Flaine riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

Freeriders have some great opportunities for off-piste riding, with plenty of long, interesting runs to tackle. The area above the Samoens lift is pretty good, but alternatively, you should check out the trees in Les Carroz, where you will get a good lesson on how to treat wood at speed.

Advanced riders should check out Combe de Gers, which is a steep backbowl that drops away with 700 metres of vert (don't bail this one). To get the best off-piste riding, hire a guide, which will cost about 60 euros for two hours.

Heli-boarding is also possible here.

Freestylers

Freestylers may at first feel they are invading a Euro-carver's hangout, but air heads have a good two-mile long funpark area. The Jampark is set up on the Calcédoine run over the Aujon ski area, and it's loaded with big hits to get high. There's even a kid's halfpipe called the Fantasurf. The park is supported by a reduced lift pass, so check at the ticket office for the latest deals.

Pistes

The pistes are well maintained and hard booters are certainly at home here: Flaine was one of the first carving capitals in France and France, as we all know, is home to the hard booter. Like most of the country, there are many good areas for Alpiners to show off, which makes for some real fast riding.

Beginners

Beginners have a number of very easy flat runs which are serviced by four free beginners' lifts : Le Pré chairlift, Bissac drag lift and rope tow lifts and Flaine Forum bucket lift, all located a short walk from the village area. However, to progress you will need to buy a pass and head up to the more interesting runs.

There are a couple of long blues leading away from the top of Les Grandes Platieres cablecar, allowing novices to find out what linking turns is really like.

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 28
Cable cars: 1
Gondolas: 1
Chair lifts: 9
Drag lifts: 17
Max people per hour: 28,000
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 52
Total ride area: 87miles (1400m)
Longest run: 8.7miles (1400m)

Top lift: 2500m
Vertical drop: 900m
First lift: 1600m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 7%
Red runs: 80%
Black runs: 13%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
Flaine area:
Half-day 21.50 euros
1 day 30 euros
Grand Massif:
1 day 35 euros
6 days 173.50 euros
Season 760 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 5m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 5%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: Private lesson: 1hr 32 euros
Group 3hr/6 days 118 euros
Snowboard Hire: 121 euros for six 3-hour sessions
Night Riding: : No