The Area

The apartment is located in Bisanne, which is currently being developed but already has a ski hire shop, ski school and ski lift ticket office adjacent to a 4-man chair lift. It is possible to ski in and out of the apartment, and to ski down to the chairlift and ticket office. On top of all the skiing, try snowshoe walks, boarding, ski mountaineering, dog sledding, and parapenting.

The setting is spectacular as it lies half-way between the ‘Beaufortain’ valley and the ‘Val d'Arly’ valley, two magnificent areas of Savoy, with views towards Mont Blanc. The ‘Beaufortain’ with its wonderful scenery is sometimes called ‘The French Tyrol’. Bisanne 1500, where the apartment is located, is outside the main resort; however Les Saisies is easily reached by walking or a short drive. Les Saisies is charming with wood clad chalets and a bustling high street complete with some 40 shops and a big selection of bars, pubs, pizzerias, crêperies, grills and restaurants offering traditional Savoyard dishes.

The resort has been known on an international level since the 16th Winter Olympic Games at Albertville. Best recognised as being the centre for cross-country skiing, it also has extensive alpine skiing linked with other resorts in the area to create the Espace Diamant ski area.

Alpine Skiing

Les Saisies is a delightful alpine village full of energy when it comes to its ski programme. Combined with the Espace Diamant it offers a wide range of skiing. Beginners will find plenty of gentle nursery slopes, while intermediates will enjoy well-kept pistes on which to gain confidence, and easy links into Crest Voland and the runs from the top of Mont Lachet. Advanced skiers have a good choice of blacks including an off piste ‘itinerary’ route. There are also many off-piste routes through the trees.

It is also well placed to make day trips to other ski areas, such as Megeve, Les Contamines, Areches and slightly further away: Chamonix, Les Arcs and Courchevel.

Nordic Skiing

Les Saisies is one of the top Nordic ski resorts in France. The Olympic domaine has 80km of marked pistes and extends over a large sunny plateau between 1570 and 1760 metres high, so unlike many cross country areas has a good season long snow cover. A great place to begin your adventure on cross-country skis, you will soon be winding your way through the delightful forested trails. It is very different to down hill and great fun. If you are already a confirmed cross-country skier then this is really the place to visit. There are many dedicated facilities on offer, such as:

• Cross country skier chalet
• Lounge - toilets
• Picnic areas
• Safe box
• Speed run
• Rope pull
• Mountain hut, SOS contact
• Free zones
• As well as a mountain rescue service.