Les Sybelles: The Biggest French Ski Area You Have Probably Never Heard Of

26th March 2025 | James Cove, Les Sybelles, France.

Last modified on April 11th, 2025

It claims to be the fourth largest ski area in France. Yet it is pretty much undiscovered by the British. Why? PlanetSKI reports.

Update Friday 28th March.

Now before we get to the full story of Les Sybelles, we have an update to offer on an apres ski excursion.

Meet Lemon.

He is a 10 year old Malamute de l’Alaska, born and bred in the Maurienne Valley.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

Lemon is my companion for one of the stranger activities I have done in the mountains: cani-rando.

It translates literally as dog hiking.

And that is exactly what it is.

You go hiking attached to a dog.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

It combines hiking with the assistance of a trained sled dog.

You wear a special harness/belt that is connected to the dog by a bungee leash, allowing the dog to help pull and guide you along the trails.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

Now Lemon is a dog that can be charitably called ‘boisterous’.

It was an enjoyable struggle to begin with but once he had used up some of his energy things became more manageable – especially on the snowy and slippery trails.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

If you like dogs, then this is a walk you will enjoy.

Merci beaucoup Lemon.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

And now the full article on Les Sybelles:

Wednesday 26th March

The area sits in the Maurienne Valley in the Savoie near the largest linked ski area in France and the world – Les3Vallees.

In France the second largest area is Les Portes du Soleil and then Paradiski with its mega resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs.

Rather surprisingly next up are the six little-known and linked ski resorts that make up Les Sybelles ski area.

St Jean d’Arves (alt. 1,550m)
St Sorlin d’Arves (alt. 1,550m)
Le Corbier (alt. 1,550m)
La Toussuire (alt. 1,800m)
Les Bottieres (alt. 1,300m)
St Colomban des Villards (alt. 1,100m)

So, have you heard of any of them?

No, neither have we – until now.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

Les Sybelles has 68 ski lifts with 136 pistes that cover 310kms of slopes.

The combined ski area of Val d’Isere and Tignes, that many Brits ski in, has 300kms.

I am in Sybelles this week for a spot of spring skiing and to discover an area I have heard of, but never visited.

To be honest it didn’t look great on arrival at 1,550m in the ski village of St Sorlin d’Arves, with the early afternoon temperature at 21c.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

Time for a spot of lunch in the sun.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

But at the top of the ski area at 2,600m the snow conditions were a very different story.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

Most of the area remains open despite the recent warm March temperatures, with the area scheduled to close on April 11th.

The skiing area surprised me in its size and, most importantly, its variety.

How come I had barely heard of these slopes and never skied on them before?

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

And check out these videos:

It is an area suitable for groups of mixed ability – many of the runs had pistes of various levels of difficulty that then meet up.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

The area has 40,000 tourist beds, but why do so few Brits currently sleep in them?

Les Sybelles was formed in 2003 as the six resorts were brought together as a single area.

‘The British simply don’t know much about us,” said Aurelien Durbet who has been a ski instructor with the ESF for 16-years – shortly after the area was formed.

“Many of the others large French ski areas have been around for over 50-years so they are well-known with British skiers.

“We have to market ourselves better and promote our attractions.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

The marketing department of the tourist office is now on the case.

“As you have seen James the skiing is a revelation for people that have not really heard of us and we are now embarking on a campaign to develop our offering to the British and stand out from the other large French ski areas,” said Marie Lourdel from Les Sybelles to me.

“A few years back only 20% of our guests were foreigners, but now that is 46% with the most coming from Belgium and then the Netherlands.”

The British are now third so word is getting out there.

The villages are mainly purpose-built affairs in the typical French high altitude style – not terribly attractive, but they do the job.

Here’s La Corbier.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

The highest and largest of the villages is La Toussuire (1,800m) and has seen a recent expansion with 11,000 beds now on offer.

More residences are set to open for next season, including La Grande Verdette, where construction is advancing.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

The village of St Sorlin d’Arves has 9,000 beds and is an altogether prettier affair.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

I am staying in Le Chalet Beausoleil by the side of the piste in St Sorlin d’Arves.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

With an Intersport ski hire shop just a two minute walk away.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

It comes in at a reasonable price too and nothing like the prices that can be paid in Les3Vallees and the like.

I was informed by the local tourist office that prices can be around 30% cheaper than the other large French ski areas.

The resorts of Les Sybelles are aimed at families & intermediates, and those keeping an eye on their budget.

Mountain restaurants in the area can be the large resort affairs, or something more traditional.

Step forward, this gem above Le Corbier.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

From where I posted the PlanetSKI video report on current snow conditions:

Talking of food, the Hors-Piste restaurant in St Sorlion d’Anvers serves a mean Japanese beef dish and it brought back a few fond memories of my recent 5-week trip to Japan with PlanetSKI.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

This time it was nice to have a fork to accompany the chopsticks.

Skiing in Japan – what’s it really like?

Les Sybelles has very few mountain restaurants, perhaps not right for an area so large.

Around half a dozen that you could actually call up on the slopes themselves.

Like London buses, when there is one then another comes along at the same time.

Les Sybelles, France. Image © PlanetSKI.

On the way down to St Sorlin d’Arves at one extreme end of the ski area there are a couple facing each other – Le Tetras and Le Saint S’O.

I wondered why one of them couldn’t have been established elsewhere.

Le Saint S’O has entertainment on hand and it was packed.

And if you are now wondering what happens when the call of nature comes out on the areas 310kms of slopes with few restaurants around then fear not.

There must be about a dozen of these at strategic locations around the Sybelles ski area.

And inside?

We’ve seen worse.

All in all the Sybelles area has an altogether less frantic and full-on atmosphere than the more-famous French mega resorts.

There is no Folie Douce here, and no plans for one.

Apres ski and nightlife are limited with people coming to relax rather than party.

There are a few winter events running through the season.

They are more designed to entertain the people already here, rather than bring in the huge crowds that can come for World Cup events, freeride snowsport competitions, huge end of season concerts or large student groups out on the lash.

Les Sybelles is altogether more sedate.

One activity that comes high recommended is a ‘First Tracks’ programme where you can go up on the slopes an hour before they open to the general public with one of the pisteurs.

You get to the ski the slopes before everyone else, though it was a bit murky on our morning.

Plus have a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at their work.

Xavier Gaboriaud has been with the patrol for 11 years and explained how the area is made safe from avalanches after a snowfall, and showed us the safety equipment in the pisteurs hut.

The pisteurs deal with an average about 10 incidents a day where people require first aid on the slopes and the maximum number they have had to help in a day is 19.

“Safety is our number one priority and we want all our guests to have their best day’s skiing and to finish their day smiling and happy, not being taken off the slopes injured,” said Xavier.

“I urge everyone to ski in control and respect other people on the mountain.”

The First Tracks programme runs thought the high season dates and costs €15 per person.

My favouite area, without a shadow of doubt, were the slopes around Les 3 Lacs and from the high point at 2, 600m on the left of the ski area when looking at the piste map.

I have my eye on a spot of ski touring on the glacier area next winter with an overnight in a mountain hut.

And have I mentioned the 360 views?

Les Sybelles is waiting to be discovered by us Brits – on and off the slopes.

I will 100% be back and plans to stay again at St Sorlin d’Arves.

See here for more on Les Sybelles.

PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news.

Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.

For the Spirit of the Mountains – PlanetSKI: Number One for ski news