VARS, FRANCE

Vars in a very well kept secret. At 1850 metres it has a good snow record and boasts 300 days of sun per year making it an excellent ski holiday destination. Vars is also part of one of the largest ski areas in the Southern French Alpes, Foret Blanche Ski circuit, which offers 180km of varied pistes.

The ski area of Vars is linked with Risoul sharing a common lift pass to allow you access to the whole of the Foret Blanche Ski circuit.

For beginners the skiing could not be better, the whole area is accessible via green and blue runs and you can ski between Risoul and Vars entirely on blue pistes. Intermediates will enjoy a huge choice of runs above and below the tree line. Advanced skiers have a choice of 11 black pistes and plenty of off-piste, best explored with a local guide. Alternatively, try the famous speed ski run!

Risoul and Vars are fully behind snowboarding. Under the De Cezier chair is ‘Surfland’ which has a boardercross run, rail, quarters and an array of different sized kickers. Furthermore there are also two natural half-pipes and an Olympic size half-pipe.

It is a very French resort with few English visitors, and partly for that reason it is more affordable than some of the larger more glamourous French resorts.