Grand Massif Ski Holidays

The Grand Massif offers an unpretentious and wonderfully varied après-ski experience that genuinely caters to every taste, whether you seek a loud party atmosphere or quiet fireside relaxation. The centre of the livelier scene is typically found in Flaine, the high-altitude, purpose-built hub.

• Bars like Le Bissac, strategically located at Flaine Forêt near the pistes, serve as prime spots for late-afternoon refueling and early drinks, while The Flying Dutchman is a popular hotspot, particularly for British and Dutch visitors, known for keeping the party going late into the night with live music, DJ sets, and a festive atmosphere that often includes karaoke and themed nights.
• Les Carroz balances mellow and traditional alpine après-ski, offering a relaxed environment for post-ski drinks but featuring Le Club 74, a key nighttime venue that operates as a full-fledged nightclub, often staying open until 7 am on weekends and during high season to entertain night owls with a lively, festive atmosphere.
• Meanwhile, villages like Samoëns, Morillon, and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval focus on a more relaxed experience. Here, the après-ski tradition involves enjoying a classic vin chaud or local beer at the base of the slopes, such as at L'Après-Ski Chez Jeff in Samoëns, before heading to one of the cosy village restaurants for dinner. These venues emphasise a warm, local atmosphere and communal storytelling rather than high-octane dancing, providing a perfect end to a day on the vast Grand Massif slopes.

For those seeking activities away from the pistes, the Grand Massif offers a diverse range of wellness and leisure options. Flaine offers a comprehensive range of relaxation and fitness facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, a dedicated fitness centre, and several spa facilities designed to soothe tired ski muscles. The village of Morillon also caters well to families, providing its own indoor swimming pool and a popular seasonal ice rink. For those craving an adrenaline rush that goes beyond regular skiing, the area offers thrilling adventure activities such as dog sledging, snowmobiling, and the unique experience of ski-joring, where you're towed on skis behind a horse. Furthermore, around Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, the dramatic landscape offers challenging ice climbing opportunities on its frozen waterfalls.

The resort area also presents a fascinating contrast in terms of retail and culture. Flaine itself is an architectural marvel, characterised by its 1960s modernist style - sometimes described as ‘concrete chic’ - and featuring monumental sculptures by renowned artists such as Picasso and Dubuffet, making it a curiosity worth exploring. In stark contrast, the lower valley villages, such as Samoëns, Morillon, and Les Carroz, offer a charming, traditional Alpine experience. These villages host artisan shops, weekly markets, and sell local produce, including delicious regional cheeses and other goods that make perfect edible souvenirs, providing a warm, cultural counterpoint to Flaine's bold design.

Families are particularly well looked after here. Every resort has dedicated ski areas for children, with wide, gentle slopes and protected zones. Samoëns and Morillon lead the charge with extensive beginner areas and special lifts designed for little legs.

The Kids Jam Park in Morillon gives young snowboarders and skiers a playful space to build confidence, while sledging fans can hit two toboggan runs in Morillon or the 1,600 m slope at Col de Joux Plane near Samoëns.

Every village hosts both ESF branches and independent ski schools, many of which specialise in teaching children and offer English-speaking instructors. Parents can relax knowing the kids are learning safely and having a blast.