Montgenevre vs Vars: which should you book?
Book Montgenevre if you want the bigger linked ski area, easy access from Turin and the option to ski into Italy for lunch. Book Vars if you want a sunny, friendly, slightly cheaper family week on the Foret Blanche slopes. Montgenevre wins on ski area and access, Vars on value and a relaxed feel.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026
The short answer
Montgenevre wins for ski area size, snow and access, with the cross border Milky Way on its doorstep. Vars wins for value and a calmer family feel. For most skiers, Montgenevre edges it.
These two Hautes Alpes resorts both sell sunshine, value and family friendly slopes, but Montgenevre has the stronger hand. Montgenevre sits high at around 1,860 m on the Italian border and forms the French gateway to the vast Voie Lactee, or Milky Way, the cross border area shared with Sansicario, Sestriere and Claviere. Vars sits at around 1,850 m and links with Risoul to make the Foret Blanche, a respectable area of around 180 km with a sunny, family flavour.
If you want the bigger canvas, the novelty of skiing into Italy and the easiest run up from Turin, Montgenevre is the honest pick. If you want a slightly cheaper, quieter, very family friendly week and you do not need a huge area, Vars is a fine choice that many groups prefer. As a critic I rate Montgenevre higher for the scale and the border skiing, but Vars is the better value and I would not argue hard with anyone who chose it.
The numbers side by side
| Montgenevre | Vars | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | around 1,860 m | around 1,850 m |
| Top lift | around 2,600 m | around 2,750 m |
| Ski area | Around 100 km local, part of the Milky Way | Around 180 km linked with Risoul, the Foret Blanche |
| Terrain character | Sunny cruisers, cross border links | Sunny family groomers, a famous speed run |
| Village style | Traditional village plus modern base | Purpose built with a traditional old village nearby |
| Evening scene | Relaxed, a fair spread of bars | Quiet and family focused |
| Day pass | Around $40 to $50 | Around $40 to $50 |
| Nearest airport | Turin, roughly 1.5 hours | Turin or Marseille, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours |
The skiing
Both are sunny intermediate mountains, but Montgenevre has more to offer the curious skier. Its local area of around 100 km links across the border into the much larger Milky Way, so strong intermediates can rack up serious mileage and ski into Italy on a good day. Vars links with Risoul to form the Foret Blanche, around 180 km of mostly gentle, sunny terrain that is excellent for families and cruisers, plus a famous speed skiing run for the brave. For variety and scale Montgenevre wins, for easy family cruising Vars is its equal. Winner: Montgenevre for scope, Vars for gentle family terrain.
The village
Both blend old and new. Montgenevre has a traditional village core alongside a modernised base, with a pleasant pedestrian feel and a decent choice of places to eat. Vars is mostly purpose built at Vars les Claux, functional rather than charming, though the older village of Sainte Marie down the valley adds character. Montgenevre is the more attractive base overall. Winner: Montgenevre.
Cost
Both are good value compared with the big Tarentaise names. Vars is usually the cheaper week, with keen lodging prices and family deals that sit comfortably in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person range before flights. Montgenevre is reasonable too but tends to run a touch higher for its access and area. Winner: Vars on price.
Families
Both are strong family resorts and it is close. Vars is built around families, with gentle nursery areas, ski schools and a calm, contained feel that parents like. Montgenevre is also family friendly with good beginner terrain, and adds the bonus of more to grow into as children improve. Winner: a near tie, Vars for the youngest, Montgenevre for families who want room to progress.
Apres and evenings
Neither is a party town, but Montgenevre has the livelier evening, with a better spread of bars and restaurants and the buzz of a through route to Italy. Vars is quieter and more family focused, with a calm night the norm. For dining and a little life after skiing Montgenevre wins. Winner: Montgenevre.
Access
Montgenevre has the clear advantage, around an hour and a half from Turin on a straightforward approach, which makes short breaks easy. Vars is more out of the way, roughly two to two and a half hours from Turin or Marseille on slower valley roads. For convenience Montgenevre wins comfortably. Winner: Montgenevre.
The verdict
Book Montgenevre if you want the bigger linked area, easy access from Turin, a more attractive base and the fun of skiing across into Italy, which makes it the stronger all round choice for most groups. Book Vars if you want a sunny, friendly, slightly cheaper family week on the Foret Blanche and you do not need a vast area. Scale, access and village lean Montgenevre, value and calm lean Vars. Read our full reviews of Montgenevre and Vars before you book.
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Common questions
Is Montgenevre or Vars better for skiing?
Montgenevre has the edge for variety, with a local area of around 100 km that links across the border into the much larger Milky Way. Vars links with Risoul to form the Foret Blanche, around 180 km of mostly gentle, sunny terrain that is superb for families and cruisers.
Can you ski into Italy from Montgenevre?
Yes. Montgenevre is the French gateway to the cross border Voie Lactee, or Milky Way, so on a good day strong intermediates can ski over to the Italian side toward Claviere and Sansicario. It is one of the resort's best features.
Which is cheaper, Montgenevre or Vars?
Vars is usually the cheaper week, with keen lodging prices and family deals that sit comfortably in the under $2,000 to $4,000 per person range before flights. Montgenevre is reasonable too but tends to run a touch higher for its access and area.
Which is better for families, Montgenevre or Vars?
It is close. Vars is built around families with gentle nursery areas and a calm, contained feel. Montgenevre is also family friendly and adds more terrain for children to grow into. Vars suits the youngest, Montgenevre suits families wanting room to progress.
Which is easier to reach, Montgenevre or Vars?
Montgenevre, clearly. It sits around an hour and a half from Turin on a straightforward approach. Vars is more out of the way, roughly two to two and a half hours from Turin or Marseille on slower valley roads.
Which has the nicer village?
Montgenevre, narrowly. It blends a traditional core with a modernised, pedestrian friendly base and a decent choice of restaurants. Vars is mostly purpose built and functional, though the old village of Sainte Marie nearby adds some character.