Les Saisies

Compared with other French ‘grande domaine’ areas, the Espace Diamant’s greatest selling-point is the possibility of skiing a full circuit around the mountains and back again to your starting-point, within a day. And unlike its famous Sella Ronda counterpart in Italy, here you’ll have plenty of time for a relaxed lunch along the way. It’s great cruising terrain for intermediates, and the varied scenery brings a sense of getting well away from the outside world.

Being based in Les Saisies brings easy access to gentle novice and ski-school slopes, while intermediates who don’t feel up to doing the whole circuit have plenty of other options (including skiing a different area each day). The lift system over here is also among the most efficient in the Espace Diamant.

Accommodation-wise, the choice has been between the original village (above) at the foot of the slopes and the more discrete Hameau du Beaufortain (shown in our banner image), accessed by the Route du Mont Bisanne. For families the comprehensive range of services and easy access to ski-school areas make village the more practical option, while purists looking for a quieter, premium ski-in/ski-out location will find le Hameau du Beaufortain does not disappoint.

For potential property investors, however, the options are expanding. Beyond le Mont Bisanne (above Villard-sur-Doron and close to Hauteluce) lies the new development of Bisanne 1500, whose dramatic expansion is spearheaded by MGM Constructeur, which is developing not one but two sites: La Perle des Alpes and le Chalet d’Ameria – in total 70 new luxury slopeside apartments. We’ll be profiling these releases soon.

Family skiers and mixed-ability groups with varied interests will have plenty of options here. There's an infectious buzz to the village, which combines the traditional, down-to-earth feel of the Beaufortain with a perceptible (and growing) move towards mountain chic. So you can ski (downhill or cross-country) all day then relax in a salon de thé or unwind in a spa – or find a lively bar, if you prefer. All of which makes it a tempting option for those in search of a substantial and affordable ski area yet with plenty of gentle terrain close at hand for novices or early-intermediates.

Cross-Country Skiing

Handiski...