Risoul, France

kate from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Have been to Risoul 15 times because each year if I suggest a change all my group is in uproar, especially the kids who feel they own it! We have all abilities (beginner to competition, snowboard, telemark, age 3 to 80) and there is always enough to do. This year, the off-piste, through the trees and in the open was just perfect. Because the pistes all end up in one place it's very convenient to arrange to meet up with others who have had lessons, want to ski a different sector etc etc. The s/c accommodation is fairly spacious compared to some resorts, but getting to be in need of some refurbishment. Easy to book online (Sara-residences).
Travelling to Marseille on cheap flights is a bonus, as is the 'navette blanche', the ski shuttle bus from the airport to the southern alps resorts. Look on the Marseille airport website for details. Also, no mountain passes to worry about if there's been a dump of snow. If driving, go south of Grenoble to Gap, it avoids the Col de Lauteret at 2050m (only 1100m or so over the Col de la Croix Haute: look it up on the map and you'll spot the easiest route). About 10 hours from Calais or Zeebrugge.
Very friendly ski schools, unfortunately the ESI with smaller groups has shut this winter but ESF has some fun instructors too. For ski rental 'Skiset' in the Melezes apartments are super value and very friendly too (tell them I said so!!).
Nightlife is low key (I agree about the noise late at night, why do some people insist on shouting in ski resorts?) but enough shops to s/c easily and not too expensive. Lovely butcher in the main street.
I have never queued in Risoul for longer than about 3 minutes (I don't even usually use the 'fast' queue) and the lift system is getting better. In fact, the first 8 man lift in France is now a couple of years old or so. The tows are more gentle on the body than they used to be! Vars is more crowded with no soul to it, in fact, I hate it, but you can quite easily spend a morning in the sun on their slopes without ever going to the village and come back for the better snow in the afternoon to Risoul. Lift pass is CHEAP compared with main areas of France, don't know why someone on this site said it was expensive (I've just paid £63 for the whole area by booking it with the apartment).
Please don't go, you'll take up my space on the slopes! and won't be able to resist going back for the good value.
I've just come back and, apart from Easter Day, had quite a few slopes to myself early morning, early and late afternoon - I mean that literally. How nice to ski down a whole run without seeing another soul! and they look after the snow superbly, know when to bash it and when to leave it alone for a bit of fun.
I've been to plenty of bigger resorts too, but you can't beat Risoul for value and fun skiing.

2008-03-31

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