Montsoleil apartments - Grand Massif - Flaine
luxury apartments a short ski from the centre of Flaine
Photo: Montsoleil apartments, Flaine
Flaine Montsoleil is an attractive new apartment complex 500m from the Flaine Foret built from stone and timber. You can ski to the centre of the resort on an easy run from there, and the ski school picks up complete beginners from outside the door. A short chair lift brings you home.
The flats have just 2 people per room, plenty of bathrooms and no one has to sleep in the lounge. This is very unusual for France, where they tend to expect you to stuff people in with little privacy. There are full self-catering facilities so you can cook what you like.
There is a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and turkish bath to ease your skiing aches and boarding bruises away. There are also ski lockers, a luggage store and free WiFi. There's even a resort club in the building if you feel the need for group entertainment.
The Spar shop can do home deliveries, or you can simply walk or catch the regular resort bus to the shops. The Spar in Flaine Foret has plenty of vegan necessities and fresh produce, and the Sherpa in Flaine Forum has more. Flaine Foret and Flaine Forum are linked by a couple of enclosed foot passenger lifts, as well as pistes, paths and the bus. Flaine is a small modern resort with very little traffic and a warm friendly atmosphere and you won't find many unpleasant fur-coat wearers here! Some of the 1970's central architecture leaves a little to be desired in looks, but thew glorious mountain scenery more than makes up for this.
As for snow, Flaine is thought to be one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Alps, having its own micro-climate that can bring snow here when it is thin and melting elsewhere. The runs are lovely, with both blue and red runs from top to bottom of the mountains. Blacks too if you like! There is even a run you can do to Sixte which is about 15km of blues or off piste, after which you catch a bus and lift home. It is a resort in which you can get a real sense of travel whether an early intermediate or an expert.
The off-piste is extensive, though on the Flaine side of the mountain a guide is advisable as the limestone cave system means there are many deep holes to fall in. If you want to go off piste without this danger, catch a ski lift over to the neighbouring resorts of Samoens, Morillion and Le Carroz, which together with Flaine make up the huge Grand Massif ski area. Guided ski touring is also a possibility.
There are a few ski/snow-boarding schools to choose from and even the ESF guys are nice in Flaine. Many speak good English. You'll find a good number of cafes, restaurants and bars, and even dancing some nights. The atmosphere everywhere is relaxed and friendly, with locals and holiday makers mixing happily. Drink and meal prices are reasonable compared to many resorts, though while the Euro remains strong they might still seem high to a Brit. Shop food can be very reasonable, and the French love good quality fresh fruit and veg, so there is plenty, as well as soya milk, yogurt, custard, tofu, etc.
Enjoy!
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