Vars
Why Vars Ski Resort?
- Nearly 300 days of sunshine
- Great skiing for intermediates and beginners
- Traditional French atmosphere
- Reasonably snow-sure with lots of tree-lined runs
- Family friendly and good value
Vars la Forêt Blanche Information
The Southern Alps ski resort of Vars forms part of Domaine de la Foret Blanche, which is one of the largest ski areas in the Southern Alps.
The resort runs along the length of the valley and is split between 4 hamlets: Saint Marcelin, Sainte Catherine, Les Claux and Saint Marie.
Sainte Marie is the largest of the hamlets and the starting place for skiing with the 5 seater chair lift departing from the edge of the village and connecting it to the resort of Risoul at 1850. It opens up to over 185km of piste and a large choice of ski possibilities.
Vars ski area
Vars has good skiing, particularly for intermediate and beginner skiers. The whole area is accessible via green and blue runs, you can even ski between Risoul and Vars on just blue pistes. Those Expert skiers also have a choice of 10 black runs and plenty of off-piste. The resort offers some good boarding and there are various snowparks.
Pretty wooded slopes surround the village. Vars has slopes on both sides of the valley. The Peynier area is wooded, west-facing and reaches 2,275m. However, the main slopes are on the east-facing bowl which links through to Risoul at 2 points (blues at 2,435m or a red run from 2,750m).
Following several twists and turns, admire the exceptional views from the Col de Crévoux and the breathtaking panoramas of Peyniers and Chabrières. Or try a descent with a change in altitude of almost 1,000m down to the village of Sainte Marie, where farms and chalets showcase traditional architectural features.
Vars skiing info
Beginners
There are a few free lifts for beginners so you can try before buying a lift pass. Progression across to Risoul should be possible for some quick learning beginners.
There are 3 drag lifts available: Les Claux, Baby Ecrins, Jardin d'enfants - G1
Intermediates
There is a good mix of blue and red slopes in the Vars/Risoul ski area. There are good treelined runs in the Peynier sector including an easy black to try.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
Not many challenging pistes but there is lots of off-piste potential.
The "Y", the "Entonnoir", "La Virgule", the "Petit Col” and even "La Banane" have a number of steep slopes ranging from 30 to 50% less than one hour’s walk away, where you’ll encounter fine, light powder, made for a dream skiing experience.
Vars resort runs
You can come back to the resort on blue runs.
Mountain fun zones
There is pretty good freeriding and 7 freestyle parks. However, there are a fair few draglifts to tackle.
7 freestyle parks/areas
Park 1 - L'EYSSINA
At 2,400m altitude – quick and easy access via the 2 Crevoux drag lifts. Located at the foot of the Eyssina ridge, this highly diverse park has something for everyone (blue, red and black lines) including the first 100% jib slopestyle. The park includes numerous snow obstacles, such as big air and tables, as well as designated rail zones. 3 green obstacles, 4 blue obstacles, 5 red obstacles, 5 black obstacles. Cool zone – sound system, Free BBQ – meeting point for all riders.
Levels: beginners – advanced levels
Park 2 - TOTEM PARK
Welcome to Vars' Wild West! Location: At the top of the Sibières chairlift. Access: Sibières chairlift and Eyssina ski lift. One of the most original snowparks you can find. The park blends in perfectly with its surroundings, with stone (pink granite from Guillestre) and wood elements as well as Wild West-inspired obstacles:
- Native American village Ride on the various rails and carved totem poles
- Wild West Village with features inspired by Wild West buildings
- This proline is dedicated to freestyle photography and visual arts with a Vars-style Wild West feel, complete with saloon
Levels: experienced and pro
Park 4 – GIRLY PARK
Location: At the top of the Cabrières cable car. Access: Access via Chabrières cable car and the Clapier piste. This area has been unanimously endorsed by all snowboard users - it’s a total triumph! In fact, the park’s straightforward features, its original design and guaranteed safety makes freestyle for beginners as easy as tobogganing!
With pretty, pink obstacles, this area is designed for girls but can be used by anyone wanting to discover freestyle thrills. 14 obstacles alternating between boxes, curves and pyramids typical of skate parks give you a choice of routes
Level: beginners - intermediate
Park 5 - PARK DES ECRINS
A park for training and perfecting! Location: Facing the snow of Point Show, on the Ecrins pistes. Access: Quick and easy access from the Ecrins drag lift. This one of France's best parks for experienced riders to practise and hone their skills.
The line includes everything you can find in the Vars snow park (boxes, rails, wall rides etc.).
Level: all levels
6 - Snowtrails
These fun areas on the edge of the pistes (boardercross and hoops) are a perfect introduction for freestyle beginners before they venture into the snow parks. Explore the ski slopes and enjoy a bit of freestyling.
You’ll be able to try out your tricks on different parts of the slopes, depending on snow cover.
Level: open to all
7 - Speedskiing piste
Vars la Forêt Blanche has become a reputed spot in the world of glide thanks to the fastest speedskiing piste in the world 254.958km/hr and one of Europe's most beautiful snowparks. The world record was set on 26th March 2016.
The stadium is open to the general public. Naturally, the highest speeds are still the privilege of the champions but the bottom of the piste is an exhilarating playground for discovering and learning speed skiing. Meet Thursday to Sunday at the chrono cabin at the bottom of the Chabrières piste from 10am-3pm. You must be at least a 3-star skier (able to go everywhere on the slopes with skis parallel) and over 6 years old. You'll be given a helmet and a mask. All the tips and tricks regarding the descent will be given by the piste’s former record holder himself, Philippe Billy (243.902 km/h) and by his sons, both of whom are speed skiers of the highest calibre. Every skier who gets timed can push him/herself to their limit and taste the adrenaline produced by this sport, then leave with a personalised certificate stating their time!
Vars ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Samoens ski hire and/or Samoens 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.
Vars group ski school (not pre-bookable)
Vars private lessons (not pre-bookable, book direct):
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 Vars for private lessons - 0033 4 92 46 53 24
Vars non-skiing childcare (not pre-bookable, book direct)
P'tits Poussins
From 2.5 years to 4 years.
Within a secure and protected area of over 2000m2, toddlers will discover the world of snow with fun games and activities.
Please contact the creche direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 92 46 53 24
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 Vars
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Group toboggan ride
Every Tuesday outside school holidays, every Monday and Friday during the school holidays (+ Wednesday during the February holidays), meet other toboggan-lovers of all ages for a full-scale toboggan ride. Unforgettable thrills on the 2km long course, with nearly 400m of descent. When the slopes close, discover a wonderful playground that everyone will enjoy, meet for the last cable car ascent. Helmet, valid lift pass and sledge with metal brakes are mandatory. Suitable for children age 6 and above. Must be accompanied by an adult.
A free tobogganing spot
Safe and well-maintained, suitable for all ages. At the top of the resort, on the slopes of Le Fournet, discover a magnificent playground. Open all day, every day during the winter season (subject to weather conditions)
Evening skiing
Les Ecrins slopes - VARS LES CLAUX. Les Ecrins slope is open every Tuesday and Wednesday during the school holidays. From 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. from 22/12 to 6/01. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from 9/02 to 10/03 and from 6/04 to 22/04. Free activity.
Snake gliss
Information and reservations: Tam Tam Photo Le Seignon shopping mall (opposite the Tourist Office).
Hiking and snowshoe trails
40km of nature trails and wonderful heritage to explore to your heart’s content! Discover the delights of Vars la Forêt Blanche by exploring its ski area, but let yourself be swept off your feet by its heritage, charming villages and natural beauty too. Remember to take the time to explore the narrow, winding streets of Vars Sainte Catherine, Sainte Marie, Saint Marcellin and les Claux - these villages, with their old houses, fountains, quiet church courtyards, pretty chalets and slopes provide you with a chance to escape and an opportunity to admire the valley from both sides of the Chagne.
A free shuttle service allows you to go from village to village and to join the walking/snowshoe itineraries.
Fat bike
This fast-growing sport involves mountain-biking on the snow on a specially designed bike with oversized tyres: the Fatbike! An electric version is also available. You can try out a Fatbike along the 13.5 km of trails from Vars Sainte Catherine and to Col de Vars. Here you can make the most of the wide-open spaces! You share the trails with hikers on trails 4 – 5 – 12 and 13 as shown on the map available from the tourist office. You can access the Peyrol skiing area with your Fatbike on the ski-lifts. This part of the skiing area is only accessible with a professional guide, who can pass on all the tips for enjoying the sport and guide you along the mountainside Forest paths overlooking the Vars valley.
Top activities to experience in Vars
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Vars Ice Rink
Cours Fontanarosa 05560 VARS LES CLAUX
Vars paragliding and speed riding school
05560 Vars Sainte Marie
www.parapente-hautes-alpes.com
Vars après-ski, restaurants & bars
There are around 18 good value restaurants incl. mountain restaurants.
Amenities
Sherpa supermarket - Vars les Claux. Open 7 days a week from 8am to 12.30pm and 3pm to 7.30pm
Delicatessen: cheese, Savoie region and local cold cuts, raclette cheese, fondue and tasting of local specialities etc. Take away, vacuum packed. Regional products, fruit and vegetables: daily delivery, wine cellar
Spar supermarket - Vars les Claux. A large selection of regional products. Self-service butcher (local meat). Groceries, frozen food, fruit and vegetables, fresh produce, wine. Self-service cheese counter, with local products, cut and wrapped at Spar. Open every day during the season: 8.30pm to 12.30pm and 16.00pm to 7.15pm.
Petrol station - 24H/24 - Vars St Marcellin (near the cemetery)
ATM/Cashpoint 24h/24 - Vars les Claux Crédit Agricole - Point Show Post Office- Le Seignon
Pharmacy - Vars les Claux - Ski Soleil
Post office - Vars les Claux – cash point 24/24 Vars Ste Marie – post office - Maison Chastan. From 8.30 to 12.00 from Monday to Saturday .........0033 (0) 4 92 54 10 76
Getting to Vars, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais: 645 miles (1038km), approx. 11hrs. From Paris: take autoroute A6 until Lyon, then take autoroute A43 until Grenoble, then follow signs for Briançon via the Lautaret pass or Gap via the Bayard Pass, then head towards Embrun-Guillestre-Vars.
From Turin: head for the border at Montgenèvre then follow signs to Briançon - Guillestre - Vars.
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 Vars is roughly 11 miles away (18km) in Montdauphin-Guillestre (approx. 25 mins).
6 international airports nearby. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Vars is roughly 146 miles (236km), approx. 3hrs 30
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Vars is roughly 160 miles (251km), approx. 3hrs 40
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Vars is roughly 131 miles (211km), approx. 3hrs
Turin Airport to Vars is roughly 106 miles (171km), approx. 2hrs 30
Nice Airport to Vars is roughly 117 miles (189km), approx. 3hrs 30
Marseille Airport is roughly 150 miles (242km), approx. 3hrs
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 lines from French/Swiss airports and some SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with), we invite you to do your own research.
