Flaine, Grand Massif

Resort altitude: 1600 m

Flaine is in the Grand Massif ski area. It is surrounded by mountain ranges, in the North by Les Portes du Soleil, in the East by the Aravis, and in the south by the Mont Blanc region. It is just an hour and 15 minutes from Geneva Airport and 40 minutes drive from Cluses railway station. Flaine is a modern, car free resort and is spread over three levels. "Flaine-Forêt" (1700 m), "Flaine-Forum" (1600 m) and "Flaine-Front de Neige" (1500 m) are connected by two elevators and two pedestrian trails 24 hrs a day. Services, shops, bars and restaurants are grouped together close to the accommodation with direct access to the lifts and slopes.

Being the most modern resort in the Grand Massif, Flaine may not be to everybody's taste and non-skiers may be happier in a village with a more traditional character. Prices here are attractive although it is not always easy to find chalets to buy in or close to the centre. Just 2 km outside lies the hamlet "Le Hameau de Flaine" made up of 70 luxury Scandinavian style chalets. A free shuttle service runs all day long in seasons between the resort centre, Le Hameau and Le Col de Pierre Carrée (Cross-country and walking trails).

Winter
Flaine, created in 1968 is the most modern and also the highest resort in the Grande Massif ski domain in the French Northern Alps. At 1600 meters altitude, the lift served area extends up to 2500 meters and the snow record shows good snow covering throughout the winter season. From Flaine you have access to 265 km of pistes which offer exciting skiing on 133 carefully maintained runs. In the Grand Massif you will find 1000 acres of prepared slopes, 75 ski lifts and 94.5 km of Cross country skiing trails. From Flaine you have access to the ski villages of Les Carroz, Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt. For non skiers there are plenty of activities from ice driving and ice quad to paragliding and helicopter flights, there are also plenty of activities for children with an indoor swimming pool, 10-pin bowling, ice skating and a snow kindergarten.

Summer
Flaine has a network of 150km of rambling and hiking paths, a popular way of exploring the beautiful scenery in the summer. The Grandes Platière cable car takes you from the resort centre up to the top in only 12 minutes. From here there is an amazing view of Mont Blanc and a restaurant with a sun terrace. There are 105km of mountain biking circuits starting from the resort. Flaine also has 4 natural climbing venues or you could try "Aerial walking", assisted climbing along rock faces just outside the resort. The Giffre Valley offers plenty of water sports such as canyoning, hydrospeed and rafting. There are also faciliites in Flaine for golf and tennis. Children can be kept busy with the junior golf or tennis camp and kids clubs from ages 4-12. For music lovers there are a number of free classical concerts held in the Faline auditorium throughout the Summer.