  Airport
About Les SybellesOften, when it comes to choosing a travel destination, it's a good idea to follow the locals. Les Sybelles is a French favourite, still relatively undiscovered by many outside the country. The large domain is made up of ten interconnected villages - including Le Corbier, Saint Jean d'Arves, La Toussuire, Les Bottières, Saint Sorlin d'Arves, Albiez le Jeune, Albiez-Montrond, Jarrier and Saint Colomban des Villards. In 2003, thanks to the link via the Pointe de l'Ouillon, the Les Sybelles became the 4th largest ski area in France, with 310km of linked runs. This beautiful area in the Northern Alps is still relatively undiscovered, and its resorts are rustic, traditional Savoyard villages, not yet well known to foreign tourists. This also means a lack of crowds, and limited queuing! While there's not the same overwhelming après-ski atmosphere as some of the better known resorts, each village has kept a family atmosphere that's relaxed, authentic and stress-free. Like most big ski areas, there are pistes to suit all levels of skier, favouring slightly intermediate runs. The key link to Saint Sorlin should give beginners an incentive to improve, as the run, Vallons, is one of the most beautiful runs in the area, dropping down between two mountain faces, with the Aiguilles d'Arves to your right. The name Les Sybelles comes from si belle (so beautiful) and describes the scenery around the slopes. And while the resorts may not have the raging infrastructure of some of the big Alp competition, it's very good value for money. Any one of the villages will deliver a relaxed, fun, authentic French ski holiday, with two good choices being Saint Jean d'Arves and La Toussuire. Saint Jean d'Arves is a charming rural village surrounded by majestic peaks and is perfect for families. La Toussuire is a more modern village, sitting on a pretty, sunny plateau, and offering a 360 degree panorama. For now, Les Sybelles still feels very French. Get there before the secret gets out. For beginners
The 310km of pistes is dominated by gentle beginner and easy intermediate slopes. The nursery slope right buy the resort of St Sorlin d'Arves is a great place to start, and St Jean d'Arves has some fantastic beginner slopes. Novice snowboarders - there's a nice easy fun park and a great boarder cross. For intermediates
Intermediates will love these slopes, and find them perfect for gaining confidence. There's plenty to explore, from the wide bowls of La Toussiure to the swooping reds of 60's icon Le Corbier. There's lots of gentle, uncrowded off-piste here, for those intermediates who want to try it out for the first time.
For the advanced
The north facing runs above St Sorlin boast some of the more challenging pistes. Although there's not a huge amount of black runs, there's lots of challenging reds, and one of benefits of a lack of visiting experts is the extent of off-piste. It is easy to see and stays unmarked for ages, just perfect for those trying to gain their 'powder' colours. Les Sybelles offers some good boarding and there are a total of three Snow and Terrain Parks.
Ski school
Whatever your tastes, your wishes or your level of fitness, the ski school here will match you with a good instructor. Learn new techniques, brush up your skills or take tests. The resorts provide two skiing schools: Après Ski
Off the slopes there is a small selection of bars and restaurants. There are some good bars in which to sip a cold brew after a long day on the slopes, and others which can get lively, but in general but it is ideal for families and those who just want to take things easy. The restaurants serve good, hearty Savoyard cuisine, so line your stomachs with delicious traditional specialties. Families can also take advantage of a restful environment in which to regenerate and take their mind off things. Savoyard simplicity and a natural, historic environment are all here for you to enjoy.
Off the Mountain
The traditional farmhouses, well-established bakeries, shops and restaurants that make up most of the resorts at Les Sybelles are best suited to families or those wanting a quieter ski holiday. Cruise round the resorts at a leisurely pace, and try a turn on a dog sleigh, or sledging, snow mobiling, quad biking, snowshoeing or alpine walks. Les Sybelles is a truly French rustic scene - join the locals who think nothing of drinking red wine for breakfast. They'll happily chat all day and teach you some interesting vocabulary! Getting there
There are six airports within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Les Sybelles are perfectly feasible. Chambery Airport is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Airport transfers
Shuttles between airports and Sybelles' resorts. By train
High speed TGV to Saint Avre La Chambre (for the Vallée des Villards) and Saint Jean de Maurienne (for the Vallée de l'Arvan) By car
A43 Motorway Chambéry - Maurienne: Through the Vallée de l'Arvan (Albiez, Jarrier, les Bottières, la Toussuire, le Corbier, Saint Jean d'Arves and Saint Sorlin d'Arves): Exit at Saint Jean de Maurienne, following signs for the "Vallée de l'Arvan" on the D926. Through the Vallée des Villards (Saint Alban des Villards, Saint Colomban des Villards): Exit at Sainte Marie de Cuines on the D927.
Resort rating and reviews
Resort ratings out of 10
|
|
|
|
Jump to |
Skiing Holidays in Les SybellesPhoto
, getImageSize(2, 'height'));)
Photo
, getImageSize(3, 'height'));)
Photo
, getImageSize(4, 'height'));)
Photo
|
