Les Orres vs Vars: which should you book?
Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Vars wins on size, altitude and atmosphere thanks to the Foret Blanche link with Risoul. Les Orres wins on value, quiet and forested family charm. Both are sunny and family friendly.
Les Orres and Vars are neighbors in spirit if not on the same lift system, two snow sure Hautes Alpes resorts built for families and intermediate cruising. Vars is the larger and higher of the two, joined to Risoul as the Foret Blanche. Les Orres is the smaller, tree lined option above the Serre Poncon lake, prized for value and calm. The numbers are side by side below.
The numbers side by side
| Les Orres | Vars | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | around 1,650 m | around 1,850 m |
| Top lift | around 2,700 m | around 2,750 m |
| Ski area | Les Orres, around 100 km | Foret Blanche with Risoul, around 180 km |
| Snow reliability | 3 to 4 of 5, snowmaking | 4 of 5, high and snowmaking |
| Terrain bias | Greens, blues and reds, forested | Blues, reds and some steeper pitches |
| Village character | Purpose built, quiet, wooded | Purpose built base plus old hamlets |
| Best for | Quiet families, value | Families wanting size and buzz |
| Day pass | around $40 | around $50 for the Foret Blanche |
| Nearest airport | Marseille or Turin, roughly 2h 30m to 3h | Turin or Marseille, roughly 2h 30m to 3h |
The skiing
Vars wins on terrain because the Foret Blanche link with Risoul opens around 180 km, nearly double Les Orres' roughly 100 km. Vars also has a little more pitch, including the famous speed skiing run, while Les Orres is gentler and more forested. Both suit intermediates and families, but Vars gives you far more to explore. Winner: Vars, on size and variety.
Snow
Both are good for the Southern Alps. Vars sits slightly higher near 1,850 m and benefits from the larger high altitude Foret Blanche, holding snow a touch better, while Les Orres relies more on snowmaking for its lower forested runs. Winner: Vars, marginally.
The village
Les Orres is quiet and wooded, a calm purpose built resort that rarely feels busy. Vars is a mix of a larger purpose built base at Les Claux and pretty old stone hamlets lower down, with more life but more bustle. Winner: a draw, Les Orres for calm, Vars for choice.
Cost
Les Orres is the better value, with a day pass around $40 and generally cheaper lodging and dining than the larger Vars and its Foret Blanche pass at around $50. For a budget conscious family, Les Orres stretches further. Winner: Les Orres.
Families and beginners
Both are strong family resorts with good nursery areas and ski schools. Les Orres' sheltered, forested layout is reassuring for young children, while Vars offers more terrain for improving families to grow into. Winner: a draw, Les Orres for little ones, Vars for progression.
Apres and evenings
Neither is rowdy, but Vars has a broader spread of bars and restaurants across its base and the Risoul link, so evenings have a little more going on. Les Orres is quieter and more self contained. Winner: Vars, modestly.
Access
Access is roughly equal, around two and a half to three hours from Marseille or Turin for both. Neither has a short transfer, so plan for a travel heavy arrival day. Winner: a draw.
The verdict
Book Vars for the bigger, livelier week, with around 180 km of Foret Blanche terrain shared with Risoul and a touch more snow at altitude. Book Les Orres for a calmer, better value family week in the trees above the lake. To weigh the wider area, see Les Orres vs Risoul, La Grave vs Vars and Praloup vs Vars, or browse France destinations.
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Common questions
Which has more skiing, Les Orres or Vars?
Vars. Through the Foret Blanche link with Risoul it offers around 180 km of pistes, nearly double the roughly 100 km at Les Orres.
Which is better value?
Les Orres, by a clear margin. Its day pass is around $40 against roughly $50 for the Foret Blanche, and lodging and dining tend to be cheaper too.
Are both good for families?
Yes. Les Orres is quieter and forested, ideal for young children, while Vars has more terrain for improving families. Both have good nursery slopes and ski schools.
Which is more snow sure?
Both are good for the Southern Alps at about 3 to 4 of 5. Vars holds a slight edge thanks to its higher base and the larger high altitude Foret Blanche.
Do they share a lift pass?
No. Les Orres is its own area. Vars shares the Foret Blanche pass with neighboring Risoul, which is part of why it offers more terrain.
How do you get there?
Both are roughly two and a half to three hours from Marseille or Turin airports, so expect a travel heavy arrival day either way.