🇫🇷 ⛷️

Skiing in Risoul

1970s resort built facing the slopes, at the edge of the larch forest. Linked to Vars: 185 km of Forêt Blanche, from 12 December to 11 April.

⛰️ 1,850 m⛷️ 185 km (with Vars)🚡 16 lifts (36 with Vars)📅 12 Dec → 11 Apr
PierrickBy PierrickLocal Guide ★8 · 14M+ Maps views 🗓️ Updated on 27 Oct 2026 Jean-Claude Perez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
🛏️Where to stay in RisoulAreas compared, plus places to stay at the foot of the slopes, from budget to upscale.Choose your area →

Risoul at a glance

1,650 – 2,750 mSki area altitudevillage at 1,850 m
185 km (with Vars)Advertised runs
185 kmLinked ski areaLa Forêt Blanche
€58 (with Vars)1-day passadult
📅 2026-2027 season from 12 Dec 2026 to 11 Apr 2027 Pre-opening on a reduced area from 5 December, depending on snow conditions
  • Ideal for
  • Families: beginner area, free for under-5s
  • Ski-in ski-out: most accommodation
  • Mid-range budgets: €58 a day for 185 km
  • Less suitable if
  • Skiing into May: closing on 11 April
  • Old-world charm: 1970s resort
The buildings of Risoul 1850 at the edge of the larch forest, snowy runs above (February 2006)
The snow-covered resort of Risoul 1850, view towards the peaks of the Hautes-Alpes (February 2006)
Risoul 1850 and its slopeside area seen from a chairlift (January 2012)
Runs of the Risoul ski area among the larches (January 2012)
View from the Risoul ski area over the Durance valley and the Écrins (January 2012)

Weather, snow and webcams in Risoul

Loading forecast…

MET Norway forecast, updated daily at 1 am and 9 am.

Snow report · Avalanche bulletin

Where to stay in Risoul

Slopeside area

Resort centre: schools, rental shops, terraces

Families, car-free€€
See accommodation →

Chérine sector

MMV Le Silvana, Vacancéole and Front de Neige residences

Residence stays€€
See accommodation →

Risoul village

17 hamlets below the resort, quieter

Quiet, low budgets€
See accommodation →

Guillestre and the valley

Near the station, free ski shuttles in winter

Train, small budgets€
See accommodation →

Recommended hotels for your budget

What to do in Risoul besides skiing

🛷
Luge Dévale1,200 m rail toboggan, €6.50 to €10 a ride
✨
SKISEOHeated 200 m² outdoor pool, steam room
⛸️
Ice rinkNatural, 450 m²; €10 adult, €8 child
🐕
Dog sleddingIntroductory ride of about 20 min with a musher

Risoul piste map and ski area

Runs
beginnerBeginner areaPulsed gondola and two free drag lifts (pass from the ticket office), children’s snow garden
intermediateHomme de Pierre6-seater chairlift, view of Lake Serre-Ponçon
intermediateLa Grande BleueBlue run of over 5 km
intermediatePeyrefolle snowparkBeginner, intermediate and expert lines, boardercross
intermediateLink to VarsPlate de la Nonne, Razis, Bergerie; Pic de Chabrières at 2,750 m

Beginners: free beginner area (pass from the ticket office) · beginner pass €25, €20 child

OpenSkiMap data · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), unofficial. Official piste map

Risoul lift pass prices

Lift passAdultChild
Forêt Blanche · 3 hours€51€43
Forêt Blanche · 1 day€58€49
Forêt Blanche · 6 days€298€244
Risoul beginner · 1 day€25€20

2026-2027 prices · Free for under-5s · child 5–12 · child rate for over-70s · €2 card · all valid in Vars · official ticket office

Ski rental and lessons in Risoul

🎿

Book your skis before you go

  • 3 Skiset shops in Risoul, near the lifts
  • Equipment, shop and dates chosen online, in a few minutes

Skiset (3 shops) and Snowrental (5) · 14 rental shops, mostly at the foot of the slopes

Ski lessons and schools

ESF RisoulESF80 instructors, since 1972Club Piou-Piou (ESF)kids' clubFrom age 3, heated chalet in the area
L’École de Ski de Risoulindependent schoolGroups of 8 pupils at most, freestyle lessons
WE Snowboard Schoolindependent schoolSnowboarding, taught by former Olympic snowboarders
Lessons (2026-2027 season)Price
Adult group lesson, 6 lessonsfrom €120
Club Piou-Piou (from age 3), 6 lessonsfrom €126
Private lesson 1h, on Saturdayfrom €48
Private lessons, 6 × 1hfrom €288

ESF from age 3 at the Club Piou-Piou; free beginner area with the Initiation pass · ESF group lessons run from Sunday to Friday.

When to ski in Risoul

Best time: Mid-December to early April

DecPartial on the 5th, everything on the 12th
JanWhole ski area open
FebHolidays, whole ski area
MarWhole ski area open
AprCloses 11 April

Getting to Risoul

🚆
TrainMont-Dauphin-Guillestre station · night train from Paris
🚗
CarGrenoble 150 km · Marseille 239 km · N94
✈️
PlaneGrenoble-Isère 204 km · Marseille 239 km

On site

🅿️
ParkingP2 covered car park with 637 spaces, paid in winter; free Pélinche car park, drag lift
🚌
ShuttlesFree in-resort shuttle in winter; free ski shuttles from Guillestre
⚕️
HealthLe Forum medical practice, 7 days a week without appointment in season; pharmacy in the resort
ℹ️
Tourist officeRisoul tourist office
Station Risoul 1850, 05600 Risoul

Where to eat and unwind in Risoul

Le Sun, tapas bar on rue de la Forêt Blanche; La Grotte du Yéti; Play Zone, bar with bowling

Restaurants in the resort

traditional€€
Le Gorille 1850

Local cuisine, menu from €12 to €70, view of the runs

📍 Slopeside area
brasserie, Savoyard€€
La Chouette

Tartiflette, raclette and wood-fired pizzas

📍 Slopeside area
bistro, wine bar€€
La Bergerie

Traditional local cooking, organic and natural wines

📍 Rue du Buisset
traditional, pizzeria€€
A Casa Nostra

Homemade mountain specialities, covered terrace

📍 Chérine sector
snack, crêpes€
Le Spot Gourmand

Quick set menu at the counter at lunch, crêpes and waffles

📍 Foot of the slopes, pool
snack, cheese shop€
Chez Pépé Victor

Homemade sandwiches, fondues and raclettes to take away

📍 Place Victor Bonnaffoux

Mountain restaurants

🍽️ Auberge de l’Homme de Pierre · Summit of the Homme de Pierre🍽️ Le Tétras · 2,100 m, Clos du Vallon chairlift🍽️ Le Valbelle · Razis and Clot Chardon chairlifts🍽️ Le Clos Fournier · Pulsed gondola arrival

Spa and relaxation

swimming pool
SKISEO

Heated 200 m² outdoor Nordic pool, steam room

residence spa
Le Spa by MMV Le Silvana

Massages and treatments, daily, Chérine sector

Similar resorts

Serre Chevalier: €58 a day here versus €68 in high season, 185 km versus 250, and a village at 1,850 m versus 1,350 m.

Frequently asked questions

When does Risoul open?

The whole ski area opens on 12 December 2026, after a partial pre-opening from 5 December if snow allows. It closes on 11 April 2027.

How much is a lift pass in Risoul?

A Forêt Blanche day (Risoul and Vars) costs €58, €49 for a child aged 5 to 12; 6 days: €298 and €244. 2026-2027 prices, excluding the €2 card.

Does a Risoul pass let you ski in Vars?

Yes: all passes sold in Risoul are Forêt Blanche passes, valid across the 185 linked km of Risoul and Vars.

Is Risoul good for beginners?

Yes: the beginner area (pulsed gondola and two drag lifts) is free, with a free Risoul Initiation pass to collect at the ticket offices, and a €25 beginner pass opens eight easy lifts.

Can you get to Risoul without a car?

Yes: train to Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre (night train from Paris), then the ZOU shuttle to the resort, 17 km away. Neige Express coaches also run from Paris, Marseille and Aix.

Do children pay for the lift pass?

Not before age 5, with proof at a point of sale. From 5 to 12, the child rate applies (€49 a day).

Sources and method

Contact details: wikidata.org, risoul.com
Resort profile: risoul.labellemontagne.com, risoul.com, vars.com, fr.wikipedia.org
Lift passes: risoul.labellemontagne.com
Ski area: risoul.labellemontagne.com, risoul.com
Getting there: risoul.com
Accommodation: risoul.com
Restaurants and activities: risoul.com
Equipment rental: skiset.com, snowrental.com, risoul.com
Webcams: risoul.com, risoul.labellemontagne.com
Runs and lifts: OpenSkiMap · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Terrain: Mapzen Terrain Tiles (AWS Open Data). Forecasts: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Snow on the ground: Météo-France, automatic stations (Open Licence 2.0). Schools, restaurants, spas and practical information: venue websites and tourist office.
Photos: Jean-Claude Perez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons · Hungarian skier, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.

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