Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone know the layout here. I have been offered appartments at the P&V, de la Foret and at the Residence Vega in Flaine Forum. Any comments on the proximity of these to the main bars, shops etc? Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi
I have been to Flaine once, towards the end of the session. To be fair there are not many shops and bars, if i remember rightly there is a nice pizzeria, and large bar, plus a few small outlets and ski shops. The large hotel complexes have bars, where people tend to go. regarding access, the complexes are on a slope with an outdoor bucket lift thinging giving you good access. So two areas seem connected well. From what i remember the newer area seemed a bit of a way away from the slopes.
However, there is great sking, good runs and a large linked area. Its easy to get to from geneva, even if you turn left out of the car hire area instead of right, and take the lcoal roads, rather than the main roads through the french side!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Flaine is tiny - there are two main ares, "Front de neige" and "Forum" - forum is just above front de neige and there's a couple of lifts linking the two areas. Either of those is fine. Flaine foret is a ways further up the hill I think and less amenable for clubbing etc
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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martyngb, Forum is the lower part of resort, foret is the higher, they both have good access in fact foret is I think better as you are on the same level for most of the lifts. There is a free funicular linking both levels, only about 3 minutes. There are shops on both levels, we preferred the ones in foret for grocery & ski equipment.
Good bar at forum level is the White Pub & on Foret level the Flying Dutchman.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Flaine is only part of the Grand Massif domain fully linked with Morilon, Les Carroz and Samoens. Sixt is out of the way and can only be reached by Bus. Staying at Morilon or Samoens, which are at the middlw point, may be better to reach out the other areas because Flaine is at the far end with Les Carroz at the near end.
The 265km piste domain is not tiny at all but covering it from Flaine end is not easy. Grand Massif can be very busy especially at the linkages between each area.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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martynqb - If you like sleeping on campbeds ,no balcony, & grotty food, DON'T consider the Hotel Aujon - it's awful! - the SCGB uses it for FreshTracks courses - don't know why.
As for the rest of the Flaine complex for accomodation, see Les Menuires in the 3 vallees & you'll get the picture.
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Some comments on Flaine here
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martyngb, I've stayed in Vega and I've also walked past the P&V when staying the Andromede appartments. They are both fairly close to the slopes etc with the P&V being marginally closer but to get to the DMC lift from Foret you have to use a drag and then ski down. The P&V are up in Flaine Foret which is linked to Forum by an inclined elevator lift. So in terms of bars etc it really makes very little difference. I would second the recommendation for the pizza place in Forum but it takes not time to get there from Foret. The ski hire shop under the P&V seems to be very good and I've always had good skis.
In a counter to PG's comments I think that the apartments that I've stayed in are OK, not great but OK. They are quite variable but with an open mind they're OK. I've never been in one that's been dirty. Do get a south facing apartment so you get a balcony and a great view.
You either love or hate Flaine. I happen to love it because the skiing is great, the resort is compact, the locals/lifties/shopkeepers etc are friendly and it's close to Geneva. Don't expect a pretty alpine village but with an open mind the architecture is actually quite striking and blends into the mountainside when up the hill from it......Wish I'd managed to get there is winter.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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skiologist, Flaine is way better architecturally than Les Menuires and Plagne Centre (to name a few awful ones that I've visited). It just takes a bit of getting used to. The reason the SCGB use the hotel will be because it's the only one and that Flaine get loads of powder - never not snowed when I've been there (five times now).
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If you look at www.flaine.com/en/index.php there is a resort map that shows the layout of the buildings etc. The P&V appartments in the La Foret have been renovated for this year and have been greatly improved (was there at xmas again). Only been in one appartment in the Vega and it was a bit of a dump, but I think they are all privately owned unlike P&V so some may be fine. I would certainly stay in P&V. No problem getting back from the Forum at night unless you are so 'Tired' you can't even stand up. There is a bar and night club under the P&V appts
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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P&V are usually privately owned, but are often leaseback so have standard fittings. P&V have been selling the newly renovated ones la foret ones on their web site. Most MGM properties operate in the same way.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I did not know that, will have to start saving.
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You know it makes sense.
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martyngb, Ski over to Morilion, really nice runs over there through the trees, jus make sure weather is not closing in when you go as links can close in bad weather!
Have a great time
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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MARTYNGB - hope this helps
I think that the following are the nicest runs (all blue/red) in the Grand massif - obviously dependant on snow conditions
Faust (red) - top of TMC telecabine in Flaine back to village
Sairon - (blue/red) - all the way down to Morrillon 1100
from the Gron chairlift in Les Carroz - plenty of enjoyable blues
Cascades - 14km blue run from top of Flaine all the way down to Sixt (need to take a free 10 min bus to Samoens to get back into ski area). Incredibly scenic, a little bit of poling. Look out half way down for the telephone - this calls through to an awesome restaurant a little higher up - if you are keen for lunch they will send a skidoo down to collect you
There are also some great runs to the far right of the piste map in Flaine - accessed via the rickety old bubble then drag lifts - thses are rarely skied
for off piste thoughts see
http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Haute-Savoie/Flaine-Off-Piste-Route-Map
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Poster: A snowHead
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