Les Carroz

Les Carroz, France

Rated: 3/5 (from 6 ratings)

Les Carroz

Traditional family resort, centred on the village square, and linked in to the huge Grand Massif ski area. Popular with locals who have skied here since 1936.

Summary

The French ski resort of Les Carroz is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,140m3,740ft, with 265km165 miles of marked runs.

Les Carroz is part of the Grand Massif ski area with access to 265km165 miles of downhill skiing, with 351 marked pistes, served by a total of 78 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Les Carroz itself (265km165 miles of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Grand Massif ski resorts of Flaine, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt Fer à Cheval.

With ski lifts as high as 2,500m8,202ft, snow cover is generally reliable.

Ski Area Stats

Les Carroz Overview

Only 65km from Geneva, the French resort of Les Carroz has become, along with its higher altitude neighbour, Flaine, a magnet for familes. Apart from its proximity to the Geneva's airport, les Carroz has the attractions of excellent skiing for intermediates, good child care and ski kindergarten, a sunny north west aspect and, oh yes, a linked ski area on the Grand Massif amounting to 265kms of varied pistes.

Unlike Flaine, which, purpose built in the 1960s, draws criticism for its ugly concrete architecture, les Carroz is a traditional old village, with many lovely rustic buildings and a delightful, very French atmosphere. Indeed, this is a resort much-patronised by the French themselves and so it is a good choice for those who feel that visiting other cultures is as much a part of the holiday as the skiing.

Established as a ski resort in 1936, les Carroz was previously a mountain farming community. However the village was also known for its clock-makers; today some of the workshops still survive where tourists can not only see the timepieces being made but also, of course, purchase them.

 Notable Ski Runs

The longest possible descent in Les Carroz is 11km7 miles long and the most difficult run is the 'Piste des Cascades'.

Skiing

When skiing at Le Carroz you can choose to buy one of two passes, the Massif (comprising Les Carroz, Morillion, Samoens and Sixt - a total of 128 kms pistes) and the Grand Massif (the Massif resorts and Flaine - 265 km pistes). Access from Les Carroz to the other areas in by gondola or chairlift from the station at the top of the village. To get to the station there is a rather steep climb of some 300m; also, while the hotels are all pretty central, much of the self catering accommodation is a bit of a walk to the lifts. Check with the resort or you travel agent if this is likely to be a problem for you.

There is a wealth of choice for the intermediate skier, with long sweeping runs networking all over the Grand Massif. Novices are well catered for with the ski schools teaching all levels and ages on the nursery slopes and there are kilometres of wide easy piste on which to hone technique. Two lifts in the village operate free of charge for beginners. Experts, too, will find themselves with plenty to test their skills. Throughout the Massif /Grand Massif there are several tough black runs including moguls fields and the powder skiing here can be as good as it gets. Please note that, because of the nature of the terrain, which is rocky and has hidden crevasses, you are strongly advised to hire a local guide when heading off piste.

Les Carroz is relatively low altitude and west facing so snow here can be less than reliable early in the season and spring afternoons may turn the snow to porridge. However, the Grand Massif with its height and north facing slopes is almost always assured of good snow and plenty of it. It is well worth exploring the area to its fullest extent and visiting the other villages in the linked pass - Morillon, Samoens and Sixt, which have a delightful rustic charm.

The runs down to Morillon are intermediate, Samoens is accessible by snow to better skiers (the runs are red and black) while the little community of Sixt and its small but excellent ski area is reached by the recently constructed piste down the Gers bowl - strictly for experts. Although a lift is planned to link Sixt with the Grand Massif, for the time being, a shuttle bus takes skiers back to Samoen or Morillon for uplift.

When touring around always make sure you know how and when you get back to where you started as taking the wrong connection or missing the last lift can lead to a difficult journey home.

Night skiing is offered twice a week throughout most of the season.

There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.

Snowboarding

Snowboarders are well catered for, with wide easy runs for carving and a snow park with half pipe. The free riding is good with lots of gnarly terrain and, as has already been said - the powder and off piste skiing can be excellent - but don't forget to take a local guide. A few have made the mistake of cruising off piste on the Grand Massif and paid for it with their lives.

Aprés Ski

Le Carroz has a nice easy-going atmosphere with its traditional bars and hotels jostling for attention with more modern cafes and restaurants around the village square. There are only six bars and a disco - more than enough for some - however, those looking for a really wild time are likely to be underwhelmed by the nightlife.

There is more happening up in Flaine although that resort is famous for its lack of atmosphere. Taking a taxi or bus to Samoens, Morillon or Sixt is well worth the trip, where again the bars and restaurants are traditional French.