Savoie / France
One of six resorts in the beautiful Les Sybelles ski area, Le Corbier was purpose-built to deliver great ski holidays. And the benefits are clear - the village is right at the foot of the slopes, and is compact and traffic-free - so ideal for families. Lifts link the village directly some of the other Sybelles resorts - St-Jean-d’Arves, La Toussuire, and St-Sorlin - opening up the whole of the domaine’s 310km of pistes.
In the village, a range of shops, bars and restaurants are linked by covered arcades, so you walk the length of the village without encountering the snow! More restaurants with sunny terraces can be found at the foot of the slopes.
In the summer, the area is popular with walkers and cyclists, and the chairlifts are open six days a week so that you can make the most of the panoramic views of the peak.
Le Corbier’s wellness centre and open-air pool is open all year round, and there are plenty of other activities to try - horse-riding, paragliding, paintball and segway to name just a few!
The resort has the Famille Plus label, so you can rest assured that there will be professional child care and plenty of entertainment for young families whenever you visit!
Le Corbier is one of six resorts in Les Sybelles - the fourth biggest ski area in France. Along with St-Jean-d’Arves, La Toussuire, Les Bottières, Saint-Colomban des Villards and St-Sorlin-d’Arves the domaine has 310km of pistes, 136 slopes, and 68 lifts. The altitude rises to 2620m, so you can be pretty sure of good snow,
Le Corbier is a great resort for families, with plenty of space for beginners to gain confidence. However, there’s plenty of challenge for more experienced skiers too - the beautiful Combe piste - a 1380m red slope offers bumps and slopes at more than 30%, with great views along the way.
There’s an ESF ski school in Le Corbier offering lessons as well as cross-country skiing, ski touring, off-piste and handiski. You’ll also find a snowpark, freeride boardercross and a toboggan run and that’s just in Le Corbier - there’s more to discover across the rest of Les Sybelles!
Other activities for winter visitors include paragliding, ten-pin bowling, dog-sledding, snow-shoeing, skidoo, or just relaxing in the heated open-air pool.
When the snow melts, the mountains become a paradise for walkers, cyclists and nature lovers. There’s a great variety of marked trails for hikers and mountain bikers from Le Corbier and across Les Sybelles and the Maurienne valley - you’ll be able to pick up a guide from the tourist office.
And at the end of a hot day, the open-air swimming pool at the wellness centre in Le Corbier is the perfect place to cool off - there are also hot tubs, a sauna and steam room.
If you’re looking for adventure, you can try via ferrata, canyoning and paragliding. Explore the mountains on horseback, try your hand at archery, challenge your friends at paintball or visit the treetop adventure park. If your balance is up to it, there’s even a tightrope course behind the tourist office!
There’s no need for the little ones to be bored either, with balance bikes and a mini quad course just two of the activities they can try.
Skiing and boarding are the main activities that bring guests to Le Corbier in the winter, and in the summer, hiking, biking and climbing are the most popular. But when you stay at an OVO Network property, there is so much more to see and do.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in and around Le Corbier...
Anyone for tennis?
It may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to mountain sports, but tennis in the Alps is a whole different ball game - and the views are incredible. If you want to book some lessons, perfect your forehand or just want a quick game, there are three synthetic courts waiting for you. You could even sign up for the visitors’ tournament at the end of each week! Open in July and August.
Treetop adventures
Kids of all ages can swing through the trees at this adventure park in St-Jean-de-Maurienne (15km). With six courses for children from 90cm high to adults as well as a zipwire, there’s something for everyone. And if the kids don’t want to leave, there’s a snack bar too, where you can refuel.
Via ferrata
This Alpine adventure is a great day out for families with older children - it combines hiking and climbing on a trail cut into the rock face. You’ll wear a helmet and be clipped to the trail at all times to ensure your safety, but you’ll still need a head for heights!
Canyoning
A great summer day out for families with older children, canyoning is a fun way to get down a mountain using the rivers, streams and waterfalls - yes, you will get wet! You’ll need to be able to swim, but an instructor will help you get across the obstacles by jumping, sliding and abseiling, and wetsuits and helmets are provided. Just bring trainers and swimwear.
Snowmobile rides
Explore the mountains on an evening snowmobile ride! Trips leave at 5.30pm every evening during the ski season, and prices start at 70€ for adults. There are separate slots for those who want to go faster (experience necessary), and introductory sessions for children under 12 every Sunday morning.
Microlight flights
Get a whole new perspective on the mountains when you take a ride in a microlight. Flights leave from Plan Chaud and are available all year round, depending on the weather - make sure you dress up warm! Choose from a 10-minute flight (90€) or a 20-minute flight (130€).
Dog sledding and cani rando
If you love dogs and you love sledging, what could be better than an activity that combines them both! After an introduction to the dogs and the equipment and a quick lesson from the musher, you can take the controls of your own sled, pulled by three or four dogs. It’s a thrilling experience! If you’re visiting outside of the winter, you can try cani-rando - a hike with one of the dogs attached to you on a waist harness!
Snowshoeing
Skiing isn’t the only way to get around the mountains - have you tried snowshoe walking? The ESF in Le Corbier organizes hikes led by a professional guide. Choose from various levels of difficulty, according ot the age and ability of your group, and discover the resort, the mountain animals or learn survival skills. You could even combine a walk with dinner or a yoga session.
Horseriding
Experienced riders can enjoy a wonderful full-day hack out into the mountains around Le Corbier, stopping for lunch at a high-altitude restaurant. Rides are also available for beginners and intermediates - check the website for more information.
A day with donkeys
Meet these delightful animals at the farm and find out all about their lives - now and when they were used as working animals in the mountains. You can even pick up some asses milk in the shop! In good weather, donkey treks are often available - call the farm to check this before your visit.
La Fontaine de L'Ours
Great food and an even better welcome at this popular restaurant, which serves Alpine specialities such as fondue and raclette, as well as great steaks, burgers, fish and chips, salads, charcuterie and cocktails! It’s a great place to stop for lunch, a snack or a drink when you’re on the mountain.
Le Charvin Le Corbier, tel: +33 4 79 64 39 61
Sopar Restaurant
A restaurant that is popular with locals as well as visitors, it aims to provide something a little different from the standard ski resort restaurant. There’s a good choice for vegetarians and vegans, and a proper three-course children’s menu.
Rue Des Chasseurs Alpins Batiment Le Lys, 73300 Fontcouverte-la-Toussuire, tel: +33 4 79 05 51 60
Buddha Ski
Salads, steaks, Alpine specialitiies and burgers are all on the menu at this mountain restaurant next to the chairlift on Mont Corbier.
Les Vadrouilles, 73300 Le Corbier, tel: +33 6 47 09 09 58
L'Avalanche
If you’re looking for a great pizza, this is the place to stop. You can also try pierrade (meat cooked on a hot stone) and the usual cheesy mountain specialities. But if you just want to stop in for a drink, that’s fine too.
La Ville, 73530 Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, tel +33 4 79 59 10 53
La Grange
Enjoy great food and top views at this mountain restaurant. Charcuterie and salads are also on the menu and local produce features heavily. Don’t forget to try the tarte aux myrtilles!
Route des Champions, 73300 Fontcouverte-la-Tourssuire, tel: +33 4 79 83 00 62
Expect fresh, seasonal produce, French classics and dishes from across the world at this popular restaurant. There’s also a choice of fondues, pasta, burgers and pizza - something for everyone. There are two set menus and also a children’s menu with everything you’d expect - burger, pasta, pizza or nuggets.
Immeuble Galaxie, Le Corbier, tel: +33 4 79 56 75 14
As you’d expect from a purpose-built resort, you’ll have all the shops you need close at hand in Le Corbier. There’s a good selection of sports shops, where you can rent or buy your equipment, several Sherpa supermarkets for your daily essentials, and several shops specialising in local produce such as cheese, charcuterie, preserves and wines. You’ll also find some decent bakeries where you can pick up fresh bread and patisserie.
There are also some souvenir shops as well as others selling clothes and gifts.
The great thing about shopping in Le Corbier is that the resort is pedestrianised, so safe for children, and for the large part covered, so even if the weather is bad, you’ll hardly notice.
By air: International airport at Geneva, regional airport at Chambery. Various shuttles serving Le Corbier from the airports in winter. Take the train from Geneva or a bus to the resort.
By train: Nearest railway station is at Saint Jean de Maurienne. TFV snow from Paris 4h, from Lille 5h, Regular bus services connect St Jean de Maurienne to the resorts.
By car: Easy access via the A43 to Turin. Take exit 27 (Saint Jean de Maurienne) and follow the signs for Vallée de l’Arvan. Paris 657, Geneva 177, Lyon 198. Alternatively, you can organise a car share - one of the most convenient and economical ways to travel to the Alps. Arrange your journey through BlaBlaCar.