Panoramic skiing | Vars: Hautes-Alpes ski resort

1850m1. Vars les ClauxYour starting point

Your ski day begins at Les Claux. To make the most of the first rays of sunshine and the freshly-cooled pistes, head for the Escondus chairlift. To get into the swing of things, a few turns on the wide Escondus piste will be welcome.

Then, head for the Point Show to join the Sibières Chairlift and access our first must-see spot of the resort.

The little plus

Getting ready

A good skier is a well-prepared skier! Before you set off on your day’s skiing, take a look at the essential information you need to make the most of the slopes! The resort’s professionals are on hand to provide you with all the equipment you need to make the most of your day on the slopes.

Packages

Quick and easy, order your package online!

Buy

Live info

Check the weather, live openings and webcams.

Visit

Piou Piou, les premiers pas sur les skis pour ces petits bouts de choux

Ski schools

Get professional help!

Book

Petite pause au Col de Crévoux avec une magnifique vue sur le lac de Serre-Ponçon

Hardware

Rent equipment adapted to your level!

Rent

L'emblématique Eyssina qui veille sur le domaine skiable et la station de Vars

2245m2. SibièresAt the foot of the Eyssina

Here you are, at the summit of Sibières, at the foot of the Eyssina face – the backbone of the resort – and its couloirs that are the delight of freeriders: Yeti, Yoz, Catex, la Main…. Behind you, a panoramic view of Les Claux, the villages and the whole ski area lets you admire your playground for the day.

The sunrise here is often very pleasant and making your first tracks on this sector is a good way to start your ski day with a smile.

An ideal sector for experimenting with ski-forest but also multi-level and fun for all types of on-piste skiing. A nod to our favorites in the area: the Sibières and Zakopane red runs, perfect for honing your technique on steep slopes.

Now, let’s head for the Télémix de Chabrières.

The little plus

The Caribou sled

Accessible on skis and located in the Sibières sector, the Caribou toboggan run is over a kilometer long and offers a fun break in your day’s skiing.

Discover

2209m3. Intermediate TelemixThe crossroads of the domain

An essential part of the ski area. Halfway between Les Claux and the Forêt Blanche summit, you’re at the crossroads of the Vars ski area. On your left, l’Eyssina. Opposite, the Pic de Chabrières and on your right, the Mayt.

You’ll find the new ice grotto as well as a picnic and barbecue area.

Now, head for the new “Speed Masters” chairlift to access the top of the area.

The little plus

The ice cave

The ice grotto will be back at the summit of the Télémix de Chabrières in 2023. Carved right out of the ice and snow, numerous treasures await you and are accessible to pedestrians.

Sommet de Chabrières, point culminant du domaine skiable à 2750 m

2750m4. Pic de ChabrièresForêt Blanche summit

The Pic de Chabrières is the highest point in the Forêt Blanche ski area, standing at an altitude of 2750 metres. An incomparable vantage point overlooking the whole of the Southern Alps, on a clear day you can see some of the most beautiful peaks in the Alps: Mont Blanc, Massif des Ecrins, Mont Viso and even Mont Ventoux.

It’s also the starting point for the mythical Chabrières piste, scene of a multitude of world speed records for skiing, biking and snowboarding.

The little plus

Speed Master chairlift

Another new feature for 2023 in the ski area, the Speed Master chairlift, following on from the Chabrières Telemix, will enable you to reach the top of the Forêt Blanche ski area in 15 minutes, compared with over 45 previously. After an off-season, your skiing time in 2023 will be increased tenfold thanks to this new device.

Col de Crévoux et vue sur le lac de Serre Ponçon

2500m5. Crévoux passSea view

After descending the “Corniche Supérieure”, you arrive at the Col de Crévoux. A must-see spot in the ski area for its unique view of the Durance valley and Lac de Serre Ponçon. Below, you can see the small village of Crévoux and the sumptuous Parpaillon valley.

Tip: In December/January, don’t miss the magnificent sunsets. Your last trail won’t disappoint.

The little plus

The Photocall

A photo frame is available at the Col de Crévoux to immortalize your visit to one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Forêt Blanche ski area!

Pause au Col de Crévoux avec la vue sur le lac de Serre Ponçon

Ski entre amis et vus splendide sur le lac de Serre Ponçon

2273m6. Chabrières trailAt full speed

The next part of our journey takes us through the finish racket of the Chabrières piste. Here you are at the foot of the myth, which has seen so many world records broken. This 1400-meter-long run, with a maximum gradient of 98%, is a mecca for Kilomètre Lancé.

It was here that the speed of 254.958 km/h was reached on skis by Italy’s Ivan Origone on March 26, 2016.

Let’s now head for the Mayt chairlift.

The little plus

KL stadium

Have you always dreamed of imitating the world’s fastest skiers? Well, you’ve come to the right place: the permanent speed skiing stadium!

Stade de ski de vitesse, testez votre vitesse sur la piste la plus rapide du monde à partir de 6 ans et niveau 3ème étoile

Discover

2567m7. La MaytÀ 360°

Here you are on the second highest peak in the Forêt Banche ski area, the Mayt. Atypical with its ice-ball shape and the weather radar at its summit, you’ll be able to observe breathtaking views over the Vars valley, from Saint-Marcellin to the summit of the Col and even the peaks of Haute-Ubaye.

From this summit, you can ski over 1000 meters of continuous negative vertical drop all the way to the Village of Sainte-Marie.

In fact, that’s the direction we’re heading.

The little plus

1000 meters of D-

Eager to warm up your thighs? This is the place. 1000 meters of non-stop negative vertical drop between La Mayt and the Village of Vars Sainte-Marie on the Olympique red run for experienced skiers!

Piste de l'Olympique qui permet de rejoindre le village de Sainte Marie par le domaine skiable

2143m8. Peyrol

On your descent to Sainte Marie, a short stop at Peyrol will allow you to cool your thighs on your descent of the Olympique.

Vastly wooded, the area is ideal for a lunch break. A high-altitude restaurant and a dog-sledding activity make for a refreshing break in your day’s skiing.

For the more sporty, you’ll reach Sainte-Marie via the lower part of l’Olympique, while the “cooler” skiers will take the tangent version of the Vallon and Grand Vallon blue runs: a “bis” itinerary that ensures a stroll-mode descent through forest and alpine farms. Let’s head back up to La Mayt for another not-to-be-missed spot.

Panorama du domaine skiable de vars et ses villages

Domaine skiable de Vars et grandes étendues blanches

2440m9. Saluces passSo, "happy"?

Here you are at another essential crossroads in the Forêt Blanche ski area. A true crossroads between the Vars & Risoul accesses, you’re above all at the start of one of our ski area’s most popular runs: “les Heureux”.

This long, low-tech descent on a gentle, perfectly sunny slope is ideal for fun, sliding and carving pretty curves, all starting from the top of the ski area.

When conditions allow, this is also the way to the “Boarder des Heureux”, which will delight the most daring skiers.

All schuss on “les Heureux” towards the snow front to go and finish your day of skiing in the sun.

Splendide panorama du domaine skiable de la Forêt Blanche

The little plus

Boarder des Heureux

Snow conditions permitting, more adventurous skiers can challenge themselves on the boarder cross des Heureux. A real fun snow course, it winds through the small valleys to the right of the piste des heureux.

Boardercross des Heureux, un itinéraire ludique en bord de piste à tester absolument

2260m10. PeynierIn the sun

Peynier. You’ve come to the best place to end your day in the sun. Facing due south, this is where its last rays graze the slopes for the longest time.

This area, which locals like to call a “little paradise” for ski days in bad weather, will offer you a last panoramic view of our ski area.

Its superb larch forest makes Vars its main charm asset.

Accessible on foot, a new soft voice will allow pedestrians and cross-country skiers to discover the Vallon des Prises.

The little plus

The Bois Noir TSD

A new feature for 2020-2021 that has become a new feature for 2021-2022 due to the COVID-related off-season, the Bois Noir TSD, which replaces the two former Peynier 1 & 2 ski lifts, will provide rapid access to the Peynier sector from Vars Sainte-Marie.

Read more

Always more

Esprit Villages

We also love it for this: Vars has all the assets of a major resort combined with the charms of mountain villages. Discover what makes our region so charming.

Find out more