Risoul

eVeNtInE

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Diemos

I've been there many times, I'll be happy to give you any advice I can.

Were are you staying?
The resort is very beginner friendly, lift lines are almost non existent.
Food is pretty bad though, most restaurants are awful.
It's linked to Vars and together they make a pretty large ski area. More that enough to keep you busy for a week or 2.

If you have any questions please let me know I'll answer them if I can.

eVeNtInE

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Diemos

Ok, that I can help with:

Aim for 2 people more than you want, if there are 4 of you book a 6 bed, if there are 2 of you book a 4.
Make sense?
Most apartments include a double sofa bed, it's not nice having to tip toe past people to use the bathroom, or if they want an early night, everyone has to go to bed. So just get a bigger place, prices are very cheap, adding 2 beds won't break the bank and in my opinion is well worth the money.

I have stayed in:

Les MÉLEZES - - Avoid, party central in Grotte du Yeti beneath it, unless you plan on being one of the gang partying all night. Also it's pretty run down. Practically ski in, ski out.

CASIOPÉE - - 2 minute walk form the slopes, quiet but pretty run down.

BALCONS DE SIRIUS - - Best I've been to, a little more expensive but well worth it in my opinion, nicer fixtures and fittings, quieter (we were up high which may have helped.) Has a sauna and jacuzzi. Practically ski in, ski out.

All of them will charge you for towels, so bring that and make sure you clean the apartment and leave it exactly as you found it, we've never had a problem in Risoul but in my experience French apartment owners love charging for cleaning.

There is a new place, which I think is called Résidence Antares which is almost across the street from Balcons.

As fopr ski school, I would try skicool, it's a small resort and you don't have much choice it's them or ESF. If you are renting gear, get a combo package of rental and lessons, save some cash.

Here is the village and ski liifts:

I dont know

@Diemos
I see in another post you've also stayed in Vars,
Four of us just booked to go there on 16th March for a week. We got a decent deal staying at Hameau des Rennes Apartments, Vars-les-Claux.
We haven't sorted ski hire or ski pass yet.

Would appreciate any tips or advice you could give on the resort. I've searched the forums and trip advisor etc and theres not an awful lot of info on Vars or our apartments

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.

Diemos

eVeNtInE - Never been to Albiez, so I can't help, sorry.

I don't know - Vars is a lovely little village, be careful with your transfer though, Vars St Marie is right next to it, all part of the same resort but if you are renting a car etc. ending up on the wrong village is an easy mistake to make.

I don't know the name of the place we stayed in Vars, sorry, but in my opinion Vars has nicer restaurants and amenities than Risoul, but like Risoul, don't expect much by way of night-life.
As for the slopes, Vars has a much better park than Risoul, it's not that large so make sure you get a pass which encompasses the entire Foret Blanche, we've always had a full pass but the lift pass is cheap so it's worth the extra cash. I'm not even sure if they do single resort lift passes, I've never had one but just in case.

Here is a piste map.

It shows the three villages and how the slopes all link up.
What it does not show very well is the bowl at the top, it's usually very quiet and is serviced by the TS Rasiz and Chardon. On the map is just looks like it is the top of the Risoul side of the resort. In my opinion this is the best way to get between the two resorts. There is a connecting cat track but it's not worth it, dropping into the bowl and taking the Risoz up to Risoul is way more fun.

If you are renting, don't be afraid to ask for better gear, they usually hand out heavy old Head or Rossi board that haven't seen a waxing iron in a long time and 10+ year old bindings, there is much better gear there so take the time to find it and ask for it.

It's a lovely area to ride in imho, esp for beg / inter there is plenty of fun to be had for more advanced folk off piste but just make sure you take every safety measure should you decide to go exploring.

In March it does get hit with low clouds and poor visibility, make sure you have the lens in your goggles to handle those conditions.

If there is anything else I can help with let me know.