Skiing and Snowboarding in Samoens Grand Massif

Samoens is in the heart of the Grand Massif, one of the largest ski areas in Europe.  Made up of Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz, Sixt and Samoens.  It offers extensive skiing and snowboarding, with an excellent snow record which is one of the best in the Alps.  The super fast gondola from Samoens village takes you up to Samoens 1600m ski resort in just 8 minutes.  This delivers you directly into Samoens own extensive ski area, which joins with over 265km of piste, 140 individual pistes plus 80 lifts  Click here for a piste map. Winter 2009/10 sees the opening of a new 6 seater high speed chair taking you from Samoens 1600 to Tete de Saix in 6 minutes cutting the time it takes you to get to the top by 2/3's!

The ski area is varied and offers runs for all abilities.  The area holds the lowest ratio of accommodation capacity to number of ski lifts, which explains the small amount of queues encountered here.  The resort has breathtaking views and non skiers can take the grand massif lift from Samoens to 1600m and watch family and friends on the pistes.  Beginners are well catered for on the extensive groomed nursery slopes at 1600m, this plateau is one of the largest beginners areas in Europe! Intermediates have a whole host of runs to chose from locally in Samoens, or that take you far a field to neighbouring resorts and beautiful tree lined runs including Europes longest Blue run, the cascades.  There are numerous reds and black runs locally in Samoens and Les Carroz and of course over in Flaine, where experts are catered for even further.

The piste - Consists of 14 black runs, 51 red runs, 54 blue runs, 15 green runs and 229 snow canons.  A recent 11m Euro investment saw the introduction of a massive free car park at the main Samoens Grand Massif Express lift and a new children's ski area at Samoens 1600. The area is undergoing major investment throughout which is massively improving everything year on year.  In a weeks skiing holiday, you'd be really hard pushed to cover all the runs in this huge area.

Snowboarding - The area is great for boarders, its easy to get fresh powder and there has been new investment into 3 snow parks and 3 half pipes.  There are numerous events including the Bolle Winter Tour, open contests with some of the worlds best riders including France's snowboarding champion Sylvain Duclos (who also works for the ski school).  Samoens has very few drag lifts compared to other resorts, so is a snowborders heaven.

Click here for webcam and lift information

Lift passes 2009/10

Foot passengers can enjoy the restaurants and veiws for 6 Euros up and down once (Aller/Retour) 

Massif - Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoens, Sixt & Combe de Vernant - Grands Van

Beginners passes

Passes can be pre booked (not essential) via www.grand-massif.com
Photos are not currently required for lift passes.
All passes require a 3 Euro hands free skicard which is not refundable, but reuseable.
Passes are free for children under 5 and seniors over 75, however proof of age will be required for all reduced price passes.  Optional insurance - add 2.60 per day and per person.

*6 day Grand Massif consecutive days Family lift pass - pay for 5 days, ski for 6.  Simultaneus purchase (one payment) of the 4 lift passes. 

Ski and Snowboard Lessons  2009/10

The National Ski School, ESF, have an office in Samoens and Morillon and have over 95 English speaking instructors. We recommend booking via their website at http://www.esfsamoens.com/gb/index.html as it is in English and quite easy to use.  Please do state you are Alps Accommodation guests, when making your booking.  For guests staying in Morillon or Morillon 1100 the ESF website is at www.esfmorillon.com  An indication of prices is provided below.   

We also work with 360 International Ski School who offer a 10% discount off all lessons for Alps Accommodation guests.  They have excellent qualified bilingual instructors for both skiing and snowboarding in either small groups, private lessons or to take you to the new areas not reached before.  Book in advance then visit them at their office just at the bottom of the Grand Massif Express lift by the roundabout.

All info and contact: http://www.ecoledeski360.com/courssamoensgb.html or email: info@ecoledeski360.com or phone: + 33 (0) 450 53 38 92

Zig Zag International operate at both Samoens and Morillon and offer Alps Accommodation guests a 5% discount - www.zigzagski.com  or email info@zigzagski.com  . A  team of fluent English speaking instructors, with tuition also available in Spanish, German and Dutch.

All the companies are open for reservations from mid-October until the end of the winter season.   We do recommend pre-booking.

Ski, snowboard and boot hire

If you require your skis for 7 days then the rate is the same as 6 days.

Please note prices and information were correct at time of publishing (season 2009/10).

For guests staying in Chalet Riviere and Chalet Colchique we have a discount arranged with Rol Sport just to the left of the main ski lift at Morillon Village.  For guests staying at Morillon 1100, we have a discount arranged with Intersport just a few metres from the apartment.

Young children

In winter, children from 3 years can join the “Kindergarden at Samoens 1600 or Piou Piou as it is also known”. This is a designated fun area created for your child’s first holiday on skis, allowing them to learn the basics in preparation for ski school in a safe environment at Samoens 1600. Children are also accepted into the standard French ski school ESF in Samoens from 3 1/2 years.  Booking is recommended particularly during February.  It is also possible for the children to have half a day in the Creche in the village and half a day in the Piou Piou at 1600, where they will also provide them with lunch.

6 days of Creche/Nursery and Piou Piou (introductory skiing) with lunch: €220

Creche / Les Loupiots in village  - 3 months to 6 years.
Prices full day with lunch: €34.50 to €37.40
Half day (from 8.30 to 12.30) with lunch: €21 to €24.20
Half day (from 13.00 to 18.00) afternoon: €20 to €22.50
6 half days morning with lunch: €115.00 to €127.00
6 afternoons: €110.50 to €121.00

Tel: 0033 (0)4 50 34 13 96.  Email: garderielesloupiots@cegetel.net

To download important information relating to the creche in the village click here
Things your children need to bring - click here

Additional winter activities

Spas and well being in Samoens - There are 3 Spas in Samoens which are open to the public, one of which allows use of the indoor swimming pool for customers who book their  treatments:  Telephone 0033(0)450780177

Cross Country Skiing – Cross country skiing in the Col de Joux Plane is guaranteed from November to April providing beautiful views at an altitude of 1700m (shuttle bus runs from town centre).  Additional skiing also in area and the passes are purchased at the Tourist Office in the centre of the village

Ice Skating – There is a 600m2 rink in the centre of Samoens opposite the Tourist Office which is open from the Autumn to April each year.

Raquettes snow shoeing – This is an activity not to be missed.  There are guides for all levels of fitness and specially prepared tracks and you can also walk under the stars to a meal stop with an organised group.

Animal Tracking - Great for adults or children. 

Avalanche Rescue introductory course -  Designed for those that like to go off piste now and again. The Tourist Office contains the booking information.

Skidoos (snow mobiles) - Organised evening sessions ending with a Fondu - no experience required

Luge - 2008/9 sees the opening of 2 luge runs.  On the plateau at the top of the Grand Massif Express there are two brand new luge runs for children of all ages.  From 16m long for the young ones through to 60m for the older children (and Dads!).

Additional activities include - tobogganing, dog sledding, indoor climbing, igloo building, ice climbing on waterfalls, heli-skiing, ice diving, as well as winter archery and caving. 

Swimming pools- There are public indoor swimming pools in Cluses and Flaine open all year.  In addition Samoens has an indoor swimming pool connected to a spa, but you must book treatments to gain entry.

Shopping and sightseeing - In Samoens itself, Chamonix, Morzine, Annecy, Geneva - all within 1 hour.

We are here to help book your additional activites while you are in resort.  Just contact us before you arrive or when you are here.