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Flaine - Flaine - the village - is not a sight that suits everyone, although it's famous concrete-block architecture actually includes listed buildings! Flaine the ski area, on the other hand, offers a tremendous variety of well connected skiing for all levels. Absolute beginners can start on the tennis courts near the town and can progress on long meandering Blues further up. Unusually, beginners are also served by a couple of runs beside the highest restaurant.
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Flaine is an excellent ski holiday destination boosting a remarkable snow record and access to 265 kilometres of varied ski runs in the Grand Massif, which connects it with the ski resort of Samoens. As a compact, purpose built resort access to the slopes is excellent, many properties are ski-in, ski-out or the closest lift is just minutes from your doorstep. The lift system has been well developed and maintained, an 8 seater high-speed chairlift was added in 2000/2001 with a capacity of 3,600 per hour, which contributes to the already impressive network of 80 lifts carrying 75,000 people per hour.
Home to one of the biggest board parks in Europe, ‘Jam Park’ which is almost a mile long, Flaine is a favourite with snowboarders. Every Sunday at the Jam Park there is a snow party, with a barbeque and DJ’s, definitely worth a visit during the ski holiday. Other attractions include a half-pipe, boarder cross, a range of jumps, a reception chalet and a sound system.
The resort is traffic free and divided into 3 levels, Flaine Forum, Flaine Foret and Flaine Front de Neige, which are all linked by lifts and accessible on foot. Flaine Forum is the heart of the resort where you will find the largest selection of bars and restaurants, there are a good selection of local restaurants offering traditional fondues and raclette evenings, plus pizzerias and snack bars. Many of the hotels also have good restaurants.
Customer Tips:
Flaine is one of the very best resorts for children & families. The uplift direct by telepherique; no walking; children's and beginners area in the sun. No dangerous long paths. Easy to meet up & return to hotel at lunchtime. It should be rated as ***** for beginners. The area Gers is one of the very best areas for powder. Flaine, lying as it does in a bowl is relative
Flaine is never going to win a prize for architecture, unless it is for ugliest resort in the Alps. However, you are not there to look at buildings and the skiing is good and the lift system well laid out and modern. Snow record is good and there should be something for every level of skier, however it is the intermediates that are best catered for. There is also some good off-piste riding to be had but local knowledge is essential to avoide a number of hidden dangers, local guides offer good value trips. Off the slopes, well you are back in the concrete jungle! Local services in the car free town are basic and eating out options limmited. Night life is aimed at hardcore boozing in loud tacky pubs.
Resorts close toFlaine include: Chamonix (7 km), Les Carroz (7 km), Samoens (7 km), Morillon (8 km) and Saint Gervais Mont Blanc (13 km).
Resort recommended for:
Beginners, Intermediates, Advanced, Skiing for all standards, Snowboarding, Off piste, Families, Value for money, Purpose-built convenience, Snow-sure resorts, Ski to door
There are four airports within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Flaine are perfectly feasible. Geneva Airport is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Ski Flaine - Facts
4 Black Runs
24 Red Runs
16 Blue Runs
7 Green Runs
140Km Downhill
15Km Cross Country
26 Ski Lifts
900m Max Vertical
2500m Highest Lift
1600m Lowest Piste
1600m Resort
Mountain
Flaine after a snowfallMain mountain access is by gondola, which takes you up to the Grandes Platières at 2480m. This is the starting point for a whole series of runs graded blue, red, and black leading down into the main bowl of Flaine. The natural amphitheatre is rimmed by a series of lifts all going up to around 2500m. Good nursery slopes are located in and outside the village making it an ideal spot for families with young children. But for more adventurous skiers and riders Flaine is a base for exploring further afield into the Grand Massif.
The main link out of the bowl is a fast eight-person chair. From the 2204m summit of the Tête des Saix, north-facing runs drop down steep mogul slopes towards Samoëns. Alternatively you can choose easier cruising runs that bring you all the way down to Morillon or to Les Carroz. The ancient village of Sixt has its own small ski area and is directly linked into the Grand Massif via a piste, but ski buses provide the only return.
Anyone who can ski parallel can enjoy day-long excursions to the far corners of the Grand Massif and enjoy the experience. But the lift system is prone to high season bottlenecks in the afternoon when everyone is heading for home and you need allow plenty of time.
Flaine was one of the first resorts in France to embrace snowboarding. The 1500m Jam-Park has a half-pipe and snowcross course. Fantasurf has a half-pipe for children.
Flaine is known as the 'White Desert' for its excellent snow, but is closer to 'Grey Monstrosity' when considering its 1960s architecture. Visitors undoubtedly come for its skiing, rather than its Alpine charm. As the centrepiece of the Grand Massif ski area (fourth largest ski domain in France), Flaine is linked to Samoens, Morillon and Les Carroz, with 267km of piste in total. The skiing is extensive and varied, with trees, moguls and motorways. All levels of skier will find something to suit, with great off- piste one of Flaine's major strengths. Boarders also have a park, with one half-pipe and a boardercross course. Queues have been significantly reduced, thanks to massive investments in the lift system over the last two years. Upgrading is needed for some of the many self-catering apartments, which can be 'bijou' to say the least.
As with many purpose-built French resorts, cosy mountain charm is at a minimum; but a fine arts centre and Picasso sculptures go some way to address this situation. The one big advantage is that almost everybody can ski up to their apartments, so if you prefer comfort over charm this could be the right choice for you. For a more traditional ambience, head to Samoens. Flaine's après-ski venues aren't great; much of the evening's activities revolve around the few hotel bars and the White Grouse pub. Families, though, will like the excellent ski school kindergartens, the short transfer (90kms to Geneva - so good for weekends, too) and the car-free environment. Overall, Flaine is for skiing - which is excellent - and that's pretty much it. Classic no-frills French skiing…
Flaine's 37-year history as a major ski resort has been marked by more troughs and crests than anywhere else, and after a decade in the doldrums it is suddenly once again about to become the hottest property in the Alps.
Canadian resort developer Intrawest, the force behind the creation of the successful new Arc 1950 village at Les Arcs, has announced that Flaine is the choice for its next 2,500-bed property investment in the Alps. The area around the main gondola base station is to be completely redeveloped and a new 'village' will be constructed below the present Scandinavian-style hamlet.
The first units go on sale in 2006 and completion will be in stages between 2008 and 2012. Canny skiers who did not buy in Les Arcs will be reaching for their cheque books, for Flaine has just as much to offer.
Despite its modest altitude, Flaine has a more reliable snow record than any comparable resort in Europe, thanks to the fridge-effect micro-climate created by nearby Mont Blanc. Good snow- cover is virtually guaranteed from early December until late April.
Equally important is the high quality of the ski terrain, which extends to the traditional villages of Samoëns, Morillon, Les Carroz, and Sixt. In all some 73 lifts serve the 265km of piste in the area known as the Grand Massif.
The opportunities for off-piste are enormous. Famous French guide Yves Détry, first person to ski the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, says he prefers Les Carroz's skiing to that of Chamonix. However, it is important to be aware that the area is full of natural hazards. What begins as gentle cruise through the powder in the trees all too often ends in an abrupt little cliff. The services of a local guide are essential.
Flaine opened to a fanfare publicity in 1968. Sculptures by famous artists such as Picasso adorned the open spaces in the new ski village designed in grey concrete in the manner of the Bauhaus school of architecture.
But the years have not been kind. Financial insolvency beckoned in the 1980s and the works of art were sold off. Most of the original cramped apartment blocks and resort-owned hotels were in desperate need of renovation when the Compagnie des Alpes bought the lift system and launched a €28 million rescue plan. The Intrawest project should breathe new life into a resort that has so far never managed to achieve its full potential.
Flaine is currently divided into higher and lower villages connected by people-mover lifts, and a separate much more attractive Scandinavian-inspired chalet village just outside the resort and served by a free bus. The area below it is one of the two sites chosen by Intrawest for its new development.
Reviews
1 March 11, 2006 - 08:32 PM
Linda Mills from UNITED KINGDOM
My family and I are returning again to Flaine, I absolutely adored this wonderful ski resport, it has spectacular views, and fantastic for adults and children. This is my favourite resport of all times
2 January 23, 2006 - 12:03 PM
Peter Touw from NETHERLANDS
Flaine is good skieen/boarden and the chairlift to the rest of the area is good.
Offpiste is fun, but look out off the hole's, don't go alone offpiste!!
SnowPark was good
But, its not cheap. I think 20 % more then Les Arcs/La PLange.
3 December 07, 2005 - 02:52 PM
Karen Sinclair from UNITED KINGDOM
Flaine is a fantastic location for a holiday for all levels of skiers. i went with my Husband and 2 children (then 8 and 5) in 2003. The ski schools are superb and the schools for the children cater for them all day. The slopes are breath taking to see and to ski were perfect. After ski activities are suitable for all ages, swimming and bowling for the kids and bars and resturants for adults. The accomodation is varied too, from basic apartments to 4 star hotels, couldnt ask for more - but get in early, they book up fast!
4 January 21, 2005 - 07:45 PM
Michael Cooney from UNITED KINGDOM
Spent out first skiing holiday in Flaine for Christmas 2004. My wife and I and 2 young kids had ball. As this is my first skiing trip I can't understand why everyone keeps going on about the ugly architecture, I didn't really notice because the scenery of the snow covered mountains was awesome. The skiing was also wonderful and the ski lift operators were great and always seemed to be in a good mood. The ski hire shop gave us tobaggans for our kids to use and we all had a great time on them after a days skiing.
The appartment we stayed was sufficient and I didn't find the shops too expensive.
Everything within the resort is within walking distance, so we didn't step inside a car all week. I think the resort is perfect for families and would recommend it.
5 September 06, 2004 - 01:17 AM
julie from UNITED KINGDOM
We went to Flaine In Feb 2004 in a group of 4 adults and 3 kids. I had broke my arm in an earlier ski trip and so could not ski. This did not stop a lovely holiday. Lots to do for kids, bowling alley, public swimming pool and ski school on your doorstep.
6 March 20, 2004 - 09:02 PM
Pamela Mar from SWITZERLAND
Flaine is extremely user-friendly, with the center of town, equipment rental shops, and main set of lifts all within 5 minutes walking distance to one another. Thus, one can arrive, rent, and be on the slopss within about a half hour, which is a far cry from many other 'ski towns'. The slopes are perfect for beginners, with lots of variations in green and blue pistes, even at the tops of the mountains. The town also has a semi-decent swimming pool for relaxing after-ski, but unfortunately, the locker rooms resemble those build for public high-schools. The only 'downside' to the town is that it was built by untalented imitators of Le Corbusier, and thus, it is all concrete and not very 'charming.'
7 December 29, 2003 - 01:09 PM
Tony from NETHERLANDS
We have been visiting Flaine last week of 2003 (freeride skier and freeride snowboarder with more then average experience). Flaine is village just built for winter sports, so don't expect too much of it. It is a nice family resort and ideal for beginners and people with medium experience. It is a perfect place for tour skiing (not experts), but not for freeride snowboarders. Freestylers (snowboarders) can go to one of the 3 funparks (not yet open in dec. 2003)
When new snow falls, it is a perfect place for off-piste skiing / snowboarding. For experts the area has enough fun for a day or 3.
8 December 23, 2003 - 05:37 PM
Peter Scott from UNITED KINGDOM
I have been going to Flaine since the mid 1970's. Having tried several other resorts in Canada, Switzerland and Italy I keep going back. Yes its modern and utilitarian looking but when you consider the convenience from Geneva, snow record and at last some decent investment it still makes Flaine my No.1 resort. Top place to stay are the Aldebaran apartments with a south facing balcony and top run is Mephisto Superior to the bottom.
9 November 14, 2003 - 02:31 PM
Mike Hutton from UNITED KINGDOM
A fine first time family resort, purpose built and functionally very efficient.
The more adventurous may become restless here by mid-week as the pistes are generously graded, ie reds at Flaine would be blues at Alpes D'Huez.
JULIE BARKLEM (29 March 2006)
Just returned on 18th march 2006 from Flaine. We stayed at the recently re-furbished Residence De La Foret in Flaine, well what can i say with a 3yr and 1 yr old the apartment was absolutley brilliant , yes we did pay extra for the other bedroom , but with 2 kids it was fantatsic, everything was brand new , a plasma tv !! yes in France( like living in dockside apartments ) and a kettle etc they have knocked out walls etc to make extra living space, my parents stayed in the next apartment slightly smaller but since it was their 1st time skiing ( in their 60's) they were very impressed ,they had heard of our horror stories of cramped living in france . Also my 3 yr old son Matthew loved the Rabbir club , which was run by ESF , and all credit to Sandra who was there to greet and look after the children . Excellent !!
This review is the subjective opinion of a skiclub.co.uk visitor and not the Ski Club of Great Britain.
Joanne Finney (20 March 2006)
Just returned from the most superb ski week ever in 20 years of ski-ing - fantastic pistes suiting our group of 6 adult, experienced skiers and 3 very small children who attend the ESF "Learn to Ski" lessons. Our 5 year old daughter was ski-ing from the top of Les Grandes platiers by day 4! whilst our 3 year old son and our 3 year old nephew enjoyed the comforts of the ladies in the ESF kindergarten. Our 14 month nephew had a wonderful week in the creche run by Crystal in Hotel Le Totem. Snow was superb - had just had 2 metres in the 2 weeks before we arrived - couldn't see any cars in the car parks as they were covered. Accommodation - oh dear - one extreme to another was regularly reached - we stayed at Le Totem - unfortunately, the hotel was suffering a staffing crisis, and those that did eexist were under 20 with little or no idea. The hotel was not very clean and there were constant waits for service be it bar or restaurant. However, the childrens tea at 5.30 is an excellent feature (although Beef Bourgignon and Sweet and Sour Pork were beyond our children). The adult food was superb - interesting, appetising and filling - congratulations to the chef. Are we going again? Oh yes - just pricing up next year!
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