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Sybelles Ski Holidays
Tucked away in the Maurienne Valley in the Savoie region of the French Alps, Les Sybelles doesn't shout about itself the way some of its more famous neighbours do.
There are no celebrity endorsements, no eye-watering price tags on a vin chaud, and no queues snaking endlessly from the lift station. What there is, however, is an enormous, brilliantly connected ski area that quietly gets on with being one of the best-value, most family-friendly resorts in France - and Erna Low thinks it's well past time more people knew about it.
The concept at the heart of Les Sybelles is what the French call the ‘Six Beauties’ - six distinct resorts, each with its own personality, all linked together into a single cohesive domain. La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Les Bottières, and Saint-Colomban-des-Villards: together they form France's fourth largest linked ski area and one of the top ten largest in the world. That's a genuinely extraordinary statistic for a resort that still feels, in the best possible way, like a hidden gem.
Enjoy sunny slopes across six linked resorts, making it the 4th largest ski area in France!
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain Facts
The numbers tell a reassuring story. Les Sybelles offers 310km of interconnected pistes, served by 68 lifts that include a modern gondola and a series of express chairlifts. The altitude range runs from a base of around 1,100m up to a peak of 2,620m at Les Perrons, giving a maximum vertical drop of approximately 1,524m - more than enough to make legs ache in a satisfying way by the end of the day.
The terrain breakdown is comfortably intermediate in character: 31 green runs, 58 blues, 36 reds and 11 blacks. That said, the spread is generous enough to keep beginners progressing confidently and advanced skiers hunting out proper challenges. The sheer scale means that even in a week-long stay, there's always another valley or plateau to explore - which is precisely why Erna Low recommends Les Sybelles for groups of mixed abilities who want to ski together without anyone feeling short-changed.
Snow conditions in Sybelles
One of the most common concerns when booking a ski holiday, particularly in an era of changeable winters, is whether there'll actually be enough snow. Les Sybelles has a strong case to make here. The area receives around 120 inches of snowfall annually on average, and the high-altitude plateau at L'Ouillon (2,431 m) provides excellent natural coverage for much of the season. For extra insurance, over 600 snow cannons cover roughly half the domain, meaning conditions tend to remain reliable even when the weather elsewhere is playing up.
March is generally peak time for snow depth, with an average of 53 inches at the summit - which makes it an ideal month for those who want both good snow and longer daylight hours. Les Sybelles is also notably sunny for an Alpine resort, averaging 61 sunny days per season. That combination of reliable snow and generous sunshine is a compelling one, and it gives the whole area a bright, open quality that feels genuinely uplifting when the skis are on and the sky is blue.
Skiing in Sybelles
For beginners, Les Sybelles has thought carefully about where to start. Le Corbier's dedicated Espace des Étoiles and La Toussuire's Espace Gliss les Lutins are both purpose-built learning areas where first-timers can find their snow legs away from faster traffic. The terrain is gentle, the instructors are experienced, and crucially, beginners aren't shunted off to some forgotten corner of the mountain - these zones are well-positioned and genuinely enjoyable.
Intermediates, though, are arguably the group who get the most from Les Sybelles. This is a cruiser's paradise in the truest sense: wide, sun-drenched blue and red runs that reward confident skiing without punishing the occasional wobbly moment. The five-mile descent from L'Ouillon all the way down to Saint-Colomban-des-Villards is a particular highlight - a long, sweeping run that takes in some beautiful scenery and offers a real sense of the mountain's scale.
Advanced skiers needn't feel left out. The black run named after Jean-Noël Augert - the French slalom champion with roots in the region - is a proper test, and off-piste enthusiasts will find plenty to get excited about. The so-called ‘Bear Couloirs’ above Saint-Sorlin are something of a freeride legend locally, delivering steep, technical descents in a genuinely wild setting. For those who know where to look, Les Sybelles has plenty of bite.
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Snowboarding in Sybelles
Snowboarders are well catered for across the domain. The main snowpark - Le Snowpark - sits at the foot of L'Ouillon and features three distinct lines (Easy, Medium and Expert) with a solid range of modules, making it suitable whether someone is landing their first jump or fine-tuning for something more ambitious. There's also a boardercross track and a dedicated Big Air Bag for practising aerial manoeuvres in a slightly more forgiving environment than the open mountain.
Beyond the park, the terrain itself lends well to riding. The wide, open plateaus are ideal for carving at speed, and the natural hits dotted across the off-piste areas make for entertaining exploration for those willing to venture slightly off the beaten track. The high-altitude snowfields also offer excellent side-country terrain for more experienced riders looking to escape the groomed runs.
Accommodation in Sybelles
The accommodation in Les Sybelles reflects the same mix of practicality, value and authenticity that defines the area as a whole. In Le Corbier and La Toussuire, modern ski-in, ski-out residences offer comfortable, functional bases with the convenience of stepping directly onto the slopes each morning. For something with a little more character, the villages of Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves and Saint-Jean-d'Arves offer traditional Savoyard chalets built in stone and wood in the time-honoured Alpine style. Whether the priority is ski convenience, village charm or a touch of luxury, there's something to suit every skier.
Things to do in Sybelles
Après-ski in Sybelles
Après-ski in Les Sybelles is warm, unpretentious and thoroughly enjoyable - very much in keeping with the character of the place. La Fontaine de L'Ours has built something of a reputation for its traditional atmosphere and hearty Savoyard food, making it the sort of place where an hour's visit has a habit of turning into three. Les Roches Blanches offers a different but equally appealing proposition: a sun-drenched terrace with panoramic mountain views that practically demands a long, lazy drink as the afternoon light turns golden.
- For those wanting something a touch more refined, Sopar Restaurant brings a modern sensibility to Alpine ingredients.
- Le RoofTop des Anges has carved out a reputation as the place for sunset cocktails when the mood calls for something a little more stylish.
- Le Grenier, meanwhile, is the cosy, rustic option - a quietly welcoming spot for those who prefer their evenings low-key.
- For locally sourced cheese dishes served with proper warmth and hospitality, Restaurant La Corbacière is not to be missed.
- As the evening progresses, La Grotte du Yeti in Saint-Sorlin provides late-night dancing for those with energy to burn, while Le Yeti in Le Corbier draws a crowd for its DJ sets.
Facilities in Sybelles
The practical side of a ski holiday can make or break the experience, and Les Sybelles gets the fundamentals right. Several of the resorts - most notably Le Corbier - have heated outdoor pools, as well as saunas and Turkish baths, all particularly welcome after a long day of vertical descent. The pedestrianised centres of Le Corbier and La Toussuire make getting around straightforward and pleasant, and free shuttle buses connect the lower villages, meaning car dependency is minimal.
Shopping and dining options are well developed, with particular emphasis on the region's exceptional produce - Beaufort cheese tasting is a highlight not to be overlooked, and local craft shops offer authentic alternatives to the standard resort tat. It's the kind of infrastructure that supports a genuinely enjoyable week away, rather than merely tolerated as a backdrop to the skiing.
Facilities for children in Sybelles
Few areas in the Alps have thought more carefully about younger guests than Les Sybelles. The Snowpy Mountain zone in the Ouillon sector is a dedicated 600m² fun area for children, featuring mini speed runs and relaxation hammocks - the sort of place where small people can be happily occupied for hours. For the very youngest visitors, multiple garderies and nurseries, including the popular ‘La Ruche’, cater for children from as young as six months up to twelve years, giving parents the genuine luxury of a few undisturbed hours on the mountain.
Beyond the slopes, children's activities include Snake Gliss - a multi-person sledging experience that tends to be a firm favourite - dog sledging, and the Sybelle Explor Games, a digital treasure hunt that keeps older children engaged across the whole domain. It all adds up to a resort where families can arrive knowing that every member of the group, from toddler to teenager, has been properly considered.
Why choose a ski holiday to Sybelles with Erna Low?
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.
Discover a perfect mix of modern convenience and traditional charm, all centred around the massive Ouillon peak.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
