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Vars and Ski (France)

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The mountains above the villages of Sainte Marie and Sainte Catherine at the arrival of Peyrol chairlift (La Mayt peak 2580 m)

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The mountains above the villages of Sainte Marie and Sainte Catherine at the arrival of Peyrol chairlift (La Mayt peak 2580 m)

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Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m), slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)

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Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m), slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)

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The slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m) linking the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) with Les Claux lifts (1900 m)

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The slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m) linking the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) with Les Claux lifts (1900 m)

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Sainte Marie (1650 m). The final part of the Olympic slope down under the chairlift of Mount La Mayt (2580 m)

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Sainte Marie (1650 m). The final part of the Olympic slope down under the chairlift of Mount La Mayt (2580 m)

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Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m). Departure of the chairlift that goes up to Mount Mayt (2580 m)

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Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m). Departure of the chairlift that goes up to Mount Mayt (2580 m)

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Peynier ski lift in the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) that up on Mount Peynier (2273 m)

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Peynier ski lift in the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) that up on Mount Peynier (2273 m)

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The village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m), seen from the slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)

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The village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m), seen from the slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)

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Mount Peynier (2273 m). The valley that leads to the Vars Pass

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Mount Peynier (2273 m). The valley that leads to the Vars Pass

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The slopes of Les Claux

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The slopes of Les Claux

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The village of Les Claux (1900 m)

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The village of Les Claux (1900 m)

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Vars Les Claux. Arrival of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)

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Vars Les Claux. Arrival of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)

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Vars Les Claux. Slopes of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)

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Vars Les Claux. Slopes of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)

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The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents

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The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents

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The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents

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The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents

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The slopes of the chairlift leading to the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)

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The slopes of the chairlift leading to the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)

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The jumps of the free style on the slopes of the lifts that go up the mountain Crevoux

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The jumps of the free style on the slopes of the lifts that go up the mountain Crevoux

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Arrival at the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)

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Arrival at the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)

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View from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m) and Serre Ponçon lake in the valley

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View from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m) and Serre Ponçon lake in the valley

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The slope that descends from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)

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The slope that descends from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)

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Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m), the speed skiing slope

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Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m), the speed skiing slope

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Speed skiing slope. First 400 m used to gain speed, the speed is measured on the next 100 m, last 500 m are used to stop

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Speed skiing slope. First 400 m used to gain speed, the speed is measured on the next 100 m, last 500 m are used to stop

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The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)

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The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)

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The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)

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The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)

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The restaurant on the top of Mount Mayt (2580 m)

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The restaurant on the top of Mount Mayt (2580 m)

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Off-piste from Razis Peak (2575 m)

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Off-piste from Razis Peak (2575 m)

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The slopes that descend on the mountain side towards the village of Risoul

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The slopes that descend on the mountain side towards the village of Risoul

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Given the vastness of the ski resort, along the slopes there are signposts indicating the tracks to follow

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Given the vastness of the ski resort, along the slopes there are signposts indicating the tracks to follow

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The high slopes on the mountain side of the village of Risoul

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The high slopes on the mountain side of the village of Risoul

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The high slopes on the mountain side of Risoul village

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The high slopes on the mountain side of Risoul village

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Slopes and off-piste on the mountain side of Risoul village

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Slopes and off-piste on the mountain side of Risoul village

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Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)

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Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)

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Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)

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Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)

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Connection facilities between the slopes of Vars and Risoul

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Connection facilities between the slopes of Vars and Risoul

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High up on the Risoul side, the mountain allows long off-piste descents

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High up on the Risoul side, the mountain allows long off-piste descents

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Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area

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Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area

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Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area

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Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area

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Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area

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Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area

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One of the many tourist signs that frame the mountains of Vars

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One of the many tourist signs that frame the mountains of Vars

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Where is Vars

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Where is Vars

The mountains above the villages of Sainte Marie and Sainte Catherine at the arrival of Peyrol chairlift (La Mayt peak 2580 m)
The mountains above the villages of Sainte Marie and Sainte Catherine at the arrival of Peyrol chairlift (La Mayt peak 2580 m)
Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m), slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)
Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m), slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m). Just above the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
Glimpses of the village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m)
The slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m) linking the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) with Les Claux lifts (1900 m)
The slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m) linking the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) with Les Claux lifts (1900 m)
Sainte Marie (1650 m). The final part of the Olympic slope down under the chairlift of Mount La Mayt (2580 m)
Sainte Marie (1650 m). The final part of the Olympic slope down under the chairlift of Mount La Mayt (2580 m)
Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m). Departure of the chairlift that goes up to Mount Mayt (2580 m)
Village of Sainte Marie (1650 m). Departure of the chairlift that goes up to Mount Mayt (2580 m)
Peynier ski lift in the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) that up on Mount Peynier (2273 m)
Peynier ski lift in the village of Sainte Marie (1650 m) that up on Mount Peynier (2273 m)
The village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m), seen from the slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)
The village of Sainte Catherine (1790 m), seen from the slopes on Mount Peynier (2273 m)
Mount Peynier (2273 m). The valley that leads to the Vars Pass
Mount Peynier (2273 m). The valley that leads to the Vars Pass
The slopes of Les Claux
The slopes of Les Claux
The village of Les Claux (1900 m)
The village of Les Claux (1900 m)
Vars Les Claux. Arrival of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)
Vars Les Claux. Arrival of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)
Vars Les Claux. Slopes of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)
Vars Les Claux. Slopes of the Sibieres chairlift (2251 m)
The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents
The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents
The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents
The rocky chain of Mount Crevoux, site of free ride descents
The slopes of the chairlift leading to the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)
The slopes of the chairlift leading to the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)
The jumps of the free style on the slopes of the lifts that go up the mountain Crevoux
The jumps of the free style on the slopes of the lifts that go up the mountain Crevoux
Arrival at the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)
Arrival at the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)
View from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m) and Serre Ponçon lake in the valley
View from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m) and Serre Ponçon lake in the valley
The slope that descends from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)
The slope that descends from the Col de Crevoux (2530 m)
Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m), the speed skiing slope
Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m), the speed skiing slope
Speed skiing slope. First 400 m used to gain speed, the speed is measured on the next 100 m, last 500 m are used to stop
Speed skiing slope. First 400 m used to gain speed, the speed is measured on the next 100 m, last 500 m are used to stop
The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)
The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)
The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)
The slopes that descend towards the village of Risoul from La Mayt peak (2580 m)
The restaurant on the top of Mount Mayt (2580 m)
The restaurant on the top of Mount Mayt (2580 m)
Off-piste from Razis Peak (2575 m)
Off-piste from Razis Peak (2575 m)
The slopes that descend on the mountain side towards the village of Risoul
The slopes that descend on the mountain side towards the village of Risoul
Given the vastness of the ski resort, along the slopes there are signposts indicating the tracks to follow
Given the vastness of the ski resort, along the slopes there are signposts indicating the tracks to follow
The high slopes on the mountain side of the village of Risoul
The high slopes on the mountain side of the village of Risoul
The high slopes on the mountain side of Risoul village
The high slopes on the mountain side of Risoul village
Slopes and off-piste on the mountain side of Risoul village
Slopes and off-piste on the mountain side of Risoul village
Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)
Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)
Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)
Arrival at the highest point reached by the ski facilities, Pic de Chabrieres (2750 m)
Connection facilities between the slopes of Vars and Risoul
Connection facilities between the slopes of Vars and Risoul
High up on the Risoul side, the mountain allows long off-piste descents
High up on the Risoul side, the mountain allows long off-piste descents
Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area
Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area
Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area
Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area
Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area
Stop for lunch at the Pointe du Razis refuge, one of the many eating places on the slopes of the ski area
One of the many tourist signs that frame the mountains of Vars
One of the many tourist signs that frame the mountains of Vars
Where is Vars
Where is Vars

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France - Travel - Back to index

By: Carlo Piccinelli

ID: 120

Vars on Google Maps.
The ski area that from the Durance river valley ends at the Colle di Vars includes the villages of Saint Marcellin and Saint Catherine which are the historical part of the valley and the villages of Sainte Marie, site of the facilities that allow you to get off the Olympic track used for the training sessions during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and the modern and dynamic Les Claux center with hotels, restaurants, shops and clubs where you can spend happy evenings. In this valley there are dozens of ski facilities including gondola lifts, chairlifts and ski lifts that connect the valley with another ski resort, that of Risoul developing hundreds of kilometers slopes giving way to even ski off-piste in complete safety.

What made Vars famous is not so much skiing but skiing speed records (254,958 km / h by Ivan Origone), snowboarding (203,275 km / h by Edmond Plawczyk) and bike (227 km / h by Eric Baron) on the famous speed track that almost vertically descends from Mount Chabrieres (2750 m). A ski resort for everyone, from families to those looking for pure adrenaline.
Links for more informations:
Tourism Office: www.vars.com
Ski resort Vars/Risoul: www.skiresort.info/ski-resort