Risoul, France

Steven from NETHERLANDS writes:

After having skied in some of the main areas in France (Val Thorens, Portes du Soleil, Tignes) we now went for Risoul in the Southern Alps. Although having some doubts on the snow conditions after reading the resort has a record of 300+ sunny days a year, we booked a week for mid March anyway. And what a pleasant surprise it was to see fully snow covered mountains combined with wonderful weather. The skiing area is great. Sure, you mustn’t compare it with Trois Vallees on size or infrastructure and Tignes for the fantastic ski lifts (Risoul has many tow lifts, but if you don’t like them you can easily plan your way around them), but you can have a great week of skiing or boarding. There are more than enough slopes to keep you busy for a week. For people who like to do a bit of jumping and such, this is properly sorted with a bunch of fun/freestyle parks (2 in Risoul, a large one in Vars). Here you’ll find boarder cross and ramps for all levels. If you travel with kids, they will probably have a good time, with a wide variety of facilities provided for the little skiers in both Risoul and Vars.
On the village: if you don’t like large, purpose build apartments, don’t go to Risoul. But then again, you shouldn’t go to France anyway. However, in comparison to other purpose built ski stations, it is just a bit cosier. Night life isn’t all that much, people tend to stay in and make their own noise. If you like to have a quiet stay, you shouldn’t stay in appartements Melezes (very noisy) or Constellation Foret Blanche (we’ve stayed there and it can be quite noisy sometimes) but on the left side of the station, away from the bars at the right side it is quiter. The Sara residences are sufficient, but typically French. So some refurbishment would be nice. We’ve stayed with 4 in a 6 persons appartment, which was ok.
To sum up: we’ve had a great time in Risoul. Great skiing, great weather (the best chance of good weather in the French Alps) and all of that for a very reasonable price. I don’t have to mention again that ski passes are relatively cheap. Also the slopes are kept in very good conditions, not crowdy (even at the key connection lifts) and you can make a nice tour skiing through the trees to Vars and back. Regarding all this, there is a good chance for me to return there (and I usually don’t visit the same resort twice).

2009-03-26