St Sorlin d'Arves
Why St Sorlin d'Arves Ski Resort?
- Stunning scenery
- Traditional village with welcoming ambience
- Fully linked to the Sybelles ski domain
St Sorlin Resort Information
This is a quaint mountain village of carefully preserved Savoyard farmhouses and long-established shops built around an early 17th-century Baroque church.
Saint Sorlin is a proud community that has successfully managed to preserve its ambience and traditions down the years – on feast days the villagers dress up in their colourful traditional costume. You can visit the farmhouse cheese factory to watch Beaufort being made, and the village museum provides a fascinating insight into an Alpine community where the pace of life has always been dictated by the seasons.
At the same time, Saint Sorlin caters for the exacting demands of a 21st century ski holiday with a choice of restaurants, bars, a ‘traiteur’ selling delicious regional specialties, and even a hairdressing salon.
Les Sybelles Information
Six unusual ski resorts untouched by mass tourism in 2003, under the name of Les Sybelles, now make up one of the most recently connected ski areas in France. With its varied ski slopes spread over 393 ha between 1,100 and 2,620m alt., the Sybelles ski area is one of the large linked ski areas. It is the 4th ski area in France and the 7th in Europe and offers a wide variety of slopes for all levels for technical skiing or easy skiing. Connections between resorts are favored by fast ski lifts accessible to beginners who can also discover by roaming the summits of Sybelles only by the blue runs.
The Sybelles ski area offers exceptional views of the entire Alps from Mont Blanc to the famous Aiguilles d'Arves or the Belledonne chain and the Ecrins. Visible from the slopes accessible to skiers but also to pedestrians by detachable chairlifts, Les Sybelles has 360° panoramas.
Ski greener - always aware and always committed to a more sustainable future, Les Sybelles have entered into a partnership with EDF to source exclusively renewable energy. All energy requirements for the production of artificial snow and the operation of the ski lifts will be covered by the supply of "green" energy coming exclusively from hydraulic dams and certified 100% renewable.
Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, Saint-Jean-d’Arves, La Toussuire, Saint-Colomban-des-Villards, Les Bottières: 6 individual resorts linked by the central peak of Ouillon with an altitude of 2,431 metres.
Les Sybelles has 1 AOP (recognised local product) - Arvan Valley's Beaufort cheese. It was a Bronze medal winner at the Concours Général Agricole in 2019. A ‘Made in Les Sybelles’ product called The Sybelles Bulles - is a 2015 special vintage AOP sparkling wine, produced in collaboration with Philippe Viallet, one of the best wine producers in Savoie.
Saint Sorlin ski area
The village's own 120km ski area is now fully linked into the giant Sybelles circuit which offers an impressive 310km of piste above the villages of Le Corbier, St Jean d'Arves, La Toussuire, Les Bottières, and St Colomban des Villards.
Saint-Sorlin is fully linked to the Sybelles ski domain, the largest in the Maurienne Valley with 310km of piste and six resorts (and the fourth largest in France!). Other resorts include La Toussuire, Les Bottières, Le Corbier, Saint-Jean d’Arves, Saint-Colomban.
Les Sybelles (a clever play on words – it’s based on “Les Six Belles” – the “six prettiest” – resorts!) is a huge ski area with two snowparks including thirty modules, an Arvapark, ski routes for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and “baptêmes de neige” flights in a microlight or hang-glider. And let’s not forget the gastronomic delights: fondue, raclette, reblochonnade, tartiflette and many traditional Savoyard recipes await you at the local restaurants.
Find out about the linked ski area of Les Sybelles in our Les Sybelles resort guide.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (24/25):
Saint Sorlin only - 120km of pistes, 18 lifts (9 chairlifts, 5 draglifts, 3 carpet), 41 slopes:
Green slopes: 11
Blue slopes: 16
Red slopes: 9
Black slopes: 5
St Sorlin d'Arves skiing info
Beginners
The Saint Sorlin d'Arves beginners' area, located in the heart of the village, consists of the Mollard carpet and ski lift, the Bobby carpet and ski lift and the Choucas ski lift (nos. 5, 3, 23, 11 and 4 on the piste map). At the top of the resort, in the 'Sybelles' district, a beginners' carpet is also accessible (no. 22 on the piste map - on the edge of the l'Orée des Pistes residence).
Intermediates
There are a number of red slopes at 'La Balme' and 'Les Perrons' just above St Sorlin going up to 2,600m and further intermediate opportunities across into La Toussuire.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
There are a couple of black runs at 'La Balme' and a longer black run at 'Perrons' linking back down into the village. But over a quarter of the slopes in Les Sybelles are red runs. And there’s a snowpark at the top of Le Corbier.
In Saint Sorlin, 'Les Perrons' has the best off-piste in the area.
St Sorlin resort runs
Most of these resort runs are green.
Mountain fun zones
Sybelles Snowpark
Located at the foot of the Ouillon (along the telescopes of the Torret No. 18 - Saint Sorlin d’Arves ski area), is designed for mad riders freestyle.
The snowpark is composed of:
RED LEVEL:
- 4 tables
- 1 Box montée
- 1 Tbox C gauche
- 1 Tbox C droite
- 1 Tbox plat-desc
- 1 Box double
- 1 Step Up
- 1 Pyramide
- 1 Trp JIB
- 1 Hip
BLACK LEVEL:
- 2 tables
- 2 tables pro
- 1 rail montée
- A rail Lip
Including 4 lines of descent with woops and bumps, 1 "Shred zone" and 1 "cool zone".
Composition:
- 1 green line (XS) with 5 woops
- 1 blue line (S) with 3 bumps (tables)
- 1 red line (M) with 3 bumps (tables)
- 1 Shred zone (XL) with 10 modules and 2 bumps
- 1 Cool area with 4 beginner modules, sun loungers and picnic tables.
Boardercross
The Les Sybelles Boardercross are located:
- On the La Toussuire side (along the Pierre du Turc blue slope) and offers a 1.5km long ski cross circuit comprising 14 bends and 14 whoops, a series of mini-bumps providing incredible sensations
- The Mont Cuinat Boardercross in Saint Colomban des Villards offering a 600m dedicated space with 7 banked bends
Beginner of winter sports? The new Boarderkid is ready to welcome you at the snow front at Rougemont, offering a 100m dedicated area!
Vikings fun track
The fun track of the Vikings, located on the blue slope of the Plateau of Saint Jean d’Arves and extended on the green slope of the Escargot, offers playful modules, funny turns and a photo frame for the souvenirs on the theme of the Vikings. All accessible from 4 years old for the pleasure of young and old.
Snowpy Mountain
The play area of La Toussuire for children. This area is also embellished with a chairlift “Les 2 Croix” supported by the ski lift “Chamois” to facilitate and smooth traffic around this new area. 3 areas to discover:
- Relaxation zone (Snowpy Relax) - hammocks, cabanas, deckchairs, swings and picnic tables for a family break. A giant sculpture of Snowpy, the crazy white rabbit, will be the point of attraction of the area,
- Mini KL track (Snowpy Speed) - the mini KL (Kilometer Launched) for family downhill records. From the totems of departure to the arrival signal, you will enjoy racing and know your speed with the LED display,
- Fun track full of activities (Snowpy Stars Camp) - the fun way to ski like a star! A slope full of experiences with many funny modules: a fired portico, a TAP hand, an arch, chimes, rotating hands and Snowpy figurines everywhere.
St Sorlin ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ St Sorlin ski hire and/or St Sorlin lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
St Sorlin group ski school (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your St Sorlin d'Arves ESF ski school with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski school
Ski school for children is available to book with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
St Sorlin private lessons (not pre-bookable)
Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.
Contact ESF St Sorlin for private lessons - 0033 479 59 71 53
St Sorlin childcare (not pre-bookable)
Les Petits Diables Day Nursery
Children from 3 months to 6 years old are welcome, for a full day or half-day, every day except Saturday. 5 days are also bookable. Places are limited. Meals and snacks (10am and 4pm) are at your expense.
Please contact the creche direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 479 59 72 19
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in St Sorlin d'Arves
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Sledging
A secured sledge area is located under the Plan du Moulin road (depending on snow conditions.
Mountain guides
Snowshoe walks and hikes, in small groups and supervised by Mountain guides. Panoramic outings for a morning, afternoon or full day, to high altitudes by way of the chairlift, by night under torchlight. Forest, pastures and chalets, discovery of the mountain environment and heritage. Programs and registration in all sports stores and at Arvan photo.
Snowmobile skidoo
Accompanied 2 seats skidoo outings are proposed every day. Discover Saint Sorlin d’Arves and its large area in a different way.
Snow bike + Fat bike
Downhill Mountain biking on snow when the ski area closes. 7km run 800-metre descent. Thrills and giggles guaranteed (bike + helmet+ support).
Top activities to experience in St Sorlin d'Arves
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Paragliding and Microlight
Fly over the Sybelles ski area with a professional. Paragliding take off on foot or ski. First flight from 6 years old. Information and registration by phone
High forest course
Explore the forest by moving from tree to tree in safety, with family, friends. Open to all from April, depending on weather and snow conditions - on request.
Baroque church
Guided tour every week.
Stroll through the hamlets
Walking through saint Sorlin d’Arves hamlets. Please ask for the free French booklet at the tourist office for a walk around the hamlets of Saint Sorlin and its heritage.
St Sorlin après-ski, restaurants & bars
Over 15 bars/restaurants. Disco/pubs – 2. D’Sybell Club open from, 11pm-4am at Plan au Moulin. Free bus service on request.
L’Avalanche pub/café open from 1pm-2am - Pub, concerts, sports broadcast, free WiFi access. In a fun and festive atmosphere, beers, cocktails, shooters and music.
Amenities
St Sorlin d'Arves is served by a range of amenities including: Doctors, pharmacy, cash point, bakery, hairdresser, bakery open until 7pm, Sherpa, laundrette, butchers.
Getting to St Sorlin d'Arves, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais 957km (approx. 9 hrs 35 mins)
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, then A43 Motorway Exit Saint-Jean de Maurienne. Follow signs to ‘Vallee de l’Aran’ via the D 926 (20 km from the motorway exit).
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to St Sorlin is roughly 22km away in Saint-Jean de Maurienne.
4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to St Sorlin is roughly 188km, approx. 2hrs
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to St Sorlin is roughly 80km, approx. 1hr
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to St Sorlin is roughly 120km, approx. 2hrs
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to St Sorlin is roughly 200km, approx. 2hrs
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.
Resort shuttle bus:
Free shuttle buses run throughout the day linking the different areas of the resort.
