Additional Summer Activities

Rock climbing - Lots of great climbing is available within minutes of the town including indoor and outdoor climbing walls for beginners and intermediates and overhangs for the experts.

Rafting/Canoeing - The Giffre River is perfect for a range of water activities, in particular rafting and canoeing. With a professional qualified instructor, you will be able to experience the thrills of the river and rapids without any previous experience. Alps Accommodation guests receive a 10% discount when booking with Ecolorado Rafting, visit their website for more information. Prices are approximately 27E-52E (based on 2011 prices), and depending on conditions an age limit of around 7 years is normally in place.

Water skiing & wake boarding - Experience water skiing on a private local lake and try out the certified slalom course.  Great for beginners and the experienced.  Booked through Alps Accommodation locally.

Parapenting - There are various options available to enjoy the magical experience of this sport. They range from single flights with a qualified instructor to 5-day paragliding courses. Normally an age limit of 10 years is applied with prices starting from 70 Euros per person. Alps Accommodation guests receive a 10% discount. Visit the website for more information.

Swimming - Samoens has a large open air swimming park with 3 pools and waterslides, it is set in 6000m2 of lawn enabling you to relax in stunning scenery.  Open daily from 10am until 7.15pm, prices are from 3.60E per child per day, and 4.60E per adult per day (based on 2011 prices). More information including pictures and pricing can be found here. Speedo type swimming trunks or tight swimming shorts are required for all males who want to swim in the pool, but any shorts can be worn in the sunbathing areas. The more adventurous can swim the rapids with a qualified instructor, equipped with float, flippers and wetsuit. Or if that is not enough try a swim in the designated surrounding mountain lakes, some of which have lifeguards during July and August.  We do provide a bath towel and a hand towel but if you plan to swim in the pool or lakes we recommend you bring your own swimming towels.

Adventure Parks - With 2 Indiana Adventure Parks, one for all ages and one for the little ones, everyone can have a go swinging like a monkey! Suspended bridges, climbing, rope slides and walkways high in the trees. A great way to experience a forest adventure in complete safety with qualified supervision. Prices start from around 20E per adult, 16E per child (based on 2010 prices), visit the website for more information

Via ferrata - This is a cross between walking and climbing, opening up the mountain to a wider spectrum of people. The routes are equipped with cables, ropes and ladders which make the route a little easier, although it is a demanding activity and not for those with a fear of heights.  You have two clips and are constantly attached to the mountain by at least one of them.  Check out the Alps Accommodation video of the via ferrata in Samoens.

Fishing - The best place for fishing is the lake at the Col de Joux plane.  The lake is stocked with trout and you can buy a fishing permit from the restaurant next to the lake.  The views are spectacular!

A great place to visit for all the family - 50 minutes drive away is the Vitam Leisure Parc, just before Geneva - details here http://www.vitam.fr/ . From soft play areas, to water parks with slides, indoor climbing walls for all ages, fitness activities, warm indoor and outdoor pools, shops, lunch - it's all there.  Ideal for sunny or rainy days!

Other activities include helicopter rides, tennis, horse riding, fishing in river streams and lakes, potholing, archery, jet skiing, and more! Day trips - either reached with your own transport or by taking a coach or organised tour from Samoens, the following are just some of the many day trips available. Travel by cable car from Chamonix to reach the peak of “Aiguille du Midi” at nearly 4,000 metres, offering great views of Mont Blanc. Visit Annecy with it’s canals and flower decked quays and marvellous shopping. Or perhaps Lake Geneva to visit the largest lake in Europe or Yvoire situated on the lakes of Geneva with its 14th Century village and garden of senses. More details here.