 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi!
Want to go somewhere different in second week of March and wondered about Espace diamant.
Done some thread trawling and think I've got some ideas but questions:
- Les saises seems to be mentioned a lot as a base. I can't find much about staying in the different areas. Where does anyone who knows the area recommend?
- second week of march - are the low bits likely to be useable? Looking at the piste map there's a fair few areas but they all seem to run down to quite low bases. Dont mind a bit of slush but prefer it not to be ridiculous
- as will be generally boarding on piste any particularly terrible bits for flatness?
- super specific/unusual question - likely to be any places I can run while there? Was thinking need to train on treadmill but if there were viable non icy outdoor bits then that would work
We have generally headed to linked resorts eg PDS, dolomites, Saalbach/Hinterglemm and we like the feeling of travelling around, seeing different places/areas so this looks like potentially a good mini option? Aiming for a bit less Germanic/dumpling soupy and also a bit less busy for this year (otherwise mayrhofen or kitzbühel look good options).
Thanks for any thoughts!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Actually I'm going to shamelessly tag @origen as potential local expert?
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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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Yes, Les Saisies is the best place to stay - with access to the best of the snow and more going on than in the other centres. Depends what you're after.
second week of March, after the school holidays, would generally be the best week of the season in many French resorts. Normally you'd expect to be able to ski the whole area then, but it's a while since there's been a "normal" year. I've skied on the closing date of the lower areas on perfect snow and deserted pistes. But that was then......
Denfinella wrote a typically excellent trip report - some years old now, and there have been useful lift developments in Saisies since then.
If you have specific questions I'll try to answer them.
For running, if it's snowy, I'd head down to the picturesque village Hauteluce on the free ski bus and run along the road there, which is usually quiet and snow-free. You can also ski down to Hauteluce when conditions are reasonable.
There are some stiff drag lifts in the Arly valley which some snowboarders wouldn't like. A long green run through the trees down to Crest Voland which might be a bit flat, as might the very beautiful "liaison" across the ridge from Bellasta to Praz sur Arly. But there are alternatives to both.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The skiing in the ED is about the same size as Kitzbuhel.
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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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Fantastic thank you! I'll have a look at accommodation options then may have specific questions.
I'd read definellas trip report and the lifts issue did stand out but good to see some improvements.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The lift improvements are in Saisies, facilitating a "circuit" which didn't exist before, with a new lift and a piste which goes under the road. The Arly drag lifts are still there, AFAIK. Several are quite long (with bends) and one (Seigneur) is long, with bends, very steep at the top. And for the most part without any easy escape route if you fall off. There are signs saying "Si vous tombez" with an arrow to the left. You have to hike through the woods on the left, then down a black run, sometimes unpisted, to have another go at the same lift. Or give up, and wait for an infrequent bus to Crest Voland. Makes a man of you!! 
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I love Les Saisies as a skier and it is a beautiful ski area with fantastic views of Mont Blanc. I’m not sure it’s a great option for boarders and I didn’t notice many boarders there. The centre of the resort is on the flatter side and there are some tricky drags in the wider area. Snow wise it would normally be ok mid March but bear in mind it’s highest point is 2100 m so if late season is very mild some of the wider espace Diamant resorts like flumet might not be in the best state by then.
I would maybe try Le Grand Massif that week. We went there for several years with friends who board and they liked it. Flaine is the highest part of that ski area if you can bear the architecture.
Another option would be Les Arcs. I was last there mid March this year. The weather was exceptionally mild but there was good snow cover throughout.
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