Flaine Intermediates

The classic intermediate itinerary in Flaine is to get the Grandes Platieres gondola up to the summit of Les Grandes Platieres. From there you take in the sumptuous view along the Mephisto Superieure red down to the base of the Lindars Nord chair. At the top, you can take the Fred and Lapiaz reds back down to resort level, enjoying just shy of 1,000 metres of vertical.

The Aup de Veran gondola at the bottom provides access to the reds of Diablotin, Lutin and Belial but these are short runs.

For those skiers who like long runs, the reds of Faust, Almandine and Lucifer all offer decent vertical for the resort. Be careful when skiing Lucifer as it is not always groomed. In the Grands Massif region, the Marmotte red, accessed from the top of Tete des Saix also offers decent vertical and takes you all the way down through the trees to the parking at Vercland.

For intermediates who prefer blue runs, the 14km Les Cascades is one of the great runs of the French Alps. Sure, you will need your poles for large sections of the trip but if you want changing scenery throughout your journey, the strong possibility of seeing wildlife and a desire to get away from it all Cascades provides a wonderful journey alongside the frozen river Giffre.

The really flat sections along Cascades occur thus: at the start, when you turn off the Serpentine blue right until the piste is joined by the La Peuf blue. Other flat sections occur between posts No 36 to 29 and 20 to 15. You have been warned. It also is worth bearing in mind that the last bus from Six Fer A Cheval to Samoens that can get you back to Flaine in time is the 3.40pm. The little bar at the bottom of the piste in Sixt, the Bar des Cascades, does not take credit or debit card, also – don’t be the only skier without a vin chaud at the bottom!