Tips

Tips for the perfect ski & mountain holiday in Les Carroz Grand Massif - France. (skiing close to Geneva - Switzerland - 1 hour)

Ski holiday booking: there are only 2 hotels in Les Carroz, and a limited number of good B&Bs. This limited number of available facilities for tourists makes early bookings (Sept-Nov for a ski holiday) crucial.

Ski rental: we recommend 2 skishops nearby: skiset/newloc shop left of the apartment entrance, and Adventure ski opposite the car park.

Ski schools: the main ski school in les Carroz is ESF with about 145 instructors. You can take group lessons (mostly French-spoken) or take a private English-speaking ski instructor for a few hours or every day for your private group. Second option needs early booking.

Road transfers to/from les Carroz: from the airport or the train station in Geneva. We recommend private transfers (so you can be on the ski slopes in about 1.5 hour after arrival) or shared shuttlebuses (if you want it cheaper, interesting if < 1-2 people, not interesting if you want to be quickly on the ski slopes as you wait till the shuttle is full). Both these companies have English-speaking staff.

Car hire: if you are arriving by plane, the closest airport is Geneva Cointrin airport. This airport has 2 exits, one to France and one to Switzerland. If you are coming from a location in France, make sure to take the Swiss exit or rent a car on the Swiss side (cars provided with winter tires and Swiss motorway tax ticket). The Swiss side has motorway access and it’s much easier to get in and out of Geneva this way both for rental cars, shuttles and taxi’s.

Skipass: skipass for Grand Massif can be bought online or locally in the village or at the gondola.

Children: Les Carroz has many events and activities on offer. They are welcome everywhere and there is great child entertainment throughout the village.

Childcare/babysitter: there are several options for childcare in Les Carroz from infants to 12 year olds, as well as babysitters if you want to go out.

Eating out: during school holidays, it is recommended to book your choice of restaurants at least 24 h in advance. Most of them are quite small, and even if they have 2 servings at lunch and dinner, you might end up either dining around 11 pm or paying a lot of money for no especially fancy food..

Food & supermarkets: there are 2 small supermarkets and several food stores (local food) in les Carroz open 7 days a week till 8 pm. If you come by car you might consider stopping over the larger Super U supermarket next to the motorway & near the roundabout before taking the road up to Carroz/Flaine (closed Sunday afternoon). Gluten-free food available at the Spar in Araches (open daily from 8am-8pm in the winter season).

Aquacime (swimming pool, sauna & wellness centre): during school holidays opening hours daily from 2 - 8 pm. (adult: €16, child: €13) There's a swimsuit/speedo dispenser at the entrance.

Ice rink: opening hours daily from 2 - 7 pm. Sometimes in the morning and evening: check it out at tourist office.

Links

Restaurants