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Forecast today: Mainly cloudy
- Max temp: -1.3 °c
- Min temp: -7.7 °c
- Last snowed: Thu 22 Jan
The combined Vars/Risoul ski area has 185km of pistes which offer skiing and boarding for all abilities.
Beginners have plenty of areas to learn their skills around the bases of Vars and Risoul. Intermediates need to head further up the mountain to find the majority of the blue runs – the Col Des Saluces in particular has a great range of blues. There are also plenty of red runs; the steepest of these drop from the summit of the mountain. Whilst there are a few black pistes, advanced skiers will have to head off piste for a real challenge – the Eyssina and Chabrières areas have a over a hundred skiable couloirs.
Vars has a lot of purpose-built apartments from the 1970s and, despite recent improvements, is still not the prettiest resort. Most of the accommodation is in self-catering apartments, making the resort perfect for families. Turin is the closest airport to Vars and is just under a three hour drive away.
Resort website: www.vars.com
Pros and cons
- Attractive, family-friendly resorts
- Reasonably snow-sure and with lots of treelined runs
- Among the cheapest resorts in the French Alps
- Still mainly draglifts and slow old chairs, though a few fast ones
- Few on-piste challenges for experts
- Little to do off the slopes
Top (2683m)
| Sat 24 Jan | Sun 25 Jan | Mon 26 Jan | Tue 27 Jan | Wed 28 Jan | Thu 29 Jan | Fri 30 Jan | Sat 31 Jan | Sun 1 Feb | Mon 2 Feb | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly cloudy |
 Occasional snow |
Light snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |  Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair |  Snow |
Snow |
Snow | Light snow |
Occasional snow |
Snow grains | Generally clear |
Snow grains |
Snow grains | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Generally clear |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
| Wind |  |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 2.4 cm | 5.2 cm | 1.3 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.4 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 6.8 cm | 17.7 cm | 19.4 cm | 4.9 cm | 1.9 cm | 0.6 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.6 cm | 4.4 cm | 2.6 cm | 1.5 cm | 1 cm | 1.9 cm | 1.1 cm | 0.7 cm | 1.6 cm | 1.7 cm |
| Max temp | -7.5°c | -7.5°c | -7.2°c | -7.8°c | -7.4°c | -9°c | -7.4°c | -7°c | -9.2°c | -4.7°c | -4.5°c | -4.6°c | -6.3°c | -6.5°c | -8.6°c | -6.4°c | -6.2°c | -8.5°c | -5.7°c | -5.6°c | -7.4°c | -6.5°c | -6.5°c | -8°c | -6.3°c | -6.3°c | -8.1°c | -6.2°c | -6.1°c | -7.2°c |
| Min temp | -9.6°c | -9.8°c | -8.8°c | -10.2°c | -9.4°c | -9.6°c | -11.1°c | -10.3°c | -10.2°c | -7.4°c | -5.2°c | -5°c | -6.9°c | -8.9°c | -9.7°c | -10.9°c | -9°c | -9°c | -8.5°c | -7.5°c | -7.8°c | -8.1°c | -8.2°c | -8.9°c | -9.1°c | -8.3°c | -9.9°c | -10.6°c | -7.9°c | -7.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -16.3°c | -14°c | -15.3°c | -10°c | -12.5°c | -14.7°c | -16°c | -12°c | -15.4°c | -12.1°c | -10.5°c | -10.8°c | -11.9°c | -10.9°c | -14°c | -15.3°c | -10.8°c | -14.4°c | -14.6°c | -11.6°c | -13.2°c | -12.9°c | -11.1°c | -13.5°c | -9.1°c | -6.4°c | -8.1°c | -10.6°c | -6.2°c | -7.6°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly cloudy |
Occasional snow |
Light snow |
| Wind | |
|
|
| Snow expected | 0 cm | 2.4 cm | 5.2 cm |
| Max temp | -7.5°c | -7.5°c | -7.2°c |
| Min temp | -9.6°c | -9.8°c | -8.8°c |
| Feels like temp | -16.3°c | -14°c | -15.3°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 1.3 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.4 cm |
| Max temp | -7.8°c | -7.4°c | -9°c |
| Min temp | -10.2°c | -9.4°c | -9.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -10°c | -12.5°c | -14.7°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Generally clear |
Mainly fair |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -7.4°c | -7°c | -9.2°c |
| Min temp | -11.1°c | -10.3°c | -10.2°c |
| Feels like temp | -16°c | -12°c | -15.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Snow |
Snow |
Snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 6.8 cm | 17.7 cm | 19.4 cm |
| Max temp | -4.7°c | -4.5°c | -4.6°c |
| Min temp | -7.4°c | -5.2°c | -5°c |
| Feels like temp | -12.1°c | -10.5°c | -10.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Light snow |
Occasional snow |
Snow grains |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 4.9 cm | 1.9 cm | 0.6 cm |
| Max temp | -6.3°c | -6.5°c | -8.6°c |
| Min temp | -6.9°c | -8.9°c | -9.7°c |
| Feels like temp | -11.9°c | -10.9°c | -14°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Generally clear |
Snow grains |
Snow grains |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.2 cm | 0.4 cm | 0.8 cm |
| Max temp | -6.4°c | -6.2°c | -8.5°c |
| Min temp | -10.9°c | -9°c | -9°c |
| Feels like temp | -15.3°c | -10.8°c | -14.4°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.8 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.6 cm |
| Max temp | -5.7°c | -5.6°c | -7.4°c |
| Min temp | -8.5°c | -7.5°c | -7.8°c |
| Feels like temp | -14.6°c | -11.6°c | -13.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 4.4 cm | 2.6 cm | 1.5 cm |
| Max temp | -6.5°c | -6.5°c | -8°c |
| Min temp | -8.1°c | -8.2°c | -8.9°c |
| Feels like temp | -12.9°c | -11.1°c | -13.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 1 cm | 1.9 cm | 1.1 cm |
| Max temp | -6.3°c | -6.3°c | -8.1°c |
| Min temp | -9.1°c | -8.3°c | -9.9°c |
| Feels like temp | -9.1°c | -6.4°c | -8.1°c |
Resort (1853m)
| Sat 24 Jan | Sun 25 Jan | Mon 26 Jan | Tue 27 Jan | Wed 28 Jan | Thu 29 Jan | Fri 30 Jan | Sat 31 Jan | Sun 1 Feb | Mon 2 Feb | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | Mainly cloudy |
Light snow shwr |
Occasional snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Mainly fair |
 Clear skies |
Mainly fair | Snow |
Snow |
Snow | Light snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Partly cloudy |
Snow grains |
Snow grains | Light snow shwr |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Light snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow | Generally clear |
Occasional snow |
Occasional snow |
| Wind |  |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 1.5 cm | 3 cm | 1.3 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.6 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm | 5.8 cm | 13.7 cm | 17.2 cm | 4.6 cm | 1.8 cm | 0.5 cm | 0.2 cm | 0.4 cm | 1 cm | 0.9 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.7 cm | 4.2 cm | 1.9 cm | 1.3 cm | 0.7 cm | 1.6 cm | 1.1 cm | 0.7 cm | 1.4 cm | 1.8 cm |
| Max temp | -2°c | -1.3°c | -4.4°c | -2.3°c | -2°c | -5.5°c | -2.1°c | -1.7°c | -8.2°c | -0.2°c | 0.3°c | -0.9°c | -1.8°c | -1.6°c | -5.8°c | -1.5°c | -1.3°c | -6.5°c | -1.3°c | -1.1°c | -4.7°c | -1.7°c | -1.4°c | -4.7°c | -1.3°c | -1.2°c | -5.3°c | -1.3°c | -1.2°c | -5°c |
| Min temp | -7.7°c | -4.4°c | -5°c | -8.3°c | -5.5°c | -6.6°c | -9.2°c | -8.2°c | -9.4°c | -6.3°c | -1°c | -1.9°c | -4.6°c | -5.8°c | -8.3°c | -9.6°c | -6.5°c | -7.3°c | -7°c | -4.7°c | -6°c | -6.2°c | -4.7°c | -7°c | -7.3°c | -5.3°c | -8.3°c | -8.9°c | -5°c | -5.7°c |
| Feels like temp | -12.3°c | -5.2°c | -8°c | -7.7°c | -2.3°c | -5.5°c | -9.1°c | -2.1°c | -8.2°c | -6.3°c | -0.2°c | -3.6°c | -4°c | -1.9°c | -5.8°c | -9.6°c | -1.5°c | -6.5°c | -7°c | -1.3°c | -4.7°c | -6.1°c | -1.7°c | -4.7°c | -7.3°c | -1.3°c | -5.3°c | -8.9°c | -1.3°c | -5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 1.5 cm | 3 cm |
| Max temp | -2°c | -1.3°c | -4.4°c |
| Min temp | -7.7°c | -4.4°c | -5°c |
| Feels like temp | -12.3°c | -5.2°c | -8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 1.3 cm | 0.8 cm | 0.6 cm |
| Max temp | -2.3°c | -2°c | -5.5°c |
| Min temp | -8.3°c | -5.5°c | -6.6°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.7°c | -2.3°c | -5.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0 cm | 0 cm | 0 cm |
| Max temp | -2.1°c | -1.7°c | -8.2°c |
| Min temp | -9.2°c | -8.2°c | -9.4°c |
| Feels like temp | -9.1°c | -2.1°c | -8.2°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 5.8 cm | 13.7 cm | 17.2 cm |
| Max temp | -0.2°c | 0.3°c | -0.9°c |
| Min temp | -6.3°c | -1°c | -1.9°c |
| Feels like temp | -6.3°c | -0.2°c | -3.6°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 4.6 cm | 1.8 cm | 0.5 cm |
| Max temp | -1.8°c | -1.6°c | -5.8°c |
| Min temp | -4.6°c | -5.8°c | -8.3°c |
| Feels like temp | -4°c | -1.9°c | -5.8°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.2 cm | 0.4 cm | 1 cm |
| Max temp | -1.5°c | -1.3°c | -6.5°c |
| Min temp | -9.6°c | -6.5°c | -7.3°c |
| Feels like temp | -9.6°c | -1.5°c | -6.5°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.9 cm | 0.7 cm | 0.7 cm |
| Max temp | -1.3°c | -1.1°c | -4.7°c |
| Min temp | -7°c | -4.7°c | -6°c |
| Feels like temp | -7°c | -1.3°c | -4.7°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 4.2 cm | 1.9 cm | 1.3 cm |
| Max temp | -1.7°c | -1.4°c | -4.7°c |
| Min temp | -6.2°c | -4.7°c | -7°c |
| Feels like temp | -6.1°c | -1.7°c | -4.7°c |
| AM | PM | Night | |
| Weather | |
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| Wind | |
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| Snow expected | 0.7 cm | 1.6 cm | 1.1 cm |
| Max temp | -1.3°c | -1.2°c | -5.3°c |
| Min temp | -7.3°c | -5.3°c | -8.3°c |
| Feels like temp | -7.3°c | -1.3°c | -5.3°c |
Resort Conditions
| Snowfall | Last Snowfall | 22/01/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Next 3 days | 55.3 cm | |
| Depths | Upper piste depth | 120 cm |
| Lower piste depth | 78 cm | |
| Snow conditions | Snow quality | New snow |
| Lifts | Lifts open | 34 out of 34 |
| Resort opening date | Sat 06 Dec 2025 | |
| Resort closing date | Sun 12 Apr 2026 |
France
Updated 22/01
A promising week is in store for the French Alps, as the freezing line prepares to take a long walk off a short pier and plummet to finish off the week, as unsettled weather moves in at the same time. Snowfall already falling over the Alps will therefore being to reach lower slopes over the course of Thursday.
Friday will dawn cold as the freezing line hits 500m, and whilst it will recover over the course of the day it won’t climb too far above 1,500m. Snow will begin with flurries throughout the afternoon, then will continue for much of this forecast period. Around half-a-foot will fall over each of Saturday, Sunday and Monday, before the taps open on Tuesday and around 2ft of snowfall could be expected across higher ground – the freezing line will climb to 2,000m thereby limiting this snowfall across lower slopes, before falling again as Tuesday draws to a close.
This snow will fall on a persistent weak layer avalanche problem that has already caused havoc across the French Alps in previous weeks; expect the avalanche risk to climb considerably over this period. Check your local avalanche forecast and plan off piste and backcountry travel carefully.
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