![]()
Approaching a ski destination in mild, sunny weather is unnerving, and our drive down from Briançon left us in no doubt that we were now in the Southern Alps. Then, as we passed the brooding fortress of Mont Dauphin and began the long climb to Risoul 1850, temperatures began to drop reassuringly.
Sure enough, by the time the village finally came into view the shadows were lengthening and the thermometer reading had plummeted. After settling into our apartment we gazed out onto a spectacular landscape of snowy mountains turned to pink by the setting sun. It was quite a welcome.
Crisp and dry
Next morning we set off to board a chairlift for an overview of the legendary Forêt-Blanche. True to its name, the forest covers much of the mountainsides above Risoul 1850 , creating a sheltered, natural setting for the mostly gentle pistes which snake their way down among the larch plantations. Further up, of course, things became steeper, and our early start made for entertaining progress on the icy surface. Great fun.

Awe-inspiring scenery surrounds the liaison between Risoul and Vars.
Heading above the tree-line brought us to the 2571m summit of Razis, where the snow quality was more forgiving and the views were genuinely panoramic. Making a note to enjoy them sometime from the terrace of the snug, piste-side restaurant, we pointed our skis towards the looming vastness of a descent which would take us all the way down to Vars Sainte-Marie, a vertical drop of almost 1000 metres. The long cruise (around 8km, in fact) allowed us to take in something of our new surroundings, whose snowy central expanse contrasted sharply with the softer intimacy of the forests which were a trademark feature of Risoul 1850. Eventually we descend though the tree-line above Vars, convinced that it's always good to have a choice of terrain, particularly during a week of variable weather conditions.
The long haul
The subsequent two-stage climb up to La Mayt (2580m) gives us time to get things into clearer perspective, and to appreciate the beauty of it all displayed to perfection beneath a clear blue sky. After lunch we decide to stay high and enjoy perfect conditions in near-solitude around the Col de Crevoux (2530m), feeling as if we owned the mountain.

Paradise Found: the uncrowded red pistes below the Col de Crevoux.
We make the most of it until the slowly-sinking sun tells us it's time to think about our return runs. The liaison, a super-gentle blue scenic cruise almost hidden on the piste-map, drops us to something a little steeper. We go for a red which is steeper still, and provides a stimulating end to the perfect day. On second thoughts, that honour goes to the moment when we sense the first flakes which announced the arrival of a fresh snowfall. Next day promised to be even better.
© MountainPassions.com
Here are more holiday ideas for the ski villages of Risoul and Vars ... and don't forget to check our Special Offers for discounts on holidays in your favourite ski destinations.
Residence L'Albane
Vars, Forêt Blanche
The residence is built in Savoyard style with stone and wood facades. It offers an outdoor heated swimming pool and is close to the shops and services with direct access on skis to the pistes.
Enquiries and bookings:
MountainPassions Ski Holidays
Tel: 0845 863 0540 (UK)
Les Balcons de Sirius
Risoul, Forêt Blanche
This residence is located right beside the slopes and offers a beautiful view from the top of Risoul. It has a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, fitness centre, bar, lounge with open fireplace.
Enquiries and bookings:
MountainPassions Ski Holidays
Tel: 0845 863 0540 (UK)
Residence Luxury Vega
Risoul, Forêt Blanche
The residence is located at the foot of the slopes, enabling easy access to ski in and out.
Enquiries and bookings:
MountainPassions Ski Holidays
Tel: 0845 863 0540 (UK)
![]()

By car
From Grenoble: Take the N91 (Col du Lauteret) to Briançon, then the RN94 to Guillestre where you turn off for Risoul or Vars. Alternatively, take the N85 to Gap from Grenoble, then the RN94 to Guillestre. Allow up to 3 hours from Grenoble for both routes; the Briançon route is slightly quicker.
From Marseille: Take the A51 to La Saulce, continue in the direction for Tallard & Briançon (RN94) to Guillestre where you turn off for Risoul or Vars.
By air
The nearest airports are Grenoble and Marseille.
Navette Blanche:
Shuttle service between Marseille and Vars every Saturday during the season.
Info:
+33 (0)4 91 46 64 67
By train
It is possible to arrive at Montdauphin Guillestre direct from Paris using an SNCF service.
A fast TGV service from Paris goes to Grenoble.


Take the train...
Rail Europe, the UK subsidiary of SNCF French Railways, provides rail travel right into the heart of the French Alps.
Flights to the Alps
Discover the new and exclusive route to Sion airport in the Swiss Alps.
Ferry Travel
Norfolkline - low prices, quality ferries, convenient schedules
Transfers
Need a lift?
Holiday Taxis offer private transfers from airports to ski resorts in the Alps. Whether it's just you or a bunch of friends, they have transport to suit your needs.
Car Hire
Insurance










