Basic Weekly Price: £1125-£4005, Sleeps up to 14
Luxury 5 en suite bedroom chalet with pool (summer only) in historic conservation village. more info...
St Jean de SixtFlaine is a small, purpose-built ski resort in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps, between Geneva and Chamonix. Small, car-free and compact, it is one of the quieter Alpine resorts, with a more restrained apr?s-ski scene than the larger French resorts. Architecturally, it consists of similar-looking apartment blocks built on three levels. Shops and bars are mostly to be found on the lower level, while the upper two levels are more for accommodation.
Read our mini guide to Flaine/Grand Massif
Higher up the mountain, the Scandinavian-style development of Le Hameau de Flaine (Flaine Hamlet) offers more rustic chalet style accommodation.
For something more cultural and less snow-dependent, the heady, cosmopolitan delights of Geneva are just an hour away. Closer to hand, the nearby village of Samoens, a ten minute drive away, is the area?s historical focal point. First mentioned in 1161, the name derives from ?seven mountains?, and admirably describes its beautiful location. At the town?s centre is a 500-year old lime tree, planted in 1438 and still going strong. The town also boasts nine ornate chapels, most of which were built between the 15th and 17th centuries. There is a botanical garden founded almost a century ago in the grounds of the ruined 12th century castle, with over 4,500 types of mountain flora from all over the world. Samoens was also the centre for the region?s famed stone-masons, who were highly valued by Vauban and Napoleon, and who developed their own dialect to prevent outsiders from stealing their secrets. In summer, Samoens is a centre for local mountain summer activities, including rafting, caving, archery and canoeing.
PROPERTIES FOR FLAINE/GRAND MASSIF ...
St Jean de SixtThe ski season runs from the middle of December to the end of April. In summer, temperatures can reach an average maximum of around 27?C in mid-summer, and around 22?C in late spring and early autumn.
St Jean de SixtGeneva is the closest airport at approximately an hour away (70km), while Lyons airport is 215 km away.
There is a regular SAT bus service from Geneva airport to Flaine. Tel. 04 50 34 40 09 for details.
The nearest SNCF station is Cluses, which is approximately 30 minutes away from Flaine. A regular bus service connects Cluses and Flaine.
St Jean de SixtThe Grand Massif skiing area is made up of Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoens, Morillon and St Jean de Sixt, for which a single pass is available. In total the Grand Massif area boasts 265 km of pistes (14 black, 51 red, 53 blue, 15 green), with a wide range of environments to suit all abilities and moods, from high, open runs to forest paths. There is a ?jampark? for snowboarders in Flaine and also Samoens, while Morillon has a special facility for 5-12 year olds.
Flaine is ideal for intermediate and more advanced skiers. Lifts are no more than a few minutes walk away from any point in the village and it is possible to ski into the village itself, snow permitting. The Flaine ski area rises from 1600 to 2500 metres, with 140 km of pistes, (4 black, 22 red, 19 blue, 7 green), including Cascades, an unbroken blue run 14 km long from start to finish.
There is also a regular free shuttle bus to nearby Col de Pierre Carr?e, the highest cross-country skiing area in the alps, with 17 km of track, while 30 minutes from Flaine, the area of Agy boasts a further 30 km of cross country track.
In addition to skiing, there are several other snow and health-related activities available. There is a swimming pool, ice-rink, indoor climbing wall, bowling alley, gym, saunas and artificial tanning facilities. For more of an adrenalin buzz, quad-biking, snowcats, helicopter trips, parascending and even courses in rally-driving on ice are available. There is also a cinema showing a varied programme of recent releases that changes daily during the ski season.
MAPS
GENERAL
- Skiing in Massif Central: General information about skiing in the Grand Massif and Flainewith listings of ski areas, ski passes available on-line, weather reports and tips.
