Worldwide Ski Resorts • France • Risoul

Ski insurance for Risoul France

Overview

This is a purpose built resort built in the 1970s and has mostly wood clad buildings and is attractive and friendly. The views are beautiful over the Ecrins National Park and restaurant terraces looking onto the slopes it has a very traditional style. This where the market is becoming aware of the values of the French Alps in the south. This resort is high up and with slopes linked with Vars it is a good sized area. Self catering is popular with plenty of apartments and with more chalets becoming available the choice is quite extensive. There are some hotels and if a stay overnight in more rustic surroundings sounds good try the Tetras mountain refuge at 6,500 feet.

Profile

The altitude provides reliable snow conditions but snowmaking is becoming more extensive. Visitors tend to head to Vars for the east facing slopes in the morning and in the afternoon return to Risoul. Snowboarding is popular with free-riding in the whole area and competitions are held on a weekly basis. The trails cross country extend for about 28 miles and one trail through the Peyrol forest goes from Risoul to Vars. The bonus has to be this resort is known to be quiet on the slopes but possibly busier when the French schools are on holiday.

Mountain Information

The upper slopes are open but those going back to Risoul are pleasantly wooded and a haven on bad weather days. There are 10% black runs, 36% red, 38% blue and 16% green. The experts may not be too impressed with the pistes but with a guide the off piste is much more challenging. The intermediates are well catered for with Reds and Blues in the sectors and not much chance of getting lost as nearly all the runs return to the centre.

Beginners have a free lift to good nursery slopes and easy longer pistes to look forward to after a few lessons. The two Terrain Parks have half pipes, boarder pass, and big air and hand rail. One park is quite high up and the other is near to the base. The mountain restaurants are plentiful and are increasing on a regular basis and can be guaranteed to provide top nosh for all comers. Some skiers go back to the terraces in the village to ring the changes. The ski schools are international and as this is a family resort children have an all day nursery and kindergartens at the ski schools which are just above the village and have a child friendly lift.

Apres Ski

Lively until the small hours of the morning with several clubs and very friendly bars including one with a Caribbean theme. For a quiet drink a visit to the Chalet or Eterlou is more sedate. Eating out takes up a good part of the evening and French Cuisine is excellent and very affordable. For other entertainment a short trip into Briancon is good for a change of scenery. The village atmosphere provides a resort which attracts families more than the jet set.

French Resort Guide

Resort Information • Risoul

Resort Height Resort Height 1850m
Top Station Top Station 2750m
Bottom Station Bottom Station 1850m
Vertical Descent Vertical Descent 900m
Drag Lifts Drag Lifts 23
Chair Lifts Chair Lifts 18
High Capacity High Capacity 6
Opening Dates Opening Dates Dec-April
Rating Expert Rating Expert 6
Rating Intermediate Rating Intermediate 5
Rating Beginner Rating Beginner 8
Apres Ski Rating Apres Ski Rating 6
Snow Reliability Snow Reliability 8

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