Ski in Carroz d'Araches

Why ski in Les Carroz?

Here are ten things to know about the Grand Massif, the ski area that includes Les Carroz.

1. It's the 7th largest ski domain in France

2. 5 ski resorts in Haute-Savoie, in the French Alps: Les Carroz, Flaine, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval  

3. Ranges from 680 metres to 2500 metres above sea level

4. 265 km of linked tracks in the middle of 40,000 hectares of forest

5. 139 runs including 23 green runs, 61 blue runs, 43 red runs and 12 black runs

6. 16 fun zones, including the Cascades Experience, a 14 km-long trail in nature

7. 6 freeride areas with secured and ungroomed runs

8. There are 4 Nordic sites

9. 63 ski lifts, including one cable car, five gondolas, 22 chair lifts and 25 ski lifts

10. Nearly 400 employees in the winter

Ski for everyone

It is possible to be both a family resort and to offer great skiing to its visitors, as proven by Les Carroz d'Araches, one of the star resorts of the Grand Massif.

To ski in the Grand Massif ski area from Les Carroz, there are two possibilities: take the Kedeuze gondola from Les Carroz 1200, located in the heart of the village, or the Molliets or Tête des Saix chairlifts from Les Carroz 1500, located about ten minutes from the centre. By the time you get up there, you are in the heart of one of the largest linked ski areas in France. 

Beginners and intermediate skiers will have plenty to do in Les Carroz before setting off on the green and blue slopes of the rest of the Grand Massif area. They will be able to test their technique on the easy slopes at the top of the Kedeuze sector. In addition to optimal skiing conditions, the area offers a magnificent view of the valley, and even of Mont Blanc on a clear day. 

For the more experienced skiers, there are two runs not to be missed:

• The red one, called Airon, whose gentle start should not put skiers' vigilance to sleep, as the finish is much steeper.

• The black Aigle Noir will delight mogul lovers.

Finally, it is impossible to ski in the Grand Massif without testing the legendary Cascades piste, which links the resorts of Flaine and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Relatively easy to get on, it offers you a beautiful 14-kilometre-long ride! It is the second-longest ski run in France.

With kids

For a great family skiing experience, there is no need to leave the village of Les Carroz and its lovely sunny plateau, as the slopes dedicated to young people are waiting for you at an altitude of 1200 metres.

Ski areas dedicated to children aim to inspire young skiers and provide them with a safe and supervised environment in which to learn. These areas allow children to experience the joy of skiing and enjoy the same activities as their mum and dad.

The four areas are designed for young beginners in Les Carroz d'Araches are:

• The Snow Garden with its conveyor belts and playgrounds that welcome children from the age of 3

• The Figaro beginners' area, with its covered carpet and green run, allows you to make your very first descents

• The Coin Coin green run, beautifully surrounded by fir trees and equipped with a covered carpet and a small ski lift, is also a good place to learn how to steer your skis and negotiate your first turns.

• The blue run of Plein soleil, where young skiers can progress in safety.

For families already ready to hit the slopes, the ski area offers fun zones where parents and children can challenge each other, such as the Cool Zone at the Oasis des Carroz. This area, equipped with a boardercross, allows you to try your hand at moguls and turns accessible to all, and then test the stopwatch in the Speed Experience Zone.

For those who like fresh snow

Throughout the Grand Massif domain, 16 zones are dedicated to the practice of alternative snow sports. A great way to experience new things and improve your freestyle technique.

Where to begin? This is the first question that all riders ask themselves when they arrive at the Grand Massif, a domain generous with freestyle areas and fun zones of all kinds. In Les Carroz, beginners will discover the joys of moguls with the Coin Coin woops, while the more experienced skiers and snowboarders can go directly to the obstacles of the blue course of the Oasis boardercross or the turns of the red Cupoire piste. 

You can continue your discovery by changing resorts. In Flaine, don't miss the modules and jumps of the Urban'z and the Ze Funne Slope. In Morillon, head for Ze Marvel Safari and its 7 kilometres of legendary downhill through the pine forest, which can also be tackled on a snowboard, sledge or paret and the Ze Funky Park for a red level freestyle descent. And for beginners, the freestyle spot not to be missed is Ze SeptiSnake in Samoëns.

During the high season, children and adults can take part in snowboarding courses organised by the French Ski School (ESF) in Les Carroz. These courses take place over 6 days and alternate between snowpark, boardercross and freeride practice in the Grand Massif area. 

For freeride enthusiasts

Les Carroz makes off-piste skiing accessible to everyone, offering a range of freeride spots to explore solo or with a guide.

If you enjoy safe and well-marked powder, head to the Corbalanche freeride area. This area is accessible from the top of the Tête de Saix chairlift, which reaches an altitude of 2,110 metres. It features south-facing slopes that are nice and secure, though not groomed. Additionally, a DVA park and a DVA checkpoint are available to ensure that your equipment is functioning correctly. The run concludes at an altitude of 1,630 metres at the Combe de Vernant, covering a vertical drop of 480 metres.

The other playgrounds for free riders include Croix des Sept Freres, which is suited for more experienced riders, and Combe de l'Airon, where you can enjoy a powder descent alongside the slope of the same name. The Guides des Carroz regularly organise one-day freeride outings to explore the Grand Massif area further. The itineraries are not predetermined; instead, they are inspired by current weather conditions to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience.

For Nordic ski enthusiasts

The Grand Massif ski area features several locations for cross-country skiing, skating, and Nordic ski touring, including the Agy plateau near Les Carroz.

If you enjoy cross-country skiing, the Grand Massif offers numerous opportunities. You can explore trails at the Col de Pierre Carree in the Flaine resort, in the Giffre Valley near the resorts of Morillon, Samoëns, and Six, or at the Plateau d'Agy, which is close to Les Carroz. The Plateau d'Agy boasts a stunning 360° view of the Arve and Giffre valleys, perfect for enjoying the surrounding scenery. Activities available in this area include sledging, cross-country skiing, biathlon, snowshoeing, and even dog sledging, all in an atmosphere of respect and camaraderie that the resort values greatly.

The Agy Nordic ski area features five trails: two green, one blue, one red, and one black. This allows everyone to practice, regardless of their level, and equipment for skating and classic or alternative skiing can be rented directly on site. In addition to the 20 km of cross-country ski trails, the area has 3 snowshoeing loops: 

• La Borde, a very easy 1.5 kilometre route, accessible to everyone from the age of 4

• Fimaloz, an easy 5.5 kilometre loop to be tested from the age of 8

• and Trechard, an 8-kilometre path of medium difficulty, suitable for all hikers aged 12 and over