Vars Ski Map Download 👇
Vars Piste Map and Overview
Located in the sunny Southern Alps of France, Vars is part of the large linked ski domain known as La Forêt Blanche, shared with nearby Risoul. Sitting between forested slopes and wide alpine bowls, it offers a striking mix of scenery, reliable snow, and a famously sunny climate with around 300 days of sunshine a year. Unlike many northern resorts, Vars feels bright and open, with long tree-lined runs and big mountain views that stretch across the Écrins, Queyras, and Ubaye ranges.
What really makes Vars stand out is the sheer variety of terrain packed into a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere. The resort is especially popular with intermediate skiers thanks to its long cruising pistes, but it also has plenty for beginners and advanced riders, including steep descents, freeride zones, and one of the most famous speed skiing tracks in the world at Chabrières. Add in modern lifts and easy access across the domain, and Vars delivers a huge amount of skiing without the stress of mega-resort crowds.
Total ski area: 185 km / 115 miles
Base elevation: 1,650 m / 5,413 ft
Peak elevation: 2,750 m / 9,022 ft
Difficulty:
🟦 40% Easy
🟥 48% Intermediate
⬛ 12% Advanced
Ski Season Length and Dates:
Typically runs from early December to early April (around early December to early April depending on snow conditions), with good reliability thanks to its altitude and extensive snowmaking across the Forêt Blanche area.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes – Vars is a solid choice for beginners. There are dedicated learning zones and plenty of wide, gentle green and blue runs spread across the mountain. The layout makes it easy to progress gradually, and because the resort is so uncrowded compared to the mega-domains, beginners often feel more confident and less pressured on the slopes.
What’s included in the Ski Pass?
- Full access to the Vars–Risoul “La Forêt Blanche” ski area
- Around 185 km of linked pistes across both resorts
- Access to modern lift network (including fast chairlifts and gondolas)
- Snowparks, freestyle zones, and boardercross tracks
- Speed skiing stadium (Chabrières) access for events and viewing
- Tree-lined skiing through larch forests and high alpine terrain
- Multiple resorts included?
- Yes – the pass covers the full linked domain:
- Vars
- Risoul
- Yes – the pass covers the full linked domain:
- Cheaper / smaller pass options?
- Yes – options typically include:
- Vars-only passes (cheaper than full Forêt Blanche access)
- Short-stay and half-day lift passes
- Beginner-area tickets with limited lift access
- You do not need the full domain pass unless you want to ski both Vars and Risoul extensively
- Yes – options typically include:
If you want sunshine, variety, and a huge ski area feel without the crowds or high prices of the big-name resorts, Vars is one of the best-value ski destinations in the Southern Alps.