Samoens
Samoens is a pretty, undiscovered rural village, little known yet by the majority of skiers.
Only since the winter of 2004 has a new fast, high capacity gondola been installed from the village to a new extensive beginners area on the plateau at 1600m.
Samoens 1600 is now the biggest beginners' ski area in the Haute Savoie, and acts as a gateway to the Grand Massif and Flaine ski area offering 265 kms of marked runs with a wide variety of skiing, and fantastic panoramic views over Mont-Blanc.
Samoens is located at the end of the Giffre valley at the foot of the imposing Criou mountain, it retains its historic charm and remains unspoilt by mass tourism .
It is the only ski resort in France to be listed as a heritage and conservation village.
Its past as stone-cutting center is apparent from many of the local buildings. It still retains an ancient church, with medieval fountains dating back to 1700.
The traditional-style bars and restaurants still give a feel for the 'real'rural France.
Marketed by the local tourist board as a 'Famille Plus Montagne' resort it is an ideal family destination for kids and adults, with flat roads and a town center which is closed to traffic at peak times.
Between the main village of Samoens and the hamlet of Morillon a few miles back down the valley, 3 separate gondola routes take you up to the ski areas.
Even in peak season there are few queues and all the lifts are linked with the free ski bus.
Passing through Samoen and heading up the valley there is the ski area of Sixt Fer A Che val. The free ski bus runs regularly between Sixt fer a Che val, Samoens, Vercland and Morillon.
At the end of a days skiing there are several options to return home. The prettiest run is from the top of Flaine at 1800 m down to Sixt by the "cascade run", one of the longest blues you will find which windes down through national park. The small bar at the end of the run makes a good stopping point for a hot wine while you wait for the ski bus to take you the short drive back to Samoens.
Alternatively there is a red run from Samoens 1600 to Vercland or nice gentle blues from the top of Morillon down to Morillon Village.
The easy option for those tired legs is just to take the relaxing gondola ride from Samoens 1600 back to the village where you can either catch the ski bus or a short flat walk back to our chalet. Sixt, Morillon and Vercland are all linked with the free ski bus
The Grand Massif is well known for its high altitude snow bowls and north facing tree lined runs helps the pistes hold their snow late into the season, providing valuable shelter on those white-out days. The grand Massif has one of the beast snow records thanks to its geographic position.
Recorded snow heights in the spring end of season.
25/04/03 : 320 cm at 2500 m
09/04/04 : 320 cm at 2500 m
19/04/05 : 280 cm at 2500 m
17/04/06 : 285 cm at 2500 m