Risoul

Hey!

I am thinking about going to Risoul and Vars for the carnival holidays, i have never gone there so i don't know what do expect. has anyone gone there that can tell me something about the level of the black pistes and how the off-pistes are like? as well as apres-ski and if the resort usually has real snow most of the time (instead of cannon snow).

thank you! ;)

Where are you staying? The villages of Risoul 1850 and Vars sit at either end of the ski area and are very different in style. Between them they should satisfy most tastes, with Risoul attracting younger skiers and Vars for those preferring a quieter, more traditional experience though there have been quite a lot of new residential developments in recent times and the increased numbers of visitors have brought the town centre a bit more to life.

The two areas combine to form the Foret Blanche. Vars is renowned for its impressive freeride terrain and its purpose-built speed-skiing piste. It also offers extensive and varied intermediate terrain, plus safe learner areas and facilities. There are some surpisingly long cruising runs here, including some fine tree-lined descents on the opposite side of the valley below Peynier (2273)m. The 2750m Pic de Chabrières is accessible only by drag-lift, but rewards the effort with astonishing views and some superb descents, including a bracing drop over into Risoul.
From the Risoul side there's gentle, tree-lined lower pistes and steeper stuff higher up below the 2571m Razis (departure point for Vars). The liaison to the Vars sector is straightforward, yet with a sense of covering some distance – and the scenery is simply amazing.

The Pic de Chabrières above Vars, at 2750m altitude.

Have a read in WTSS as to what they say about the area. Sounds like a fairly extensive range to ski, but with old and dated lifts making getting about not quite so easy. Its in the southern alps so likely to be fairly sunny, which will affect lower slopes.
Rocketski have a hotel in Risoul which is always good value, something like £350 for a week with flights, transfers and half board included.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has spent a week in Risoul as its cheap to go there.