Le Corbier is a Savoyard ski resort in the Maurienne Valley area of the French Alps. Le Corbier was built as a “third generation” resort optimised for child, pedestrian and skier's safety. The safety concern in ski resorts has led to the idea that the construction of buildings right at the foot of the ski lifts which separate as much as possible cars, pedestrians and skiers. It's for this reason the architects in charge of the construction of Le Corbier constructed the now somewhat famous timber buildings of Cosmos, Soyuz and the Baikonur which have become emblematic of Le Corbier.
Today, Le Corbier has a great warm, family atmosphere. The resort has around eleven thousand beds and likes to boast about its great facilities: it's a 100% genuine ski resort developed and built for one purpose – skiing. The vast majority of the buildings in Le Corbier include a shopping arcade on the ground floor, connecting them to each other.
The Le Corbier ski resort is right at the heart of the Sybelles, the fourth largest ski area in France with 310 kilometres of ski runs. It's on the Mont Ouillon (2431 m), the highest pasture in Europe which links Le Corbier with neighbouring ski villages (Saint Sorlin d'Arves Saint Jean d'Arves, La Toussuire, Les Bottières and St Colomban des Villards). For those who just love exceptional views the Sybelles ski area offers a range of ski runs for all abilities which go up to 2620 metres above sea level and look over; The Aiguilles d'Arves, the Etendard glacier on the Meije and the Belledonne mountains!
In the Ouillon area of the resort, next to the Torret ski lifts, the snow park is open to all skiers and snowboarders, from beginners to advanced (border cross, freestyle area ...).
It's worth a note that there is a “mini snow-park” which serves as a beginners practice area, located on the bottom of the Combe ski run.
For amateur cross country skiers, the towns of Villarebert, Le Corbier, Fontcouverte and La Toussuire have 25 km of cross country skiing tracks (groomed and maintained regularly). The tracks are not monitored and access is free.
Le Corbier offers a comprehensive range of activities "off-ski”; snowmobiling, paragliding, tobogganing, speed-riding, dog sledding, movies, relaxation centre, a spa “Galaxie Spa”, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. There is something for both athletes and amateurs who are in need of a place to let their hair down.
For children from 3 to 5 years old, the snow garden is an ideal location to teach them how to make their first turns on skis; the atmosphere is fun and is supervised by specialised instructors.
Meanwhile, the nursery welcomes children from 6 months to 5 years; they offer either full day or half day programs which include a range of games, crafts... (And possibly a nap!)
Take a true ski resort; add an outstanding ski area, easily accessible for all abilities, build it at the heart of the massive Sybelles ski area, add a healthy dose of convenience and easy accessibility with a covered shopping mall connecting all the buildings in town. Then sprinkle in a great atmosphere, with entertainment for all ages. Finally, mix in a family for a week of holidays and you get Le Corbier.