Poster: A snowHead
|
Need some honest advice. Going to Flaine for 1st time in Feb. I need accomadation centrally. All facilities % and bars etc must be local. Walking is restricted due to disabled friend going. Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
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?
|
Do you want to be in Flaine itself or one of the outlying villages, la clusaz etc etc?
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Must be in Centre of Flaine
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
kitenski, [pendantry]I don't think you mean La Clusaz[/pedantry]
BATESSW, welcome. Never been there myself but I'm sure some opinions will be along in a minute!
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Flaine itself is ***tiny***, so almost everything is "central". about 1 km up the hil is "Le Hameau de Flaine", a collection of log cabins mostly used for self catering. There's an excellent village map on the flaine website
|
|
|
|
|
|
BATESSW, we have stayed in Flaine Foret and will go back - we found v handy for slopes, one pub, small supermarket and a couple of restaurants plus usual ski hire etc. But would not recommend this area for having everything at your fingertips or for someone who would have difficulty......to get up from Flaine Forum you rely on old yogurt pot type lift during the day and two old funicular type lifts day & night. But one of these is often out of action and on a couple of occasions both were out of order which was a real pain (esp as had just done our shopping in Forum!) There is a path but v steep and not ideal if carrying clobber.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the info. Looks like somewhere in Flaine Forum would be more most suitable.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
We have an apartment in Flaine Foret, slighty quieter than the forum, but just jump on the free asenceur down to the forum if we go out. The views are better from Foret, its quieter, the supermarket is better. The main problem would be getting up and down all the steps in the apartment buildings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do You rent out your apartment? We ar three sensible middle aged gents just enjoying our skiing looking for a week in Feb. Going on the 2nd Feb.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Sorry, its fully booked for february already!
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I stayed in the Hammeau du Flaine and the accomodation was lovely with a regular bus but it definately isnt recommendable for disabled access.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is It true that a beer in the bars can be up to £7!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
BATESSW, I doubt it, but if true I would find somewhere else to go.
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
7 euros per pint, definitely. mind you it's about that much in several bars in Manchester these days
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Avoid the Hotel Aujon at all costs. You can find all the apartments to let on the Flaine website but remember that where it says sleeps 6, 2 will be in bunk beds in a narrow corridor and the other 4 will be a pull out sofabed and with luck a small double bed! Very little privacy. But the skiing is great.
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Has anyone stayed at the VEGA Apartments in Flaine Forum? I see they are cosy to say the least but is there enough room for 3 people?
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I stayed in the Residence La Foret last February.
By far the most spacious French apartments I've stayed in.
We had the 6/7 and it had a bathroom, a shower / toilet and another toilet.
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Excuse my ignorance but those who are familiar with Flaine Forum and Foret which is the best Balcony to have, North South East or West?
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I'm not sure but I think we paid a little extra to have a south facing balcony apartment. The view was great looking over at the pistes and slalom run. I would imagine that the other view would just be close up of trees.
A view looking to the left from the balcony:
|
|
|
|
|
|
north and east face the hills I think, so south or west would be best?
|
|
|
|
|
|
BATESSW, We have done Flaine several times, and I think it fits your bill better than almost any other resort I know. Your disabled friend should be able to get up to the Grand Platieres to see Mont Blanc, and moving around at forum level is a doddle. I'm sure you could persuade the restaurants close to the resort to skidoo him across for lunch too. That said after skiing, and the skid pan on the lake below the Forum there is b****r all else to do bar ski, read a book (they have a library), watch telly or get ratted.
When we go we book an appartment deliberately bigger than we need, e.g a 2 bedroom for 6 for our family of 4, or it is very cosy. Had you looked at the Front de Neige flats? They are actually on the nursery slope and get lots of sun. Try Snowbeds who specialise in the Grand Massif. I would steer clear of the Hameau - picturesque but not at all convenient for someone with a disability.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
If I had the choice definately south
|
|
|
|
|
|
BATESSW, France is getting better about provision for disability - the Flaine tourism site might well be able to help. If your friend has limited mobility he might also find balance difficult, and when I had a visitor here with balance/gait problems the key thing was to get them into moon boots with bomb proof grip. Ordinary walking boots are not nearly so good, and as for trainers.... A pair of walking poles are good too, with a small backpack to keep hands free to use them - I almost always use at least one pole when walking round the village on icy pavements, where a fall would be nasty.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
There is a ciniema in flaine forum - and a swimming pool.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
plus ice quading, snow shoe walking,
|
|
|
|
|
|
Flaine Foret is definitely the better for views and you'll be wanting a south facing apartment with balcony. Check the prices and you'll soon see which are the most sought after. You can book apartments online (www.flaine.com); the Pierre & Vaccances ones where refurbished relatively recently, and apparently are now very nice.
Flaine is tiny to walk around (though with extensive and great skiing). Although it's far too common for one of the ascenseurs to be out of action, I've never seen 2 out at the same time in all the times I've been there,which is many (though I've heard it has happened). If one is out, it's a short walk to the other, and they run all day.
Make sure your friend heads up to the Grand Platiers (top of main DMC lift) to enjoy an exceptional view of Mont Blanc - there is a restaurant at the top.
Flaine wouldn't be my 1st choice for non-skiing, and prices (beer, food) have seen to rissen above average over the last few years; but the skiing is fantastic!
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
BATESSW, welcome .i boarded in flaine last year three times .dec ,jan,and feb.brill skiing/boarding.it is five pound a pint.not alot there for a non skier.if you go on to the flaine web site ,you can see a map of the town.you need to stay in the middle section of the town.if you look at the flaine map it will show you where the centre of town is .there are three levels ,with lifts in between them,there is more to do in the town below .les carroz,iif you wanted to you could catch the free buss to flaine .i did find the paths in flaine very icey,compared to les carroz,i think ther is a hotel called hotel totam,spell check,which would suit your needs.if you could afford it america is the place for you.you can nfind last minute deals ,just has cheap has france.hope this helps you .one thing,brill ski area .
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
I stayed at Vega last year. My apartment was cheap as chips, shabby but just about clean, though the decor had nothing to recommend it. Got it off the Renand Rental site (via the Flaine website)- basically the more you pay the better the space/decor/balcony direction is. I wasn't bothered as I didn't intend to be in it much. I was on my own in an apartment supposedly for four - great for just me, would probably have only considered it for one additional very good friend. It is extremely central and the lift was reliable.
|
|
|
|
|
|