Grand Domaine

Grand Domaine is a large ski area in the French Alps, located in the Savoie region. It is made up of three smaller resorts: Valmorel, Doucy-Combelouvière, and Saint-François-Longchamp. The Grand Domaine offers a total of 165 kilometers of pistes, served by 47 lifts. The terrain is varied, with something to offer skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. There are plenty of challenging runs for experienced skiers, as well as gentle slopes for beginners and families

Terrain	🔵🔵 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ⚫⚫
Price	€€€
Base/Summit	1200m / 3300m
Snow Sure Rating	❄❄❄❄
Family Friendly Rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation	A great ski resort for families. It has something to offer everyone, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging runs for experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Grand Domaine Location

Grand Domaine is located in the Tarentaise Valley, about an hour’s drive from Chambéry and Grenoble. The nearest airport is Chambéry-Savoie, which is served by a number of airlines from the UK and Ireland. There is also a train station in Chambéry, which is connected to the resort by a shuttle bus.

Le Grand Domaine

Grand Domaine Terrain

The Grand Domaine offers a variety of terrain to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders. There are 165 kilometers of pistes, with a vertical drop of 1,200 meters. The terrain is divided into three main areas:

Valmorel: This is the main resort in the Grand Domaine, and it offers a mix of gentle and challenging slopes. There are also a number of off-piste areas for experienced skiers.
Doucy-Combelouvière: This resort is located on a sunny plateau, and it offers some of the best views in the Grand Domaine. There are plenty of gentle slopes for beginners and families, as well as a few challenging runs for more experienced skiers.
Saint-François-Longchamp: This resort is located at the highest altitude in the Grand Domaine, and it offers some of the most challenging skiing in the area. There are also a number of off-piste areas for experts.

Amenities

In addition to the excellent skiing and snowboarding, Grand Domaine also offers a wide range of amenities to its visitors. These include:

A variety of restaurants and bars
A number of shops
A spa and wellness center
A snow park
A children’s ski school

Price

Grand Domaine is a relatively affordable ski resort, especially when compared to some of the other major resorts in the French Alps. Lift tickets are reasonably priced, and there are a number of budget-friendly accommodation options available.

Season

The ski season in Grand Domaine typically runs from December to April. However, the resort often has good snow conditions from November to May.

Grand Domaine Tips

Beginners

Valmorel: Beginners can start out in the village with some gentle green slopes served by a button lift. Once you have progressed beyond those it’s best to head up the Planchamp or Pierraford lifts where you’ll find a wide selection of blues. Les traverses is a leg burner, but worth it. It can be quite busy at the end of the day though.
Saint-François-Longchamp: Beginners have so much to go at in Saint François. The long green runs will have you progressing rapidly without having to stop for a lift every couple of minutes. There’s also a decent selection of blues to progress onto.

Intermediate

Valmorel: The Combe du Mottet is the best intermediate slope of not in Valmorel. However, the blue runs that fill the resort are a blast. If you’re finding them a bit easy, try something new – carving, switch, etc. This is the resort to focus on your technique.
Saint-François-Longchamp: Head up Le Frene lift to find a nice set of intermediate pistes – le renard, canyon and planco.

Advanced

Valmorel: The Free Ride du Riondet is the place to head for advanced skiers. But make sure you are truly advanced, it’s brutal. The Gollet lift also gives acces to Creve Tete another challenging run that is well worth a go.
Saint-François-Longchamp: Head up Le Frene lift and down the start of the blue la grande combe run. This feeds you onto the Free Ride de la Procureuse. The Madeleine lift spins you back to the top so you can have a few blasts.

Grand Domaine Pros and Cons

Pros:

Excellent terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders
Variety of amenities
Affordable prices
Good snow conditions
Family friendly

Cons:

The resort can be crowded during peak season
The nightlife is not as lively as some other ski resorts
The resort is not as well connected to other ski areas

Grand Domaine Useful Information

Resort websites:
https://skipass.valmorel.com/ , https://www.saintfrancoislongchamp.com/

Weather:
Visit the resort’s website or check with local weather services for the latest weather conditions and forecasts.

Getting There:

By Air: The nearest airport is Chambéry-Savoie, which is served by a number of airlines from the UK and Ireland. There is also a train station in Chambéry, which is connected to the resort by a shuttle bus.
By Train: The nearest train station is Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-les-Bains, located approximately 20 kilometers from the resort. Regular train services connect Moûtiers to major French cities like Paris and Lyon. Upon arrival at Moûtiers, you can take a taxi or bus to your resort.
By Car: Grande Domaine is easily accessible by car from major European cities. From Lyon, take the A43 motorway towards Chambéry and exit at N°10 Albertville. From there, follow the signs for Valmorel and Saint-François-Longchamp. The drive from Lyon takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Villages:
The main villages are:

Valmorel: Valmorel is the largest village in Grand Domaine and is the main resort center. It has a lively atmosphere with plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops. Valmorel is also a great choice for families, with a number of child-friendly activities and facilities.
Saint-François-Longchamp: Saint-François-Longchamp is a more traditional alpine village with a charming main street. It is a great choice for skiers and snowboarders who want to escape the crowds.
Doucy-Combelouvière: Doucy-Combelouvière is a small village with a relaxed atmosphere. It is a great choice for families and couples who want to get away from it all.

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