Crest Voland

The Espace Diamant’s great advantage over other larger French ski areas is undoubtedly the possibility of skiing a full circuit around the mountains and back to your starting-point in a day. Much like the famous Sella Ronda in Italy, in fact – only here you’ll have time for a relaxed lunch along the way. For intermediates there’s great cruising terrain, and the varied scenery brings a sense of getting right away from worldly cares. Closer to home, Crest Voland’s gentle beginners’ slopes are easily accessible right above the village, yet still with inspiring views across the valley. And if you don’t want to do the whole circuit, you still have the choice of skiing a different area each day.
On paper at least, the only downside is the high number of drag-lifts. Things are steadily improving, though, and anyway we think there’s something to be said for being towed through forest glades where the only sound is the crackle of snow beneath your skis...

Accommodation-wise, while the larger-scale development (but attractive) around Les Saisies has much higher capacity, the traditional village feel of Crest Voland and its neighbours in the Val d’Arly (Flumet, Praz sur Arly, Notre Dame de Bellecombe) have much to offer those looking for something more authentic. In fact, with the addition of luxury slopeside apartments close to Crest Voland, there's clear evidence that the area is on the up. And with a high-proportion of privately-owned chalets, it’s unlikely that the village will lose its low-rise/high-quality appeal.

Back-to-nature skiers, and anyone looking for a low-impact, traditional mountain style, will love this place. Families, and mixed-ability groups will also appreciate the area’s reassuring novice and early-intermediate terrain, in addition to the wealth and diversity of long, scenic cruising on offer. Naturally, there are some steeps here and there, to add variety to a day’s skiing, without anything sudden to put-off those who are building their technical abilities and fitness levels. All-in-all, an attractive option for those in search of a substantial ski area without the pressures of overdevelopment or any sense of being priced-out. Your friends might not have heard of it (yet), but don’t let that put you off.

Snowboarding

Cross-Country Skiing

Handiski...