La Ferme Du Soleil
Archive for category Local Area Information
Most convenient ski shop
Posted by Veroni in FAQs, Local Area Information on September 25, 2009
We use a local ski shop because it is just below us on the slope. This makes it very easy to take stuff back to change it, get a faster (or slower) ski, or have adjustments made. You can also leave bags and things there. And they sell sunglasses and socks when you realise that you left them behind! We also find that it is a convenient place to pick up your bags to take up to the house and leave you skiing off!
They are not the cheapest and they do not have the broadest range but the people are nice and they speak some English. They have not only a normal range of skis but boards, ski de randonnée equipment, snow shoes etc.
Their address is:-
Magasin de sports, Ski Service Deloche
L’Envers du Chinaillon
Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon
74450 Le Grand-Bornand
Tel : 04 50 27 00 73 (+33 4 50 27 00 33)
www.skiservice-grandbornand.com
contact@skiservice-grandbornand.com
Opening hours are officially from 08:45 to 18:00 (18:30 at Christmas through New Year and in February) although they seem to open a little earlier and are often there a little later, clearing up.
When hiring, mention that you are staying at La Ferme du Soleil. You will still need a passport to show them. Generally, you pay when you return your hired stuff. They take all the normal credit cards.
You can ask them to reserve you skis etc. There is a form, which you can send them. Emails work much better than telephone with them as they are not there until the season starts.
When driving through Chinaillon, take the left turn, marked to the slopes, and you will se it on the left after about a kilometre. The shop is after the start of the car parking, just afte the Gettier lift and the sign, “Ski Service” faces you.
You can get your ski tickets 150 yards from the ski shop, just down the road.
You can, of course, go anywhere else that you choose. However if you hire from Le Grand Bornand, remember that is more of a trek than shops in Chinaillon.
Ski School
Posted by Veroni in Local Area Information on September 9, 2009
L’Ecole du Ski Francais at Le Grand Bornand
The Ski school meets near the chalet where off-piste guides and snow-boarding instructors are available.
Book direcly by telephoning L’Ecole du Ski Francais on 00 33 4 50 27 01 83, open from Christmas to Easter. They speak English. Or go to www.esf-grand-bo.com. http://www.esf-grand-bo.com/ski-school-le-grand-bornand/?language=en_US
L’Ecole du Ski Francais Lessons
The L’Ecole du Ski Francais offers the following lessons at le Grand Bornand:
1 Group Lessons for Adults
2 Group Lessons for Children
3 Private Lessons including: Ski, Snowboard, Carving, Telemark, Trek, Snowshoes, and Handiski.
4 Children aged between 3 and 6 Children can have lessons with ‘Piou-Piou’ and for the others ‘Les P’tits Loups’ ['The Little Wolves'] or ‘Les lutins des neiges’ ['The Snow Imps'] as it is very important for them to start off well.
The alternative is
International Ski and Snowboard School “Starski” (450 27 04 69, fax 450 09 28 46); http://www.esi-starski.net/
Ski Pass Costs in Le Grand Bornand
In 2006/7, the Grand-Bornand area, which is accessible by skiing out of the door, costs just €120 in high season (€110 in low season) for adult 6 day ski passes, children under 15 were €100 and the under 8s, €70 for 6 days. [We never feel the need to leave this area when staying for a week!]
The 6-day ski pass covering the whole Aravis area including Le Grand Bornand, Manigod, Saint-Jean de Sixt and La Clusaz cost €155 for adults in high season (€136 in low season) and €114 for children.
A local day pass is €26, and a half day €20.40 for an adult or €20.40 and €16.30 for a child.
There is an extra charge of €10 (children €6.60) for evening skiing. For more detailed or up-to-date information, check with the local tourist office.
You no longer need to take a photograph for passes of more than 3 days. as there is a machine that takes one as you buy your ticket
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Local Area Information
Posted by Veroni in Local Area Information on September 6, 2009
Further local ski-ing, weather and travel information about the area can be found by clicking on the following links:
Info about Grand Bornand
Ski France Grand Bornand
Michelin Map and Directions
Taxi prices from Geneva
EasyJet’s Website
Bus time-tables from Geneva
Piste map
[click on the map for detail
Heli-skiing
For heli-skiing, Vallee Blanche with a guide or off-piste with a guide, call 00 33 6 86 92 99 81.
We have some of the best thermals in France on our doorstep: Mont Le Lachat.
It takes 3 minutes to the bottom of the Lachat lift for a spectacular flight. Telephone the local school for a tandem flight or course: 00 33 4 50 02 32 62.
Hot air ballooning can be booked by phoning 00 33 6 83 97 53 26.