Things to do in Lorraine, Grand Est: The Best Ski & Snowboard Areas

Reviewed By elzebietaj

Gérardmer is a very nice small town in the Vosges mountain range, just about 3 km form the ski pistes. It's wonderful because in the town there are many hotels, good food, shops, pretty lake and there is a free bus that takes the skiers to the skiing facilities. Sure, it's small, but it's friendly and just a good size to spent few days skiing and it's possible to rent the skis their. The Brassrie Plain Sud is extraordinaire for its food , really fantastic. In addition they are very well organized and skiers don't waste the time to eat. They are just next door to the very friendly ski rental. It's possible to leave the skis there overnight in one of many lockers. The ski lifts are fast and work well. Never too many people waiting to go up. The way down is nice and picturesque and gives many possibilities and combinations to ski. On the way down it's possible to meet the French Policemen on duty - skiing - just to check if everything is in order. Very impressive - it's nice to watch them. There is also a snow making factory, which produces snow if needed but only if the temperature is below zero Celsius. It's possible to visit the snow factory (free guided tour). It's very interesting and it's nice to talk to professionals proud of there job. There are also many possibilities to walk around if someone doesn't feel like skiing. Back down in Gérardmer it's almost impossible to refuse to eat excellent cakes! The region is famous for its production of different types of candy's, wood factory and textile factory , sure not to forget there is also famous cheese (for it's smell) called Munster. It's possible to visit most of the factories for example socks production factory opens its door for visitors once a week. The candy factories are more friendly to the public and they are open almost everyday. It's possible to visit some of the local farms too, and see the cheese production . The problem is to get to Gérardmer without a car because there is no train that goes there. They even transformed the railway station into a tourist information. There are few local buses. Anyway it's a nice place to visit also in the summer (lake, bike, walks).