Ski Holidays in Vars, France

• Snow Conditions in Vars France +

  Snow report issued:	2nd Feb 12
  Last snowed:	31st Jan 12
  Fresh snow depth:	20cm
  Depth at resort:	100cm
  Mountain depth:	180cm
  Piste state:
  Excellent (Great skiing thanks to the recent snowfalls)
  Weather report:
  Light clouds dotting the sky
  Temperature:	-12°C
  Open lifts:	45 of 50

  View Vars snow history

• Vars Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	N W E
  Very Easy Runs	9
  Easy Runs	24
  Medium Runs	23
  Difficult Runs	7
  Toughest Run Name	Coni
  Skiable Vertical	1100m
  Number Of Lifts	28
  Top Lift Height	2750m
  Night Skiing	Y
  Snowboarding Parks	2
  Half Pipes	1
  Swimming Pools	1
  Night Clubs	1
  Mountain Restaurants	7

• Vars Piste Map+

  

• Vars Transfer Times+

  Marseille:	2 hours and 30 minutes
  Grenoble:	2 hours and 30 minutes

Vars is made up of four mountain villages located in the high Alps and linked by ski lifts to the neighbouring purpose-built resort of Risoul in the White Forest ski area.

Most guests will stay in Vars Les Claux, the purpose-built part of the resort offering maximum slopeside convenience, if not the ambience of the original villages below. It was initially constructed in the 1960s although, in common with many purpose-built French resorts, has been undertaking redevelopment in recent years with more modern, wood clad, chalet style, spacious and high quality accommodation becoming available.

Sainte Marie, at the base of the ski slopes, is where the area's skiing first began and has become the main centre of the resort, and Sainte Catherine is known as the most traditional of the four villages.

Saint-Marcellin in the valley nearby is the original settlement and reached by ski bus although not by ski lifts. Artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age have been unearthed during excavations, and the ruins of a castle stand on a rocky spur overlooking the valley. Only the remains of a sixteenth century tower remain.

The local church, with its thirteenth century choir, offers more evidence of the resort's long history, and there is a rare fourteenth century church giving evidence of a long standing Protestant community in predominantly Catholic France.

Vars as a whole is known as being 'very French' compared to Risoul and, despite its long history as a ski centre, only really made the UK brochures in the past decade. The region benefits from an "almost Mediterranean" weather pattern, in terms of sunshine at least.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  The French ski school (ESF) operate their own ski lift right at the edge of the resort in Les Claux, which is a short walk from most accommodation.
  
  The longer Les Claux lift provides a slightly longer descent next to the resort, and from then on there are progressively longer ski lifts and ski runs to tackle, moving up to chairlifts.
  
  We offer a pre-bookable combined ticket/rental/tuition package to save time and money on arrival in resort.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  With around 100 green, blue and red runs to choose from and more than 160km (100 miles) of piste, intermediates certainly won't get bored at Vars.
  
  There are trails up to eight kilometres (five miles) long and a combination of both wide open high-speed 'motorways' on the snow fields above the treeline, and classic winding runs carved through the forest on lower slopes.
  
  Night skiing is also available on the Jewel piste every Saturday evening except during holiday time. In short, there is something for everyone.

• Advanced+

  With a dozen black runs to enjoy, Vars is quite a good choice for advanced skiers.
  
  The resort has the steeper end of the giant Foret Blanche area, including one of the steepest runs, Coni. The steepest runs can be found on the Crete des Chabrieres.
  
  The ski school will be happy to take you to the best otf piste powder stashes, while the local mountain guides office can take you high altitude ski touring away from the marked pistes.

• Snowboarding at Vars+

  The area's terrain park is particularly well known, located up at a snowsure 2400m at Cretes de l'Eyssina above the resort.
  
  The park covers more than eight hectares and has a wide range of terrain features arranged in to novice, intermediate and pro lines. The park is over 800m long and has a vertical of more than 230m, with an additional Cool Zone in which to chill out.
  
  There's a second park, also very highly rated, beneath the De Cezier chair in Risoul, a boardercross course, two natural half pipes and a maintained Olympic Park, plus a huge freeriding area. All in all a five star destination for boarders.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Vars+

  Vars Tourist Office organises a full schedule of activities all season long. Go to the welcome meeting on Sunday each week to find out what's coming up.
  
  Alternative outdoor sports include 35km (22 miles) of marked winter hiking routes, guided snowshoeing tours, dog sledding, tubing, sledging, or ice climbing on ice formations over about 10 metre (33 feet) high, with beginner lessons available.
  
  Helicopter scenic flights are also possible from the heliport (heliskiing is not allowed in France however) or you can fly above on a paraglider. There is also an ice skating rink.
  
  Indoors you can visit the cinema, library (which has a children's section), internet point with wifi and computer games arcade.
  
  The resort's relaxation area includes a hammam, sauna, massage salon, shiatsu (a traditional Japanese method of relaxation), and a fully equipped squash court with equipment rental. Several additional centres in the resort also have a sauna with public access. Zen workshops are also organised including ' soft gym', relaxation and stretching.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  With more than 25 bars and restaurants spread across its four bases, but with the majority at Les Claux, there is rather a good selection of places to eat, drink and be merry in Vars.
  
  The fact that the resort has traditionally attracted a mainly French clientele, who typically drive to the resort with food from home and eat in their apartments, means it can be quieter in the week.
  
  Popular venues in Les Claux include Le Schuss, La Taverne, Le Relax and le Rocky Mountain. Night clubs include Look and Lynx.

• Ski Holidays in Vars suitable for Families+

  The French Ski School (ESF) will take care of children aged 18 months and older, with children three years and up able to learn their first turns in the special snow garden.
  
  Older children can join the regular French ski school classes with an awards scheme from age five and over. They can then continue with these at any other French ski resort in future years.