Vars Overview

Vars is located in the Hautes-Alpes in the southern French Alps and forms part of La Forêt Blanche, the linked ski area shared with Risoul. The ski resort area covers 540 ha, with 111 pistes and 34 lifts. Skiing ranges from 1,650 m to 2,750 m, with snowmaking helping support conditions across the season.

The area offers around 100 km of pistes, a vertical drop of 1,100 m and a longest run of about 8 km. The piste mix is broad: approximately 16% beginner, 45% intermediate, 30% advanced and 9% expert. That makes Vars suitable for families and developing skiers, while still giving confident skiers plenty to explore.

Vars is a strong choice for visitors who want a sizeable French ski area with sunny southern-Alps character and practical resort access. Families benefit from ski schools, beginner-friendly zones, snowparks and tubing, while more experienced skiers get long descents, higher-altitude slopes and varied terrain.

The most practical airports for Vars include Marseille Provence, Grenoble Alpes-Isère, Lyon-Saint Exupéry and Turin, depending on flight availability and onward travel plans. The nearest useful rail station is Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre, with onward bus and transfer links to Vars. In winter, regional coach services also connect the resort with nearby towns and valleys.

By road, Vars is reached via Guillestre and the mountain road up to the resort. Winter equipment and extra time are important in snowy conditions. For convenience, flying and taking a transfer or hiring a car is usually the simplest option. For a lower-cost but longer journey, travelling by train to Mont-Dauphin - Guillestre and continuing by bus can work well.

Vars sits within La Forêt Blanche, the linked ski area with Risoul, giving skiers access to a broad and varied domain. The terrain combines open slopes, longer cruising pistes and more sheltered sections.

The resort offers around 100 km of pistes, a 1,100 m vertical drop and a longest run of about 8 km. Skiing ranges from 1,650 m to 2,750 m, giving the area a strong high-mountain feel.

Beginners and families are best served by the easier zones near the main resort bases, where ski school, hire shops and services are close by. This makes the first days on snow easier to manage.

Intermediate skiers get the greatest range, with many blue and red pistes suited to longer, flowing descents. It is a good area for building confidence while still covering plenty of ground.

Advanced skiers can focus on steeper red and black pistes, especially higher in the ski area. These sections give Vars a sportier edge and make good use of the resort’s vertical.

Vars also has 7 parks and 4 tubing lanes, adding variety for freestyle skiers, snowboarders and families. The scenery is a major part of the appeal, with southern-Alps light, high ridges and wide views across the Hautes-Alpes.

Start early if you want the best piste quality. Vars has long descents, and they are at their best before the main flow of skiers spreads across La Forêt Blanche.

Families should begin close to the central resort areas, where ski school, hire, cafés and easier pistes are all within easy reach. It keeps the day simple and flexible.

Confident skiers should plan at least one longer circuit through La Forêt Blanche. The Vars-Risoul link gives the day more scale and variety than staying in one sector.

The snowparks are a real part of Vars’ identity, so they are worth a look even if you are not a dedicated freestyler. They add a playful break from piste skiing.

For a relaxed afternoon, the tubing lanes are a good option for families or mixed groups. They keep the snow fun going without committing everyone to more lift laps.