 Poster: A snowHead
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I've narrowed down to these two resorts based on transfer time, beginner/intermediate slopes and snow reliability. Planning to go 3rd week Jan with 3 kids who have done lots of dry slope lessons but nothing on snow.
Priced up both resorts with transfers, passes, ski hire, flights and basic self catering accommodation and they are exactly the same.
Like idea of Les Saisies as more traditional and possibly less busy. What puts me off is that it's not as high as Flaine and concerned about lack of snow like NY2023 when slopes were bare. Over a decade ago, I used to go 3rd week of Jan and snow was always very good however. Les Saisies worth a shot for first family ski hol?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@LAP4444, welcome to snowHeads. I can't help with your query, as it is a long long time since I skied in Flaine. We do have some Les Saisies regulars who will be able to help though.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Quote: |
Les Saisies worth a shot for first family ski hol?
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Yes, I'd say so. It's the same height as Flaine (1650m). Snow quality and quantity varies a lot but over a long period I've not been aware of a time when Flaine had good snow and Les Saisies didn't! It probably has (generalisation.....) more considerate skiers than Flaine, overwhelmingly families, and French. Not too many boy racers. 3rd week of January is about ideal, I'd say.
Not the place to go if you expect everybody to speak good English! Instructors speak at least adequate English but if all the other kids are Francophone, that's obviously likely to be the most spoken language in lessons.
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Thank you,that's really helpful and good to hear. Thought slopes higher in Flaine but sounds similar. No lessons planned so largely French speaking resort all good.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'd suggest that a lesson - maybe a private lesson for the three of your kids together - might be worthwhile. The transition to snow is a big one, especially if the weather is nasty.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd suggest that a lesson - maybe a private lesson for the three of your kids together - might be worthwhile. The transition to snow is a big one, especially if the weather is nasty.
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@LAP4444, transfers around the same prices??
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Yes if you rent a car, I guess.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I was looking at packages inc private transfer. Didn't look at breakdown in price but all in, with more expensive passes in Flaine, came out same price.
Thanks for private lesson idea re transition, good idea.
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NY2023 i was in Flaine...there was snow, however around the resort was more something like spring snow rather that January snow.
I am thinking also Les Saisies for End of December.
The only plus for me in Flaine is that if the snow conditions are below average, there is the possibility to take the gondel and go high, and there some runs which are higher with better conditions...in NY2023 the difference between the upper slopes and those around the village was significant.
However as mentioned inoticed enought "boy racers"
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking as get 500m extra height from Flaine resort if google right. But like sound of Les Saisies more as less well known and relative lack of boy racers appeals. Need to decide whether to take risk, 2023 end of Jan was OK I think as snow did fall so have to hope more reliable than NY but nothing guaranteed these days!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@LAP4444,
Before making your mind up, check if Action Outdoors are doing a family week in Flaine that week. They cover everything bar getting to/from resort in their pricing.
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The "problem" is that if the situation is similar to what we experienced in New Year 2023, it won’t really matter whether you have the extra 500 vertical meters or not. In our case, almost all of Flaine — along with many skiers from Samoëns, Les Carroz, etc. — would be concentrated on just 3–4 open slopes. So even if the snow is better, the slopes will be so overcrowded that it won't be enjoyable.
In such a case, a resort like Tignes might be the better option, where the majority of slopes are above 2,000 meters — not just a small percentage.
Otherwise, I’d rather ride an empty slope with 30 cm of snow than a packed one with 100 cm.
Apart from that, orientation, snowmaking systems, and other factors also play a crucial role. Furthermore above 2.000m i think Flaine has only two-three blue slopes, and as i remember the one of them in the NY2023 was really overcrowded so that for a couple of days we decided to go for a beer instead of risking an injury
Its really difficult to take a decision. At present i am tempting to take the risk and go to Les Saisies or round Megeve because i want a more "Christmas Feeling" in the village since we will be there in the Christmas week. Even if i am a Flaine Fan....
Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much  on Thu 8-05-25 22:16; edited 1 time in total
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You know it makes sense.
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UCPA? First place I looked but just holiday weeks and all booked up in Feb. One to think of for the future though as looks great value
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@turms2 very true if poor snow just won't be enjoyable anywhere. At least Les Saisies will have cross country trails to walk on in absence of snow as alterative activity and stunning scenery of Mont Blanc. Coming round to that.
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Poster: A snowHead
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At least Les Saisies will have cross country trails to walk on in absence of snow
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Never known the XC trails in Saisies to be open for walking in absence of snow but there are plenty of walks - some pisted, some not.
I would be wary of Megeve at Christmas - it's much lower.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I love the Grand Massif. However the problem with Flaine early season is that it needs a large quantity of snow to open some of the reds like Fred and the top of Mephisto. Les Saisies runs are on grass so don’t need as much snow to open. I prefer staying in Les Carroz for the Grand Massif as it is a lovely village and I like the local runs.
If the snow is poor in Les Saisies at Christmas it will most likely be poor everywhere as it has a good snow record. We stayed in Val Thorens pre Christmas in 2022 and there was poor visibility most days and then the Christmas Eve washout with rain at ValThorens village level. Some of the runs above Courchevel 1800 had mud on.
We have skied quite a lot at Christmas and my recommendations for reasonably snow sure and nice village feel would be La Rosiere and Montgenevre. Les Saisies was also very good but we were lucky to spend Christmas there in a really good snow year.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks for all responses. Goid to know that advantage of Les Saisies over Flaine in terms of needing less snow than Flaine because of grass. We're going 3rd week of Jan so hopefully less risk of poor snow than Xmas but consideration for other poster. Megeve (and Saint Gervais) is great and beautiful but only been last week of Jan when snow was plentiful
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Origen wrote: |
| I'd suggest that a lesson - maybe a private lesson for the three of your kids together - might be worthwhile. . |
I’d strongly suggest two if not three over the week. The more people get into bad habits, the harder (and more expensive) it is to break them later. And an instructor can show you different parts of the mountain.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thank you!
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