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Risoul / Vars

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City
—°15
Risoul / Vars (France)
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Practical info — Risoul / Vars

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • The 'La Forêt Blanche' ski area connects Risoul and Vars. Be aware the link can close in high winds or bad weather.
  • Use the free shuttle buses ('navettes') that run within Risoul 1850 and the different villages of Vars to get around.
  • Skiing through the larch forests is the area's signature feature. Look for the blue and red runs that snake through the trees.
  • Risoul is often considered a bit more budget-friendly. Look for package deals on accommodation and ski passes to save money.
  • To make the most of the whole area, start on one side and plan your lunch on the other before heading back in the afternoon.

🍽 Food

🍽
Tourtons du Champsaur

A local specialty: small, fried turnovers filled with either savoury (potato, cheese) or sweet (apple, prune) fillings. Find them in bakeries or at local markets.

🍽
Tarte des Alpes

A traditional tart filled with jam and featuring a lattice pastry top. Buy one from a local 'pâtisserie' for an authentic afternoon snack.

🍽
Ravioles du Dauphiné

Tiny pockets of pasta filled with cheese and herbs. A delicious and filling lunch in one of the many mountain restaurants.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Alpine Honey

The honey ('Miel de Montagne') from the high alpine flowers has a unique flavour. Look for local producers in shops selling 'produits régionaux' (regional products).

🛍
Wood Carvings

Larch wood carving is a local craft. You can find handmade souvenirs in the more traditional villages like Vars-Sainte-Marie.

🧘
The Larch Forests

Take your time on the pistes that run through the forests. Stop in a quiet spot to enjoy the silence and the smell of the trees.

🧘
Risoul Village

Take a bus or drive down to the original Risoul Village. It's much quieter than the ski station and features a glimpse into traditional Alpine life.

🧘
Snowshoe Trails

Both resorts offer numerous marked snowshoe ('raquettes') trails. This is the best way to escape the bustle of the slopes and experience the winter landscape in peace.

Risoul and Vars together form the 'La Forêt Blanche' ski area, one of the largest and sunniest domains in the Southern French Alps. Risoul sits at 1850 meters and is characterized by its larch-wood architecture, while Vars is world-renowned for its speed skiing track (Kilomètre Lancé), where world records are frequently challenged. The combined area provides 185 kilometers of slopes, many of which wind through the distinctive larch forests that give the area its white-forest name. The Hautes-Alpes region benefits from a Mediterranean-influenced Alpine climate, boasting over 300 days of sunshine annually. Despite the sun, the high altitude reaching up to 2750 meters at the Eyssina ridge ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the season. The terrain is highly diverse, offering everything from wide, gentle slopes for beginners to technical couloirs for expert freeriders. The panoramic views from the top include the Écrins massif and the distant Serre-Ponçon lake. Resort life is spirited in both locations, with Risoul offering a more compact, family-friendly pedestrian center and Vars providing a more spread-out, athletic atmosphere. Local gastronomy features Hautes-Alpes specialties such as 'tourtons' and Alpine cheeses. The primary winter season runs from December to mid-April, while summer visitors can enjoy world-class mountain biking trails and hiking through the Queyras and Écrins parks.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-3-21591417171282-2
Rain mm474352577454394353749062

Live webcam – Risoul / Vars

See what it looks like near Risoul / Vars right now.

Risoul › South: Luge 4 saisons Dévale - Tir à l'arc Risoul · 3.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
673
Coordinates
44.64861, 6.64000

Facts

  • Part of La Forêt Blanche ski area
  • 185 km of interconnected slopes
  • Over 300 sunny days per year
  • Vars is famous for speed skiing
  • Highest point reaches 2,750 meters
  • Risoul resort is at 1,850 meters
  • Known for extensive larch forests
  • Views of the Écrins National Park

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Risoul / Vars (15)

Four à Poterie📍 landmark

Traditional pottery kiln in the mountain village of Risoul.

Église Sainte-Lucie⛪ religious

Église Sainte-Lucie is an 18th-century church with a Baroque altarpiece.

Echauguette🌿 nature

Tall limestone rock formation resembling a watchtower in the Risoul-Vars ski area.

Chapelle Saint-Sébastien⛪ religious

A chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian in the ski resort of Risoul-Vars in the French Alps.

Chapelle Saint-Roch⛪ religious

A chapel dedicated to Saint Roch in the skiing area of Risoul-Vars.

La Rue des Masques📍 landmark

A local tourist attraction in the city of Risoul / Vars.

Peyre Haute🌿 nature

Large standing stone or rock outcrop with panoramic mountain views.

Source de la Rotonde

A relaxing hot spring area located in the Risoul/Vars region, first-rate for unwinding in natural thermal waters.

Centre des Monuments Nationaux🏛 museum

A museum dedicated to national monuments in the region, offering insights into French cultural and historical heritage.

🆓

Le Pitchoun Parc👨‍👩‍👧 family

A great family-friendly park in the Risoul/Vars area, offering fun activities and a safe environment for children.

💶

Fontaine pétrifiante de Réotier

A fascinating petrifying spring in France, known for its unique geological formations and natural mineral deposits.

Guile Canoe entry point 1

A scenic viewpoint and entry point for canoeing on the river, offering lovely natural perspectives of the water.

La Butte

A beautiful viewpoint in the Risoul/Vars region providing excellent panoramic views over the surrounding landscape.

Source eau chaude

A natural hot spring attraction in the area, popular among visitors seeking a warm and relaxing thermal experience.

Base de loisirs d'Eygliers

A popular leisure base in the Risoul/Vars area offering various outdoor recreation facilities and water activities.

Frequently asked questions

What is 'Forêt Blanche'?
The combined ski area of Risoul and Vars with 185 km of slopes.
Is there après-ski?
Yes, both villages offer bars and restaurants for the evening.
Can you go sledding?
Yes, there are specially designated sledding runs.
Are the ski areas connected?
Yes, you can move between both villages with one ski pass.
When does the ski season open?
Usually from early December to April.
Risoul / Vars: where is it located?
Risoul / Vars is located in France.
Risoul / Vars: what is there to see?
Highlights include Four à Poterie, Église Sainte-Lucie, Echauguette.
Risoul / Vars: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Risoul / Vars: why is it worth visiting?
Risoul and Vars together form the 'La Forêt Blanche' ski area, one of the largest and sunniest domains in the Southern French Alps.
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