Flaine ski resort review – as featured on PV Holidays blog

Flaine sits in the Grand Massif ski area and offers some of the best skiing in France. The ski area is known for its record-breaking snow levels, and although some might be put off by the purpose built style of the resort this is the very thing which makes it such an easy place to go to with most of the properties being ski-in ski-out and all of the amenities within easy walking distance.

The Grand Massif ski area links the resorts of Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz, Samoens and Sixt-fet-a-Cheval.  The 265km of pistes offer great choice for all levels of skier, from beginners to experts, with 14 black runs, 53 red runs, 60 blue runs and 17 green runs. A few of the runs have been set aside specifically for beginners and can be accessed by 4 free lifts. There’s also a Jampark for those wanting to try hang with fellow freestylers and try out their latest moves and the Combe de Gers provides a challenge for those that like to go off piste.

As you can imagine such variety means that the skiing in Flaine is great. The slopes are usually relatively quiet compared to some of the larger French resorts and the scenery is pretty breathtaking at times, with the view from the top of the Grandes Platieres’ cable car being a particular favourite of mine! The lifts seem to be brilliantly laid out so that the minimum level of effort is needed to reach all of the runs. Also from a lot of the lifts you get the option of taking a red or a blue, making this a great resort for groups with skiers of different abilities.

As well as providing motorway wide blue and red runs and picturesque tree lined routes Flaine also has a lot to offer for the more experienced skier. The black runs in the Sixt area of the resort are amongst the most challenging that i’ve skied and in addition many of the higher red and black runs seem to be deliberately left un-pisted after a snowfall. I should also mention ‘Les Cascades’, which at 14km long is a fantastic, often pretty much empty, run that takes you all the way from the top of Les Grandes Platieres down to Sixt. Unfortunately to get back to the main ski area you do then have to take a shuttle bus but I think this is a small price to pay for being able to ski 14km without a single lift!

The are several mountain restaurants to try in Flaine, L’Eloge has a cosy feel to it on colder days, or you can relax on the sun terrace when the skies are blue, and l’Epicea, just above the main lifts in Flaine, offers a range of dishes as well as a couple of daily ‘Plats du Jour’, although if you want a good spot on the terrace here you’ll have to book! Or alternatively if you want a fantastic view to go with your chocolat chaud then you can’t really beat the restaurant at the top of the Grandes Platieres cable car.

Grand Massif lift passes for 6 days will cost 204 euros for adults, 156 euros for children and 183 euros for seniors (over 62). It’s worth checking out the Flaine website before you go as they often offer special discounts. For example during the week of 10th – 18th April 2010 if you buy a 6 day adult pass you can get one under 12’s pass absolutely FREE! Also if you’re travelling as a family at any time of the season you can buy a discounted ‘Extended family pack’ offering you savings of up to 65 euros on a 6 day pass.

If you fancy a change from a day on the slopes there are plenty of other adrenalin rush activities to keep you occupied, from ice driving to snow kiting. Or alternatively, if you want to spend the hours doing something slightly more sedate the resort has a cinema, an ice rink and a bowling alley.

Flaine is host to a handful of bars and pubs, and although it’s quieter than the likes of Val d’Isere there are still plenty of options and if you really want a wild night you can usually have one! The Flying Dutchman is one of the more lively bars in the village and puts on a variety of themed nights from Karaoke to ‘Booze and Bubbles’!

There is also a wide variety of entertainment on offer for families, from street theatre and puppet shows to sledge races and snow sculptures to marvel at. You may also get the option to take part in a torch light descent if you’re really lucky!

There are plenty of places to go for a bite to eat, in the Sucre Sale you’ll enjoy your meal surrounded by artwork  or head to Les Chalets du Michet if the sound of dining in an ancient sheepfold appeals. The Pizzeria Chez Pierrot has a take away option if you fancy a night in. La Perdrix Noire is one of my favourites and won The Great Skiing and Snowboarding Awards’ Best Resort Restaurant award in 2008. It offers a wide selection of choices from the more traditional Fondue Savoyarde to fresh meat and seafood from the rotisserie and grill, it also has a pretty impressive whisky collection!

Getting to Flaine is possible by all methods of transport. Being only 44 miles from Geneva aiport makes it an attractive option for those not so keen on long airport transfers. The closes train station is Cluses (about 20 miles) and regular shuttle buses or taxis are available to take you from the station to resort. Alternatively the drive from Calais or Dunkerque will take about 8 hours and if your accommodation doesn’t have its own parking there are free car parks at the entrance of the resort.

All in all Flaine is a very friendly resort, great for families and offering something for every ability of skier.

Visit Flaine.com for further information on the resort.

Do you know of the best places to stay, ski, eat and drink in Flaine? If so leave them in a comment to help other users find out more about Flaine ski resort.