Notre Dame de Bellecombe
Why Notre Dame de Bellecombe Ski Resort?
- Beautiful old village with genuine charm
- Stunning scenery and views of Mont Blanc
- Easy access from motorway and TGV
Read Mary Novakovich's review of Val d'Arly on The Telegraph
Notre Dame de Bellecombe Resort Information
This is an enchantingly picturesque village with a distinctive bulb-shaped bell tower that dates back to the 11th century.
Words do not do justice to the village of Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, with its Baroque steeple as a centrepiece and traditional wooden chalets spreading over 11 hamlets. The long sunny days at Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe are filled with traditional trade exhibitions and wine festivals as well as walks through the stunning scenery with fascinating wildlife and beautiful flowers. A local market is held every Monday morning.
This ancient farming community is made up of 11 tiny hamlets with a permanent population of only 510 people. It is situated above Flumet in the rural Val d'Arly between Megève and Albertville. (Read Mary Novakovich's review of the Val d'Arly ski resorts on The Guardian)
The landscape at Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe consists of spruce forests, alpine chalets set on mountain pastures, and snow-capped peaks. Notre-Dame de Bellecombe is easy to get to, from the south via Albertville or from the north via Sallanches – both 25km from the motorway exits or by TGV and connecting buses.
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe ski area
Gentle nursery slopes and scenic pistes with magnificent views of Mont Blanc wind down through the spruce woods of Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe. This is an ideal area for novices and intermediates, with plenty of off-piste opportunities for more accomplished skiers.
Set among forests and alpine meadows, with stunning views of Mont Blanc, the Beaufortain and Aravis ranges, the ski area extends between the Beaufortain and Val d’Arly, offering very varied terrain. Notre Dame is linked to neighbouring Flumet and Praz sur Arly. It is also connected to the pistes of Les Saisies and Crest-Voland to create the giant Espace Diamant ski area serving 192km of groomed slopes. The Espace Diamant, in total, links six pretty Alpine villages: Crest Voland Cohennoz, Flumet, Hauteluce, Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, Praz-sur-Arly and Les Saisies.
Some 60% of the slopes in the Espace Diamant are green or blue so ideal for beginners and intermediates. There are plenty of slopes for the adventurous intermediate and expert too.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (24/25):
Smaller lift pass - Espace Val d’Arly only - 90km of pistes in villages of Val d’Arly: Praz sur Arly, Flumet, Notre Dame de Bellecombe. 36 lifts, 75 slopes:
Green slopes: 13
Blue slopes: 24
Red slopes: 29
Black slopes: 4
Notre Dame de Bellecombe local area - 19 lifts (5 chairlift, 13 draglift, 1 other), 32 slopes:
Green slopes: 5
Blue slopes: 13
Red slopes: 10
Black slopes: 2
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe skiing info
Beginners
There are various drag lifts and nursery slopes at the bottom of the ski area at 1,150m. A chairlift takes you further up to access further green runs and some long blues to progress on. You can also get the bus to nearby Crest Voland where there are further long green slopes.
Intermediates
Intermediate skiers are well looked after with many blue and red runs to explore on. The domain is quite large (192km) so there is plenty to keep the adventurous intermediate happy.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
There aren’t too many black runs (around 10 in total) in the Espace Diamant domain but there are plenty of red runs that make up for this (around 50 in total). Hauteluce’s ski area has many challenging runs and is a favourite among local freeriders.
Resort runs
Resort runs down to Notre-Dame 1,150m are blue or red.
Mountain fun zones
In Les Saisies
The Elfik Park at 1,750m
3 hectares dedicated to skiing, totally scripted and arranged for families and young people inc. the snootcross with its banked turns, tunnels in the shape of a tree trunk, giant mushrooms to cross or playful sound modules. Find the Snoot elf on the different modules...
The elves's forest at 1,650m
Discover the magical world of the elves of Les Saisies. In the forest next to the resort, you can visit elf hut and search Tauron in his territory. Tell him you arrive by ringing the bell and he will open the door of its wonderland for you.
Nordic skiing
Located in 'Mont Rond'. On foot, snowshoes, sledge, cross-country skis... enjoy a family outing by the stream. You can reach the starting point of the circuit with the ski bus that stops in the village and in the hamlets of the resort (free of charge).
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Notre-Dame ski hire and/or Notre-Dame lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe group ski school (pre-bookable)
Ski school for children is available to book with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe private lessons (not pre-bookable)
Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.
Contact ESF Les Carroz for private lessons - 0033 4 79 31 62 04
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe childcare (not pre-bookable)
Les Petites Licornes daycare
Open Sunday through Friday throughout the winter season. Children aged 3 to 5 (up to the day before their 6th birthday) are welcome, provided they are healthy, up-to-date on their vaccinations, and adapt well. The total number of children cannot exceed 12. Mornings, afternoons, full days and 6 day packages.
Please contact the direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 79 31 75 64
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Notre Dame de Bellecombe!
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Opoual the yeti on the slopes
Opoual is a mischievous, but not abominable at all yeti who comes with children in Labelle Montagne resorts. Come and meet him to play and laugh with him on the slopes! Free of charge, once a week.
Dog sledging
Sporting dogs and sledging in the mountains guarantee you a real adventure. You’ll ride on the musher’s sledge, taking the time to enjoy the magnificent landscapes all around. You will be completely immersed in the rhythm of the dog team. 3 times per week.
Baby Dog Sled
A real favourite with the kids - the Baby Dog Sledding Park for children aged between 3 and 7 years. The only one of its kind in France. A play area dedicated to learning how to do dog sledging. Once a week in the afternoon.
Fat bike
You love downhill mountain biking, enjoy the sliding sports on snow or perhaps you just want to experience the thrills and spills of speeding on snow? Discover snow mountain bike descent and enjoy a unique and original experience!
Tobogganing
Sledging is a fun activity that doesn’t cost anything and entertains the grown-ups as much as it does the children. It is available throughout Val d’Arly’s village resorts on safe created slopes.
Sledging slope - Les Biolles area
A sledging slope has been created in the area of Les Biolles, at an altitude of 1150m. Open to the public, free of charge, children must be supervised by parents.
Sledging slope - Le Planay area
A sledging slope has been created in the area of Le Planay, at Notre Dame de Bellecombe 1,350. Open to the public, free of charge, children must be supervised by parents.
Snake Gliss
For every age, Snake Gliss is open to any person who can practise classic sledge. Sledges are all the same and are assembled (depending on the number of persons) to form a train, driven and led by Nicolas, a specialist. The sledge train safely snakes on the ski slopes. The pilot adapts according to the persons and their wishes (children, teenagers or adults, more or less quickly, beginner or red runs).
Top activities to experience in Notre Dame de Bellecombe!
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Ice-skating Rink
A great place for meeting up with friends and family. Outdoor ice-skating rink, open six days per week. In the middle of the village – with piped music.
Night-time atmosphere – on-site rental of skates available. Closed on Saturday. Open late afternoon. Free for under 5’s.
Visit to "Au Bonheur des Fromages" farm
Free of charge. Twice a week in the evening. Edvane and Céline invite you to discover their farm. Thanks to the milk collected from goats and cows, they produce goats cheese and Beaufort that you can buy on the spot.
“France Raquette” - night-time outing
Discover the joys of show-shoeing, for a torch-lit walk up to a mountain chalet for tartiflette and observation of the night sky. Observation of night sky and traditional Savoyard meal of tartiflette at the Refuge du Lachat. In this magical setting, you will discover the night-time sounds of the winter months, learn to recognise stars in the sky, observe the planets and hear about the legends of the sky’s constellations. An easy torch-lit walk. Own vehicle required or car share. One evening per week
Paragliding
Take off and fly! Joël will be your instructor for an unforgettable first paragliding flight, taking you soaring over the Val d’Arly and gaining height as you get just a little closer to the peaks…
Every day when the weather is fine.
Aeroplane trips
Aeroplane trips in the Mont-Blanc mountain range. Fly over the roof of Europe with professional pilots for a bird's eye view of the Vallée Blanche and the glaciers of the Mont-Blanc mountain range. You cannot fail to be moved by the sense of wonder...
Notre-Dame de Bellecombe après-ski, restaurants & bars
Various bars and restaurants within the villages.
Amenities
Notre Dame de Bellecombe is served by a range of amenities including: cinema, nightclub, shops, 2 mini-markets, cash point, bakeries, several sport shops, hairdresser, library, launderette, doctors and a pharmacy.
Getting to Notre Dame de Bellecombe, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais to Notre-Dame de Bellecombe is roughly 891km (approx. 9hrs).
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Mâcon then ‘Autoroute Blanche’ Motorway (A40 Mâcon – Cluses) exit Sallanches (no 20). Follow signs to Megeve, then Notre-Dame de Bellecombe.
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras (or Ashford, Kent). See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Notre Dame de Bellecombe is roughly 25km away in Albertville.
4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Notre-Dame is roughly 98km, approx. 1hr 15 mins
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Notre-Dame is roughly 86km, approx. 1hr
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Notre-Dame is roughly 153km, approx. 1hr 30 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Notre-Dame is roughly 164km, approx. 2hrs
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.
Resort shuttle bus:
Free shuttle service for skiers and pedestrians is put in place during the winter so you can move freely around the villages.
