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The Inside Track: Easter Skiing In Les Saisies
Our director tells us about his Easter week skiing in Les Saisies.
Authentic alpine charm and a different skiing landscape
Les Saisies blends traditional Savoyard charm with wide open slopes and stunning Mont Blanc views.
Known for its easy-going alpine terrain, reliable snow coverage and exceptional cross-country skiing, it’s a fantastic choice for families, beginners and intermediates looking for a relaxed atmosphere with plenty to explore.
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Les Saisies Quick Facts
- Ski area: Espace Diamant
- Resort height: 1650m
- Resort top height: 2069m
- Km piste: 192
- Distance from Calais: 564 miles (8hrs 25)
- Lift pass: ££££
- No. of slopes: 167
- Green slopes: 32
- Blue slopes: 71
- Red slopes: 52
- Black slopes: 12
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Beginners:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Intermediate:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Expert:
★ ★ ★
-
Boarders:
★ ★
Highlights
Access to varied Espace Diamant skiing (192km) across six linked villages
Traditional village feel with welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and après
Excellent beginner and intermediate slopes close to the centre
Reliable snow conditions thanks to proximity to Mont Blanc
Exceptional Nordic skiing with one of Europe’s largest dedicated areas
Less suited to advanced skiers seeking steep, technical terrain
Resort
Everything you need to know about Les Saisies
Learn about Les Saisies beyond the basics, from skiing to the resort atmosphere and activities to try.
Traditional Savoyard village with a relaxed and authentic feel
Lively vibrant centre with a family focus
Ideal for those seeking a quieter alpine experience
A traditional alpine setting
Les Saisies has a genuine Alpine charm, with timber chalets, wide open spaces and a setting that feels both welcoming and scenic. The village sits on a sunny plateau between the Beaufortain valley and the Val d'Arly, offering spectacular panoramic views including of Mont Blanc and a different landscape.
It has grown steadily over the years, gaining international attention when it was a venue for the cross-country skiing events at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in nearby Albertville. Despite newer developments, it retains its authentic character, blending traditional architecture with modern accommodation. One advantage for those driving is that it's easily accessed from the motorway.
Atmosphere and village life
There’s a lively but easy-going buzz in Les Saisies, particularly around the centre where shops, restaurants, bars and cafés create a sociable feel. It’s not a party resort, but there’s enough going on to keep evenings enjoyable without overwhelming the atmosphere.
Families in particular will appreciate the friendly, approachable vibe.
A unique microclimate
Despite its more modest altitude (1650m), the unique microclimate in Les Saisies means that the resort benefits from good snow coverage. Its proximity to Mont Blanc and the open valley to the west means that moist air arriving from the Atlantic is funneled into the area and forced upwards by the surrounding mountains (including Mont Blanc). As the air rises, it cools and falls as snow.
The landscape, on a plateau, is of open alpine pasture rather than steep rocky mountainsides; this means snow settles quickly and evenly and holds well, and the area is less prone to the impact of the wind than higher alpine ridges. Since 1982, according to the French weather service, the average accumulated snowfall has been superior to surrounding mountain ranges.
Varied terrain across Espace Diamant with strong intermediate focus
Excellent beginner areas and gentle slopes near the village
World-class Nordic skiing alongside alpine options
Beginners
Les Saisies is a great choice for beginners, with gentle nursery slopes close to the village centre. Dedicated learning areas, such as the Lutins beginner area and the green Aiglon slope, which is dedicated to slower paced skiing, are designed to build confidence.
Wide, easy blue runs allow for smooth progression, and some free lifts for beginners help make those first days more accessible. It’s a relaxed environment to learn without feeling pressured.
Intermediates
The Espace Diamant area offers plenty of cruisy blue and red runs for intermediates, with the option to explore different villages, including Notre Dame de Bellecombe, each day. Crest-Volland, another of the Espace Diamant villages, is particularly easy to access with runs from the top of Mont Lachet.
One of the highlights is the ability to ski long circuits across the area, combining scenic routes with varied terrain. The setting, with forests and open slopes, adds to the experience.
Advanced
Advanced skiers have fewer options locally, but there are still some rewarding challenges, including steeper pistes and off-piste runs through the trees. The black run from the top of Légette with its narrow couloirs should be top of the list for expert skiers.
Stronger skiers may enjoy exploring further across the Espace Diamant, Hauteluce is a favourite among local freeriders. However, the resort is not primarily known for expert terrain.
Mountain Fun Zones
Les Saisies is excellent for families and fun skiing, with themed areas like the Elfik Park at 1750m. This area includes playful runs and a elf themed snowcross with banked turns, tunnels in the shape of a tree trunk, giant mushrooms to cross over and fun sound effects.
The elves' forest at 1650m is a fun zone close to the resort. These playful zones are designed to keep children engaged and add variety and make the mountain feel interactive and welcoming.
Nordic skiing
Les Saisies is one of the top Nordic ski destinations in Europe, with around 120km of trails across a plateau between 1570m and 1760m, which ensures a long season of snow cover.
The Olympic legacy is clear, with exceptional facilities for all levels, from beginners to experienced Nordic skiers. It’s a standout feature of the resort. Children can learn Nordic skiing on the fun Les Marmottons track which is designed as a nature treasure hunt aimed at children aged 5 to 10.
Les Saisies Nordic ambassador and seven-time World Biathlon Champion, Raphaël Poirée, rates the cross-country skiing as better than in Norway, due to the fact that there is more snow, sunshine, light and that it isn't as cold as Scandinavia.
Wide range of family-friendly and outdoor experiences
Strong focus on nature, relaxation and accessible adventure
Excellent options beyond downhill skiing
Outdoor experiences
Les Saisies offers excellent opportunities to explore the mountains in different ways. Snowshoeing trails, winter walking routes and panoramic viewpoints allow you to enjoy the scenery at a slower pace.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides, or for adrenaline-seekers, paragliding, can add something a little more memorable to your stay.
Family-focused activities
Families are well catered for, with activities designed to suit all ages. Sledging areas, an aerial assault course with a 180m long zipwire, and pony rides make it easy to mix skiing with fun, accessible options. The mountain coaster, which is a toboggan on rails where you're in the charge of the brakes, is a fun activity for all the family.
The resort’s layout and atmosphere make these activities easy to enjoy without needing extensive planning.
Unique experiences
For something a little different, options include moonbiking (a motorised bike with a caterpillar track at the back and a ski at the front), and even a chance to ride in (or drive!) a snowgroomer.
These experiences help create variety throughout the week and make Les Saisies feel more than just a skiing destination.
Good choice of restaurants with a relaxed alpine feel
Sociable but low-key après-ski atmosphere
Convenient amenities for self-catered holidays
Restaurants and dining
Les Saisies has a good range of restaurants offering traditional Savoyard dishes and casual dining options. From cosy mountain restaurants to village eateries, there’s plenty of choice to suit different tastes.
Dining here feels relaxed and welcoming, rather than formal or high-end.
Après-ski and evenings
Après-ski is enjoyable but understated. A handful of bars and venues offer a lively atmosphere without turning the resort into a party destination.
Evenings are more about socialising and unwinding after a day on the slopes.
Shops and facilities
The resort is well equipped with shops, small supermarkets and essential services, making it very practical for self-catered stays.
Everything is within easy reach, helping make your holiday straightforward and comfortable.
Les Saisies is often overlooked. But it’s an ideal destination for your family ski holiday, without the crowds and lift queues of some larger resorts in the French Alps.
For starters, it’s easily reached – situated just 50 minutes from Albertville, between the Beaufortain and the Val d’Arly. The village is sandwiched between Savoie and the Haute Savoie, making it a popular and snow-sure winter sports destination for locals and those in the know.
Those who go to Les Saisies quickly fall in love with its views and friendly feel. The skiing is excellent and the setting is quite different to our other resorts. There are plenty of tree-lined runs and easy blues and reds that link up across the ski area. The mountain twister toboggan run is the favourite I’ve ever done. Incredibly – great for family friendly après.
The Chalet des Cimes is in a great ski in / ski out location, has spacious, modern and warm apartments which are well equipped and well furnished. The underground car park links all buildings for easy access in bad weather. There is a lift in each building too, which is a god send for loading / unloading the car.Â
The resort was so nice that we would go again, and my husband and I have had over 30 ski holidays to different resorts. Les Saisies being well-suited to families of varying abilities.
Les Saisies is a very friendly, family resort with very good skiing.The pistes are always extremely well prepared. Links to other resorts are good. There are several good restaurants in the resort which are very friendly.
Chalet des Cimes is a lovely facility in a great location.
If you are new to skiing as I was 6 years ago, then this is a terrific place to begin, and especially for young kids. My 5 year old is now good and my 10 year old is a black run kid all learnt here!
The accommodation was great spacious & contemporary.
The local swimming pool is excellent.
A revisit to Les Saisies 2023 as it was our first ever ski trip around 19 years ago. It has grown but in a really good way. Le Signal and the free Navette Bus service was incredible. Amaya in the forest was excellent. Highly recommend it.
Great for mountain walks in Winter if you need a day off the slopes.
Resort is excellent for all levels of skiers. There are several good restaurants to cater for all tastes.
Les Saisies has stunning views which we loved. I would recommend this resort for beauty.
Thanks to all at Peak Retreats for a superb holiday in Les Saisies. We were thrilled with the view from our apartment at Residence Amaya. We were lucky to have amazing snow conditions and to be able to ski to all the villages in the Espace Diamant. The scenery was stunning and we had some lovely mountain restaurant lunches at Le Bonnet Blanc (Notre Dame) and Chalet Mignon (les Saisies). We would definitely return to the resort and would choose Residence Amaya again.
We love the resort. Mainly French. We have been going to Les Saises for 20 years. We eat out at La Dava, always made to feel welcome. All places to shop and eat out are excellent.
We loved Les Saisies, it has a lovely feel to it and the skiing was good. Our accommodation Le Chalets des Cimes was excellent, so well put together and designed for self catering, one of the easiest we have ever found. We are going back!!!
Ski in/out from the Amaya residence is excellent, and ski lockers best ever! Underground parking spacious ( VW Tiguan, no problem ). Free bus to the resort centre works very well. Resort is still predominately French, family orientated, laid back, friendly.
Location
Accommodation
Les Saisies ski accommodation options
All Les Saisies accommodation
Espace Diamant - LES SAISIES
Le Hameau du Beaufortain
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
- Doorstep skiing
- Situated in a tranquil forest setting offering superb views
Espace Diamant - LES SAISIES
Amaya
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski in/ski out
- Indoor pool & spa facilities
Espace Diamant - LES SAISIES
Les Chalets des Cimes
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Indoor pool and leisure facilities
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Les Saisies
Is Les Saisies snow-sure?
Yes, Les Saisies has reliable snow conditions thanks to its location near Mont Blanc and its unique microclimate. The area benefits from good snowfall and maintains coverage throughout the season, making it a dependable choice.
Is Les Saisies suitable for families?
Yes, Les Saisies is very family-friendly. It offers excellent beginner areas, a wide range of activities and a relaxed village atmosphere. The resort layout makes it easy to navigate, and there are plenty of options to keep children entertained both on and off the slopes.
Is Les Saisies good for beginners?
Yes, Les Saisies is an excellent resort for beginners. There are gentle nursery slopes in the village and well-designed beginner areas that allow you to learn at your own pace. The wide pistes and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to gain confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
Is Les Saisies good for intermediate skiers?
Les Saisies is well suited to intermediates. The Espace Diamant ski area offers a wide range of blue and red runs, with the option to ski between different villages. The terrain is varied but not intimidating, making it ideal for building confidence.
How large is the Les Saisies ski area?
Les Saisies is part of the Espace Diamant, offering around 192km of pistes across six linked villages. This provides plenty of variety for a full week, with scenic routes and different sectors to explore each day.
What lift passes are available in Les Saisies?
Lift passes for Espace Diamant can be pre-booked with us. This gives you access to the full linked area. Pre-booking with us helps ensure a smooth arrival so you can head straight onto the slopes without delay.
Can I pre-book ski hire in Les Saisies?
Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us as part of your holiday. This means your equipment is available when you arrive and helps you avoid queues in resort, making your first day much easier.
What childcare and ski school options are available in Les Saisies?
Childcare is available locally for children aged around 2 to 3 years in dedicated daycare facilities. We can arrange group ski lessons for children (and adults) with the ESF French ski school, which takes children from the age of 3. We recommend booking early during peak periods as spaces can be limited.
Is Les Saisies lively?
Les Saisies has a lively but relaxed atmosphere. There are bars and restaurants offering a sociable feel, particularly in the evenings, but it is not a party-focused resort. It suits those who want some atmosphere without a busy nightlife scene.
Is Les Saisies good for cross-country skiing?
Les Saisies is one of the best cross-country ski destinations in Europe. It has around 120km of trails and even hosted Olympic events. The varied terrain and excellent conditions make it suitable for all levels.
Inspiration
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Client Review: Christmas in Les Saisies
Our loyal client and her family headed to Les Saisies last Christmas for a festive break, read all about it below!
