0
Les Sybelles Ski Resort
In 2003, Les Sybelles joined together a bunch of little known resorts to form the fourth biggest ski area in France.
Covering a whopping 310km of terrain - that’s more than the Espace Killy area of Val d’Isere and Tignes - it links six different resorts in the stunning Maurienne Valley. Some are authentic alpine settlements, others are newer to the scene, with tall apartment blocks built on the mountainside. Nearly all of them are ski in, ski out.
La Toussuire’s mostly built in chalet style, near enough to traditional Les Bottières for the two to share a local ski pass. Purpose built Le Corbier and historic Saint Jean d’Arves are also covered by their own lift pass, while the traditional hamlets of Saint Colomban des Villards and village resort Saint Sorlin d’Arves each have their own ski area. The Sybelles pass covers the lot, and you can explore it all without having to take your skis off thanks to 110 million euros of investment in lift systems over the past few years.
Access is also provided by shuttles that run between Saint Jean and Saint Sorlin d’Arves and Le Corbier and La Toussuire. When it comes to getting here, the Altibus service runs from Geneva, Chambery and Lyon airports and the Trans-Alpes bus serves the Saint Jean de Maurienne Arvan train station.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Maurienne Valley
Established: 2003
Open: December - April
Downhill: 310km
View our detailed Les Sybelles snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Les Sybelles snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Chambéry (CMF) | 98km, 1h20 |
| Grenoble (GNB) | 171km, 2 hours |
| Lyon (LYS) | 174km, 2 hours |
|
|
| Top Altitude: | 2600m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1100m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1100m - 1750m |
| Longest run: | 4km |
| Slope Orientation: | S SW W E NE |
| Vertical Drop: | |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
|
|
| Downhill Runs: | 310km |
| Beginner slopes: | |
| Intermediate: | |
| Advanced slopes: | |
| Lift Pass Price: | €220.30 (adult 6 day Les Sybelles) |
| Nearby resorts: Le Corbier, St Sorlin d'Arves, St Jean d'Arves, La Toussuire | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Les Sybelles
Each resort has its own nursery area where instructors teach learners the basics. These include Le Corbier’s ‘Espace des etoiles’, La Tousssuire’s ‘Espace Gliss les Lutins’ and the beginner’s areas in Saint Jean and Saint Sorlin d’Arves. Often you can opt for a special beginner’s pass that covers only the learner lifts. ESF ski schools are based in all resorts, and La T. also has an ESI.
When you’re linking turns confidently, there are some lovely long greens in Saint Sorlin and Corbier like Boulevard and Escargot-P’tit Loup.
Blue run skiers and snowboarders can really roam, with runs from each of the top stations connecting down to all of the resorts. Wide and cruisey is the general nature of the runs here, letting you really build up a rhythm as you clock up the miles.
For intermediates, the area has 34 red runs, with favourites including the Edelweiss from L’Ouillon and the runs over above Les Bottiers.
There isn’t much by way of black pistes, but most will agree that the Corbier and Sorlin area has the best of them. The J.N. Augert run above Le Corbier is one of the trickiest, and Perrons links up for a valley descent back to Sorlin.
After a good dump, there are some brilliant off piste routes in the area. If you’re staying in La T., ask a guide to show you the bear couloirs or ski down the hairy, narrow couloirs above Saint Sorlin. What’s amazing about the backcountry and sidecountry here is that it’s tons quieter than the better known resorts – having a powder field to yourself is very likely and something you won’t forget in a hurry.
For freestylers, there’s a snowpark for seasoned shredders, an Easypark for newbies and a boardercross course - all accessed from L’Ouillon.
Les Sybelles Apres Ski
While the ski area may be a similar size to the legendary Espace Killy, you won’t find the same level of enormous, piste-side parties a la Val d’Isere. Your best bet for après is St Sorlin, where the likes of La Grotte du Yeti keep the crowds drinking and dancing into the early hours.
Elsewhere, favourite spots for a drink include Le Tonneau in Toussuire (the sports screens and food and drink menus are good people pleasers) and Le Yeti in Le Courbier (nice sun terrace, great pizzas and a DJ later on).
There’s no shortage of restaurants serving regional classics dripping in local Beaufort cheese (you can visit the dairy in Saint Sorlin). Try La Grenouillere in Saint Jean, Chez Nath in Sorlin, St Moritz in Corbier or Grizzly in Toussuire. If you’re craving pizza, we like Saint Jean’s Pizza di Peppino and Avalanche in Sorlin. For posh nosh, head into Saint Jean Maurienne for a meal at Le Gavroche, which is recommended in the Michelin guide.
The list of activities here seems to go on and on, from fat biking to husky sledding. Saint Jean has a cinema and there’s a snowmobile track for children in La Toussuire.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Les Sybelles
Best time to visit & ski Les Sybelles
L‘Ouillon, where the resorts connect up with each other, is the highest alpine pasture on the continent at 2431m. Being a pasture, it’s gently sloping, meaning blue run skiers can enjoy the excellent snow conditions and scenery. Any other connections are above 2200m, with a whopping 13 peaks also at least this high. The area has 24 snow groomers to keep the slopes ship shape, and an impressive 584 snow cannons to provide manmade snow when needed.
Peak Dates
Parties, torchlight parades and craft workshops help to celebrate Christmas in Les Sybelles – and the 584 snow cannons will be in full swing to help make the slopes skiable.
The tourist offices usually arrange light shows and fireworks to mark the New Year in Les Sybelles, with free vin chaud and hot chocolate handed out in recent years.
Spend less money and still enjoy a big ski area over Half Term in Les Sybelles, whether you’re a family, teacher or just want to make the most of the excellent snow conditions.
With pistes above 2000m facing all directions, when it falls earlier in the season, Easter in Les Sybelles is spectacular.
Families in Les Sybelles
The Sybelles ski area is spot on for families, with oodles of wide, cruisy terrain to enjoy together – and most accommodation being moments from the piste. There are ESF kindergartens in most resorts, offering childcare, kids lessons or a combination of both to work around your plans. When it comes to non-ski activities, we love the dog sledding in Saint Jean and Le Corbier as well as the children’s snowmobile track in La T. Saint Sorlin also has the Snow Mouss Space, a fun play area with a nearby sledding run for hours of fun.
GroupsGroup Holidays Les Sybelles
The fact that this is France’s fourth biggest ski area is a huge selling point for groups. While beginners and intermediates are best served here, there’s plenty of opportunity for advanced skiers and snowboarders to clock up the mileage and explore off piste.
If you want somewhere with après ski, Saint Sorlin d’Arves is home to the Grotte du Yeti and each resort has a couple of decent bars and pubs – though generally the vibe is more relaxed than rowdy.
Besides gathering around a table to gobble down local Beaufort cheese, our favourite group activities here include husky rides, snowshoe hikes and spa sessions in Le Corbier.
© 2024 SNO Group Ltd • company no. 5995288 • VAT no. 946 9394 63 SNO, Apsley House, 176 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 2SH.
| why log in? |
Save Wish List view on any device
Share Holidays choose with friends
020 7770 6888
