Vars
Vars is about 302 km from Geneva Airport, a drive of around 3 h 55 min, usually via the Fréjus Tunnel, Montgenèvre and Briançon, then south down the Durance valley to Guillestre and up to the resort. Vars shares the Forêt Blanche ski area with Risoul, one of the larger domains of the southern French Alps. AirportsTransfers.ch provides private transfers to Vars at a fixed price per vehicle.
- Distance from GVA: about 302 km
- Drive time: around 3 h 55 min
- Border crossing: into France, through Italy via the Fréjus Tunnel, back into France at Montgenèvre
- Ski area: Forêt Blanche, linked with Risoul
- Suits: intermediates, freeriders, groups and sun-seekers
Getting there from Geneva Airport
The usual route heads south from Geneva to Chambéry and up the Maurienne on the A43, then through the Fréjus Tunnel into Italy. From Oulx you climb to Montgenèvre, cross back into France and descend to Briançon. From there the road follows the Durance valley south past the fortress of Mont-Dauphin to Guillestre.
At Guillestre you turn east onto the road towards the Col de Vars, which climbs through the hamlets of Vars-Sainte-Marie and Vars-Sainte-Catherine to Vars-Les Claux, the main resort. The climb is steady and can be snowy; the col beyond is a high pass, but the resort itself is reached before the top. An alternative via Grenoble and the Lautaret is sometimes used when the Fréjus is busy.
The Forêt Blanche ski area
Vars and Risoul together form the Forêt Blanche, a large linked ski area spread across both sides of a ridge. The slopes around Vars range from open, high bowls to tree-lined runs through larch forest, with long blues and reds for intermediates and plenty of opportunities for exploring. With a single lift pass, you can ski over to Risoul and back in a day.
Vars is also known for its speed skiing track on the Chabrières slope, where world records in the discipline have been set. Freeriders appreciate the variety of off-piste terrain after storms, and the resort has a reputation for its snow parks. As always, take a guide before heading away from the marked runs.
The villages
Vars has several distinct parts. The old hamlets of Sainte-Marie and Sainte-Catherine keep stone houses and churches, while Vars-Les Claux, higher up, is the modern resort with most of the hotels, apartments, shops and restaurants close to the lifts. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a mix of French families and international visitors.
The surrounding area is rich in heritage. Mont-Dauphin, near Guillestre, is a Vauban fortress listed by UNESCO, and the Queyras Regional Natural Park, just to the east, offers quiet villages and winter walking.
When to go
The season usually runs from December to April. The southern Alps are known for their sunny climate, and Vars often benefits from storms coming from Italy as well as from the west, which can bring big snowfalls. January is cold and calm, February busy with French school holidays, and March bright and pleasant, with long days on the slopes.
Spring snow on the sunny slopes can soften in the afternoon, so plan the higher runs for the morning.
Because the Forêt Blanche lies further south than the big Savoie resorts, it often catches different weather systems. A winter that is lean in the northern Alps can be generous here, and the reverse is also true, so it pays to look at the snow reports for the southern Alps specifically rather than relying on general forecasts for the French mountains.
Practical tips
This is a longer transfer than the Savoie resorts, so plan your arrival time with care. Saturdays during French school holidays can be slow, both on the A43 and in the Durance valley. Carry valid travel documents for everyone, as the usual route passes through Italy.
Groups with skis often prefer a van or minibus for comfort on the longer drive. For the return, allow around four and a half hours to Geneva Airport, more after snowfall on the road down to Guillestre.
Book your transfer
With AirportsTransfers.ch, you see the fixed price for the vehicle before paying and settle online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur meets you after arrivals with a name sign and tracks your flight, so delays are covered with waiting included. Choose an E-Class for three passengers with three bags, an S-Class for extra comfort on this longer journey, a V-Class for up to seven passengers with skis, or a Sprinter for a group.
Declare skis and snowboards at booking, ask for child seats if needed and add the return trip in the same order. Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77 at any time.
