Albiez out of season: what stays open in autumn and spring

In spring and autumn, Albiez-Montrond becomes a mountain village again. The lifts are stopped, some of the shops have pulled down the shutters, and there is hardly anyone on the trails. Here is what stays open, what does not, and how to organise a stay in the Mollard between two seasons.

What is closed

• The ski lifts. The ski area runs from 19 December 2026 to 21 March 2027. Before and after, the Échaux chairlift, 250 m from the apartment, does not operate.
• The Sherpa at the foot of the slopes, the shop closest to the apartment. Its listing says it opens 7 days a week "in season"; this year, it reopens on 12 December. For spring, its closing date is not published: check before counting on it.
• The cheese cooperative's shop in Albiez: it is a seasonal shop, open in summer and winter only.
• Some of the restaurants (those that stay open are mostly on the Chef-lieu side: check before driving up), the ski hire shops and the ESF. Summer activities too: swimming at the Mollard lake is supervised in July and August only, and the Chalet d'la Croë refuge only opens from mid-June to mid-September.

What stays open

The grocery in the Chef-lieu, every day of the year

The Sambuis Dufreney grocery, in the Chef-lieu, about 2 km from the apartment, is open every day of the year. General groceries, cheese and charcuterie cut to order, gas, hardware, first aid. Bread from the Moulin Valentin is delivered there every day: it is the way to get fresh bread out of season.

The bakery, at weekends in spring

The Moulin Valentin, in the Chef-lieu, opens every day in winter and summer. In spring, from 25 March to 25 June, it only opens on Saturday and Sunday. For autumn, call before going down: +33 4 79 59 33 97.

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, for the bulk of the shopping

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is on the way, 18 km and 20 to 25 minutes from the apartment. Out of season, that is where to fill the boot before driving up: Carrefour Market (petrol station and launderette) and Lidl. The details are in our article food shopping in Albiez.

For cheese, the Arves valley cooperative has a shop open all year round in the centre of Saint-Jean, 52 rue de la République.

The weather: expect cold, sometimes snow

At 1,600 m, nights are cold from autumn onwards, and still cool in spring. The apartment has electric heating you can adjust freely: turn it on as soon as you arrive if needed, without asking.

The first snow can fall as early as mid-October, well before the ski area opens. In Savoie, winter tyres or chains are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March (the loi Montagne). For a stay in October or April, it is better to have chains or snow socks in the boot. Everything is explained in our article winter tyres and snow chains for the drive up to Albiez.

What to do in spring and autumn

Walking from the apartment

Several of the waymarked walks can be done in any season as long as there is no snow:

• The Châtel cross, a 30-minute climb from the chemin du Châtel, behind the residence.
• The Mollard lake loop, 30 minutes, starting from the apartment, facing the Aiguilles d'Arves.
• The Contamines loop (40 min) and the Cochette loop (3 h), starting from the Chef-lieu.

In spring, snow lingers on the heights for a long time. The Plaigne trail crosses avalanche-prone gullies: do not take it while there is snow on the ground.

The Rival forest

The Rival forest, which you cross on the way up to the resort, is the shoulder-season outing. In spring, the streams are full and the waterfalls at their peak. In autumn, the colours, the mushrooms and the rutting of the red deer.

Going out with a guide

Yves Vionnet, a mountain leader based in Albiez, works all year round, off-season included: walks on foot or on snowshoes, wildlife, flora and heritage. It is the safest way to leave the village trails when conditions change from one day to the next.

Looking at the Aiguilles d'Arves

The apartment's south-west-facing balcony looks out on the Aiguilles d'Arves. The col du Mollard and the lake loop offer the same view without effort. The climb to the Basse du Gerbier (2,578 m) is a summer route: out of season, snow and cold make it much more serious. Ask the guide for advice before setting off.

The col du Mollard by bike

The col du Mollard (1,638 m) is at the edge of the hamlet: a 17 km climb from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, and the finish is at your door. The higher passes, such as the Croix de Fer and the Glandon, are closed by snow for part of the year: check they are open before planning them. The bike can be locked on the covered landing or stored on the balcony (the ski locker is too small).

A day in Turin

Out of season, it makes a good outing: Turin is about 2 hours by car through the Fréjus tunnel, or 1 h 56 by direct train from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Peace and quiet, and shorter stays

Out of season, people come to Albiez for the peace: no queue at the car park, no noise, the trails to yourself. Prices are also often the lowest of the year.

Stays are more flexible: generally 2 nights minimum, from 20 March to mid-December (except from 2 July to 20 August, when 3 nights are required). A long weekend is enough. Check-in is from 4 pm.

See also: which week to choose for skiing in Albiez, the summer page and the apartment's winter page.