Le Grand Massif – the modern-historical skiing region Grand Massif (720-2500 m)

The skiing region Le Grand Massif within sight of the Mont-Blanc-peak lives up to its name and has reasons for being called the fourth largest winter sports region of the French Alps. A total of 265 kilometres await skiers of all levels on 40.000 hectares and five skiing stations provide ideal framework conditions for a successful ski vacation. The generous skiing region was created by merging the single skiing regions of the five stations Flaine, Les Carroz d'Araches, Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt Fer-à-Cheval, so that the slope network of Le Grand Massif now encompasses the entire mountain region North of the Mont Blanc.

As with the slopes, the five skiing villages also have something for every taste. While Flaine, the central station of the skiing region offers the comfort of a modern and functionally arranged skiing village without car traffic, Les Carroz d'Araches, Samoëns and Morillon are original authentic mountain villages like from a picture book. Here, wood panelled houses and historical buildings line the streets, some of them even listed. Flaine is characterized by the clear-cut Bauhaus style of the famous architect Marcel Breuer, who designed the skiing station on three levels and turned the forum in the city centre into a walk-in art exhibit with sculptures of Picasso and Vasarely. A further advantage of the modern station: Due to its location in the heart of the skiing region Le Grand Massif, Flaine is directly connected to all other skiing villages Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt and Les Carroz and turns all stations into one large skiing region with 77 lifts.

A devilishly good skiing region

Mephisto, Faust or Lucifer – the names of some of the most famous slopes of the skiing region Le Grand Massif could make the impression that this is only something for daredevils. Quite the contrary, these „devilishly good“ slopes and numerous others of the 144 slopes make the skiing region with the view to the Mont-Blanc a real paradise for beginners. Easy and gentle slopes that are ideal for practice runs and relaxing downhill tours can be found not only around Morillon, but also close to Les Carroz and Samoëns. Beginners but also real professionals will find what they are looking for along the slopes of the Grandes Platières, reaching up to 2.485 meters, and in the „white desert“, Le Désert Blanc. One highlight among the easy slopes is without a doubt the blue slope Les Cascades that brings you all the way down to Sixt with 14 kilometres of slopes with a unique view and landscape.

While the easy to medium-hard slopes that lead over broad pastures and through cosy woods are located more at the bottom of the skiing region Le Grand Massif, located between altitudes of 700 to 2500 metres, the level of difficulty increases with higher altitudes.

Professionals and experienced skiers will find their pleasure mainly around the ski station Flaine that lies at an altitude of 1600 meters. From here to the highest peaks of the skiing region, over half of the slopes are categorized red and black. Among them mainly the narrow and difficult slopes along the steep passages of Tête des Lindares, Grandes Platières, Tête Pelouse and Lac de Gers. Or the longest slope of the region from Les Grandes Platières over the Tête de Véret all the way to Sixt, where you can also find an unprepared slope for deep snow skiing. Further perfect and monitored areas for tour skiers are also found on the slopes La Pente à Jules or La Combe du Gers. If you still haven not had enough, you can continue skiing at night on the well-lit slope in Carroz.

Cross-country skiers prefer the stations Samoëns and Morillon. The largest part of the 90 trail kilometres of the skiing region Le Grand Massif is divided onto tours for all skill levels here.

Snowboarders will also enjoy this skiing region. Thanks to a Snowpark in Les Carroz d'Araches, a Funpark in Flaine with Halfpipe, Big Air, Boardercross, numerous small jump elements and even a Dj and Barbecue as well as a Jam Parks in Samoëns under the Chariande-chair lift, boredom is hard to find here. A children’s jampark at the Bergin slope in Morillion was created specifically for the younger snowboarders.

In general, young winter athletes are well supported in the skiing region Le Grand Massif. Skiers under the age of 5 do not need a ski pass and can enjoy all stations on corresponding practice lifts and slopes or in children’s ski kindergartens and schools. Very young children 6 months and up are well taken care of day-care facilities in all villages, while their parents enjoy the slopes. Slightly older beginners can try out their skies on the beginner’s areas next to the lift at the mountain station in Les Carroz with a special ski pass.

Entertainment for sports and art fans

If you are looking for entertainment on a day without skies or after the lifts have closed, you will find enough options in the skiing region Le Grand Massif. Next to the classic offer of winter hiking trails and snowshoe hikes, ice skating rinks and fitness canters in Flaine, Samoëns and Le Carroz, exceptional activities like Quad or GoKart driving on the ice, dog sledding tours, paragliding or a helicopter tour around the Mont Blanc are available. Real adventurers can also try winter camping in Samoëns and Morillon.

Next to active and athletic highlights, the skiing region Le Grand Massif also has surprises waiting for art enthusiasts. Especially in Flaine, a broad cultural offer is part of everyday life, including numerous concerts and especially the centre of contemporary art, which opened in the city centre in the late seventies. Of course, the versatile Après-Ski-offers should also be mentioned, that invites you to end your ski day in the main village of the area with discotheques and bars.