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Resort guide

St Sorlin d'Arves – resort guide for property buyers

Saint Sorlin d'Arves is a stunning dual-season, working village at an altitude of 1,650 m that enjoys direct access to the Les Sybelles slopes. With lifts leaving from the heart of the village to enjoy skiing by winter, in summer the Col de la Croix de Fer that passes through the village becomes a mecca for road cyclists, all under the careful gaze of the three peaks of the Aiguilles d'Arves.

1,650 mvillage altitude
2,620 mtop of the domain
310 kmlinked pistes
6properties for sale

The village

Steeped in history, with its Baroque Church of Saint-Saturnin dating back to 1603, St Sorlin d'Arves has grown from a traditional mountain village into a modern dual-season resort, while retaining its charm and authentic appeal today. The commune has been making Beaufort cheese for over 60 years, since production began in 1965. During the winter the resort enjoys a perfect mix of locals, French families and a growing number of British, Dutch and Belgian second-home owners, while summer continues to draw the crowds that want to take on one of the Tour de France's most iconic rides.

Skiing from St Sorlin d'Arves

Skiing in St Sorlin d'Arves offers an exceptional combination of traditional Alpine charm, varied terrain and access to the vast Les Sybelles ski area, the 4th largest linked ski domain in France (7th largest in Europe). From the village, skiers can explore local slopes reaching up to 2,620 metres, with 41 pistes ranging from gentle greens and wide, confidence-building blues to challenging reds and blacks. With a full Les Sybelles ski pass, St Sorlin d'Arves provides direct access into an extensive network offering 310km of skiing, making it an excellent base for beginners, families and experienced skiers looking to cover serious mileage.

The higher slopes above St Sorlin offer spectacular views towards the Étendard glacier and surrounding French Alps, while long, wide pistes make the area particularly enjoyable for cruising. For anyone searching for a ski property in St Sorlin d'Arves, the resort combines extensive skiing in Les Sybelles, high-altitude terrain and beautiful mountain scenery with the atmosphere of an authentic French Alpine Savoyard village.

Shops, services, infrastructure and amenities

St Sorlin d'Arves is a real mountain village in Les Sybelles rather than a purpose-built ski resort, so owners of a ski apartment or chalet here have a surprisingly good range of shops, services, infrastructure and amenities on the doorstep all year round.

Restaurants and bars

A choice of restaurants and bars in St Sorlin d'Arves, from traditional Savoyard restaurants to a pizzeria and snack bars at the bottom of the slopes.

Food shops and local produce

A supermarket and a minimarket, a butcher, the village's own Beaufort cheese dairy, local-produce shops, an Arves honey producer and a ham museum and shop.

Ski hire and sports shops

A wide choice of ski and sports shops in the village offering ski hire, equipment sales and servicing, including several well-known rental networks.

ESF ski school

The ESF ski school in St Sorlin d'Arves has around 70 instructors and offers group and private lessons for children from 2½ years, teenagers and adults, as well as snowboarding, off-piste skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing and specialist activities. Children's clubs combine a 1½-hour lesson with 1½ hours of childcare and the snow front and lifts are right in the village.

Nursery and childcare

Les Petits Diables day nursery welcomes children from 3 months to 6 years, by the full or half day and is open all year according to demand – places are limited, so book ahead by email.

Après-ski and nightlife

La Petite Ferme has four bowling lanes, a games room and a bar, while the village has a selection of après-ski and late-night bars; L'Avalanche Café is one of the livelier options and D'Sybell Club keeps things going into the early hours.

Events

The winter programme in St Sorlin d'Arves includes an opening weekend, Christmas events, Sybelles Festi'Kids, regular snow-front parties, a carnival week and freestyle Big Air demonstrations.

Everyday services and infrastructure

A post office, cash machine/banking facilities, petrol station, hairdresser and other useful services for everyday life in the village.

Healthcare

The Groupe Médical des Sybelles provides a mountain doctor in the village, alongside the Pharmacie des Arves and a physiotherapist.

Altogether, it gives St Sorlin d'Arves the feel of a proper, self-contained French Alpine village, with enough amenities and nightlife to make a car largely unnecessary once you arrive – a practical base for a ski holiday home in Les Sybelles.

The Beaufort cooperative

The Fromagerie Coopérative de la Vallée des Arves was founded in October 1965 by farmers from Albiez-le-Vieux, Saint-Jean-d'Arves and Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves. It makes and sells Beaufort AOC – a gold medal winner at the 2025 Concours Général Agricole in Paris – along with regional cheeses, butter, yoghurts and Savoie wines. It also has a 24-hour cheese vending machine. The farming it supports keeps more than 2,000 hectares of meadow in shape for skiing in winter and walking in summer. Many of the farmers also teach skiing or work on the lifts.

Heritage and traditions

The baroque church of Saint-Saturnin was built in 1603 and enlarged in 1658. It is one of the landmarks of the Arves valley. The village keeps its traditions alive: at the summer village festival the traditional costume is presented, followed by traditional dances.

Wellness and relaxation

Spa Les Cèdres offers a sauna, hammam and jacuzzi with facials, body treatments and massages. La Pause d'Ange offers wellness, sports and hot-stone massages all year round.

Getting around

A free village shuttle runs all winter, every 20 to 25 minutes from 8 am to about 7.20 pm (every 40 minutes on Saturdays), with a free evening shuttle between the villages from 6.20 pm and the Sybelles shuttle linking the wider ski area.

Summer in St Sorlin d'Arves

When the snow disappears, the ski slopes become a huge natural playground for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and outdoor adventures, while the village itself retains its traditional character and relaxed pace of life.

Whether you are planning an active walking or cycling holiday in the Alps, there is plenty to do in and around Saint Sorlin d'Arves.

Walking and hiking in Saint Sorlin d'Arves

Walking is one of the highlights of a summer stay in your second home, with more than 100 km of marked hiking trails around Saint Sorlin d'Arves. Routes range from easy family walks starting in the village to full-day hikes through spectacular high-mountain scenery.

Cycling and the Col de la Croix de Fer

For road cyclists, Saint Sorlin d'Arves is an exceptional base for a cycling holiday in the French Alps. The village lies on the road to the famous Col de la Croix de Fer, one of the great Alpine cycling climbs and a regular feature of major professional races. The surrounding Maurienne valley offers an extraordinary concentration of mountain roads and legendary cols, so keen cyclists can make Saint Sorlin a great second home to enjoy cycling.

Mountain biking and e-biking

There is plenty for mountain bikers too. Around 30 mountain-bike routes extend across the Pays des Aiguilles d'Arves and Vallée des Villards, with routes suitable for mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes. During the main summer season, the Plan du Moulin Express chairlift operates for pedestrians and bikes, giving easy access to higher-altitude trails without having to earn every metre of ascent. From the top you can set off on mountain-bike routes, walking trails or simply enjoy the views and a mountain picnic.

Trail running and mountain adventures

The mountains around Saint Sorlin are also a superb playground for trail running, with routes taking runners through forests, alpine pastures and high-altitude landscapes. Those looking for more of a challenge can head towards the lakes and Saint Sorlin glacier, while easier routes allow newcomers to try trail running without committing to a major mountain expedition. For an extra adrenaline rush, other summer activities include mountaineering, climbing, via ferrata, paragliding and Mountain Kart.

Summer activities for families

Saint Sorlin d'Arves works particularly well for a family summer holiday in the Alps, because days do not have to revolve around serious hiking or cycling. The Plan du Moulin leisure area at the bottom of the village provides somewhere for children to play and families to relax, and the village has a summer bathing lake with supervised swimming during the main season.

Discover the lakes and Saint Sorlin glacier

One of the great pleasures of summer in Saint Sorlin is how quickly you can reach genuine high-mountain scenery. The Lacs Bramant, Blanc and Tournant, collectively known as the Trois Lacs, lie beneath the Saint Sorlin glacier and make a memorable destination for a day in the mountains. For something gentler, the small lakes around the Col de la Croix de Fer are much easier to reach. The approximately 3 km circuit takes around an hour and has only about 100 metres of ascent, making it a particularly good family outing. On a clear day, the lakes reflect the surrounding peaks, while marmots and grazing cattle add to the classic Alpine setting.

A different side of the French Alps

Summer in Saint Sorlin d'Arves has a very different character from the winter ski season. The mountains feel spacious and peaceful, the meadows are green and filled with wildflowers and there is time to explore the landscape at your own pace. You can spend one day tackling a major Alpine cycle climb and the next walking gently between mountain lakes; take the children swimming in the afternoon, stop for a picnic overlooking the Aiguilles d'Arves, or simply sit outside with a coffee and enjoy village life.

Short breaks and longer stays

With a supermarket, food shops, a doctor, pharmacy, ski school, nursery, restaurants, a spa and a free shuttle, St Sorlin d'Arves has everything needed for a few days or for an extended stay, in winter and in summer.

Who buys here

Buyers who want a real village with a strong summer season as well as skiing. With prices markedly lower here than in many of the other resorts of Savoie and Haute-Savoie, new build second home apartments sell quickly to French, UK, Dutch and Belgian clients, while traditional chalets come up for sale less often and are keenly sought. Register with us to hear first when something new is listed.

Rental returns

With occupancy in the resort of St Sorlin d'Arves at 70% and agency fees of 20%, rental returns here are some of the best found anywhere in the Alps for those looking to rent out their property. Please ask us for more information.

Orelle – 3 Valleys access

The Orelle Express cable car is easily reached from St Sorlin d'Arves, which makes it simple for second-home owners here to enjoy skiing in the 3 Valleys. From Orelle the lifts rise from around 900 m to 3,200 m at Cime Caron in about 20 minutes to reach the Val Thorens slopes, ideal for early-season skiing in November and late-season skiing in May. To explore the rest of the Maurienne, the Skiogrande card gives reduced-price lift passes for the different Maurienne resorts as well as other ski areas across Savoie.

Getting there

By car: A43 to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne (exit 27), then about 30 minutes up the Arvan valley. Note that the Col de la Croix de Fer and Col du Glandon above the village are closed in winter, so access is always from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Airports (approximate driving times):

By train: TGV to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne–Arvan station, around 3 hours 40 minutes from Paris, then shuttle bus or taxi up to the resort.

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne will be 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.

Photos

St Sorlin d'Arves seen from the hillside above the village
St Sorlin d'Arves seen from the hillside above the village · © Alpine Property Investments
St Sorlin d'Arves: the village and the piste that runs down to it
St Sorlin d'Arves: the village and the piste that runs down to it · © Alpine Property Investments
St Sorlin d'Arves in winter, photographed by Steve Thomas
St Sorlin d'Arves in winter, photographed by Steve Thomas · © Alpine Property Investments
The chairlift above St Sorlin d'Arves
The chairlift above St Sorlin d'Arves · © Alpine Property Investments
Highest point of Les Sybelles, with Saint-Sorlin glacier in the background, 2023
Highest point of Les Sybelles, with Saint-Sorlin glacier in the background, 2023 · DimiTalen, CC0
Vue sur la Combe longue depuis les flans de l'Ouillon en juillet 2025.
Vue sur la Combe longue depuis les flans de l'Ouillon en juillet 2025. · Nouill, CC BY 4.0

Videos

All 3 videos of St Sorlin d'Arves →

Listen: the podcasts on St Sorlin d'Arves

From dream to doorstep: Buying a chalet in St SorlinEpisode 66: From dream to doorstep: Buying a chalet in St SorlinClient interview, 4 Mar 2026St Sorlin d'Arves – A Client's PerspectiveEpisode 38: St Sorlin d'Arves – A Client's PerspectiveClient interview, 6 Mar 2024St Sorlin: Insider SecretsEpisode 13: St Sorlin: Insider SecretsResort, 23 Mar 2023

Properties for sale in St Sorlin d'Arves

Frequently asked questions

How high is St Sorlin d'Arves?

St Sorlin d'Arves sits at 1,650 m; the lifts rise to 2,620 m, the highest point of the domain.

Is St Sorlin d'Arves a good summer resort?

Yes – more than 100 km of marked hiking trails, the Col de la Croix de Fer cycling climb, around 30 mountain-bike routes, the Plan du Moulin Express chairlift for walkers and bikes, the Trois Lacs beneath the Saint Sorlin glacier and a summer bathing lake with supervised swimming.

Is there childcare in St Sorlin d'Arves?

Yes. Les Petits Diables day nursery takes children from 3 months to 6 years and the ESF ski school runs children's clubs combining lessons and childcare, with lessons from 2½ years.

Are there shops and restaurants in St Sorlin d'Arves?

Yes – a supermarket and minimarket, a butcher, local-produce shops, the Beaufort cheese dairy, ski hire and sports shops and a choice of restaurants and bars, from Savoyard restaurants to a pizzeria.

Is there a doctor and pharmacy in St Sorlin d'Arves?

Yes – a mountain doctor (Groupe Médical des Sybelles), the Pharmacie des Arves and a physiotherapist are all in the village.

Is St Sorlin d'Arves suitable for long stays?

Yes. It is a living village with everyday shops, healthcare, a ski school, a nursery and a free shuttle, so it suits extended stays as well as short breaks, in both winter and summer.

Do I need a car in St Sorlin d'Arves?

Largely not once you arrive: the village has the shops, services and nightlife for a stay and a free shuttle serves the whole village every 20 to 25 minutes in winter, with an evening shuttle between the villages.

Is there nightlife and après-ski in St Sorlin d'Arves?

Yes – La Petite Ferme has four bowling lanes, a games room and a bar, L'Avalanche Café is one of the livelier après-ski bars and D'Sybell Club keeps things going into the early hours.

Who buys property in St Sorlin d'Arves?

With prices markedly lower here than in many of the other resorts of Savoie and Haute-Savoie, new build second home apartments sell quickly to French, UK, Dutch and Belgian clients, while traditional chalets come up for sale less often and are keenly sought.

How do I get to St Sorlin d'Arves?

By car, take the A43 to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne (exit 27) and drive about 30 minutes up the Arvan valley. The nearest airports are Chambéry (circa 1 hour 20 minutes), Turin and Grenoble (circa 2 hours), Geneva (circa 2 hours 10 minutes) and Lyon (circa 2 hours 15 minutes), depending on the time of year and conditions. By train, TGVs reach Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne–Arvan station in around 3 hours 40 minutes from Paris, then a shuttle bus or taxi takes you up to the village.

What is the Beaufort cooperative?

The Fromagerie Coopérative de la Vallée des Arves, founded in 1965 by local farmers, makes Beaufort AOC in the village and sells it with other regional cheeses, butter, yoghurts and Savoie wines.

Can I ski back to the village?

Yes. St Sorlin's own ski sector runs from around 1,500 m to 2,620 m, so pistes lead back down to the snow front in the village at 1,650 m, where the lifts start. The six-seater Les Choseaux and Le Rouet chairlifts take you quickly to the top of the domain. A free village shuttle runs every 20 to 25 minutes in winter and each listing on this site says how far that property is from the lifts and pistes.

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