Transfers from €40 per person each way.
Our favourite ‘secret’ French ski resort. Les Contamines punches well above it weight when you examine the statistics. The old village sits at 1100m and the ski area tops out at 2500m. Pisted area is 120km. Not that impressive right?
Wrong…
The off piste here is mainly untouched and with a NE exposure it holds snow exceptionally well. The vertical on offer both on the Contamines side and Hauteleuce side are pretty impressive and not skied that often, apart from locals in the know.
The limited lift infrastructure looks a bit tired but still gives speedy access to the summit at 2500m under the gaze of Mt Jolly.
Wide open 25-20% pitched pistes enable you to really carve and find that perfect edge and population density on the hill is low which give the sensation of owning the place.
Restaurants here are fab, again mainly owner run so good value for great food.
The towns Haute Savoie architecture has been well preserved with plenty of farms being renovated in a sympathetic fashion. The Church of St Nicolas is stunning, well worth a visit.
Recent archaeological diggings in the valley above Contamines have found various artefacts that suggest this passage from the col croix du bonne-homme was use by Hannibal to pass his army over the Alps in the winter to besiege Rome! Oh la la.
Transfer time from GVA: 1hr 20mins
Transfer distance from GVA: 94km