ucanski holiday blog

During some beautiful weather in June 2008 I did a walk lasting a few hours, starting near the sports hall and tennis courts and then descending a few hundred metres into Araches-la-Frasse before making the ascent back to the village of Les Carroz d’araches.

Some of the photos taken on the walk with GPS co-ordinates at the location at which the photograph was taken are show below. I’ve also created a Google KMZ file so if you have Google Earth installed on your PC then clicking here Les Carroz walk as Google kmz file will display all the locations and photogaphs overlaid on the satellite imagery. Double clicking on the camera icon will display the photograph.

As an enthusiast in watching the Tour de France we visited Les Carroz for a summer holiday in July 2006.Did the telcabine to the top of Flaine to discover snow still at the top.

View at the summit of Flaine

A walk down to the village at 1600m with a picnic half way down was a fantastic way to spend a day. The scenery was spectacular with snow covered mountains and wild flowers.

Wild flowers as decending to 1600m

The circus came to town inb Les Carroz but we did not see Papa Lazaroux!

Circus in Les Carroz, Grand Massif

A wonderful sunny day with temperatures at 20 C was the setting for our walk from the cirque at Sixt fer Cheval; up past waterfalls, alongside the fast flowing streams that feed the Giffre river.

Walk at Sixt fer Cheval

Spectacular waterfalls seen on the walk

Watched the Tour de France as it sped past July 2006 mountain stages

The atmosphere was wonderful. We made it a day out with collapsible chairs, picnic and wine. All around the locals and tourists were chatting and excitement built-up as we awaited the Pelaton. It was this stage 17 from St Jean de Maurienne to Morzine (200 km) that Floyd Landis broke ahead finished stage winner but was later disqualified.

Next time the Tour is anywhere near the Grand Massif I’ll be arranging a vacation.

Surprise visitors whilst having breakfast on the balcony; a lesuire flight of a hot air balloon narrowly missed the roof of a nearby chalet and landed below the apartment.

Hot air balloon in Les Carroz

Some walking, good food and wine and the Tour de France, a fantastic way to complete a week of mountain activities, relaxation and socialising.

The snow in the Grand Massif was excellent so we decided to ski from Les Carroz to Flaine and then try the 14 km Cascade ski run, if open. Catching the Grand Platieres (DMC) telecabine takes the skier from 1600 m to 2500 m; where there is a great view of the Mont Blanc chain and the mighty mountain itself.

The Cascade run was open. These are photos of the scenery as we made our way from the top of Flaine to Sixt fer Cheval at the bottom of the ski run.

Exiting the telecabine at the top of Flaine, Grand Massif

Flaine based Cascade ski run to Sixt fer Cheval

Top of cascade ski run, Grand Massif

Perfect conditions on the ski slope Cascade

The white Sea

Approachng treeline from Flaine to Sixt fer Cheval

l

View through trees on lower slopes approaching Sixt fer Cheval

Bottom of Sixt fer Cheval

At the bottom of the run is a small restaurant that serves snacks and drinks where one can wait for the free bus that takes skiers back to Samoens and Morillon to continue skiing.