Although located in the south of France, Risoul has an enviable snow record and a long season. Perched at 1,850m, the purpose-built ski resort is part of the beautiful Domaine de la Foret Blanche, which includes Vars. Risoul ski resort is renowned for its stunning views, value for money and modern amenities.

Risoul ski resort is fairly new, having opened in 1977, and caters specifically to the needs of beginner and intermediate ski and snowboard enthusiasts. The resort is known for its lively and exciting atmosphere, and boasts a wide variety of inexpensive accommodation ranging from hotels to self-catering apartments. The resort is quite picturesque considering its age, with tastefully designed stone and wooden buildings dominating the architecture. A member of the winter club, les Petits Montagnards, Risoul follows a strict charter ensuring quality service and facilities for children.

A combination of hotels, chalets, cottages and apartments form the 18,000-bed accommodation capacity of the resort. Risoul also boasts an excellent range of restaurants, with quality establishments mixed in with cheaper fast-food alternatives.

Nightlife options are not as numerous as at some other modern resorts; however, there is a decent selection of cafés, bars, clubs and discos to keep you occupied until the early hours. Other après-ski facilities include a cinema, ice-skating rink, bowling alley and swimming pool.

Risoul has an excellent range of prepared slopes, totalling 112 runs and catering mainly for beginners and intermediates, and is well served by 56 lifts. The vertical drop is an impressive 1,100m, with an equally mesmerizing longest run of eight kilometres. There is some great terrain for Snowboarders featuring some well designed bumps and pipes, with 40kms of cross-country trails too.


The Domaine de la Foret Blanche is the fourth largest ski and snowboard region in France and consists of the resorts of Risoul and Vars. The resorts are connected to each other, meaning you’ll have a virtually inexhaustible supply of snow sport and après-ski activities.

Risoul’s winter season runs between early December and late April, with the weeks early in the season and in mid-January being the cheapest. Marseilles International Airport is the main gateway to the region, and is 2.5 hours away.