Le Chardon Bleu
Three-star hotel on the Risoul 1850 snow front, skis on at the terrace
About this hotel
Le Chardon Bleu runs on straightforward comforts done well: ski-to-door access that skips the walk through the village, balcony and terrace rooms that catch the Hautes-Alpes light, and a restaurant and bar close enough that dinner never means heading back out into the cold. The concierge desk earns its keep for first-time visitors, pointing guests to the right ski school meeting point or the quickest route to the Foret Blanche lifts. Rooms keep a simple, comfortable feel, a work desk, TV and wardrobe rather than a design showcase, and the free on-site parking removes one more logistical headache for anyone driving in. Among the resort's hotels, this is the one guests consistently rate highest for a two-person stay.
- On the Risoul 1850 snow front, skis on at the terrace
- A private balcony in every room, premium rooms facing the slopes
- Communicating premium rooms for up to six people
- A Casa Nostra restaurant: Corsican dishes, pizza, heated terrace
- Private jacuzzi for six at 37°C and sauna for two to four, winter only, as extras
- Games room with billiards, table football and a big screen
Our take
Le Chardon Bleu sits on the Risoul 1850 snow front, in the Chérine sector, close enough that the hotel tells guests to put their skis on at the terrace. That is the argument, and a strong one: no ski bus, no walk in boots, and the Forêt Blanche, 185 km of runs shared with Vars, starts at the door. The rest is modest and honest. Most rooms are 18 m², each with a private balcony, and only the premium ones face the slopes. Wellness means a private jacuzzi for six at 37°C and a private sauna for two to four, both winter-only and charged as extras. I would book it for families and intermediate skiers; anyone who wants a pool or a full spa should look elsewhere.
- Ask for a premium room if the view matters: they are the only rooms the hotel describes as facing the slopes, and they have an Italian shower.
- A group of six can take the communicating premium rooms, with a soundproofed connecting door that stays shut unless you ask for it to be opened.
- The hotel and the ski area both open on 5 December 2026, and the hotel also opens in July and August for the summer season.
- On a clear day, cross to Vars by the Plate de la None chairlift, which tops out at 2,571 m on the Risoul side: the link is what turns Risoul into the Forêt Blanche.
- A Casa Nostra, the hotel restaurant, is open to non-guests and has a heated terrace, so expect outside skiers at lunch; the Corsican dishes and pizza break the tartiflette routine.
Why we love it
- Ski-to-door access from the slope to the lobby
- The resort's strongest rating among couples
- Balcony and terrace rooms with Hautes-Alpes views
- Free on-site parking for guests arriving by car
Why guests love itFor a family, the snow front solves the hardest part of a ski week: nobody carries skis through the resort, and a tired child can stop at lunchtime and be back in the room in minutes. The rooms suit families: quadruples with two bunk beds, a 28 m² family suite with a double bed and bunks, and communicating rooms for up to six. La Grande Bleue, a blue run from the Pointe de Razis, comes down to the snow front, a long blue route home once children can link their turns. There is no pool, the sauna and jacuzzi are winter-only, and rainy afternoons revolve around the games room with billiards and table football. Guests rate it 8.3 from 143 reviews. I would choose it with children who already ski; families who need a pool or a kids' club should look elsewhere.