Day-Trip Adventures Beyond Valmorel: Discover Saint-François-Longchamp, Doucy & Celliers

Looking to turn a good ski day into a great one? Day-Trip Adventures Beyond Valmorel let you roam far and wide across Le Grand Domaine, linking Valmorel with Saint-François-Longchamp, Doucy and Celliers. From Chalet Du Crey, you can tap into 165 km of slopes, family fun zones, beginner areas and scenic lift rides that reveal views of the Mont-Blanc, the Lauzière range and the Col de la Madeleine. This guide shows you exactly how to reach each sector and what to look for—on skis, on foot, or in summer.

Le Grand Domaine at a glance

Le Grand Domaine brings together four interconnected resorts in Savoie near the Vanoise National Park: Valmorel, Saint-François-Longchamp, Doucy and Celliers. The ski area is sunny and varied, with 165 km of pistes serving both beginners and seasoned skiers.

What you’ll find across the domain:

• 4 secured freeride zones for off-piste sensations in controlled areas
• Numerous beginner pistes and 4 dedicated beginner zones to learn in peace
• Playful areas: the Village des Pirates for young children, a snowpark geared to teens, plus boardercross
• A modern backbone lift in Valmorel: the Télécabine de Planchamp (10-seater; 1,916 m long; 572 m vertical; 3,600 p/h; 75 cabins)
• Altitude range from 1,218 m (Le Crey) to 2,400 m (Col du Mottet) across the terrain

Tip: For a smoother experience, midweek skiing offers quieter pistes, faster lift lines, a calmer ambiance, and easier access to mountain restaurants.

Start from Chalet Du Crey: your jump‑off point

Chalet Du Crey sits 2.5 km from Valmorel’s center in the hamlet of Le Crey—close enough to the action, yet wonderfully peaceful.

• Reach the Grand Domaine quickly: the Téléski du Rocher is about 200–250 m from the hotel and puts you straight onto the Valmorel–Saint-François-Longchamp network.
• Return on skis to within 50 m of the property when snow conditions allow.
• Free shuttles operate nearby to move around Valmorel and surrounding villages.
• Beginners love the Téléski du Blanchot—it’s free and ideal to build confidence.

From this base, day-trips to Saint-François-Longchamp, Doucy and Celliers are straightforward—on skis via the waymarked pistes or, for non‑skiers, by using the pedestrian lift pass.

Pedestrian access: the Pass Piétons‑Raquettes

If you’re walking, snowshoeing, or meeting skiers for lunch, the Pass Piétons‑Raquettes offers unlimited lift rides (up and down) and opens up photo spots, picnic areas and family zones like the Village des Pirates.

• Price guide: €51.50 for 6 days (adults), €40 for ages 5–12; or €17.50 per day (adults), €12.50 ages 5–12)
• Available at Valmorel lift offices, self‑service kiosks, and at Chalet Du Crey
• Hours: lifts generally 10:00–16:00 for pedestrian access; Télébourg runs from 08:30–23:30
• Lifts included: Télécabine de Planchamp, Télécabine de Pierrafort, Télésiège des Lanchettes, Télésiège de Combelouvière, Télécabine de Celliers, Télésiège du Mottet, Télébourg
• Support deposit: €3 per pass

What to expect: panoramic viewpoints over Mont‑Blanc, the Lauzière and Col de la Madeleine, plus easy access to restaurants, picnic areas, and family attractions.

Saint‑François‑Longchamp: wide horizons and varied terrain

How to get there

• On skis: From Chalet Du Crey, glide to the Téléski du Rocher and follow the marked pistes across the Valmorel–Saint‑François‑Longchamp link. The 165 km network offers plenty of options to tailor the traverse to your level.
• On foot: Use the Pass Piétons‑Raquettes to ride scenic lifts like Pierrafort, Lanchettes and Mottet. From the summits, you’ll enjoy sweeping views toward the Saint‑François‑Longchamp side of the domain and can rendezvous with skiers at mountain restaurants.

Why go

• Access beginner‑friendly zones and gentle pistes to build mileage without pressure.
• Sample freeride zones in secured off‑piste areas when conditions are suitable.
• Soak up the high‑alpine panorama that stretches from the Mottet area toward the Maurienne and Lauzière ranges.

Pro move: Aim for a midweek Saint‑François‑Longchamp outing to benefit from lighter traffic and more relaxed lunches at altitude.

Doucy: family energy, boardercross—and a can’t‑miss luge run

How to get there

• On skis: Start via the Téléski du Rocher and follow the waymarked pistes toward the Combelouvière sector to reach Doucy.
• On foot: The Télésiège de Combelouvière is included with the pedestrian pass, giving you direct access to Doucy’s viewpoints and family areas.

Doucy highlights

• Piste de luge Doucy Aventures: a crowd‑pleaser for families and groups.
  • Access to the luge track is free.
  • To reach it via the mountain, you’ll need a pedestrian pass or a ski pass to ride the Combelouvière chairlift.
• Village des Pirates: kids love the playful features and themed areas at the heart of the ski domain.
• Snowpark and boardercross: ideal for teens and riders looking for progression.

Pair Doucy with a relaxed lunch and a late‑afternoon slide back toward Valmorel for an easy, memorable day.

Celliers: quiet slopes and big scenery

How to get there

• On skis: Traverse the Grand Domaine via marked pistes to dip into the Celliers side when conditions are favorable.
• On foot: Ride the Télécabine de Celliers with the Pass Piétons‑Raquettes. It’s a scenic uplift with broad views and an easy way to meet skiing friends on the mountain.

Why go

• Enjoy a quieter atmosphere and generous viewpoints across the Lauzière and toward the Col de la Madeleine.
• Ideal for a photo‑first outing or a snowshoe wander paired with lunch at altitude.

Non‑ski day‑trips: snowshoes, sled dogs and village roaming

• Snowshoeing: Local mountain guides offer everything from gentle half‑day strolls to full‑day, sportier routes.
• Sled dogs: With the Escapades Nordiques team, you can book 30‑minute or 1‑hour sleigh rides, try mushing initiation, and meet the mushers and their dogs.
• Télébourg: Running from 08:30 to 23:30, this urban lift links village sectors—handy for evening strolls, dinners, and meeting points.

Summer day‑trips across the same valleys

When the snow melts, the Grand Domaine turns into a playground for walking, hiking, paragliding, biking and mountain biking. The views over the Lauzière and Col de la Madeleine remain just as inspiring.

• Cycling focus: On 2 August 2025, the region hosts L’Étape du Tour Femmes—a replica of the pros’ stage from Chambéry to the Col de la Madeleine (Saint‑François‑Longchamp): 112 km with 3,490 m of climbing.
• Bike rentals: You can arrange bike hire via Chalet Du Crey’s partner—ask at reception for details.

Quick answers (for fast planning)

How do I reach the Grand Domaine from Chalet Du Crey?

Walk about 200 m to the Téléski du Rocher for direct access to the ski area. Free shuttles also operate nearby for easy movement around Valmorel and neighboring villages.

Which lifts can pedestrians use with the Pass Piétons‑Raquettes?

Access is available (10:00–16:00) to: Télécabine de Planchamp, Télécabine de Pierrafort, Télésiège des Lanchettes, Télésiège de Combelouvière, Télécabine de Celliers, Télésiège du Mottet, plus Télébourg (08:30–23:30).

Do I need a ticket for the Doucy luge?

The piste de luge Doucy Aventures is free to use, but you need a pedestrian pass or ski pass to ride the Combelouvière chairlift that gives access.

What’s included with All Inclusive ski stays at Chalet Du Crey?

• Midweek All Inclusive: includes a 4‑day ski pass.
• Week All Inclusive: includes a 6‑day ski pass.
  Both options are designed for stress‑free holidays with meals, a ready‑to‑go picnic for ski days, a warming soup after skiing, and drinks included at dinner plus a free bar from 17:00 to 21:00.

Practical takeaways and insider tips

• Start early for day‑trips beyond Valmorel to maximize ski time and beat any queues.
• Leverage midweek days for Saint‑François‑Longchamp or Doucy—pistes are typically quieter and restaurants more accessible.
• Use the Télébourg in the evening to move between village areas effortlessly.
• Beginner plan: warm up on the free Téléski du Blanchot, then explore the 4 beginner zones across the domain.
• Family highlight: the Village des Pirates is a surefire hit; pair it with a Doucy luge run for a full family day.
• Photo‑ops: with a pedestrian pass, ride to Mottet or Pierrafort for panoramic views of Mont‑Blanc and the Lauzière.
• Rest‑day ideas: book a snowshoe tour or a sled‑dog experience to recover legs while keeping the adventure alive.
• Plan your pass: the Pass Piétons‑Raquettes is sold at lift offices, kiosks, and directly at Chalet Du Crey (support deposit €3).
• Check our resources: for logistics and seasonal details, see the hotel’s Practical Guide and Questions Fréquentes; for non‑skiers, explore the dedicated Pass Piétons‑Raquettes info; for great value, consider our Midweekski or Weekski All Inclusive stays.

Conclusion: make more of every day from Chalet Du Crey

With Day-Trip Adventures Beyond Valmorel, you can dive into Saint‑François‑Longchamp’s wide horizons, pair Doucy’s family vibe with a free luge run, and savor Celliers’ calm scenery—all from a base that’s steps from the lifts. Whether you’re skiing, walking or planning a summer escape, the Grand Domaine is built for discovery.

Ready to rove further? Book your Midweekski or Weekski All Inclusive stay at Chalet Du Crey. Your lift pass is included (4 or 6 days), meals are sorted, drinks are covered at dinner with a free bar from 17:00–21:00, and your ski holiday stays as effortless as it should be.