Resort Guide for Les Orres, France

Resort Profile

Les Orres, Risoul, and Vars are situated in La Foret Blanche and make up the largest ski area of the Southern French Alps. Risoul's large sunny terrain is almost entirely within a vast snowbowl that allows runs to radiate out from all directions. The connection over to Vars, which was completed in 1986, is well established at a high point on the circuit giving a snowsure link and enabling a total skiable terrain tally of 170km (over 106 miles). Beginners are likely to start by using special learner tows right by the resort on the wide sunny slopes, great for staggering to one of the cafés after classes end. The compact nature of the resort means most guests will find they can get from apartment, to rentals, to ski school, to lessons to bar without too much stress. Once the basics have been mastered on the piste there's easy progression up the mountain with several long easy greens beginning higher up the bowl and served by the Clos du Vallon chair. Intermediates will enjoy the huge Foret Blanche the most with long blues and reds both above and below the treeline, the latter providing shelter on cold days. The trip over to Vars gives you a feeling of ski touring, but make sure you start heading back before 3pm in order to reach all the last lifts of the day. Popular runs include the Pinitaux Superior which includes moguls and short steeps, whilst the long blue down to Vars Sainte-Marie is an 8km (5mile) long treat. Experts have more limited choices although there are 11 blacks, the majority (eight) above Vars, which has the steepest skiing on the circuit. There can be good off-piste powder above Risoul to tackle with a guide after snowfalls, and the moderate gradients make it suitable for first-timers.

Resort Statistics

	Resort Height : 1550
	Top Station : 2730
	Bottom Station : 1550
	Vertical Descent : 1200
	Drag Lifts : 14
	Chair Lifts : 8
	Opens : Dec - April
	Expert Rating : 6
	Intermediate Rating : 7
	Beginner Rating : 8

Accomodation & Après Ski

Accomodation data not available.