Flaine

Town Centre

Summary
Flaine has an unusual history. The site was discovered in 1959. Permission was granted to Eric and Sylvie Boissonnas to create a new urban development which would not disturb the natural surroundings. They carefully selected Marcel Breuer, a well-known architect, famous for The "Palais de l'Unesco" in Paris and Flushing Meadow Sports Park in New York, and entrusted him with the design. The colour of concrete was chosen to blend with the limestone rocks, the split level is designed to mirror the contours of the landscape and the master plan of the ski area was completed by champion Emile Allais.

For all the criticism of its architectural design, Marcel Breuer achieved some major innovative techniques for his time to create such a resort of convenience, with not a single power cable visible from the exterior, cable car and gondola lift stations on the same level as the ski runs (i.e. no steps!), a pedestrian centre with links to each level and the first ever non-polluting gas heating plant to be installed in the mountains! We think he did a pretty good job.

Nightlife and Activities
Flaine has a few good bars, pubs and clubs to choose from. Our favourite bar is the White Pub - which has a daily happy hour and a late night opening...dancing on tables is a regular occurrence at weekends! If you fancy a great spot for watching sports, then visit Flaine Forum which is located next to the ice rink. If you are up for a late night out, then head over to La Cave nightclub which offers free entry and is open until 3am. It is also located in Flaine Forum.

Other Things to Do
There is a swimming pool and sauna at the sports centre, outdoor ice-skating, ice-driving, parapenting, a cultural centre, bowling alley, cinema and indoor climbing.

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Ski Ability

Beginners
In 2008/09, a brand new 'Beginners Zone' was built in Flaine. It is reserved purely for beginners with a large range of sun-blessed green runs, promising the perfect learning environment.

Intermediates
Can navigate the 265kms of groomed pistes linking Flaine to the more traditional villages of Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoens and Sixt Fer à Cheval. There is a great variety of blue and red runs with wide open carving pistes and tree-lined routes along the way.

Experts
Will find many challenges on the steep north-facing mogul runs or the, literally, breath-taking narrow tree-lined gulleys linking into the wider pistes! Flaine also has fantastic off piste skiing amongst the trees and the powder-filled bowls which are easily accessible by lift. Car free and split into three sections and all very neat and compact. The different parts are on different levels, called Flaine Foret (highest) Flaine Forum (in the middle) and Flaine Altair (lower level). Each section is easy to get to, either along a path or via a lift! There are plenty of shops and cafes at each one.

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Our Top Tips

Cascades Piste
A beautiful 14 km long blue run dropping 1800m in height! Stunning scenery with frozen waterfalls. You will end up in the village of Sixt Fer à Cheval, from which you must take a shuttle bus to Samoens to get back onto the lifts, so don't leave it too late in the day.

Gers bowl
Off piste skiers should head to Gers bowl just after a fresh snowfall where there are amazing off piste routes accessible from Styx lift - we advise you to always ski or snowboard off piste with a guide.

Parapenting
Any level skier can have a go at parapenting, with endless views across to Mont Blanc and over to Italy and Switzerland, it's a great place to give it a go. Ask at reception or the tourist information in resort to book. Go on a clear sunny day!

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