Samoens

Find Chalets Resort Guide to Samoens

Samoens, known for its stone cutting industry, is a resort which really stands out. In the Haut Giffre valley at the heart of the Alps, Samoëns has plenty on offer to ensure a holiday that is out of the ordinary. An ideal choice for families, winter holidays here are quite exceptional.

Part of the larger Grand Massif area, Samoens'trump card is the high number of north-facing slopes - 80% according to the tourist board. It means there is abundant, regular snow. Terrain-wise it is equally good news, with plenty of blacks balanced by some mellow intermediate terrain.

Skiing in Samoens

Samoens Ski Resort

Beginners

Assuming you've outgrown the Samoens 1600 nursery area, there are plenty of blue runs in the immediate Samoens vicinity; once you include the Grand Massif area the options are many. Start with the easy options off the Chariande lifts, before progressing to the Gouilles.

Intermediate

You'll want to explore the wider Grand Massif. Top of the list must be the Les Cascades run from the summit of the Grandes Platieres. It's a long, long descent so stop for a break in Sixt before getting the bus back to town.

Expert

For a challenge go to the 800-m drop of the Combe de Gers or the mogul slopes from the Tete des Saix.

Samoens has grown and expanded recently but still retains plenty of old-school French charm. Known chiefly for its stonemasons, this listed village boasts medieval fountains, rustic old buildings and an ancient church.

The French ski resort of Samoëns is part of the Grand Massif Ski Area with access to 265km of downhill skiing, with 131 individual pistes, served by 78 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Samoëns itself (28 pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Grand Massif ski resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt Fer à Cheval.

Overall, Samoëns is a good little spot to know about: the skiing is great, challenging and varied, Geneva's just an hour or so away and facilities for kids are good. It's really a family resort for those looking to ski the French way

Summer in Samoens

  • Walking / Trekking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Walking with Pack Donkeys
  • Quad Biking
  • Archery
  • Swimming
  • Paragliding
  • Via Ferrata
  • Cycling
  • Adventure Courses
  • Rock Climbing
  • Helicopter Flights
  • Tennis
  • Fishing

Tourist Office

  • Tourist Office: Samoens Office du Tourisme
  • Address: France
  • Country: 74340 Samoens
  • Email: samoens@wanadoo.fr
  • Website: www.samoens.com

Samoens

Beginner 
Intermediate 
Advanced 
Offpiste 
Snowboarding 
Apresski 

Resort Facts

Resort altitude : 720m

Highest Ski Lift : 2500m

Longest Run :

Piste Size in kms : 40km

Total Runs : 28

Beginner Runs : 43%

Intermediate Runs : 39%

Advanced Runs : 18%

Total lifts : 16

Night Skiing : No

Snowboard park : 1

Season Starts : Early Dec

Season Ends : Late April

Departure Airports :
Gatwick, Heathrow, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow

Nearest Airport :
Geneva, Lyon

Transfer Time : 1hr

Activities :