Thanks to its proximity to Geneva, Samoens is one of the most easily accessible of all the French ski resorts, making it an ideal option for a quick break or for families wanting to avoid long transfers. With beautiful scenery, varied terrain and – with its links to the Grand Massif ski area – an impressive 265km of pistes to explore, a Samoëns ski holiday offers something for all.
Much prized by the French for its history and architecture, Samoëns is a thoroughly pleasant setting for a winter break. With its car-free centre, beautiful buildings and variety of restaurants and shops, including everything from gourmet regional specialties to interesting vintage curiosities, it’s a refreshing departure from the more familiar scenes of clinical, purpose-built stations. After all, how many ski resorts can lay claim to a Gothic church and a weekly Wednesday market?
The town is linked to the ski area – known as Samoëns 1600, or the Plateau des Saix – by the Grand Massif Express high-speed gondola. Skiing back down at the end of the day isn’t an option: you either download on the gondola, or ski to Morillon and take the ski bus back from there. The Saix gondola at nearby Vercland provides an alternative route, which may save time depending on where exactly you’re based.
If you’re looking for ski-in ski-out convenience then Samoëns 1600 is definitely the place to stay, but for many people the charms of Samoëns town outweigh the minor inconvenience of bookending each day with an obligatory gondola or bus ride.
Despite its modest size, Samoëns has a fantastic range of excellent eateries, so you’re genuinely spoiled for choice. From cheap and cheerful take-outs to bustling bistros and sophisticated Michelin Guide establishments, you’ll find something to whet your appetite in the many Samoëns restaurants.
Along with the connected resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, Samoëns makes up the Grand Massif ski area: France’s 4th largest. Situated roughly between Geneva and Mt. Blanc, the area enjoys an unusually picturesque setting, with some truly stunning views over the majestic Mt. Blanc massif.
For a resort that tops out at a relatively low 2,500m, the Grand Massif has a surprisingly good snow record. Also, a high proportion of its slopes – around 80% – face north, meaning that snow conditions tend to remain good for longer.
A lack of crowds and great facilities – including a particularly renowned ski school – make Samoëns a popular choice for family holidays. It also offers excellent and easily accessible beginners slopes, making it a great option for those making their tentative first turns on snow.
Those looking for more challenging terrain will find plenty to please in the wider Grand Massif area. The bowls of Flaine provide extensive opportunities for off-piste exploration of various gradients (and various degrees of peril), while Les Carroz and Samoëns itself offer tree runs in abundance.
Though it may not challenge the likes of the Espace Killy or Les Trois Vallées in terms of sheer scale, there’s no arguing that there are plenty of runs to explore here, with a broad variety of terrain to get stuck into. Keen skiers and snowboarders, fear not: you won’t be short of things to do in Samoëns.
Season Start / End: 3/12 – 4/4
Opening Times: 08:30 – 16:30
Total Slope Length: 265 km
Easy Runs: 84
Intermediate Runs: 44
Difficult Runs: 11
MOUNTAIN STATION ALTITUDE 2480m
VALLEY STATION ALTITUDE: 697m
TOTAL SKI LIFTS: 62
FUNICULARS: 1
GONDOLAS: 6
CHAIR LIFTS: 26
DRAG LIFTS: 25
MAGIC CARPETS: 4
