The true heart of the Hautes-Alpes, Vars – la Forêt Blanche enjoys an exceptional position. At an altitude of 1,850 metres, the valley with its four sunkissed villages offers health, relaxation and activity options for all, under the majestic rocky outcrops of the Eyssina dotted with such sumptuous landscapes as the magical view over the Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
Vars La Forêt Blanche is renowned throughout the ski world thanks to having the fastest ski slope in the world (254, 958 km/h!!) and its snowpark, one of the most beautiful in Europe. The resort beats to the rhythm of the big sports competitions like the Ski World Cup and world record attempts, as well as freestyle skiing, trail, and international snowboarding competitions. With concerts at the beginning and end of the season (Vars en Scène and Gliss & Mix) the programme is bookended by cultural events that bring together thousands of people to the resort’s base.
The road to the pass of Vars winds through villages and offers several natural vistas for a top summer! Vars lies between Dauphiné, Provence and Italy in the department of the Hautes-Alpes. Vars occupies a privileged position at the confluence of the Ubaye, Guil and Durance rivers. Alongside the mountain tops, Vars also benefits from the light and mildness of the Mediterranean climate. Its reputation also derives from the beauty of its little wooded valleys which cover a third of the area of the commune.
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One is the kingdom of nature in the wild with its high peaks, an unbelievable wealth of flora and fauna, hollowed out by the Rif-Bel stream. This is the nature reserve of the Val d’Escreins which locals like to call Little Canada. It’s a real life-size attraction.
The other, with its four mountain hamlets, displays the beauty of its little wooded valleys and its alpine meadows framed by finely chiselled peaks. This is the Vars valley bathed by the Chagne stream and whose unique beauty is distinguished by the Eyssina Ridge.
Vars and the Val d’Escreins are on the border of the Southern Alpes and the Northern Alpes. The wildlife and vegetation reflect this north – south mix, unique in Europe, and thus the Val d’Escreins offers landscapes of a rare beauty.
Number of pistes: 115
Km of pistes: 185
Snowpark: 6
Sledge runs: 2 + New Sledge on rail
40 km of snowshoe trails and footpaths
Vars En Scène
Outdoormix Winter Festival: Third edition of this event combining outdoor sports, international freestyle / freeride competitions, and free concerts! Skiing, snowboarding, MBK, kayaking, highlining: a not-to-be-missed dynamic cocktail of energy, sport and good vibes!
Vars Winter Trail
Speed Ski World Cup
Speed Masters: World speed ski record attempt.
Gliss and Mix: A festive event in favour of the fight against Cancer.
Challenge of ski instructors in Vars: A unique snow challenge with over 3,000 participants, 35 competitions and 7 different disciplines, topped with a festive atmosphere and evening concerts. Don’t miss the ski instructors’ heart-stopping downhill race on Piste de Chabrières!
Cross-country skiing
Departing from the Fontbonne ski lift, this 4,5 km trail with a 347-metre incline leads to the top of Peynier at an altitude of 2,246 metres.
Fat Biking
Mountain biking on snow using bikes with massive tyres – is on the up and up! In Vars, less sporty guests can also join in the fun thanks to electrically-assisted bikes. You can practice your skills on 13.5 km of trails departing from Vars Sainte-Catherine, or with a guide at Domaine de Peyrol and on the Forest trails.
Le 16I150****SPA NUXE : an avant-garde spa experience in Vars
Make way for a new kind of spa experience! Set at the foot of the Olympic slope and fully-refurbished last summer, this Boutique Hotel & Spa offers 28 rooms & suites and « SKITCHEN » bistronomic restaurant, all decked out with memorabilia from the late Sixties. The « Refuge » apartment, suitable for 10 guests, is fitted with kingsize bunk beds. The hotel also boasts a 300 m2 NUXE Spa and wellness centre. Outside, expansive terraces set facing L’Eyssina welcome guests for a friendly, lounge-style lunch in the sunshine, barbecue parties and après-ski get-togethers around a brasero. Located 50 metres away, the Sainte-Marie ski lift offers direct access to 185 km of slopes at the FORÊT BLANCHE ski domain, spanning Vars and Risoul. Price: double room from €150 in low season. Refuge apartment €680 for 10 guests in peak season. +33 (0)6 15 09 30 00
Chalets for rent at the RÉSIDENCE CGH PANORAMA VARS 2000****
A CGH exclusive, the new apartment hotel CGH Panorama Vars 2000 will be offering chalets and half-chalets for rent (ideal for families and groups) in addition to its standard apartments. The first phase of 49 ready-to-ski apartments will be delivered just in time for Christmas, on December 21st, 2019.
