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Risoul Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • Forested ski area
  • Linked with Vars
  • Risoul 1850, village and hamlets

Great for

  • Beginners
  • Families

Ski Holidays in Risoul

Some of the best snow in the Southern Alps can be found on the Forêt Blanche – on the runs between the trees as well as up at the summit, where views go on for miles. With its purpose built resort and charming old hamlets, Risoul makes a super base for the week.

  • Flight Time
  • 1h 45m
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Geneva, Grenoble
  • Chambery, Lyon
  • Time zone
  • GMT + 1 hour
  • Language
  • French
  • Currency
  • Euros
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Risoul Stats

Top Altitude
2750m
Bottom Altitude
1650m
Resort Altitude
1850m
Total Piste
185km
Longest Run
8km
Slope Orientation
N W E
Vertical Drop
900m
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
Yes – snow park
Glacier Skiing
No

Guillestre in the Southern Alps is home to lovely Risoul, a parish of tiny hamlets dotted about under a modern ski resort.

Most of the hamlets have their own guesthouses and hotels - Rua and its town hall being the nerve centre of the lot, Gaudissard the highest at 1300m and Hamlet L’Eglise arguably the prettiest, named after its 16th century Romanesque church. They’re delightfully compact and traditional, with church steeples, wood and stone buildings and surrounding forest.

On the other hand, Risoul 1850 has been purpose built on the mountainside – a collection of tall apartment blocks and hotels within easy reach of the ski lifts. It’s been here since the seventies, when the population of the quiet hamlets was diminishing and locals (AKA ‘Risoulins’) decided to build a ski resort to put Risoul back on the map.

There’s a reason visitors opt for the less attractive resort over the hamlets, and it’s the swift access to the Forêt Blanche ski area. Risol connected with Vars in 1990 to create a fabulous 185km linked ski area. Its name comes from the larch forest that blankets the mountain from 2200m and up top, sights of the Écrins and Queyras National Parks, Mont Viso and Mont-Blanc will blow your ski boots off.

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Risoul Transfer Times

Turin Airport 2h15
Marseille Provence Airport 2.5 hours
Grenoble–Isère Airport 3h10

The nearest airport to Risoul is Marseille at 250 km or about ? by car

What's the ski area like in Risoul?

With 21 green runs and 45 blues, beginners and improvers will have a ball in Risoul.

Which other ski resorts are near to Risoul?

The nearest ski resorts to Risoul include Vars.

Ski Area Facts

LocationSouthern Alps, France
Established1970
Downhill185km
Lift Pass€190 (adult 6 day)

Beginner Slopes

66 runs

Intermediate Skiing

40 runs

Advance & Expert Terrain

10 runs

Snowboarding Trails

185km100%

What is Risoul like for Beginner skiers?

The Espace Debutants (usually free to use) is near the village base, with easy access to the Chardons and Vallon Vert greens for progression. When you’ve got your ski legs, the R12 and R4 chairs serve some gorgeous tree-lined blues back to the village (we like Faucon). The ski area planners have laid out the pistes so learners can ski back home from the Peyrefolle summit like all other levels of skier and snowboarder – and we love them for it. You can link over to Vars via the Col des Saluces blues, continuing down to the neighbouring resort on runs like Jas du Boeuf and Serre Banet.

What is Risoul like for Intermediate skiers?

The red runs here feature a mix of terrain – some groomed into crisp corduroy, others (like Lac and Aigles from L’Homme de Pierre) left with bumps and powder on snowy days. There are some excellent runs from Pointe de Raziz, which stream down towards the treeline from 2571m. Don’t miss the highest point of the area, Pic de Chabrieres, where the red Col Sans Nom links with Pro Rond and other blues to Peyrefolle. The Olympic Superior and Inferior pistes are another favourite, which we could easily repeat again and again.

What is Risoul like for Advanced skiers?

Experts have ten black runs to tick off the list, including the Epervier and Gentiane pistes (get to them via Peyrefolle) where bumps and powder are allowed to build up. Towards Vars, Coni from the top of the ski area is a must-ski, where the views are incredible.

What is Risoul like for snowboarding?

The Vars half is freestyling central, with seven areas assigned to different levels

What is Risoul like for off-piste skiing?

For freeriders, powder fields, gulleys and forest runs can be found all over the Forêt Blanche – get a guide to show you the best of it.

What is Risoul like for cross country skiing?

17km of snow covered landscapes are waiting to be explored in the area around Risoul.

Risoul Restaurants

For food-focussed evenings, there are plenty of places to eat. Contrary to its name, Le Marmite is somewhere everyone loves and no one seems to hate, serving regional favourites like Tartiflette and fondue. Le Pitchounet serves everything from soup to fries and crepes (try the stuffed potatoes), while Le Chalet is a popular spot for raclette.

Where to eat in Risoul and on the mountain

Restaurant La Chouette Restaurant La Chouette has a lovely sunny outdoor terrace where you and your friends/family can lunch before you get back on the piste. It has a very convenient location at the bottom of the piste – which sometimes makes it very busy, so try and get there early. The restaurant serves a great selection of pizza, pasta, meats, salads and tasty puddings. La Chouette is joined with La Creperie where you’ll find a tasty selection of Crepes, great for a midday snack.

Risoul Après Ski

Families are the main focus here, which means the après is less rowdy, more relaxed. That’s not to say you can’t find a decent watering hole in these parts - Grotte du Yeti has sister bars in Les 2 Alps and other resorts, and is a favourite for big themed parties where crowds spill out from the terrace. In the resort centre, Le Babao Rhum do all the classic cocktails and a cracking rum punch, while Pub La Place is a good spot for draught and bottled beers as well as whisky.

Bars Late Night Clubs and Cafes in Risoul

Les 3 Ours Les 3 Ours translates to ‘The Three Bears’, however you’re more likely to find after hours partying here than a bedtime story! This venue offers a huge range of drinks here to start off your après ski including beers, cocktails, wines, champagne, whisky, vodka, Malibu, gin, fruit juices, fizzy drinks and much, much more! Les 3 Ours is also a restaurant and creperie – serving some really tasty food to satisfy hungry skiers and boarders.

Risoul Activites for Non-skiers

Ice skating, mushing and climbing frozen waterfalls are some of the wintery activities on offer here, while anyone needing a break from the great outdoors can relax in the Pause O Spa on the main street

Sai Mithra Ayurvedic massage centre We invite you to experience the ayurvedic massages based on the three body constitutions (kapa, vata, et pita). The massages are personalised on youre body constitution and will help you to take conscience of you’re mental, emotional and physical capacities. It’s an important tool for cleaning toxins from the body. It stimulates the flow of prana (life force energy) and it loosens the joints and nourishes the bones and nerves and it makes the muscles smooth. The full body ayurvedic oil massages are concentrated on the energy lines and pressure points of the body and energy blockages can be relieved. At the same time the person can experience complete relaxation.

Snow Scoot Experience the mountain differently in Risoul with Snow Scoot Skidoo Trips. After a day on the slopes, try a new activity with your family or friends – whether beginner or advanced, everyone can have a great time under the supervision of a qualified guide. Make your reservations in front of the restaurant Le Chérine for a fantastic snow experience (pre-booking essential). Skidoo trips are scheduled every evening with departures at 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30 and 21:30 from the bottom of the drag lift (times may change throughout season). €85 per snowmobile (driver and passenger).

Montagne Mélézin Montagne Mélézin offer a range of fun outdoor activities to enjoy during you summer stay in Risoul. Their hike days are great for groups and families who can discover lakes and summits, enjoy fresh air and exercise and learn more about the mountains, wildlife and flora and fauna. As well as day hikes, they offer evening walks where you can watch sunsets and learn about the constellations when stargazing from the mountains. Children’s hikes are available for a fun mountain experience.

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

Risoul's two dozen shops include the usual selection of sports outlets and supermarkets to serve the vast majority in the apartments. There's also two photographic stores, tobacconists cum newsagents, a pharmacy, sweet shop and three butchers' shops.

Loca’Ski This Loca’Ski store in Risoul sell a fantastic range of winter sporting accessories: hats (crazy hats, beanies, bobble hats and much more), sunglasses, goggles, gloves, footwear (après ski snow boots and walking boots), bags, sun cream, helmets socks, earmuffs, buffs and much more. They also sell sledges for fun in the snow and you can hire skis, snowboards and snowshoes from here too.

Gliss Concept Rent children and adult’s skis and snowboards in Gliss Concept for your week of Snowsports in Risoul. The store’s mountain experts and specialist technicians in the store speak English fluently and can offer expert advice with what’s best for you. Gliss Concept rent and sell top brands including Salomon, Rossignol and Technica. Equipment is prepared before you use it and boots are cleaned, dried and disinfected.

Risoul Package Ski Holidays

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Best Time to Visit Risoul

One of the first things you hear about the Forêt Blanche area is how wonderfully quiet the ski area is. The lift company have brought in lift systems and queue management from the USA, creating a lift capacity of 57,000 snow lovers an hour. Even on the busiest day of the season you shouldn’t have to wait more than 10 minutes to get on a lift.

Another thing often mentioned is that Risoul has some of the best snow in the Southern Alps. Over 80% of the slopes here are above 2000m, and this with the dry climate and numerous north facing runs helps the area hold onto the white stuff well throughout the season. If things need a kick start, there’s also snowmaking on more than half of the runs.

What's Risoul like at Christmas?

The Marché de Noël usually takes place in the lead up to Christmas in Risoul, with Noel Scandinave events on previous years featuring parades and husky sleigh rides with Santa until December 31st.

What's Risoul like in the New Year?

Music concerts and family activities have welcomed in the New Year in Risoul in seasons past.

What's Risoul like in Half-Term?

Head to the Southern Alps for Half Term in Risoul, where lift queues don’t tend to take over the week.

What's Risoul like at Easter?

Thanks to the bulk of the ski area being above 2000m and a host of north facing pistes, Easter in Risoul often still sees good skiing conditions.

Risoul Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Risoul snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Risoul snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Risoul snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Light snow showers Today
  • Light snow Sunday
  • Light snow showers Monday
  • Moderate snow Tuesday
  • Moderate snow Wednesday
  • Patchy moderate snow Thursday
  • Current snow depth at top
    145 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    45 cm

Ski Accommodation in Risoul

We have 751 ski holidays in Risoul. Search all Risoul ski deals or pick your preferred accommodation type below:

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Risoul’s ‘Espace Enfants’ childcare centre looks after youngsters from 6 months to 10 years old and opens throughout the ski season. The crèche for 6 month olds to 3-year-olds (find it above the ticket office and French ski school in the middle of the resort) has a dormitory, playpen and more toys than you can shake a stick at. 3-10 year olds are looked after in La Garderie (above the tourist office) and services include the ski school run, quiet time and indoor games as well as fun outdoors sledging and igloo making.

The Ski Kindergarten gently coaches little ones through their stops and turns, soon seeing them glide down the greens above the village. Those with more ski weeks under their belt can get involved in the Zing Zone’s freestyle area with its boardercross and forgiving obstacles.

Look out for exciting activities like husky rides with Father Christmas if you’re here in December, or swap ski boots for skates on the local ice rink.

With the Forêt Blanche to explore by day, and the likes of Grotte du Yeti to gather in come sundown, Risoul has a lot to offer groups. Spend less time in lift queues and more time roaming the linked ski area, which has a good amount for all levels of skier and boarder. If you’re a bunch of beginners, share the cost of a private instructor who’ll have you zooming down from the Peyrefolle summit in no time. Or, for more seasoned snow lovers, a mountain guide will show you some incredible steeps and deeps off the beaten track. Non skiers can visit the charming hamlets further down the valley, or sample the local spas and cafes. The nightlife isn’t as huge as Val d’Isere, but make Yeti or Babao your local for the week for music, drinks and dancing. For something different, get the gang husky sledding or climbing frozen waterfalls…

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Risoul

Maximum and minimum adult Risoul lift pass prices ranged from €200 to €200 for 6 days access to the Risoul ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Risoul holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price €32 - €32 €40 - €40 €38 - €38
6 Day Price €160 - €160 €200 - €200 €190 - €190
Age Range 5 - 11 12 - 64 65+
Risoul Packages + Extras

Getting to Risoul

Most of our ski holidays to Risoul packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Risoul from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Risoul from the UK?

Flights from London take about 1h 45m to Geneva, Grenoble, Chambery, Lyon. This table shows approximate transfer times to Risoul from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Marseille 250 km ?
Packages with Plane Train or Car

How long does it take to drive to Risoul from the UK?

Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.

Self-Drive Ski Holidays
↑ INCL CAR ↑↓ WITHOUT ↓
Accommodation-Only

How long is the transfer from nearest France train station to Risoul?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Risoul transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Montdauphin - Guillestre 15 km 15 minutes
Ski Train Holidays

Risoul Maps

Risoul piste map
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Regional map
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Town Map
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Going to Risoul under your own steam

For independant travel to France, compare accommodation only with Risoul self-drive packages which include Eurotunnel or ferry.

Accomm-Only & Self-Drive

See driving directions to and from Risoul in France.

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More Risoul Information

Risoul Tourism Office Risoul is a quiet and comfortable place for time away. Surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and large forests it is a stunningly beautiful place for a holiday. A slightly smaller resort and lesser known it is perfect for families. There are routes for each level of skier. There are a limited number of shops but there are a few corner shops rather than larger supermarkets. The tourism office will be able to assist you with all your queries and questions. Some of the services offered are: -The boutique area, where you can purchase souvenirs and trinkets for you or your loved ones. - Registration for certain events and activities. - Sale of multi - activities cards. - Free wifi access. - Photocopies, printing and scanning / sending documents by email. - Resort documentation, hiking guide, mountain biking, trail map. - Loan of board games Opening Times: Daily 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 - 17:00 Exceptionally closed : Friday 01 November 2024 & Monday 11 November 2024

Centre Medical Risoul 1850 Facility provides Health Services, including doctors, x-ray Opening hours Appointments: Monday to Wednesday: 09h00-12h00 and 14h00-18h00 At other times, call 112 and you will get assistance.

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Risoul Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Risoul ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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