Savoie / France
Part of the Espace Diamant ski area in the Val d’Arly, Crest-Voland and its neighbour Cohennoz are traditional villages which will suit guests looking to avoid high-rise, impersonal hotels and apartments. The villages have Famille Plus status, making them great choices for guests with young children - there’s always something going on to keep children entertained.
There’s great skiing for families and mixed-ability groups too, as well as long, scenic cruising and some challenging terrain for more experienced skiers. There are two snowparks for boarders - a mixed-ability park and the Opoualand park for children. Cross-country and Nordic skiers will find 120km of great trails and village circuits to Les Saisies.
In the summer, you can enjoy relaxing walks, great hiking and biking, as well as fishing, and climbing.
Crest-Voland is just 15km from Megeve, 8km from Col des Saisies and about 25km from Albertville and Sallanches, so there’s plenty more to explore.
Winter guests are usually attracted to Crest-Voland by the great skiing and boarding.
Beginners will quickly find their feet on the many wide greens and blues to be found on both sides of the resort, but the Espace Diamant is perhaps best for intermediate skiers. It’s easy to move around the linked resorts, so you can cover a lot of ground and enjoy some great scenery in a day.
Experienced skiers can often find great powder in the Les Saisies area, and mogul slopes include the Sapiniere at the Brichou chair lift in Les Saisies and Gueux Noire in Notre Dame de Bellecombe. There are black slopes throughout the Espace Diamant, and free-riders should head for the steep slopes on the ridge between La Legette and Ban Rouge, which are above the treeline.
If your group includes non-skiers, there’s plenty more to do - try paragliding, sledging, snowmobiling or take a ride in a hot air balloon - there are hot air ballooning festivals in Praz sur Arly and Les Saisies.
When the snow melts, hikers and bikers flock to the Alps to make the most of the mountain trails.
In Crest-Voland, the lifts are open so that you can enjoy the downhills without the uphills if you prefer! Why not take La Logere chairlift to the top of Mont Lachat and have a picnic by the lake?
There are also free shuttle buses to nearby villages, which have a bike trailer so that you can explore further afield.
The Signal sports centre at Les Saisies (8km) has a great swimming pool complex as well as a spa area, gym, bowling and racquet sports.
Skiing and boarding are the main activities that bring guests to Crest-Voland in the winter, and in the summer, hiking, biking and climbing are the most popular. But when you stay at an OVO Network property, there is so much more to see and do.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in and around Crest-Voland - you’ll find the details below.
Escape in the mountains
Forget everything you knew about escape rooms - this mountain adventure takes it to another level! Puzzles, physical challenges and map reading all come into play at this summer playground in Les Saisies. Check the website to choose your adventure - you can even have one designed to suit your group.
Climbing adventures
Summer or winter, Escaladventure offers you an exciting day out, with ziplines, forest paths, bridges and via ferrata. There’s a variety of courses to suit all ages and levels, from a kids’ course for children as young as four up to an expert course for pre-teens, teens and adults. There’s a footpath alongside the course, so that those not taking part can follow the action.
Tobogganing
Discover the fun of sledging at the Crestvoluge toboggan run. Take the Logere chairlift to the top of Mont Lachat and then hurtle down the slope back to Crest-Voland. A little bit of technique will help you negotiate the banked turns, but the run is open to anyone over the age of five. You’ll have to bring your own plastic sledge, but they can be hired at any of the village sports stores.
Laser shooting
Anyone from the age of seven can take part in this shooting adventure at Les Praz in Crest-Voland. Laser guns mean there are no projectiles, making it perfectly safe for all ages. You can choose the length of your session, from 30 minutes to two hours, and you’ll have unlimited “ammunition”.
Snowshoe outings
Discover the mountain paths around Crest Voland in winter on a guided snowshoe excursion. There is a variety of trips to choose from - search for animal tracks on a family trail, enjoy a fondue in a mountain refuge on a night walk, enjoy a sunset over Mont Blanc or take a walk on the wild side on a day hike into the summits.
Igloo building
Learn how to build your own igloo at this three-hour workshop, which is as much fun for adults as it is for children! Once you’ve finished your igloo, crawl inside and enjoy a snack while you learn about the lives of Inuit people.
Explore a watermill
The Ainoz watermill, in a beautiful setting between Crest-Voland and Cohennoz, has belonged to the same family since 1750, and now they are inviting you to discover its history. The mill started grinding barley, oats and wheat to make bread for local residents and later diversified, making wooden handles, knobs and even dolls’ legs! This fascinating tour will take you about 90 minutes.
Cohennoz Eco museum
There’s plenty to discover is this cosy little museum in the centre of Cohennoz, next to the Mairie. Learn about the flora and fauna of the local mountains, as well as the way of life for farmers in the Alps. The museum is only open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
Visit a cheese farm
Celine and Edvane welcome you to their farm, Ferme au Bonheur des Fromages, where you can taste the cheese they produce and meet the cows and goats who supply the milk. In the summer, you’ll find them at their traditional farm at Plan Dernier, on the road to Les Saisies, and in the winter, they move to a modern farm at Bâle, near Notre Dame de Bellecombe. And of course, cheese is available to taste and buy all year round.
Do the snow conga!
If you’re looking for a great way to round off a day on the pistes, get your group together for Snake Glisse! A conga of identical sledges are joined together to make the snake, which is led down the mountain by a certified instructor. It’s great fun for all ages, from 10 and over, but the more adventurous may want to head to the back of the snake, where the twists and turns are more exciting!
Guided hikes
You’ll learn a lot more about the mountains and the scenery when you join a walk with a mountain guide. There’s plenty of choice, from Zen well-being walks and family walks to discover marmots to full-day hikes into the mountains, where you can enjoy stunning panoramic views.
La Belle Metairie
At the summit of Mont Lachat, this friendly restaurant is a popular lunch stop for skiers, walkers and bikers. On a sunny day, grab a table on the terrace to enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains and Mont Blanc. The extensive menu includes local specialities as well as classic French dishes and pasta. There’s also a children’s menu and a fixed price two-course lunch.
Coeur Alpin
Traditional dishes as well as pizzas are the popular offerings at this restaurant near the Logere chairlift. Open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week, try their pot-au-feu or the house speciality Bäkeoffe - a slow-cooked dish of pork, lamb and beef with potatoes. You’ll have to order this three days in advance and for a minimum of four people.
Les Arcades
One for a special occasion, this fine dining restaurant may cost a little more but it’s worth the expense. Chef Laurent Métral and his partner Murielle share a passion for food and hospitality which is reflected in their menu - a beautiful balance of mountain dishes and French classics using local produce. The six-course Menu Symphonie includes foie gras and fillet of beef, while at the other end of the scale, children can enjoy their own menu for €14.90.
Le Chalet des Marmottes
You can ski or drive to this mountain restaurant, and it’s worth the trip, if only for the breathtaking views from the sunny terrace. Fondue, raclette and pierrade are popular, as are the burgers and flame-grilled meats. Save room for a dessert, and if you can’t choose, opt for the cafe gourmand, with a little taste of everything.
Central Cafe
Rather more than a cafe, this reasonably-priced family restaurant offers sharing boards of charcuterie, cheese or tex mex snacks as well as burgers, fish and chips and meat dishes according to availability. There’s a burger for vegans (although you might want to ask them to leave out the honey). Servings are generous.
L’Arche de Zoe
Situated at the foot of the slopes in the Hotel Mont Charvin, this well-presented restaurant offers a “bistronomic” menu with a mix of traditional and Savoyard dishes. Sharing boards include charcuterie, cheeses and an ‘Asian’ board with samosas and dim sum, while a rather good burger, is joined by veal, rabbit and beef parmentier on the main menu. Desserts are well thought out, and include baked alaska, a myrtille tart and rum babas. Cheese-loving vegetarians are well catered for, but vegans might want to call and check what’s on offer before turning up. The hotel also has a creperie, if you’re looking for something lighter.
The villages of Crest-Voland and Cohennoz will be able to supply most of what you need during your stay here, and you’ll also be able to pick up some souvenirs to take home with you.
For daily food shopping, there’s a Sherpa supermarket in Crest-Voland, and a Carrefour Montagne on the way to Hauteluce (8.5km).
You’ll find a great choice of local produce at Aux Saveurs d’Antan in Crest Voland, where you can also pick up cooked chicken and ready-prepared raclette and fondues.
Pastries, bread, chocolates and sandwiches are available from Au Sommet des Anges bakery, perfect for putting together a picnic.
As in most Alpine villages you’ll find a great selection of sports shops where you can buy or rent sports equipment.
If you’re looking for something special to take home, try Le Comptoir des Sommets for home decor and gifts, as well as delicatessen items, or L’Etabli - Mes Amulettes for beautiful handmade jewellery using fine metal and precious stones.
By air - The nearest international airports to Crest-Voland are Geneva (101km) and Lyon (162km). Transfers can be booked through Alps2Alps or Altibus (Les Saisies), or take a train to the nearest station, at Albertville. If you are hiring a car, the drive to Crest-Voland takes about 1hr 30.
By train - The best train station for Crest-Voland is Albertville (25km), which has bus links to the resort. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
Taxis - Try Taxi Allo Dominique for airport and station transfers, as well as local journeys.