Skiing and Snowboarding in The Grand Massif

Lift Opening Dates 2011/12
Lift Passes 2011/12
Ski and Snowboard Lessons 2011/12
Ski, Snowboard and Boot Hire 2011/12
Young Children
Additional Winter Activites

 

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. The recent addition of new snow canons in the Grand Massif guarantees snow covered runs throughout the season! Winter 2009/10 saw the opening of a new 6 seater high speed chair taking you from Samoens 1600 to the 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 afield to neighbouring resorts and beautiful tree lined runs including Europe's longest Blue run, the cascades which meanders 14km down the mountain.  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 (360 degree virtual tour of the piste)- Consists of 14 black runs, 51 red runs, 54 blue runs, 15 green runs.  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. Samoens has very few drag lifts compared to other resorts, so is a snowborders heaven.

Off piste skiing - Samoens is increasing in popularity with those who seek the thrills of off piste skiing with qualified local guides who know the back country and secret powder spots.  For more information and to book your guide, please contact info@zigzagski.com

Click here for webcam and lift information
Click here for the 2011/12 Samoens Winter Brochure

Lift Opening Dates 2011/12

Skiing for the forthcoming season commences on Saturday 17th December in Samoens, Morillon and the entire Grand Massif, with Sunday 15th April (tbc) marking the last day of the Grand Massif ski season.

Over in Flaine things start slightly earlier on Saturday 10th December. There is a bus from Samoens and Morillon to Flaine for the last week of the season.  Also there may be some lifts open in Samoens for the 17th-24th April if conditions are favourable.

Samoens - Opens: 17/12/2011.  Closure: 15/04/2012
Morillon - Opens: 17/12/2011.  Closure: 15/04/2012
Flaine -  Opens: 10/12/2011.   Closure: 22/04/2012
Sixt -  Opens: 17/12/2011.      Closure: 11/03/2012

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Lift Passes 2011/12

Alps Accommodation guests receive a 5% discount on Grand Massif ski passes when ordered through us at least one week in advance of your stay.  We collect them and deliver them to you on arrival saving you money and time with the queues on the first morning.  The offer is exclusively on 6 day Grand Massif passes for adults, children or seniors. Discounted prices are below.

Grand Massif - all areas	Adults	Seniors	Children
	+15 years	>62 years	5-15 years
4 consecutive hours	37 €	35.00 €	28.40 €
Full day pass	41.10 €	39 €	31.40 €
6 day pass (including Alps Accommodation discount)	205.25 €	193.25 €	155.65 €

The 6 day pass discounted rate is calculated at the full rate, plus 3 Euros for the ski pass (non refundable but resuseable) less 5%. If you want added insurance you must take your pass to the ski pass office in Morillon or Samoens and pay for the additional insurance. Rates incorporate new VAT level in France.

 

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

	Adults	Seniors	Children
4 consecutive hours	30.90 €	29.40 €	22.80 €
Full day pass	34.40 €	32.40 €	25.30 €
6 day pass	179.40 €	170.40 €	133.80 €
Beginners Area (1 day)	21.20 €	21.20 €	16.20 €

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.

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Ski and Snowboard Lessons 2011/12

We work with 3 ski schools who have English speaking instructors who come recommended.

Firstly 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.

Website: http://www.ecoledeski360.com/courssamoensgb.html
Email: resasamoens@ecoledeski360.com
Phone: +33 (0) 450 53 38 92

 

The National Ski School, ESF, have an office in Samoens and Morillon and have over 95 English speaking instructors. We recommend booking via the English ESF Samoens website by clicking here. Alternatively, you can email them directly at info@esfsamoens.com Please do state you are Alps Accommodation guests when making your booking.

For guests staying in Morillon or Morillon 1100 the ESF Morillon website can be found here.

An indication of prices is provided below. Click here to view the 2011/12 ESF brochure.

Ski school prices - ESF		6 Half Days	6 Full Days
Adults (15 yrs and over)		121 €	215 €
Children (6-14 years)		121 €	215 €
Kindergarten (3-5 years)		121 €	N/A

Private Instruction	1 hour	6 x 1 hour	2 hours	6 x 2 hours
1 - 2 people	34-39 €	179 - 215 €	66 - 78 €	345 - 390 €
3 - 4 people	49 - 60 €	286 - 316 €	88 - 118 €	499 - 600 €

 
Zig Zag International operate in both Samoens and Morillon and offer Alps Accommodation guests a 5% discount. They offer a team of fluent English speaking instructors, with tuition also available in Spanish, German and Dutch.

Website: www.zigzagski.com
Email info@zigzagski.com

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

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Ski, Snowboard and Boot Hire 2011/12

Alps Accommodation's guests receive a 20% discount at our preferred ski hire shop in the main square opposite the entrance to the church in Samoens. When hiring your equipment please state you are staying with Alps Accommodation to receive the discount.  They have a huge stock of equipment for all levels, most of which is brand new each season. The shop is open 7 days per week, from 8.00am-7.00pm (but does sometimes shut for lunch!).

If you do want to pre-book your skis you can do so online at www.skiservice-samoens.com

By hiring your skis with our ski shop you can leave your skis at their second shop on the piste at Samoens 1600 free of charge overnight, change them over if you have a problem or swap from skis to a board, for example.

Heated lockers on the piste - only guests using the Roland Gay ski hire shop through us in Samoens have access to a new ski storage facility just at the top of the Grand Massif Express lift. There are heated boot warmers in these lockers, but you must pick up the key from the ski shop when hiring your skis.  The charge to Alps Accommodation guests for using these heated ski lockers is 30 Euros (normally 60 Euros) for a week for a locker containing up to 5 pairs, and 20 Euros (normally 40 Euros) for a locker containing up to 3 pairs. 

6 Day Rental
Skis/board and boots -	Eco*	Basic	Mid range	Top range
Adults	76 €	103.20 €	122.40 €	135.20 €
Children		36-76 €	-	-

Boots only		25 €	30 €	43 €
Ski/board only		46 €	69 €	88 €

* Eco - Ski and Boot hire only

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

For Guests staying in Pas au Loup, Septimontain or La Rashe, we have a 15-30% discount with Extreme Glisse which is on your way to the Grand Massif Express.  You can collect when you arrive or if you wish to book online please visit www.xtremeglisses-samoens.com

From 10/12/11 to 06/01/12 and 11/02/12 to 09/03/12 :   use the discount code XGPROMO   ( 15% and 20% discount)
From 07/01/12 to 10/02/12 and 10/03/12 to 27/04/12 :  use the discount code JJANMAR  (30% discount)

For guests staying in Morillon, Morillon 1100 Les Esserts and Chalet Riviere,  we have a 20% discount arranged with Skiset at Morillon 1100 where you can leave your skis in the shop overnight.  They prefer you to pre-book your equipment, the contact is Gwen who speaks English and his email is info@skisetmorillon.com or on 0033(0)4 50 90 71 42.  However you can hire from them when you arrive or make amends to your booking. Please mention Alps Accommodation to receive your discount.

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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*
(* 2010/11 prices)

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

Piou Piou / Kindergarden on the piste at Samoens 1600
Six consecutive half days mornings or afternoons €102 -  €112*
(* 2010/11 prices)

Web: www.esfsamoens.com
Tel: 0033 (0)4 50 34 43 12
Email: info@esfsamoens.com

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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)4 50 78 01 77.

Cross Country Skiing – There are beautiful Cross Country skiing routes in the villages of Samoens, Morillon and Sixt and along the river Giffre for much of the season. Also at the Col de Joux Plane, where it is guaranteed from November to April at an altitude of 1700m (shuttle bus runs from Samoens centre).  Passes are purchased at the Tourist Office in the centre of the village, and cost 6.50 Euros per day.  Lessons can be booked for 46 Euros per hour through info@zigzag.com Tel: +33(0)6 31 20 44 10. (2010/11 prices shown)

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 snowshoeing – This is an activity not to be missed.  There are guided trips for all levels of fitness and specially prepared tracks, 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 - There are 2 luge/sledging runs at Samoens 1600.  On the plateau at the top of the Grand Massif Express there are two 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.

Please note all prices are correct at time of publishing and we cannot be held responsible if the prices change during the season.  Please check directly with the supplier before booking.

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