Flaine Ski Resort Guide
Less than an hour and a half from the airport in Geneva, Flaine is easy to get to, and you won’t eat up too much of your holiday in getting there. It is part of the Grand Massif Ski Area, boasting 145km of its own runs and access to an additional 120km on Les Carroz, Samoens and Morillon.
Mainly aimed at intermediate skiers and family-friendly groups, the facilities are designed for comfort, safety, restful nights and early mornings on the slopes. There are lots of restaurants, some decent bars too, and one club… which sums up the vibe they seem to be going for: inclusive of everybody, but aimed more at laid-back fun in the daytime.
Good for
The Resort
The resort is made up of two main areas, Flaine Forum and Flaine Foret. Both of these areas have their share of accommodations, most of them ski-in-ski-out, and there are several bars and restaurants.
Flaine Forum doesn’t allow cars in its centre, which makes for a great area to wander around and grab a meal or a few drinks. There are places to stay farther out too, usually offering lower prices, and there is a free ski bus that shuttles people back and forth from them, as needed.
On the slopes
The north-facing slopes may not bathe in sunshine, but that means they do hold onto the snow. There are beautiful, tree-lined runs lower in the resort, but the majority of the runs are up above the treeline, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys while you ski.
Flaine is open for skiing from about 15 Dec to 22 April, but snow conditions may struggle a bit at the edges of the season.
The area isn’t known as a hot spot of clubs and parties. There is only one nightclub, called Les Caves, for dancing and higher-energy fun. The upside of a limited choice of venue? You know where the party will be!
There are a few nice cocktail bars, like Le White Pub, and several bars on the slopes themselves. From there, skiers often shift to Le Diamant Noir for live music, Le Flying Dutchman, which features quiz nights, karaoke, and barbeques.
As well as skiing, the resort offers snowmobiling, ice-driving (yes, that’s what it sounds like), quad biking, dogsledding and paragliding. If something inside appeals to you more, you can work out, go bowling, do some indoor wall climbing, get a few treatments in the spa, linger in a sauna or hot tub, take a steam, have a massage, and even take a swim in the outdoor, mountain-side (heated) pool.
The location
Stats
LIFTS
26
VERTICAL
1600-2480m
PISTES
145km (265km including Grand Massif ski area)m
