Flaine Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
The artistic theme goes beyond the architecture, with several large public art works at the base of the slopes, including a Picasso. But your eyes may be drawn away from this and up to the vast snowy bowl beyond, surrounding Flaine. Take one of the many lifts to the top and you'll have a great view of Mont Blanc in one direction, or perhaps down to one of the four traditional villages which share the huge Grand Massif area with Flaine. These include Morillon, Les Carroz, Samoëns and Sixt in the valleys below.
Mountain facts
Where in the world?
Hit the slopes
Flaine sits at the heart of the Grand Massif, one of the world's biggest ski areas, with 265km (167 miles) of trails for all standards of skier and boarder. The 140km (87 miles) of runs local to Flaine are largely located within a vast, mostly treeless snow bowl with dozens of trails leading down in to it, most ultimately returning to the large nursery area at the base of the slopes. The north-facing slopes here normally ensure good snow.
A fast, queue-gobbling eight-seater chairlift whisks skiers and boarders over the back of the resort to link to some wonderful long ski runs down through the forest to neighbouring villages that also participate in the Grand Massif, including Morillon and Samoëns. The longest of these runs is Cascades, a famous 14km (9-mile) trail with spectacular panoramic views.
The lift back to Flaine is slightly less accommodating than the eight-seater chair and there can be crowded bottlenecks at peak periods, but the resort is working to rectify this.
Most of the vast terrain is suited to intermediates but for advanced skiers there are 12 black trails, including one of the longest in the Alps down to Samoëns. The Combe de Gers powder bowl is also popular and off-piste courses are run by the ski schools.
Beyond the slopes
Outdoor options include paragliding, helicopter sightseeing flights, snowshoeing, dog sledding, an ice rink, an ice-driving school and snowmobile tours.
Family fun
There's lots for children to do besides ski including ice karting (from age six) and indoor climbing, and there's a playpark with mini toboggan hill at the base of the slopes.
Retail therapy
Après ski
Eating out
Getting around
Splashing out
Accommodation
Moderate
La CascadeStay on the piste, but five minutes' walk from central Flaine, in a beautiful wooden mountain restaurant.
Flaine Forêt
Tel: (04) 5090 8766.
Website: www.lacascade-flaine.fr
Moderate
Ski Chalets Le Hameau de FlaineUnique in the Alps, comprising 70 colourful and comfortable ski chalets built in a genuine Scandinavian style.
Le Hameau de Flaine
Tel: (04) 5090 4040.
Website: www.flaine-reservation.com
Budget
MMV Hotel Club AujonSki club hotel in the centre of Flaine Forum, close to the ski lifts and slopes. Family suites available, with Wi-Fi access, and children's club (from 18 months).
Flaine Forum
Tel: (04) 9212 6212.
Website: www.mmv.fr
Getting there
Distance to resort: 69km (43 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
Nearest railway station: Cluses.
Distance to resort: 25km (16 miles).
Driving time: 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Travel Deals
-
Finland Family holidays There is something about the snow in Finland that makes you wonder if the locals sneak out at night and spray it with a coat of brilliant white paint – it
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
