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Risoul Ski Holidays
Perched at 1,850m in the Hautes-Alpes, Risoul is a purpose-built resort that avoids the sterile concrete jungle feel of some of its 1970s counterparts. Instead, you’ll find a village crafted from wood and stone, designed to blend into the surrounding larch forests.
Risoul is famously part of the Domaine de la Forêt Blanche (the White Forest), a name earned from the stunning frost-covered trees that line the lower slopes. It’s linked with the neighbouring resort of Vars, creating a vast playground for winter sports enthusiasts.
What sets Risoul apart is its reputation as one of the sunniest resorts in France, boasting hundreds of sunny days each year. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to pack high-factor SPF alongside your thermal layers. The resort is largely ski-in, ski-out, meaning you can often click into your bindings just steps from your front door, making it a dream for families and those who value convenience.
Sunny, snow-sure slopes in the Forêt Blanche - what's not to love!
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain facts
The combined ski area offers a staggering 115 miles of interconnected pistes, making it one of the largest domains in the Southern Alps. While the entire area is accessible on a single pass, the Risoul sector alone provides roughly 53 miles of dedicated runs, which is more than enough to keep most skiers occupied for a week.
The resort’s base sits at a healthy 1,850m, and the lift system whisks you up to a top elevation of 2,750m at the Pointe de Razis. This significant vertical drop of 1,100m allows for long, winding descents that transition from high-alpine rocky bowls to sheltered forest glades. The network is serviced by approximately 55 lifts, including modern, high-speed six-seater chairlifts that significantly reduce queuing times during the peak February half-term weeks. If you’re a fan of long-distance cruising, the Grande Bleue is a must-try; it’s a stunning blue run that stretches for nearly 5 miles, offering panoramic views that reach as far as the Ecrins National Park.
Snow conditions in Risoul
One might worry that ‘hundreds of days of sun’ spells disaster for snow quality, but Risoul has a few geographical tricks up its sleeve. Because the resort is situated at a high base altitude of 1,850m, the snow remains cold and crisp well into the spring. The air in the Southern Alps is notably drier than in the Northern Alps, which helps preserve the powder quality of the snow, preventing it from turning to slush as quickly in the afternoon sun.
Furthermore, Risoul has invested heavily in its snowmaking infrastructure. Over 30% of the domain is covered by state-of-the-art snow cannons, ensuring that the critical home runs and the links between Risoul and Vars remain open throughout the season. The resort typically opens in mid-December and runs through until late April, with the north-facing slopes of the Risoul bowl holding their cover remarkably well even during leaner winters.
Skiing in Risoul
Skiing here is wonderfully varied, but it truly shines as an intermediate cruiser’s playground. The vast majority of the terrain is made up of wide, confidence-boosting blue and red runs that invite long, flowing turns. Beginners are well looked after too, with nursery slopes conveniently located right at the foot of the village and a ‘Freepass’ card available for some of the lower lifts, allowing novices to find their ski legs without committing to a full-area lift pass (financial bravery can come later).
For intermediates, the real joy lies in the White Forest itself. Skiing through the larch trees is not only beautiful, but also a lifesaver on the rare cloudy days, offering excellent visibility. Crossing over to Vars is a particular highlight, delivering a change of scenery and different valley aspects. Advanced skiers aren’t forgotten either: the Les Vautours black run will happily remind your quads who’s boss, while off-piste fans can hunt down the pink squiggles on the piste map - designated unbashed zones where the snow is left natural, perfect for practising powder turns after a fresh snowfall. And for anyone in the mood for something slower and quieter, around 28 miles of Nordic cross-country trails weave through the most peaceful corners of the forest.
Snowboarding in Risoul
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Risoul has long been a favourite among the snowboarding community. It was one of the first resorts in France to truly embrace the ‘surf’ culture of the mountains. The WaouLand Snowpark is the heart of the action, featuring a range of kickers, rails, and boxes tailored for different ability levels. It’s a very social spot, often featuring music and a dedicated chill-out zone where you can watch the locals pull off impressive tricks.
Then there is Surfland, a legendary area that boasts a half-pipe and a variety of natural terrain features. Snowboarders particularly love the topography of Risoul; the wide-open bowls at the top of the mountain are perfect for carving high-speed turns, and because many of the lifts are chairlifts rather than drag lifts, getting around the mountain is a breeze for those on a single board.
Accommodation in Risoul
As a purpose-built resort, the accommodation in Risoul is designed with the skier in mind. You won't find many drafty, old-fashioned hotels here; instead, the focus is on modern residences and chalets.
What's available at Risoul ski resort?
Après-ski in Risoul
While Risoul isn't quite as hedonistic as some, it has a brilliant, authentic après-ski scene that focuses more on good food and friendly vibes.
- For a post-ski drink, Le Sun Bar Risoul is the place to be. It’s a lively spot with a massive selection of beers and a terrace that catches the very last of the day’s sun. As the evening progresses, it often transforms into a hub of activity with themed nights and live DJs.
- La Marmite is a local institution, famous for its Mountain Burger and incredibly hearty portions of tartiflette.
- If you are looking for a true Savoyard experience (even though we are in the Hautes-Alpes!), l'Extrad Restaurant spécialités montagnardes is unmissable. Their raclette is served traditionally - half a wheel of cheese under a grill - and the quality of their local charcuterie is second to none.
- For those with a sweet tooth, Le Spot Gourmand is a fantastic pit-stop for waffles or crepes in the afternoon, though it also serves wonderful dinners in a cosy setting.
- For a more refined but still traditional evening, Le Hickory offers a warm, wood-panelled atmosphere and a menu that celebrates local Alpine produce with a modern twist. It’s the perfect spot for a long, celebratory dinner with friends.
Facilities in Risoul
Risoul is more than just a ski hill; it’s a fully functioning mountain village. The Skiseo Leisure Centre is the crown jewel of the resort’s non-skiing facilities. It features heated indoor and outdoor pools, hammams, and saunas. There is something truly magical about swimming in an outdoor heated pool while the snow falls around you.
The central commercial gallery is sheltered from the elements. It houses everything you could need: supermarkets for the self-caterers, plenty of ski hire shops (like Intersport and Skiset), and boutiques selling local honey and cheeses. For evening entertainment, there is a cinema and a bowling alley, ensuring that even if you have energy left after skiing, you’ll find plenty to do.
Facilities for children in Risoul
Risoul is widely regarded as one of the best family resorts in France. The Piou-Piou Club, run by the ESF, is a dedicated snow garden where children as young as three can take their first steps on skis in a safe, fun environment. The instructors are experts at keeping kids engaged with games and magic carpet lifts.
For a bit of a thrill, the Luge Dévale is a must-visit. It’s an all-season mountain coaster that runs on rails. You control the speed as you hurtle down 1,200m of twists and turns through the trees. It’s safe, exhilarating, and usually results in children (and parents) wanting to go again immediately. There is also a natural outdoor ice rink in the centre of the village, which becomes a magical hub of activity as the sun goes down and the fairy lights come on.
Why choose Erna Low for Risoul skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
Risoul's beautiful larch forests make it a perfect, high-altitude family retreat.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
