A view from the top of the Flaine resort.
A piste map of Flaine.
Location & Overview
Flaine is located in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps and forms part of the Grand Massif ski area, which boasts an impressive 267 km of skiable pistes in total. This review focuses specifically on the Flaine area, as that’s where we stayed.
The free bucket lift up to the start of some of the green runs in Flaine.
The resort’s highest points are Tête des Lindars at 2,561m and Les Grandes Platières at 2,480m. Flaine is known for its consistent snow conditions thanks to its altitude and north-facing slopes.
The view from the top of Mélphisto.
Getting There
While it’s possible to transfer directly from Geneva Airport, there’s also a budget-friendly public transport option. We took a train from Geneva Central Station to Cluses, followed by a bus to Flaine. It was a straightforward and stress-free journey—ideal if you’d like to avoid the cost of a private transfer.
Underneath the clouds at Cluses Train Station.
Resort Atmosphere & Design
Flaine’s architecture is famously Brutalist—a style that divides opinion among mountain-goers. Personally, I loved the retro James Bond aesthetic. The grey concrete buildings blend surprisingly well into the surrounding mountain bowl.
One of the bigger hotels in Flaine.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Flaine has a reputation for being an all-rounder resort, catering to beginners, intermediates, and advanced riders alike. The terrain includes long blues, steep reds and blacks, and a good selection of varied greens for those still finding their feet.
One of the junction meeting points of several runs back into town.
A great perk for beginners is the free bucket lift, which grants access to some blue and red runs—meaning you don’t have to purchase a full lift pass just to venture beyond the nursery slopes.
Green Runs
I spent a lot of my learning time on Épicéa and Pin—pleasant forest runs with a steeper finish that leads back into town, offering a nice mix of terrain.
One of the forest runs going back into town.
Érable is the main bunny slope, split into two sections to keep crowds down. Further up, Bissac provides another good beginner-friendly option. Overall, Flaine’s greens strike a good balance—gentle enough for learning, but with enough variation to prepare you for the blues.
A view from the bucket lift looking back into town.
Blue Runs
As a first-time snowboarder, I stuck mainly to a few blues: Serpentine and Méphisto.
Méphisto: Long, with a mix of steeper sections and fun tree runs closer to town.
Serpentine & Cristal: Stunning ridge-line descents with sweeping views, though they can become icy and develop moguls later in the day.
Mélphisto weaving through the trees back into town.
Because Flaine sits in a natural bowl, most runs feed back into the town, allowing you to mix and match blues, reds, and even blacks if you’re feeling brave.
The view of Mt Blanc from the top of Serpentine.
On clear days, the views from the top towards Mont Blanc are spectacular. On other days, you might find yourself above a cloud inversion—one of the most magical alpine experiences.
Advanced Riding
While my skills limited where I could venture, I could see that Flaine offers plenty of off-piste opportunities and challenging terrain for experienced riders.
Some of the steeper red runs of the resort.
Accommodation
We stayed on-piste at Hôtel Lapiaz de Flaine, enjoying true ski-in/ski-out convenience. The hotel had a sauna and hot tubs for post-slope relaxation, and the on-site dining was fairly priced.
A night view of Flaine from our on piste hotel.
Looking out from the hotel at sunrise.
Getting into town required a snow buggy ride (courtesy of the hotel) or a short walk—both part of the charm. It was very fun to stay on the piste, and the night views looking into town were awesome. It was my first experience of staying in mountains that big.
Some of the chill out spots on the blues boast some fantastic views looking back into town.
Dining in Town
O’Spot – A lively tapas-style bar, perfect for après-ski drinks.
Le Bistro F – Excellent value for the quality, ideal for a nice meal or a fancier drink.
Overall, we found Flaine’s restaurants to be reasonably priced with good quality food—no complaints at all.
Interesting art structures in town.
Ski Schools
If you want to level up your skills, Flaine has plenty of ski schools. I took a couple of lessons with ESF (École du Ski Français) and found them excellent—my progress was noticeably quicker.
Final Verdict
Flaine may not have the extreme steepness of some famous Alpine resorts, but as an overall package it’s superb. With varied runs, reliable snow, and options for all ability levels, it’s a solid choice for beginners through to advanced riders.
A nice view peaking out of the trees in town looking back down the valley.
Accommodation and dining are fairly priced, and the high-altitude location ensures some of the most consistent snow in the region.
Rating: ★★★★★ – Highly recommended for a well-rounded, great-value ski holiday.