Mountain news / September 10th, 2024

Clone of Espace Diamant: An exciting, multi-faceted ski area

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Domaine skiable des Saisies, destination Espace Diamant en Savoie

Spanning the two Savoie regions, the Espace Diamant is the jewel in the crown of this vast landscape of endless summits and valleys. Along the route des Grandes Alpes, in the hollows of the Val d'Arly and Beaufortain, with a magnificent view of Mont-Blanc, the area brings together 6 village resorts and unfolds its snow-covered wonders at the base of a fabulous panorama. Up here, at altitudes of between 1,000 and 2,000 metres, you'll find the pleasures of the mountains increased tenfold, offering an abundance of possibilities.

Pure skiing
 

Bridging the gap between the resorts of Praz sur Arly, Flumet / St-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, Notre Dame de Bellecombe, Crest-Voland / Cohennoz, Hauteluce and Les Saisies, and at a strategic crossroads between Switzerland, Italy and the main roads, the Espace Diamant is a wide area that has retained its original character. The charm of its authentic villages on a human scale and the beauty of its mountains and valleys provide the ideal framework for a multitude of activities all year round.

 

In winter, the snow blanket settles to fully enjoy winter sports, with an area that offers an incredible playground for enthusiasts: 170 downhill ski runs over 192km, 82 ski lifts, 5 snowparks, 3 boardercrosses and a whole Olympic area on one side, but also 123km of cross-country ski runs for Nordic skiing that borders on the exceptional. The area is nicknamed « Savoie's snow granary », because of its plentiful snowfall, ensuring excellent skiing conditions and the ultimate pleasure.  

The family spirit above all


A family resort by nature, Espace Diamant offers different ways of experiencing the mountains, depending on which village you choose to stay in. For those seeking an intimate and peaceful getaway, the quaint villages of Flumet / St-Nicolas-la-Chapelle, Crest-Voland / Cohennoz, Hauteluce, Notre Dame de Bellecombe and Les Saisies offer the serenity you're looking for, with the strong character of small mountain spots where shops and places to relax go hand in hand with authenticity. Praz sur Arly and Les Saisies promise dynamic, lively holidays, with a full choice of events, a variety of shops and a host of friendly, festive places to discover.

 

Traditional chalets, bulbous bell towers, alpine farmsteads - housing is one of the key markers of mountain identity, and new architecture is an extension of this enviable environment. Between the uniqueness of the human-sized villages, the majestic beauty of the landscapes and the proximity of Megève, the jewel of the Alps, the Espace Diamant is a whole universe of character to discover, embodying the mountain spirit in all its vigor.

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Vue sur la résidence Akoya à Valmorel en fin de journée, par un paysage enneigé
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Chambre dans un appartement duplex de la résidence Akoya à Valmorel
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Sauna du Spa Montagnes du Monde® à Valmorel, résidence Al

Voilà une journée qui s’annonce vitaminée. Ça tombe bien, nous voilà partis pour une session de ski. Et là, quel bonheur ! Nous avions pris soin de laisser tout notre matériel dans le casier à ski dédié et nous n’avons plus qu’à enfiler casque et paires de chaussures (tempérées comme le sont les locaux et ça, c’est un vrai plus). Un petit escalier seulement à monter et nous voilà au pied de la télécabine de Planchamp. Le ski aux pieds nous aura définitivement évité les galères matinales de la préparation pour n’en garder que le meilleur ! Joie non contenue du week-end ! Avec sa voisine Saint-François-de-Longchamp, Valmorel appartient au Grand Domaine qui offre 165 km de pistes déployées dans un cirque naturel de montagnes époustouflant. Les sommets nous entourent où que l’on regarde et c’est un panorama grandiose qui nous sert de décor, entre Tarentaise et Maurienne. La Pointe du Grand Niélard, le Cheval Noir qui culmine à 2 832 mètres au-dessus de nous et au loin, les Aiguilles d’Arves qui se découpent dans le paysage, le domaine skiable avec ses longues pistes accessibles nous ouvrent toutes les possibilités. Pause bien méritée en terrasse. Tandis que les uns repartent sur des versants plus ardus, les autres décide de rendre les skis pour aller découvrir le centre piéton et ses petits commerces qui nous font de l’œil.

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Meule de beaufort dans une cave d'affinage
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Destination Les Saisies - Activité Ski - Famille
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Randonnée à raquettes en famille - Investir en Savoie et Haute-Savoie
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Les Saisies - VTT
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Une mère et sa fille font de la luge d'été aux Saisies, destination Espace Diamant en Savoie

A unique art of living


As the flagship of the Savoie region, traditional mountain cheeses take pride of place here, as they do in all the resorts in the Alps. The famous AOP* cheeses, Beaufort, Abondance, Reblochon... are the stars of the cheese platter, just as local specialities are featured on the menu of every decent Savoyard restaurant. Raclette, fondues and tartiflettes can be savoured by the fireplace after a day in the great outdoors.  

 

Whatever the activity, whether gentle or sporting, it's all within easy reach, taking advantage of the immensity of this life-size playground. An undeniable paradise for winter sports, Espace Diamant also offers a wide range of activities to suit every season, from the essential to the most unexpected. From hiking to snowshoeing, there's just one step away, while horse-drawn carriage rides, horse-riding, dog-sledding and farm visits will surprise and move you with the magic of the moment. Paragliding, rafting, mountain biking, « Mountain Twister » tobogganing and even night skiing are all there to thrill you. Between the woods and the valleys, the mountain pastures and the villages, you'll be fully immersed in the mountains.

MGM Constructeur has chosen to set its two developments in the heart of the Espace Diamant in unique harmony with this environment: the Chalets Akasha, designed in a revisited chalet style, offer upmarket comfort just a stone's throw from the slopes, and the Chalets Myrna, designed in true traditional mountain architecture, boast direct access to the slopes and a breathtaking panorama of the Beaufortain massif. Just waiting to be snapped up!

Résidence Akoya - Valmorel