Ski area
Les Sybelles ski area: the hidden giant of the Maurienne
The 4th largest linked ski area in France and 7th largest in Europe: 6 linked villages, 310 km of pistes, 136 pistes and 68 lifts and a summit at 2,620 m, an hour from the Tarentaise but a world away in price and crowds.
Les Sybelles Ski Area – A Vast Alpine Playground
Set in the Maurienne Valley in the French Alps, Les Sybelles is France's 4th largest linked ski area, combining expansive mountain terrain with spectacular views towards the Aiguilles d'Arves, La Meije and Mont Blanc. The domain extends from around 1,100 metres to 2,620 metres in altitude, creating a varied high-mountain playground that can be enjoyed in both winter and summer.
Skiing in Les Sybelles
In winter, the Les Sybelles ski domain offers 136 pistes served by 68 ski lifts, with terrain ranging from gentle cruising runs to steeper red and black pistes. A maximum vertical drop of around 1,500 metres and the sheer scale of the interconnected area make it particularly rewarding for skiers who enjoy covering plenty of ground during the day.
There is skiing and snowboarding for every ability, from beginners finding their confidence to experienced skiers looking for more challenging Alpine terrain. The domain also includes a four-hectare snowpark at L'Ouillon, freeride and fun zones, while the broad mountain landscape provides superb panoramic skiing. Beyond downhill skiing, winter activities across Les Sybelles include snowshoeing, winter walking, fat biking, paragliding and other snow-based adventures, offering plenty of ways to explore the mountains away from the pistes.
One of the attractions of skiing in Les Sybelles is its combination of scale and scenery. Despite being a major French ski domain, much of the landscape retains a wonderfully open, natural Alpine character, with long views across the surrounding peaks and the distinctive Aiguilles d'Arves forming a dramatic backdrop.
On the slopes
Les Sybelles in Summer – Hiking, Mountain Biking & Cycling
When the snow disappears, Les Sybelles in summer becomes an extensive outdoor playground of high mountain pastures, forests, lakes and panoramic trails. Walking and hiking are among the best ways to discover the area, with routes ranging from relaxed family walks to longer and more demanding mountain hikes. Summer lifts provide easier access to higher-altitude trails and ridges, allowing walkers to quickly reach the heart of the mountains and enjoy spectacular views without completing every metre of the climb on foot.
Mountain biking in Les Sybelles is another major summer attraction. Bike parks and marked trails provide options for different abilities, including downhill and enduro riding, while selected summer lifts carry both riders and bikes uphill. The wider Maurienne Valley is also renowned for road cycling, making Les Sybelles an excellent base for cyclists wanting to tackle famous Alpine climbs and mountain passes associated with the Tour de France.
There is plenty more to do beyond hiking and biking. Depending on where you explore within the domain, summer activities can include via ferrata, climbing, mountaineering, paragliding, horse riding and guided mountain adventures. Alternatively, simply head into the high mountains for a picnic, a gentle walk through the Alpine meadows or a day enjoying the views.
Whether covered in snow or summer wildflowers, Les Sybelles is much more than a winter ski area. It is a year-round French Alps destination where skiing and snowboarding give way to hiking, mountain biking and cycling as the seasons change – all against the impressive scenery of the Maurienne mountains.
Six linked villages, one lift pass
Les Sybelles was created in 2003 and today links the ski areas of 6 Maurienne villages - La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Les Bottières and Saint-Colomban-des-Villards - on one lift pass, with L'Ouillon at the heart of the network. It remains little known to British skiers, which is exactly why property here costs a fraction of the Trois Vallées or Espace Killy next door.
The longest and steepest runs are on the St Sorlin side and the sunniest, gentlest on the La Toussuire side, with 20 fun zones and 8 snow gardens for children and beginners. St Sorlin d'Arves sits at 1,650 m and La Toussuire at 1,800 m; all the links between the villages are above 2,000 m, with the main hub at L'Ouillon (2,441 m), so the domain is reliably linked from December to April. The 2026/27 season is scheduled for 12 December 2026 – 9 April 2027.
In summer, the Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon roads above St Sorlin are Tour de France classics and La Toussuire has hosted Tour stage finishes.
Getting there
Coming soon: the new Lyon–Turin international station
Paris in about 3 hours. Milan in 1.
Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is being transformed into the French international station of the new Lyon–Turin high-speed line, the cross-Alpine rail link whose 57.5 km Mont-Cenis base tunnel is now being bored beneath the mountains. The new station sits where the international line meets the existing valley railway, right at the foot of the road up to Les Sybelles.
Once the full line is complete, Paris to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne will take about 3 hours and Milan just 1 hour, putting the Les Sybelles resorts closer to central Paris than any other resort in the French Alps. Step off the train and you are a short transfer from the slopes: no airport, no long motorway drive.
The timetable is set: construction of the station begins in 2027, with a first partial opening on the existing line planned for 2030 and the station fully open in 2033, alongside the base tunnel (source: TELT, the Lyon–Turin tunnel promoter). Even today, Paris–Milan high-speed trains call at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, so the train is already a great way to reach your apartment.
By road
Road distances from the official Les Sybelles access page: Paris 659 km, Lyon 183 km, Geneva 169 km, Grenoble 113 km, Chambéry 84 km. The Arvan-valley villages are reached from exit 27 of the A43 at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne; Saint-Colomban-des-Villards lies in the neighbouring Villards valley above La Chambre. The Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer are closed in winter.
Airports
| Airport | Distance (km, official) | Typical drive* |
|---|---|---|
| Chambéry | 74 | circa 1 h 20 |
| Grenoble | 149 | circa 2 h |
| Turin | 153 | circa 2 h |
| Lyon Saint-Exupéry | 159 | circa 2 h 15 |
| Geneva | 161 | circa 2 h 10 |
*Drive times are our estimate for normal conditions.
Train today
TGV and TER services from Paris, Lyon, Chambéry and Grenoble run to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne-Arvan (and Saint-Avre-La Chambre) stations; regular shuttle buses connect the station with all the Sybelles resorts. Paris Gare de Lyon to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne takes circa 3 h 40 by direct TGV, or 4 h 30 to 5 h with a change. Eurostar passengers change in Paris or Lyon.
Piste map
An interactive map of the Les Sybelles lift and piste network (community-mapped OpenSnowMap data over OpenStreetMap; the official resort piste map is copyrighted, so it is not reproduced here). Drag and zoom; the markers are the two villages this site covers.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); piste overlay © OpenSnowMap.org.
Snow forecast
Seven-day fresh-snow forecast for the Sybelles villages, on the same multi-model engine as the Alpine Property snow dashboard. Full snow page →
Frequently asked questions
How big is Les Sybelles and what altitude is the skiing?
Les Sybelles is the 4th largest linked ski area in France, with 310 km of pistes: 136 pistes served by 68 ski lifts across 6 linked villages on one lift pass. The skiing runs from around 1,100 m to 2,620 m, with a maximum vertical drop of around 1,500 m. All the links between the villages are above 2,000 m, with the main hub at L'Ouillon (2,441 m). La Toussuire sits at 1,800 m and St Sorlin d'Arves at 1,650 m.
How many pistes and lifts does Les Sybelles have?
Les Sybelles has 136 pistes served by 68 ski lifts. The terrain ranges from gentle cruising runs to steeper red and black pistes, and the domain also has 20 fun zones and 8 snow gardens.
Where is Les Sybelles?
Les Sybelles is in the Maurienne Valley in Savoie, in the French Alps, above Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. The ski area has views towards the Aiguilles d'Arves, La Meije and Mont Blanc. The Arvan-valley villages are reached from exit 27 of the A43.
Which villages make up Les Sybelles?
Les Sybelles links 6 villages on one lift pass: La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, Saint-Jean-d'Arves, Les Bottières and Saint-Colomban-des-Villards (official list, sybelles.ski). L'Ouillon, at 2,441 m, is the main hub of the network.
Is Les Sybelles good for beginners and families?
Yes. Les Sybelles has skiing for every level, with 45 blue runs, 20 fun zones and 8 snow gardens. La Toussuire suits young families in particular, with wide, sunny, south-facing home slopes and a pedestrianised centre. St Sorlin d'Arves gives quick access to the top of the domain and long cruising runs, including the 4.2 km La Panoramique. Both villages have an ESF ski school, children's clubs and childcare.
Is there a snowpark or freeride in Les Sybelles?
Yes. Les Sybelles has a 4-hectare snowpark at L'Ouillon, plus freeride and fun zones across the domain. The longest and steepest runs are on the St Sorlin d'Arves side.
What else is there to do in winter besides skiing?
Snowshoeing, winter walking, fat biking and paragliding are all on offer across Les Sybelles. There are plenty of other snow-based activities too, so you can explore the mountains away from the pistes.
Is Les Sybelles snow-sure and when is the ski season?
No ski area can guarantee snow, but Les Sybelles is high and its slopes are predominantly north facing: the skiing reaches 2,620 m, much of it lies above 2,000 m and over 50 % of the domain is covered by snow cannons. All the links between the villages are also above 2,000 m, with the main hub at L'Ouillon (2,441 m). The season typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. La Toussuire could stay open until the end of April, but closes earlier because lower visitor numbers make it uneconomical to run the lifts. The tourist office publishes each winter's exact dates. This winter's season is scheduled for 12 December 2026 – 9 April 2027 (la-toussuire.com).
What can you do in Les Sybelles in summer?
Hiking, mountain biking and road cycling are the main summer activities, with summer lifts giving easy access to high trails and ridges. Depending on where you are in the domain you can also try via ferrata, climbing, mountaineering, paragliding, horse riding and guided mountain adventures, or simply enjoy a picnic in the Alpine meadows.
Is there mountain biking and road cycling in Les Sybelles?
Yes. Bike parks and marked trails cater for different abilities, including downhill and enduro riding, and selected summer lifts carry riders and bikes uphill. For road cyclists, the Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon above St Sorlin d'Arves are Tour de France classics and La Toussuire has hosted Tour stage finishes.
How do you get to Les Sybelles from Paris?
By train, Paris Gare de Lyon to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne takes circa 3 h 40 by direct TGV, or 4 h 30 to 5 h with a change, then a shuttle bus up to the resorts. By road it is 659 km from Paris, leaving the A43 at exit 27 at Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.
Which airports are closest to Les Sybelles?
Chambéry is the closest airport, 74 km away and circa 1 h 20 by car. Grenoble (149 km) and Turin (153 km) are circa 2 h away, Lyon Saint-Exupéry (159 km) circa 2 h 15 and Geneva (161 km) circa 2 h 10. Drive times are our estimate for normal conditions.
How do you get to Les Sybelles from the UK?
Fly to Chambéry, Grenoble, Turin, Lyon or Geneva and drive via the A43 to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, or take the train to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne-Arvan station and a shuttle up to the resort. Eurostar passengers change in Paris or Lyon.
Is a new high-speed train line coming to Les Sybelles?
Yes. Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, at the foot of the resorts, is becoming the international station of the new Lyon–Turin line, fully open in 2033. Once the full line is complete, Paris will be about 3 hours away and Milan just 1 hour, putting Les Sybelles closer to central Paris than any other resort in the French Alps.
Is Les Sybelles a good place to buy a ski property?
Les Sybelles is a superb place to buy a ski property. It gives you access to the 4th largest linked ski area in France (7th largest in Europe), with property prices well below the Tarentaise resorts an hour away. A hidden gem, it is only now being discovered by skiers and second-home hunters from Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium. With some of the lowest property prices in the French Alps, villages such as La Toussuire and St Sorlin d'Arves are year-round destinations, for skiing in winter and hiking, biking and cycling in summer. See our properties page for apartments and chalets currently for sale.
Sources: ski area figures (136 pistes, 68 lifts, around 1,100-2,620 m, around 1,500 m vertical drop, 4-hectare snowpark at L'Ouillon, all links between the villages above 2,000 m, main hub at L'Ouillon 2,441 m) from Alpine Property Investments; sybelles.ski (official domain site: 136 pistes, 68 ski lifts, 1,100–2,620 m, 310 km, the 6 linked villages, resort altitudes, access distances, stations), telt.eu (Lyon–Turin promoter: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne international station, expected 2033), la-toussuire.com (official tourist office: 20 fun zones, 8 snow gardens, created 2003, season dates); all read 2026-11-09.