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A popular choice for those looking for a France ski holiday, there are several reasons why Flaine is a top resort.
With the town nestled in the Alps at a healthy 1,600m, Flaine’s snow record is strong and makes the resort reliable for skiing throughout winter.
It’s also got quick access to one of France’s best ski areas, with about 265km of slopes to explore across the Grand Massif.
Flaine definitely has more of a family feel to it - although there’s still a more laid-back après scene to explore. Don’t come expecting a party town though! Have a look at our best après-ski resorts if you want a high-octane experience.
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1. Excellent snow conditions all winter
At a strong 1,600m, Flaine is already a good bet for snow. Its slopes go up to a very healthy 2,500m, making it among France’s highest ski areas.
Flaine has a fairly unique, snowy microclimate thanks to its proximity to the Mont Blanc massif (French for ‘compact group of mountains’). Its inward-facing bowl shape also means it holds its snow well, providing ideal ski conditions.
Indeed, its snowfall over the last 11 years has been very strong. The average per week in December and January was 40cm, with February, March and April hitting 32cm, 34cm and 21cm respectively.
If those trends continue, you can expect at least 3 days per week where it snows in each of those months.
2. Great for beginners and intermediates
Flaine is an excellent place to learn to ski. It’s got 2 free beginner slopes right in the resort (so you don’t have to get a lift up to them) and offers a discounted beginner lift pass - meaning you��re not spending money on lifts you won’t be able to reach.
There are a good range of slopes to help you gradually progress onto more challenging terrain. Good green runs (green runs are the easiest) to aim for include Malachite and Mélèzes, while the Serpentine and Cristal blues are a fantastic next step to help your progression.
Read our beginner’s guide to skiing in Flaine for much more information.
Intermediates are similarly well catered for. There are plenty of blues and reds in the local Flaine area, with 26 blues and 25 reds. Many of these are nice and long, and cover a variety of terrain and steepness, meaning you really get a great mixture of skiing.
Of course, you can massively expand the number of slopes that you can tackle by upgrading your lift pass. See below for more on that!
3. Instant access to a fantastic ski area - for just €2 extra!
Skiers can increase the amount of slopes to explore by over 100km by buying a pass for the Grand Massif ski area, which includes the local areas for the resorts of Les Carroz, Morillon and Samoëns.
The Grand Massif has a whopping 265km of pistes, of which 25 are green, 59 are blue, 44 are red and 11 are black. It’s served by 62 lifts in total and is also home to one of Europe’s largest snow parks (JamPark in Flaine).
Throughout the area you’ll have wonderful views of the Mont Blanc mountain range, as well as similarly reliable snow conditions throughout.
And the best bit? Access is only €2 extra per day per person - an absolute bargain!
4. Advanced skiers will also have a great time
Flaine and the Grand Massif area have a good range of tricky runs and off-piste challenges, meaning even the better skiers will enjoy their time here.
Good blacks to have a go at include the Diamant Noir, which has a 700m descent from the top of the ski area at 2,500m, via a handful of moguls. The Lindars Nord black is also great fun - a steep and narrow one which provides plenty of thrills.
As for off-piste, have a go at the Gers bowl or the Combe de Gers, which goes right down to the valley floor.
5. It’s a strong resort for families
Flaine has a big family-friendly vibe to it, and there are several key reasons for it.
The resort is largely traffic-free, meaning everyone can walk (or ski) about easily and in serene settings. There are 2 distinct levels to the resort - Flaine Forum below, and Flaine Forêt above - which are connected by 2 charming funiculars at either end.
Much of the resort’s accommodation is also ski-in/ski-out through most of the winter, meaning there’s no carrying the kids’ skis across town.
There are also multiple ski schools which cater for children between 3 and 11 years old, and several for children older than that. All of these are highly-rated ski schools.
Meanwhile, it’s a quick transfer time from the airport - just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Geneva.
6. You’ll have fun at Flaine’s bowling alley - and other activities
After a hard day’s skiing, you might well enjoy a trip to Galaxy Bowling. It’s got 6 lanes (including 1 specially adapted for children aged 2 and a half +), as well as offering a bar for parents.
The place also has a room with billiards, table football, darts and all sorts of simulated games, while there are plenty of TVs which show live sport, meaning you won’t miss out on any of the big events while you’re away.
There’s also a sun terrace which is lovely to relax in when the weather is friendly.
Later in the evening, Galaxy Bowling turns into a bit of a nightclub - staying open until 3am, it brings in a DJ to crank up the atmosphere. You can either dance the night away, or have a more chilled one, enjoying the homemade food (bruschetta, burgers and desserts!) and each other’s company.
Also in Flaine, there’s a pretty outdoor ice rink, a swimming centre (including a children’s pool and two whirlpools, plus saunas and steam rooms for the parents), a cinema (with some films played in English), and an indoor climbing wall.
You can also try to solve the “City Game Kit”. Head to the tourist office, where they’ll give you an envelope with a riddle inside. The answer should take some investigation, as you explore Flaine in search of clues.
Lastly, you might enjoy some ice quad biking round Flaine’s 600m unique circuit.
7. Enjoy Flaine’s more low-key après scene
Let us be clear - Flaine is not a party resort like Val Thorens or St Anton!
That doesn’t mean people don’t go out at all though. In Flaine, the vibe is more relaxed. You probably won’t get jam-packed bars and clubs - and there’s certainly no Folie Douce - but you’ll get more space to actually talk to people properly, while still enjoying great live music.
Several places put on great live music, including Le White Pub, Le Diamont Noir and Brasserie Les Cimes, while those looking for some dancing right next to the slopes should head to Le Pente à Jules.
There’s also a nightclub in Flaine - Les Caves - which stays open until 5am, and is the only place to do so.
Have a look at our complete guide to Flaine’s bars and après for more details.
8. It’s a really unique place with a quirky history
Flaine was built in the 1960s specifically for skiing, but also as an example of how to plan an urban area so that skiers’ needs were mixed with aesthetics and environmental protection.
Many people have a deep love for Flaine’s brutalist and Bauhaus architecture - indeed, Hotel Le Flaine’s roof has been listed as a historic monument since 1991.
Innovative designs ensured that electric cables are not visible (instead they’re all underground), and that Flaine was the first ski resort to have artificial snow-making facilities and a non-polluting gas heating plant. It also designed the village to have multiple levels so it could blend into the natural topography of the landscape.
Flaine is said to be an open-air museum, thanks to its various art installations dotted about the resort. There is a Picasso-inspired sculpture (La Tête de Femme), as well as other ones by Jean Dubuffet and Victor Vasarely.
There is an arts centre with contemporary art, as well as Flaine Auditorium - a live music space.
Discover how great Flaine is for yourself
If Flaine sounds like it could be your ideal ski destination, then let us help you!
Iglu Ski is the UK’s largest ski travel agency - for more than 26 years we’ve been finding people their perfect ski holidays. Our team have all done seasons in the mountains, so we’re experts on all things skiing.
Give us a call on 020 3848 3700 for advice on what resorts to aim for, where to stay, and smaller details like lift passes and ski hire. Alternatively, you can send us an enquiry, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible
If you know what you’re looking for, then have a look at our Flaine ski holidays to browse and book online.
If you’ve been put in charge of booking for a large group, have a look at our group ski booking guide - it’s filled with useful information that’ll help you book an incredible group ski holiday.