 Poster: A snowHead
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Time to start a new thread for Grand Massif.....
'Normal' lift passes went on sale yesterday at a discounted rate (up to 30% depending on the date). I got 20% off our week at the end of Jan:)
https://www.skipass-grand-massif.com/en/
As a fan of Bauhaus and Brutalist architecture I am personally looking forward to my first visit to Flaine! I love reviews that call it the ugliest ski resort int he world 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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| ukoldschool wrote: |
Time to start a new thread for Grand Massif.....
'Normal' lift passes went on sale yesterday at a discounted rate (up to 30% depending on the date). I got 20% off our week at the end of Jan:)
https://www.skipass-grand-massif.com/en/
As a fan of Bauhaus and Brutalist architecture I am personally looking forward to my first visit to Flaine! I love reviews that call it the ugliest ski resort int he world |
well its probably the ugliest in the Alps. In the World? do not know. Never been in China or Kazakstan etc
However been already there three times in Winter and four (?) in Summer and although ugly i like it. Probably will go again in Summer 2026.
I have the PDS Season PAss, for this season otherwise i wouldnt hestitate to book again in Flaine. Where have you booked? i mean accommodation.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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If you are up the mountain and look down on Flaine...it sort of makes sense from a design point of view in my opinion.
Slabs of concrete mimicking the rock faces.
As a place to ski the GM is absolutely fabulous.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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New piste map interesting. Cascades is now a red and Paccoty (steep and rarely open) a black. Flaine has been getting too busy with the obsession to head over from the rest of the GM meaning the blue liaisons can be carnage. Fingers crossed that the whole area gets good snow this season
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They have also changed Aouia at the top I think. Then there is the new Gron lift which goes higher.
Yes last season we mainly skied in the lower villages once we realised everyone else was going to Flaine! The main problem I recall was that the Corbalanche lift was only open at peak times which meant too many people going down Portet.
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With 100 days to go before me and my buddy’s long weekend in Samoëns I have started to consider
a) doing some squats
b) going into the loft to see if the mice have left any part of my ski trousers unpissed
c) meticulously planning our daily itinerary for when we’re there
Nearly as much fun as going is the build up before going. Jebus knows what I’ll be like if it actually starts snowing. I’ve never skied GM before, so open to any and all suggestions from you knowledgeable lot for our visit. We’re good level skiers but prone to the odd refreshment.
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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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@snowymum, the Aouia change looks interesting - the start of the run was horrid last year. I hope it results in fewer traumatised beginners….
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Chariande 2 !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Yes damaged by a landslide over two years ago and no plans to repair it. TKD Balme is also still on the plan and isn’t used anymore. The plan also shows the new Molliets carpet and green run Louveteau, put in place as Les Carroz have removed the beginner area in the village for this winter due to the lack of snow
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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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 Here’s to a good season 25/26! Anyone got any photos of the upgraded Gron lift/works please?
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks! Following that channel now…
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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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This is going to make a hell of a difference to avoid the sludgefest at marmottes during peak weeks! Laps of les Carroz and access back to Morrilon & Samoens via coulouvrier might ease congestion a bit
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Callummj6747 wrote: |
| This is going to make a hell of a difference to avoid the sludgefest at marmottes during peak weeks! Laps of les Carroz and access back to Morrilon & Samoens via coulouvrier might ease congestion a bit |
Agreed! I think it’s going to make a big difference!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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It'll soon melt
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hello, I am heading to Flaine in Jan.
Just wondering if there are ever lift pass offers or Black Friday deals on passes in the Grand Massif?
Thanks.
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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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@dh900, I’ve never seen Black Friday deals but they do offer a discount if you buy a weekly season pass in advance (not sure how much). Season passes are quite good value still (the best price is no longer available) if you intend to ski for more than a couple of weeks. I think that they go up to full price at the end of November, but don’t rely on my info, check the website.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Toying with the idea of a return to GM for a week 7 March but reading last years threads and posts I’m now not so sure. I’d kind of forgotten a lot of the bottlenecks and likelihood of poor snow as it’s low. Been spoiled really by various trips to Les Arcs, La Plagne and Serre Chevalier in recent years with plenty of altitude.
I can’t ignore the draw of quick easy transfer from GVA though and I always enjoy Samoens as a base. My two friends (we’re a trio in our mid fifties) really fancy a new resort to them.
May have to book flights and see what the weather gods bring us.
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@jirac18, That’s a tough one. I never ski in the GM during the Feb holidays so don’t really know how bad the bottlenecks are. The pisteurs are excellent at making the best out of poor conditions and I would have thought that March should be fairly safe for snow cover.
Basing yourself in Flaine would reduce your risk of poor snow, but it isnt to everyone’s taste.
I’m sure that your week will be amazing wherever you end up - it’s better than being at home!
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@jirac18, 7 March is the first week after the French holidays and in my view one of the best to choose.
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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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@DJL, That why we chose that week tbh. Every time I’ve been to GM (5 or 6 trips) was always in school half term or Christmas as our kids were of that age so I’ve never managed to experience it in a quieter week. I’m sure all things being equal it will good, I’m just being a bit nervous as in recent times we have gone to the higher resorts to all but guarantee decent conditions.
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We went week of March 8th this year. Didn't have any notable queues at all. Conditions were good. We stayed in Flaine and had the best of the conditions in the GM at that time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@adriangrogan, good to know thanks.
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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 a weekend there middle of March last year. Snow was good, slopes weren't too busy but visibility was appalling (so bad it induced terrible motion sickness). Stayed down in Samoens which has a great choice of restaurants.
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Fresh snow again last night, webcams show coverage down to 850, fingers crossed it doesnt melt....
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You know it makes sense.
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Staying in Samoëns in January 2026 with no car hire. Is it realistic to walk to Carrefour, or are the shops in town (Sherpa etc.) sufficient for a week of self catering? Any tips appreciated!
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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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Bit of a schlep with a couple of big shopping bags on foot I’d say having been there a few times. There’s no pavement either so you’d be walking on the edge of the road. There’s a few small Sherpa type shops in town which are okay.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| jirac18 wrote: |
| Bit of a schlep with a couple of big shopping bags on foot I’d say having been there a few times. There’s no pavement either so you’d be walking on the edge of the road. There’s a few small Sherpa type shops in town which are okay. |
Thanks! That’s what I suspected. Are Sherpa and other shops okay to see us through the week? Eating out is a bit of an issue for one of us due to allergies/intolerances.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes plenty of small shops to cover a week. The main Carrefour is on the Verchaix bus route though I think so you might be able to bus it
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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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| jirac18 wrote: |
| Yes plenty of small shops to cover a week. The main Carrefour is on the Verchaix bus route though I think so you might be able to bus it |
Thanks that’s reassuring 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Webcams look like rain overnight and this morning even at Samoens 1600. Shame the cold temps couldn’t hold a bit longer.
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@jirac18, yeah 1800+m freeze level was expected early today, but dropping fast already and especially tomorrow will be closer to 1000m, staying pretty cool until weekend then maybe milder again.
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Webcams all look very frozen over the lasty couple of days..... fingers crossed this means low temps and a good base layer?
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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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How was the opening weekend?
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FAQ
although ive not been there as yet to see it in person, from the photos I've seen I would suggest that Plagne Centre in La Plagne is far more of an eyesore...
