I could understand why a professional instructor (with BE) with clients could pass everyone a crowded day as his salary will depend on it. Mostly usually the are limited to 6 and max 9 trainee by instructor...
I agree also with the local ski clubs cutting by the fast line to complete the free seat on the seated lift of course. Or while they rent a race track or special event...
But I am annoyed with the clubs with benevolent and other federal monitors that use unfair friendly privilege to pass with more than 12 kids all the waiting line while it's just to free ski all day. To see all that people from CO 7 laux ,GUC and other local clubs just pass everybody while there is no specific race, training trail reserved by them on the TK individual drag lift just a lot, and provide a good idea as the ski resort is considering the other customer, just pay and don't ski please!
I think if you want to ski and have a fir time down the slope for the money you pay, just go in other resort with a better management, with ethic about customer and not all backhander and favoritism base on bias relation that are unfair for the basic customer at the 7 Laux.
The ratio time of ski + pleasure is so much better in bigger resorts with more space and more professional management base on customers and not biased privilege local relations, just avoid to spend a full week renting there go in resorts better managed.
[editor: some swearing amongst text removed]
Prapoutel is an old fashioned, badly maintained ski resort. Apartments are extremely small and are rented out by Sirius for 6; not even enough beds and chairs available. Lifts are old, skipasses around the arm. No atmosphere whatsoever at apres-ski. Just avoid this place. Although it may look cheap its worth less than you can imagine.
Were there winters of 15' and 16' during early March. First time was perfect! The absolute most beautiful place for all around backcountry and park combination for probably the best value in the world. Second time around was lacking in snow. Pretty sad to see the effects of global warming first hand, simply wasn't enough snow to ride so had to move on to a resort higher up in the mountains about a 3 hour drive. All in all though definitely a must if your'e in the area and like to see how the locals shred. Pretty sure they hold x games qualifiers there at some point in the season cuz they have a sick park! Good people, good vibes, highly recommended!
We love this resort and keep coming back year after year. The new Les Granges development offers exceptional accommodation - true ski in-ski out.
Got to mention the excellent ESF, who offer English speaking instruction (should you wish)
Top to bottom is 1000m from Prapoutel to the top of Le Pouta and offers something for everybody, get an instructor and go steep and deep as we did after amazing snow in January.
Further lift enhancements are planned. It keeps getting better and better. Stay in Les Trois Valee - don't come here!
Strengths :
Easy access from either Grenoble or Chambery.
Excellent for skiing, both for beginners and advanced, with 3 different small resorts: Prapoutel, Pipay and Le Pleynet. All with beautiful mountains views. Good value for money. Les "Vallons de la Jasse" or la "Combe de Bedina" provide incredible slopes from top to bottom situated in wild landscape.
Weaknesses :
Not much "apres-ski"/ entertainment provided by the resort - it is more for local French people. The accommodation are blocks of flats rather than a beautiful/historic resort town.
Beautiful place....you have got everything for a perfect family holiday, well groomed slopes, enough snow, well spread in three villages... Good food, good skiing...*****
We visit Les 7 Laux 3/4 times a season as a family and we always find it a fantastic place to ski with our two little ones. There are also some more challenging red and black runs with plenty of off-piste to be found.
With the building of the new Les Granges apartments it certainly adds a lot more charm to the resort and provides easy access to the slopes with their on-piste location.
Access is generally easy to Les 7 Laux resort with both Chambery and Grenoble airports within easy reach (approx' 1 hour) and Geneva around 1h45mins'.
Overall, I would recommend Les 7 Laux to anyone looking for a quiet, family friendly resort.
Les 7 Laux is a gem of a resort. Perfect for families and the hardened expert alike.
Well groomed/managed pistes and loads to explore off-piste.
Some really long black runs (top to the bottom of the domain) with great bumps and views when taking a breather.
Architecturally challenged in Prapoutel but some posh new developments taking place giving the resort a lift.
Great access to Les 7 Laux from Grenoble, Lyon airports and the motorway.
This resort (Les 7 Laux) is far from the smallest in the Grenoble area.
Riding here about 30 days per season, and still discovering new things with a few walk.
In weekday pow, days can be memorable unlike crowded Sundays.
Les 7 Laux definitely provides the best pleasure/driving ratio from Grenoble.
Just been to Les 7 Laux today and it's definitely one of the smaller ski areas but if you are over here and fancy a day out then it's well worth a look in - it's close enough to Grenoble to get an afternoon in if from there.