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Risoul / Vars
ℹ️Practical info — Risoul / Vars
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🌤 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
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.
A traditional tart filled with jam and featuring a lattice pastry top. Buy one from a local 'pâtisserie' for an authentic afternoon snack.
Tiny pockets of pasta filled with cheese and herbs. A delicious and filling lunch in one of the many mountain restaurants.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
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).
Larch wood carving is a local craft. You can find handmade souvenirs in the more traditional villages like Vars-Sainte-Marie.
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.
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.
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.
Water temperature…
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.
- Location: France
- Top sights: Four à Poterie · Église Sainte-Lucie · Echauguette
- Nearby: Embrun (15 km)
- Population: ~673
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -3 | -2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 2 | -2 |
| Rain mm | 47 | 43 | 52 | 57 | 74 | 54 | 39 | 43 | 53 | 74 | 90 | 62 |
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
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.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Start your day at the ancient pottery kiln, connecting with the village's craft heritage before admiring Église Sainte-Lucie. Around midday, hike to Chapelle Saint-Roch, a peaceful sanctuary. In the afternoon, discover the charm of Chapelle Saint-Sébastien. Your walk concludes at the impressive Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon, soaking in the serene atmosphere.
Four à Poterie
Église Sainte-Lucie
Chapelle Saint-Roch
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Start your rainy morning exploring the historic pottery kiln under an umbrella. At noon, the thick-walled historic churches offer a dry refuge from the showers. The afternoon walks require waterproof shoes as paths to the chapels get slippery. End the evening drying off in a warm spot in the village center.
Four à Poterie
Église Sainte-Lucie
Chapelle Saint-Roch
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
The frosty morning starts at the ancient pottery kiln. At noon, warm up inside the thick walls of the historic local churches. Spend the afternoon admiring the snow-covered chapels. Evening falls early around 5 PM, so retreat to a cozy spot in the village.
Four à Poterie
Église Sainte-Lucie
Chapelle Saint-Roch
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Start your cycling route at the historic pottery kiln and ride to Église Sainte-Lucie to enjoy the morning calm. By midday, cycle up to Peyre Haute, where breathtaking mountain panoramas reward your effort. In the afternoon, pedal towards Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon and Chapelle Saint-Sébastien. The adventurous day wraps up at the fascinating geological formation of La Rue des Masques.
Four à Poterie
Église Sainte-Lucie
Peyre Haute
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
La Rue des Masques
Start the rainy morning pedaling carefully to the pottery kiln. At noon, the roads toward the churches and Peyre Haute require extra caution due to slippery, wet asphalt. Afternoon rides to Rue des Masques demand full waterproof gear and good brakes. Shelter your bike safely in the early evening.
Four à Poterie
Église Sainte-Lucie
Peyre Haute
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
La Rue des Masques
The freezing morning demands heavy thermal layers for the crisp ride to the kiln. At noon, the churches and Peyre Haute look incredibly beautiful in the bright winter sun. Afternoon riding towards Rue des Masques requires caution on snowy, icy paths. Finish your ride safely before 5 PM as it gets dark very early.
Four à Poterie
Église Sainte-Lucie
Peyre Haute
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
La Rue des Masques
Drive comfortably in the morning to Église Sainte-Lucie before heading to Peyre Haute to admire the spectacular mountain panorama. By midday, visit the majestic Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon and the nearby Chapelle Saint-Sébastien. In the afternoon, your route leads to Chapelle Saint-Roch and through the striking Rue des Masques. The journey culminates with sunset views from Echauguette.
Église Sainte-Lucie
Peyre Haute
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
Chapelle Saint-Roch
La Rue des Masques
Echauguette
Drive comfortably on a wet, rainy morning to Église Sainte-Lucie. At noon, you can enjoy the dramatic, fog-covered views at Peyre Haute completely dry from your car. In the afternoon, visit the historic chapels and Rue des Masques armed with a large umbrella. Park safely in the evening and head indoors.
Église Sainte-Lucie
Peyre Haute
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
Chapelle Saint-Roch
La Rue des Masques
Echauguette
Start your winter morning driving to Église Sainte-Lucie—winter tires are absolutely essential! At noon, Peyre Haute offers stunning snow-covered panoramas from your warm car seats. In the afternoon, carefully explore the chapels and Rue des Masques. Drive carefully back to the village as it gets dark by 5 PM.
Église Sainte-Lucie
Peyre Haute
Église Notre-Dame de l'Aquilon
Chapelle Saint-Sébastien
Chapelle Saint-Roch
La Rue des Masques
Echauguette
Sights in the town Risoul / Vars (15)
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'?
Is there après-ski?
Can you go sledding?
Are the ski areas connected?
When does the ski season open?
Risoul / Vars: where is it located?
Risoul / Vars: what is there to see?
Risoul / Vars: when is the best time to visit?
Risoul / Vars: why is it worth visiting?

























