• Send visual report
Ski France

Risoul Resort Reviews

Risoul Forecasts
Users Viewed Next:(Advanced)
Users Viewed Next:(Live)
Popular Risoul Pages
Users Viewed Next:(Maps)
Popular Risoul Pages

Visitor reviews for Risoul Ski Resort

Risoul Ratings

Overall: 3.5. Based on 13 votes and 18 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.0

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Risoul is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 3.3

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Risoul has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 3.7

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.2

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 3.1

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Risoul.

Public Transport: 3.2

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Risoul, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 3.0

(1) No places to stay in/near Risoul, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 2.8

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 2.2

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Risoul.

Ski in/Ski out: 3.4

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 3.6

(1) There are no child care facilities at Risoul, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 3.8

(1) Risoul relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 3.5

(1) There are no snow groomers at Risoul, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Risoul are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.4

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Risoul is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.2

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Risoul, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 3.8

(1) Risoul usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 3.5

(1) The staff at Risoul are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Risoul are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.1

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 3.7

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 3.9

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.0

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 3.8

(1) No intermediate terrain at Risoul, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 3.6

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.9

(1) Not even a kicker at Risoul, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.1

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Risoul, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.2

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Risoul has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.2

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.4

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 2.9

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 2.4

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 2.9

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 3.5

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.4

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 3.5

(1) Overall, Risoul is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.6

(1) Overall, Risoul is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

Top rated
Latest
Oldest
Most useful
Lowest rated
March 03, 2013
Bruce Jones from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We (2 adults and one 13 yr old) stayed in Risoul the week of 17th Feb 2013. The wait at Turin and transfer was 3 hours, but was well worth it. A great resort for all standard of skier, but mainly beginners and intermediates. Saying that, there's some great safe off-piste with good visibility from the main pistes. The lift system takes you out of he base of the resort on 4 chair lifts and 2 drags, from where you can ski back down on a choice of blue, red and green runs, or head up again and get away from the main resort and also quicky strike across and down into Vars. We were told that this week was the busiest French half-term week as well as the UK week, but still the queues were small or non existent after the usual 9am peak. Can't remember queuing for more than 5 minutes on the Risoul side, but did encounter some slightly longer ones in Vars. The resort is mainly self catering, either in fairly low rise appartment blocks or smaller appartment blocks. We stayed at the Foret Blanche appartments (Sara) which were relatively cheap. Basic but comfortable with great ski lockers. Pretty much ski in-ski out give or take 100m walk to piste. You are pretty much captive once in resort, so the shops are pretty expensive, but you can get a reasonable meal and drinks. The mountain restaurants aren't bad value either, with dishes as low as €8 and great plat du hours at €12-15. We don't tend to return to resorts often as we've only been skiing a few years, but for a value family holiday I would definitely return.
November 23, 2012
bill warren from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Although I don't ski anymore [due to a back injury] I continue to take my family there with Crystal Ski. I have skied many resorts over the years inluding Brekonridge Colorado and this is a mini version of that resort with tree line skiing to the door and a link to Vars. Both resorts have an excellent snow record. We will be going January 2013 and again staying at the superb Balcons De Sirious appartments which has its own indoor pool and jacuzzi.
September 29, 2011
Matt from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I've been to Risoul with a group of friends (mixed ability) for the last 2 seasons, and we found that the ski area was fantastic for all of us. There's some good off-piste, the park in neighbouring resort Vars is great, and the setup was also great for beginners. The area is below the tree line which means that it's also really attractive to ski around and it's extensive enough that we never got bored. The resort village was also great - plenty of services/small supermarkets etc. The bars were cool and there's a nightclub in town that was great fun. Only drawback is that it's a little bit difficult to get to - but that's probably why its such good value and makes it even better once you're there :)
April 26, 2010
Bryan from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Recently returned from Risoul having stayed in Club Hotel Morgan 10th - 17th April 2010. I feared that this was risky, being so late in the season and so far south, but it was cheap so we went for it and were well rewarded. The ski area was bigger that expected and excellently laid out with a choice of 3,4 or more runs from each lift. We had fresh snow three days and there was plently of challenging off-piste to be found. We have skiied in St Anton, Meribel and Les Arcs recently but were not bored or restricted in Risoul. The lift pass is much cheaper and the lift system was fine with no queues. The Hotel was basic, but the staff helpful and the food fine. We just had to cross the road to the pistes and a choice of 4 lifts up. Yes, it is a long transfer to Risoul but well worth it.
November 22, 2008
Matt from Ski British Indian Ocean Territory British Indian Ocean Territory
I spent my very first season in Vars. It's an awesome place and I love it! I agree with what most people say about Vars but if you are a good skier then you will prefer Vars then Risoul. I have never been to a ski resort where there are so many opportunities to ski off-piste. Every where you look you can ski. It does have a really bad lift system, but you get over it. Night life is poor but February is mad.
March 04, 2006
Chris Rogers from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Quiet, civilised, cheap with a relaxed French atmosphere. Limited resort facilities, lots of chairs and unexceptional piste skiing. Fine for a week and if it snows. Mind blowing tree skiing amongst larches for those of you who know what that means.
January 19, 2007
alun evans from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Went to Risoul skiing for 2 days. We stayed below in Guillestre and traveled up to the resort..the road is along way up and windy. Once there the skiing was excellent. Wouldn't stay in the resort but ok to travel there etc.good if you have young kids as all the lifts and runs end at the same place near enough.what i would suggest is stay below like we did then do a few resorts nearby,such has sierra Chevelier, Puy St Vincent and so on..
March 26, 2007
melanie lazenby from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
A nice & quiet, albeit small resort with good doorstep ski-ing, mostly tree lined, don't be put off by long transfer comments, as you don't normally ski the first day anyway, so there's no hurry. We stayed in the Le Morgan hotel which is run down, but the staff were really nice & so was the food. Good snow record & no lift queues:-) Just about enough to do in a week if your used to ski-ing the big resorts, like Espace killy & 3 Valleys etc. We did enjoy it.
October 13, 2007
Ronald Oerlemans from Ski Netherlands Netherlands
I've been to Risoul in January 2005. This is one of my favorite resorts. Almost every apartment or hotel is situated near a slope. You never have to walk a lot. Risoul lies in the southern part of the Alps. Therefore, you can receive a lot of sunshine, but also plenty of snow, due to the high altitude (1850 m). The highest point (2750m) is not something special to ski from but nice for the views. With some wind they close the lift to the top. The connection with Vars is nice and easily accessable. That area is also very nice. Many different types of slopes. Most of the slopes are wide, perfect for carving. The black ones are scarey but if you want to go off-piste you must look for it. On the lower part of Risoul between the trees, you can find some nice trails. The advantage of the fact that Risoul is in the Southern Alpes, is that the tree level is higher. You can find trees until 2100 metres. The grooming of the slopes was also perfect. Even with new snowfall, the slopes were like a sheet. Therefore, check out Risoul, you will love to ski here.
January 27, 2008
John Harris from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
As this was my first skiing holiday I can't compare with other resorts (though I've seen the dead, purpose-built ones) but in general I can confirm most of the points already made: Plus points: 1) Nice resort with a French feel - great if, like me, you hate being in a kind of 'Little England' abroad. 2) Pistes good for all - I was with a party of 8: 4 of us were complete beginners, the other four expert skiers. As one of the beginners I was carving (is that the term?) easy reds & blues by the end of the week, but the expert skiers had equal challenges with harder reds, blacks and moguls. 3) Excellent for those with children like us: a) all accommodation within walking distance from the pistes and b) all lifts at the bottom are in pretty much the same place, so if both parents and children are in classes, pick ups are easy. 4) Nightlife is limited which is fine by me, though I was still woken up at 02:00 every morning as the doors closed on the "music bar". Minus Points: Yes, the transfer from Turin is long (3 hrs), but for me this is offset by the only 10-minute drive from my local airport. General: I stayed in the Hotel Morgan. Staff service excellent, though for the first 4 days of my stay the food was appalling (though soon rectified following a discussion with the manager).