Aussois vs Saint Sorlin d Arves: which should you book?
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Saint Sorlin d Arves wins on size through the 310 km Les Sybelles link. Aussois wins on quiet, scenery and beginner friendly calm. Both are sunny, good value Maurienne resorts.
Aussois and Saint Sorlin d Arves are both sunny, good value family resorts in the Maurienne valley of Savoie, but they differ sharply in scale. Aussois is a small, traditional Haute Maurienne village with a compact, beginner friendly area and lovely scenery. Saint Sorlin d Arves plugs into Les Sybelles, a huge linked domain that dwarfs anything Aussois can offer. The numbers are below.
The numbers side by side
| Aussois | Saint Sorlin d Arves | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | around 1,500 m | around 1,600 m |
| Top lift | around 2,750 m | around 2,600 m |
| Ski area | Aussois, around 55 km | Les Sybelles, around 310 km |
| Snow reliability | 3 to 4 of 5, sunny and high | 3 to 4 of 5, sunny, snowmaking |
| Terrain bias | Gentle greens and blues, beginner | Blues and reds across a big link |
| Village character | Traditional Haute Maurienne village | Traditional village, Sybelles gateway |
| Best for | Beginners, quiet, scenery | Intermediates wanting mileage, value |
| Day pass | around $35 | around $45 for Les Sybelles |
| Nearest airport | Chambery or Turin, roughly 1h 45m to 2h 30m | Chambery or Lyon, roughly 2h to 2h 30m |
The skiing
Saint Sorlin d Arves wins on terrain by a wide margin. As a gateway to Les Sybelles it offers around 310 km of linked, mostly blue and red cruising, against Aussois' compact roughly 55 km. Aussois' area is sunny and beginner friendly but small, so confident intermediates will ski it out in a day or two. Winner: Saint Sorlin, decisively, on size.
Snow
Both are reasonable for the Maurienne at about 3 to 4 of 5, sunny and reliant on a mix of altitude and snowmaking. Aussois sits high and holds its compact area well, while the Sybelles spreads across sunny slopes that need grooming and snowmaking to stay good. Winner: a draw.
The village
Both are pleasant, traditional Maurienne villages. Aussois is quieter, prettier and more intimate, with a strong sense of place in the Haute Maurienne, while Saint Sorlin is a working village geared to Sybelles access. Winner: Aussois, narrowly, on charm and calm.
Cost
Both are clear value, but Aussois is the cheaper option with a day pass around $35 and modest village prices. Saint Sorlin's Sybelles pass at around $45 buys far more terrain, so it is better value per kilometer for active skiers. Winner: Aussois on outright price, Saint Sorlin on value per piste.
Families and beginners
Aussois is the better beginner resort, with gentle, sunny nursery slopes and a calm, easy village ideal for first timers and young families. Saint Sorlin suits families who want room to progress across the Sybelles. Winner: Aussois for beginners, Saint Sorlin for improving families.
Apres and evenings
Neither is a nightlife resort, and both keep quiet, family oriented evenings. Saint Sorlin has slightly more choice thanks to its busier Sybelles trade. Winner: Saint Sorlin, modestly.
Access
Access is broadly similar, both roughly two to two and a half hours from Chambery, Lyon or Turin. Aussois is a little closer for those flying into Turin. Winner: a draw.
The verdict
Book Saint Sorlin d Arves for the mileage, plugging into the around 310 km Les Sybelles link for sunny intermediate cruising at good value. Book Aussois for a quieter, prettier, beginner friendly week in the scenic Haute Maurienne, the better choice for first timers and travelers who prize calm. For more in this valley, compare Aussois vs La Norma, Aussois vs La Toussuire and Bonneval sur Arc vs Saint Sorlin d Arves, or browse France destinations.
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Common questions
Which has more skiing, Aussois or Saint Sorlin d Arves?
Saint Sorlin d Arves, by a wide margin. It is a gateway to Les Sybelles at around 310 km of linked pistes, against Aussois' compact roughly 55 km.
Which is better for beginners?
Aussois. It has gentle, sunny nursery slopes and a calm, easy village ideal for first timers and young families. Saint Sorlin suits families ready to progress across a bigger area.
Which is better value?
Aussois is cheaper outright with a day pass around $35. Saint Sorlin's Sybelles pass at around $45 buys far more terrain, so it offers better value per kilometer for active skiers.
Does Saint Sorlin d Arves connect to other resorts?
Yes. It is one of several gateways to Les Sybelles, which links villages including La Toussuire, Le Corbier and Les Bottieres into around 310 km of pistes on one pass.
Which has the nicer village?
Both are traditional Maurienne villages. Aussois is quieter, prettier and more intimate in the Haute Maurienne, while Saint Sorlin is a working village geared to Sybelles access.
How snow sure are they?
Both are reasonable for the Maurienne at about 3 to 4 of 5, sunny and dependent on a mix of altitude and snowmaking. Target January to early March for the best cover.