Flaine Facts

Altitude: 2,500 - 700m
Pistes: 265km
Lifts: 78
Runs: 14 Green, 56 Blue, 48 Red, 15 Black
Snowparks: 3
Suitability: Excellent all levels
Nightlife:
Transfers: Geneva (70km)
Coach: Yes

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Ski Area: 10 metres
Town: 5 metres
Comfort:
Rooms: 4 persons
Sleeps: 375
Catered: Full board
Extras: Sun terrace
360 View: 360 View

All Inclusive

UCPA LogoUCPA prices include:-

- Lift Pass
- Ski / Board Hire
- Instruction
- Accommodation
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Evening Entertainment

 

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Flaine Altair

Dates and Prices

Resort

 

Flaine SnowparkFlaine is a purpose-built resort, with instant access to one of the largest linked ski areas in France known as 'Le Grand Massif.’ Le Grand Massif stretches over a network of 122 pistes with enough variety for skiers and snowboarders of all skills and ambition. Flaine is car free and is split into three sections which are all very neat and compact. The three sections are on different levels called, ‘Flaine Foret’, (highest level) ‘Flaine Forum’, (middle level) and ‘Flaine Altair’, (lower level). Each section is easy to get to along a path or via a lift and there are plenty of shops and cafes at each place.

Flaine is all about convenience. It offers access from your doorstep to its superb ski area and stunning scenery. The 'Grand Platieres' cable car goes direct from the heart of the resort of Flaine to the highest point in the area. Before heading downhill, take time to check out the awesome view across to Mont Blanc (Western Europe's highest mountain, 4808m), and beyond!

There are 3 "Jam Parks" throughout Le Grand Massif with several kickers, rails, banked turns and tables. The features are often changing and redeveloped. For up to date details, check out the Grand Massif Resort Website.

One of the best things about Flaine is its exceptional snow cover with virtually guaranteed snow from December to April! If you want to give yourself the best chance of powder next season then we suggest you give Flaine a go.

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.

Flaine SnowboardersIntermediates - 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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Town Centre

Flaine pubFlaine is a purpose-built ski resort, 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.Nightlife
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.


Nightlife
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.

Town Centre

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.
 

Accommodation


La Norma


UCPA Flaine Altair


Introduction 

Flaine Altair UCPA is a very comfortable centre, just 150m from the piste yet also steps away from the centre of town. The building was fully renovated in Summer 2009. All our groups last year gave us great feedback - this year the centre is open for individuals to book. The ski hire & store room is within the building so no dragging your kit across the town !

Room Details

UCPA Multi-Share
The mutli-share rooms are spacious and sleep just 4 persons, with 4 separate bunk beds and plenty of individual storage space. Shared bathrooms are situated nearby all the rooms.

Food description

The food is served buffet style each day. Breakfast is yogurts, cereals, fruit juice, coffee and bread - don't be surprised to see that the coffee, tea or hot chocolate is taken French style - a soup bowl!
Lunch is a buffet with a choice of salads, hot dishes, cheese, deserts.
Dinner is a 4 course buffet - typically a salad bar style starter, choice of 3 or 4 main courses - most often including fish, cheese selection, fruit, dessert and ice-cream freezer.
Any special dietry requirements should be made known to reception staff at check-in. Generally vegetarians will find a wide enough choice within the buffet.

 

Entertainment

The UCPA staff lay on an entertainment program each week; It's certainly not Butlins and there is no pressure to take part - all quite low key; Typical program would include stretching in the early evening, crepe making, quiz, sketch evening, karaoke and some evenings a live band.
Equally in the town there is a great selection of bars & nightclubs to suit all tastes.

History

UCPA is more than 40 years old, and was originally set-up by the French government to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors. It is now a "not for profit" organisation with all profits being put back into refurbishing the centres.
The ethos of sport is still first on the agenda, but the instructors and centre staff don't forget that it is still your holiday.

Useful facts

The resort is officially car free, but you are allowed through the barriers for 1hr30mins to unload at the door of UCPA Flaine, after this time you must park your car in one of the car parks. The car park at the bottom of the hill (15min walk back up) is free-of-charge otherwise it is approx €8 per day.

Location

Just below Flaine Forum

Twin Room UCPA FlaineDining Room

Equipment Hire / Liftpasses

Top Tips

ParapentingCascades 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!

How to get there

By Air

Geneva (70km) - approximately 1hr 15mins by airport transfer, car or taxi or 1hr 45mins by bus. 

Annecy (85km) and Lyon (220km) from which car hire or taxi are the only options to get to Flaine.

Airport transfers from Geneva can easily be arranged with Action Outdoors.

Car hire can be booked with our hire car to get a special rate. Flaine is car free so you don't really need a car once you get there, plus it can be a hassle parking. Advisable only if your flights don't match airport transfer timings.

Coach

Action Outdoors / Snow Express coach from London. To get to Flaine, you must change in Cluses, the driver will let you know. From here take a short shuttle up to Flaine (included in price of coach ticket). The coach is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to get to the Alps.

Train

Closest Train Stations are Cluses (30km), Geneva and Annemasse (70km). Regular shuttle bus or taxi available. From Cluses check times and book your transfer online http://www.altibus.com From Geneva and Annemasse check times and book your transfer online http://www.alpski-bus.com

Self-drive 

Exit Geneva Airport, follow signs to FRANCE onto the E25 / A40 Motorway signposted Bonneville and Mont Blanc Massif, take exit 19 signposted Cluses centre. Turn right onto the N205, towards Sallanches and leave the N205 after about 2 km (1.2 miles) at the left turning signposted Flaine, on the D106. This takes you to Flaine via Les Carroz d'Arâches

Maps

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