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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1850m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[3]
Snowboarding:		[4]

Risoul is a modern, purpose built ski area, lift-linked to the resort of Vars in the southern Alps. Vars is the older development and has predominantly French clientele, although it has been in the UK brochures in recent years.

Risoul has been very popular with British guests for several decades and offers a simple but successful mix of a large intermediate ski area, and affordable slopeside lodging. There has as yet been no move to provide extensive non-ski alternatives. The resort and ski area is located at a normally snowsure altitude and is largely contained within a vast snowy bowl.

Adult lift ticket prices are amongst the lowest in France and, although purpose-built, the resort is relatively attractive with wood clad apartment blocks sporting chalet style roofs. The joint ‘Foret Blanche’ (white forest) ski area has some wonderful long trails above and below the treeline and has recently invested in high-speed, high capacity chair lifts to help skiers move around quickly and easily.

Beginners

A good choice for beginners, Risoul has gentle slopes right next to the resort and a separate beginners’ area, which is fenced off from the main slopes.

High value learn-to-ski packages are available from us, which include lift tickets, six-days of ski school and all required equipment. Once you have mastered the basics of turning and stopping, you have more than 50 easy blue runs to strike out on to explore the area.

Intermediates

Predominantly a beginners’ area, Risoul has nearly 100 easy and intermediate trails to explore, including trails up to eight kilometres (five miles) crossing wide open powder fields at the top of the ski area or carved down through the forests above the resort.

The link to Vars means that you can have full days exploring the region, never skiing the same run twice unless you want to.

Advanced

Although not known as an advanced skier’s destination, there are plenty of challenges to be had if you are prepared to look for them. On piste opportunities include some steep descents and challenging mogul fields, especially on the Vars side of the Foret Blanche around the Crete des Chabieres.

Risoul has off-piste bowl skiing on the high powder slopes at the top of the bowl, and tree skiing in the lower sectors. Both should be tackled only with a ski school guide to ensure you find the best lines and do so in safety.

Snowboarding

Risoul has excellent facilities with three areas for boarders and freestyle skiers. The White Park on the Snow Front is designed for beginners. Located in the middle of larch woods, it has gentle features and is available for both day and night time use.

For experts the black park is located in the Peyrefolle area at 2600m, which has a reputation for some of the best snow in the area. The park contains medium – advanced level terrain features set up in a slope style design. A third area has two pipes, one for beginners and a super pipe for advanced riders. They are located at the top of the ski area and have their own dedicated ski lift.

Other Activities and Facilities

Most of the non-ski activities in Risoul are also outdoor. Snowshoe walks are organised by the ski schools, and ice skating is available from 2pm to 10pm on a natural outdoor ice rink (opening times are subject to weather conditions).

Tandem microlight flights are offered with breathtaking views over the Serre-Ponçon lake and tandem paragliding jumps too, with vertical descents of 500-1400m possible.

Snowmobiling excursions are organised in the evening when the slopes are closed and ski joring – being towed behind a pony on your skis – is a more unusual opportunity.

Ellen Griffioen, based at the Balcons de Sirius, offers health and well-being treatments including Indian massage, yoga and ayurvedic massages.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Risoul has a good range of bars and restaurants, most of them relaxed and family friendly. The Shamrock Cafe and Babao’rhum are both open through to 2am, the latter with live sets from DJs and dancing.

Le Pitchoulet on the snow front is the longest established creperie at the resort, in business for more than 30 years. La Chouette is one of the better pizzeria and Le Chalet is an atmospheric purveyor of regional specialities including a local variant on raclette.

Families

Risoul has the French government’s highest ‘Family Plus’ award for its childcare and other facilities for families. There are excellent facilities both on the snow in ski school and with non-ski provision.

In the former category two ski schools offer ski kindergarten in special snow nursery areas from age three, followed by children’s ski school through the national test standards.

Off the snow, the resort’s Baby Club accepts children aged from six months to three years old. This has a play area with a rest time room too. Activities are organised for early learning and socialisation.

The Club “Les Marmottes S’Amusent” is for three to six year old children and provides outdoor fun activities organised by qualified staff. The Club “Les Petits Montagnards” is for older children aged six to 12 years old. Workshops are organised according to their interests.

Piste Map for Risoul

Accommodation in Risoul

• Balc De Sirius - 4 star, self catering
• Balc De Sirius - 4 star, self catering
• Balcons Du Sirius - 3 star, self catering
• Chalet Marmotte - 2 star, catered
• Chalet Marmotte - 2 star, catered
• Clubhotel Morgan - 2 star, half board
• Foret Blanche - 3 star, self catering
• Foret Blanche - 3 star, self catering
• Foret Blanche - 3 star, self catering
• Foret Blanche Sup - 3 star, self catering
• Melezes Apartments - 2 star, self catering

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