It is one of the major resorts in the Southern Alps.
The slopes of Vars wind between the larch trees, and the ensemble of mountain hamlets offers an attractive profile for families, party enthusiasts with a winter selection of cutting-edge events... And for lovers of mountain atmospheres with southern flavors .
Our selection of addresses, knowing that this winter will be without the Nevalhaia hotel (4-stars) which ceased its activities this year 2024.
Read alsoThe Vars ski resort, on the slopes of the sun
Where to sleep in Vars?
16/150
A 4 star which also has a Nuxe Spa.
This 4-star hotel has 31 rooms, including 4 suites and a family room, called Refuge.
The rather well decorated lobby-lounge, on the theme of the 1968 Olympic Games, is like a small museum, including a real Olympic flame.
The rooms are quite small and face directly onto the hallway, which makes them noisy.
The Nuxe spa (300 m2) has a very large fitness center, a jacuzzi and 2 large hammams and sauna.
On the table side, Le Skitchen is orchestrated by Vincent Poette (formerly of Ducasse), with a very friendly 1960s design decor.
At the bar operates Benjamin, who came from Marseille with a signature cocktail, Piste noire, based on vodka, absinthe and génep.
This beautiful hotel has a significant advantage: it is ski-in/ski-out, at the bottom of the Olympic slope.
From €200 per night for 2 people with breakfast.
The Escondus
Chalet atmosphere.
Ricardo Flores Espinosa
On the snow front (Les Claux) and on skis, the hotel is a charming 3 star, in the architecture of a large wooden chalet.
As well known for its restaurant as for its piano bar, it offers among its twenty rooms, a “Tree House”, a sort of cabin in the trees (rather on stilts).
From €170 per night for 2 people with breakfast.
Restaurants, tables on the slopes... Where to sit at a table in Vars?
The Napoleon Refuge
Traveler relay atmosphere.
It bears the name of the two emperors, Napoleon I who decided on its construction and Napoleon III who executed it.
Located at the Col de Vars, this typical travelers' relay is isolated in an almost lunar landscape.
The south-facing terrace is often full.
It's safe to book.
On the plate, hearty dishes like lacquered pork shank or grilled bacon velouté.
Between brasserie and snack bar, lunch there costs around €40.
The Snowflake
Le Flocon, in Les Claux.
Press photo
A careful address in the heart of Les Claux, led by a young chef, Mikael Gauthier, who has made truffle ravioli his specialty.
But it's not the only one: you can taste donkey ears - nothing to do with the animal, but a way of preparing spinach, like lasagna... The dishes are very generous.
The room is quite noisy.
Count around €50.
After Ski
This pretty address in Les Claux brings together under one roof all the clichés of the mountain, fireplace, animal skins, cushions and benches typical of a cozy chalet... Bar, creperie, tea room and restaurant.
On the plate, cuisine with short-circuit products, such as beef from the Hautes-Alpes.
The breading of the Milanese escalopes and the gnocchi are homemade.
Around €20.
Le
Chal’Heureux
Le Chal’Heureux.
Ricardo Flores Espinosa
It is one of the best on-piste restaurants, at an altitude of 2,180 m on the Heureux piste;
sunny terrace, burgers, pancakes and local meats, not forgetting excellent homemade fries.
In the evening, you can also dine in a mountain atmosphere with a round trip by snowmobile to come from the resort.
There is even a possibility of accommodation on site.
Dish of the day, around €25 (for lunch).
Vars Shells
An essential address when returning from the slopes to start the evening around a basket of oysters or a few tapas.
Located in the heart of the Les Claux resort, we owe this recent spot to two lively thirty-somethings from Marseille and its region, Hugo Vallet and Loïc Fiorelli.
The after-parties are very festive and the atmosphere is rather good-natured.
12€ for a mojito.
Activities and visits to do in Vars
Sled dog activity.
Antonin Borgeaud / le Figaro
Visit
Kevin Bonnabel
(06.13.76.62.46)
, a young farmer who opens his farm to visitors and sells meat on site.
Around fifty cows, around twenty heifers, horses... This Noah's Ark which exudes mountain agriculture is located on the heights of Vars-Sainte-Catherine, in an environment which alone is worth the detour.
Sled dogs with
Mush and Co
(06.48.39.29.66
;
Mushandco.com
)
.
We know this activity, but in Vars it is quite spectacular because the kennel has 70 dogs, Alaskan huskies.
The rides are done with two or three sleds, or even more, which you can pilot even if you are a beginner.
The activity takes place over half a day, supervised by a certified instructor, at the top of the Sainte-Marie chairlift in a wonderful wooded environment.
You can practice from 12 years old.
From €170 per half day.
Caribou sledding
.
It is more precisely a sled on rails, a bit like an amusement park, but less impressive and more bucolic.
The 1027 m circuit follows a relief and includes a part in the undergrowth.
It's funny, very secure and suitable for a young audience.
8€.