Travel book · Alpes du Sud

Forêt Blanche: 185km of slopes between Vars and Risoul

By the AEC Collection team Updated on 28 May 2026 3 min read

In 1990, two resorts in the Hautes-Alpes decided to link their domains: Vars, situated at 1850 metres on the north-east-facing slope, and Risoul, also at 1850 metres but on the opposite side. The result took the name Forêt Blanche. Today it is one of the largest ski areas in the Southern Alps: 185 kilometres of slopes, 35 lifts, access between 1650 and 2750 metres altitude.

The domain’s particular characteristic: 83% of slopes are above 2000 metres. This guarantees reliable snowfall, even when valley floors suffer. It is also a vast playground, open across scattered larch forests, with panoramas that extend to the Mediterranean on clear days.

Two resorts, two characters

Vars comprises four hamlets: Vars Sainte-Marie (the historic centre, 1650m), Vars les Claux (the resort village, 1850m), Vars Sainte-Catherine (east-facing side) and Vars Saint-Marcellin. Slopes depart from the threshold of the buildings. The highest sector, beneath Pic de Chabrières (2750m), offers challenging descents and 360° views. Risoul, younger (resort developed in the 1970s), offers a larger domain but less extreme, with slopes more accessible to families.

The Forêt Blanche pass provides access to all 185km. Single-resort passes (Vars 110km, Risoul 100km, with partial overlap) remain an option for shorter stays.

The Chabrières sector

Beneath Pic de Chabrières (2750m), the Chabrières cable car deposits skiers at the domain’s summit. The descent towards Vars is one of the longest in the Southern Alps, 1100 metres of vertical drop. The sector is home to the speed-training slope base, where the French national ski federation conducts its timed training sessions. World records for mass downhill racing (kilomètre lancé) have been set here multiple times; the Chabrières slope reaches 98% gradient at its steepest passage.

Snowparks and off-piste

Risoul is home to one of the oldest snowparks in the Alps, opened as early as 1995. Three lines (S, M, XL), a boardercross, a slopestyle. On the Vars side, the Escondus snowpark is more modest but well-maintained. Guided off-piste skiing (with UIAGM guide) offers descents towards the abandoned hamlet of Chargès and the Sainte-Marie valley.

Access and logistics

From Marseille: 2h 30min via the A51 then Vars pass road. From Lyon: 4 hours. From Turin (Italy): 2 hours via l’Échelle pass or Montgenèvre. Nearest TGV station: Gap-Tallard (1 hour by car) or Briançon (40 minutes).

The village of Sainte-Marie remains partly pedestrianised, with overflow parking at the base. Vars les Claux and Risoul have underground car parks at the foot of the slopes.

When to visit

Late December to mid-April. The first fortnight of January and March combine fresh snow with moderate pricing. February school holidays mark peak season. The domain typically closes around 15 April, earlier in the event of a mild spring.