Located at the heart of the Southern Alps (Hautes-Alpes), Risoul is the perfect village resort for the active family. Set at an altitude of 1850m, the alpine resort combines wide open spaces, comfort and a convivial atmosphere. A diverse range of activities are available allowing you to discover mountain pursuits together.
Risoul really is a top-quality family resort and is a member of the select club les petits montagnards.
This quality label is awarded to resorts providing specific infrastructures dedicated to children and which are committed to offering attractive rates to families.
During the summer the resort offers a range of entertainment and activities to satisfy the tastes of all visitors such as street entertainment, sports events and evening stage with musical bands. Outdoor activities include: swimming pools with water slides and water falls, hiking (some chair-lifts remain open in the summer to enable you to reach the mountain tops with ease), mountain biking (take forest paths or pastoral roads, ride along the mountain crests offering superb panoramic views, up to 2571m, or follow one of the special mountain biking itineraries. The chair-lifts are open to mountain bikers so you can really make the most of the downhill slopes), tennis, white water sports (canyoning, rafting, inflatable, white water swimming), quad biking, parasailing, horseback riding, high rope tree course and much, much more.
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Risoul dates back to 1977 as a purpose built ski resort in Southern France which together with its linked neighbour Vars, forms a large area known as Le Domaine de la Foret Blanche with a combined total of 174 km of slopes. Risoul ski holidays are growing in popularity thanks to the resort's late season, good sunshine record, value for money and suitability for all levels of skier.
This is one of the biggest ski areas in Southern France, with Vars being larger than Risoul. Although they are both purpose built resorts, there are still traditional chalets rubbing shoulders with modern apartments and trees have been retained to keep the area looking attractive.
Beginners will enjoy the gentle tree lined slopes at both Risoul and Vars. A children's area has been created, which is safely to one side of the main slopes, and has easy access via a moving carpet lift to its gentle slopes. Intermediate skiers have a good choice of challenging reds with tree lined runs leading them back to the resort. Advanced skiers also face some challenging black runs as well as some testing mogul fields. There are also some adrenalin pumping off piste areas within a wooded area as well as on some of the higher peaks. The runs are graded and consist of 57 easy runs, 36 intermediate and 11 difficult serviced by 26 lifts. Risoul were one of the first resorts to introduce snowparks and have one of the best parks in France. It is estimated that almost halve of Risoul's visitors are snowboarders who enjoy the fun to be had amongst the trees and powdered snow.
About the village
Risoul has its fair shares of cafes, bars,restaurants and pizzerias with a wide range of food from traditional home made food to international dishes. These remain lively all day as skiers and boarders call in for quick snacks, and they are also popular well after the lifts close.
La Licorne and La Cherine are popular bars. There are also two discotheques at Le Morgan's club and Le Cham rock. There is plenty of accommodation in Risoul and Vars including chalets and self catering apartments. If you prefer the convenience of a hotel, Risoul has plenty to choose from. There are almost a 100 shops in Risoul ranging from up market boutiques, jewellery shops and perfumeries to small specialist shops selling arts, crafts and souvenirs.