Worldwide Ski Resorts • France • Les Carroz

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Overview

The resort village of Les Carroz is in fact part of the extensive Flaine ski area known as the Grand Massif. The village is an attractive, traditional alpine community with its own accommodation, bars, shops and restaurants. It is a very friendly place and is reportedly a much more pleasant location in which to stay than Flaine itself which lies just up the mountain above the village.

There are lifts from Les Carroz that take you directly to the Grand Massif, although the station is a bit of a walk uphill from the centre — or there is a free bus that transports you to the slopes if you prefer. The standard of the medium standard hotels and apartments in the village is believed to be excellent and there is a good choice of restaurants and some interesting little shops. An added bonus is the regular torch lit ski event that is staged by the local ski school and which ends with a jazz evening in the village’s central square.

Profile

The village of Les Carroz lies at 1140m on the sunny side of the mountain below the Grand Massif where the slopes are to be found. The snow reliability is generally very good, particularly on the upper north and north west facing slopes. The runs local to Les Carroz tend be predominantly west facing and do suffer from occasional slushy conditions in warmer conditions late in the season. Snow making facilities are in place on the lower slopes. There are 265 km of pistes that cover some seriously steep terrain. Experts will find that the blacks are genuinely tricky and that most off the off piste areas, whilst exhilarating do require guides.

Advanced intermediates will have a ball here, but you do need a fair degree of confidence. Those intermediates of lesser ability will do well to avoid many of the reds and stick to the blues and the long cruising runs from the mountain back to the village. Beginners have an excellent choice of nursery slopes in the area , although there is a distinct shortage of suitable progression slopes for the true novice. Snow boarders have three terrain parks available to them, although one is specifically for children. Cross country fans are provided with a total of 64 km of tracks in the Grand Massif area, but these are reportedly widely spread. There is a selection of ski schools to choose from and child care facilities are apparently very good.

Mountain Information

The Grand Massif genuinely lives up to its title. The Grandes Platieres is the highest point at 2480m and is the starting point for most skiers with a choice of runs to suit all comers. From there, experts will do well to head for the main Gers bowl and then head on down the serious blacks towards Samoens 1600. Intermediates can try the wide cruising areas around the top of the mountain as well as the slightly tricky reds towards Flaine. The long easy run back towards Les Carroz is delightful and the perfect way to end the day. There are plenty of places on the mountain to eat, most of which have very good reviews.

Apres Ski

Les Carroz promotes itself as a family orientated resort and in consequence tends to be fairly quiet. There some good bars here however, that do provide live music and fun can be had — but do not expect a riotous time.

French Resort Guide

Resort Information • Les Carroz

Resort Height Resort Height 1140m
Top Station Top Station 2480m
Bottom Station Bottom Station 1140m
Vertical Descent Vertical Descent 1340m
Drag Lifts Drag Lifts 7
Chair Lifts Chair Lifts 7
High Capacity High Capacity 2
Opening Dates Opening Dates Dec - April
Rating Expert Rating Expert 7
Rating Intermediate Rating Intermediate 8
Rating Beginner Rating Beginner 8
Apres Ski Rating Apres Ski Rating 6
Snow Reliability Snow Reliability 6

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