Vars is one of the major ski bases in the Southern French Alps, linked with neighbouring Risoul to form the La Forêt Blanche ski area. Current official resort information lists 185 km of pistes, 36 lifts and around 1,100 m of vertical, with the ski area reaching approximately 2,750 m. The main resort centre, Vars les Claux, sits at around 1,850 m, giving the destination a relatively high base compared with many French resorts.
The combined Vars–Risoul domain is particularly well suited to intermediates and mixed groups. Official figures list a broad spread of green, blue, red and black pistes, with long cruising runs, forest sections through the larches and higher open terrain. The link between the two resorts makes it possible to cover substantial mileage without using road transfers, while Vars itself has several different village bases including Les Claux, Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Marcellin.
Vars also has an identity that goes well beyond conventional piste skiing. The Chabrières piste is one of the world’s best-known speed-skiing venues. France’s Simon Billy set the current men’s world record there at 255.5 km/h in 2023, and the 2026 Speed Masters produced a new women’s world record of 248.27 km/h for Valentina Greggio. Freestyle is another major part of the resort offer, with dedicated Varspark areas and boardercross terrain.
The Southern Alps setting generally brings plenty of sunshine, while the resort has invested heavily in lift modernisation and snowmaking. Families also have beginner areas, pedestrian routes, sledging and other non-ski activities. The main compromise is access: Vars is farther from the major international airport hubs than many resorts in the northern French Alps.
Mont-Dauphin/Guillestre is the principal rail gateway, about 15 km from the resort, with onward shuttle connections. Marseille is around 2 hours 45 minutes away by road, and winter services include Saturday bus links from Marseille-Provence Airport and Aix-en-Provence TGV. Turin and Grenoble are additional air options depending on route and timetable.
For intermediates, families and groups who want substantial linked mileage, a high resort base, Southern Alps sunshine and a distinctive sporting identity, Vars is a strong alternative to the better-known northern French mega-resorts.
