 Poster: A snowHead
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Actually I'm going to shamelessly tag @origen as potential local expert?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
The skiing in the ED is about the same size as Kitzbuhel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
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!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for your input, much appreciated.
I'll have a look at things over the next few days
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
if late season is very mild some of the wider espace Diamant resorts like flumet might not be in the best state by then.
|
That's true, but I wouldn't call the second week of March "late season".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've ridden my board in Les Saisies for 4 or 5 weeks and I don't recall any issues with flat sections. There are some shallow sections but they are consistent, and a couple of "humps" just before lifts but all in all I really like it there for the consistency of the slopes. Maybe a couple of spots where crossing/linking other pistes might be a bit flat?
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@ja203, Did you end up going to Les Saisies/ED. I love variety and trying new places and I wouldn’t mind tagging 4-5 days here as part of a trip in early March 2026 as will be getting TGV to Alberville. @Origen, Any recommendations on accomodation that is close to ski-in/out/lifts. Struggling to find much via various sites so maybe I’m looking in the wrong places. I will be 1 person not fussed on type (hotel if not crazy xxy or apartment). I’ll be skiing all day 1-2 beers then bed. Might be slow to respond as in Australia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
No, in the end went to serre chevalier but this is still on the longlist when the time is right
Not sure that's much help to you 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are few hotels. Masses of small apartment - your first port of call is the resort's own website. For expensive apartments - have a look at Peak Retreats. They have a lot of more upmarket places on their books but you can generally book them independently, if they appeal. However, the first week of March is still French school holidays, so best avoided. The following week will also be pretty busy, and u might find it difficult to rent an apartment except Sat/Sat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Espace Diamant is a brilliant ski area - Les Saises is a great spot with lots of good runs for boarders. If you are in ski Safari mode though (and looking to go around the whole area) you will encounter lots of flat sections on some of the intra area connecting pistes. I stayed in Crest Voland last year ( February school holidays - it wasn’t crazy at all compared to other places!) and skied with the kids. Les Saisies and Crest Voland had great runs (including for boarders!) but the blue retour piste to crest Voland was a narrow and at times flat run.
Crest Voland is a lovely village btw - very Savoyard if a bit low for guaranteed snow late season.
Mid February the pistes in Les Saisies were perfect but the grass was definitely coming up on the crest Voland side by the end of Feb but still super skiable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
the blue retour piste to crest Voland was a narrow and at times flat run.
|
You can also get back to Crest Voland down a (not very difficult) red run, from the top of the Chard du Beurre chairlift out of Saisies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Ah you are correct! Apple for forgetting that one! I usually ended up on the other side of Les Saises so used the retour crest Voland.
They have a a new gondala going in CV for this season. Nice upgrade!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
There is a blue from the top of Chard du Beurre back to Crest-Voland too. It has snowmaking, the red doesn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Yes, that's true - Chapelle is a comparatively recent addition. The 5km liaison run through the forest is beautiful in the right conditions but I'd not think about it on a snowboard - that's a brave choice!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Whilst this thread is open I wondered what people thought of going to Les Saisies in late March?
It wouldn’t be until 2017 and only if our first family ski trip goes well this year. But it looks like an excellent location for a second week for beginners/ early intermediates. I realise that a lot of the rest of ED will be suffering by then but LS seems to have plenty of terrain itself and we would be tied to Easter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@EdYarker, yes, Les Saisies a good bet for late March. Some of the higher parts of the rest of the domain should still be OK too, it's largely north facing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@denfinella, Thanks for that. It was what I thought, so will keep it in our plans!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Generally (I know it changes every year) but would you be able to ski back to Hauteluce under the chozal chair say 7th to 14th March? Also how easy is it to ski to Les contamines from Hauteluce it looks like the resorts link??? But maybe different pass or would I need to do touring/offpiste to get there. Looking at a potential ski safari if I don’t decide to do the whole week in Diamant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
would you be able to ski back to Hauteluce under the chozal chair say 7th to 14th March?
|
Often not, regardless of date. Staying in Hauteluce would be a pain.
Les Contamines is not ski-linked to Les Saisies. Getting there on foot would not be a "ski safari" so much as a hike, carrying skis for much of it. And yes, it would be a different pass. Still worth it for a day if you have a car and fancy a change of scene.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
With a car you'd drive down to Hauteluce and then go along the valley to Belleville. Not like my stupid son did one day (having used a satnav despite my detailed instructions) go via Megeve to LC village itself. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If the snow's good there's plenty of skiing in the ED for a week. If it's not, then apart from Les Contamines there'd be no point going anywhere else. But I imagine the LC pass is a bit cheaper than the ED so a day trip over there would be worthwhile if the weather is nice (not if it's nasty). From Belleville you get quickly up (gondola and chairlift) to the Col - no need to bother with the rather tedious routes back down to LC village. You can stay high. Well, as high as it gets round there! There is also a fair bit of easily accessible off-piste in LC. It's a good spot. And Mont Blanc is right in your face.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@Ldj226, yes, problem with the run under the Chozal chair is that it faces almost directly south. Maybe you can download on the chair though?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
There are free busses between Hauteluce and Les Saisies though they are not very frequent. I don't know whether you can download on that chair, or whether they will run it when the run down (which goes quite low, as well as being south facing) is closed. Incidentally, the village of Hauteluce (where the Chozal chair goes down to) is nowhere near where Google Maps puts it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Thanks for the info. Will reconsider location in that case and stay higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
The best location is undoubtedly in Les Saisies itself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi,
We love les Saisies and have been several times. Would definitely recommend that as a base over other areas in terms of snow and also local facilities!
Does anyone have a recommendation of a ski instructor based there with good English who is a gentle soul for first timers/nervous skiers? We don’t want somebody who is more tough love in their teaching style! I know we can get directly in touch with the ski schools but wanted to check if anyone had any personal recommendations first. We are looking to do private lessons for some of the group who will be joining us this year and I know things can book up fast!
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Stéphane at the ESI (Glisse Passion) is lovely. He's good at adapting his teaching style to the pupil's needs. Welcome to Snowheads, @ameliamariathompson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
That’s great, thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
