Samoëns resort guide & reviews Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Samoëns
Resort reviews
Samoëns is located in the Vallée du Giffre in the French Alps and carries the designation of a "ville fleurie" giving it the distinction as one of the most beautiful and unspoilt ski resorts in the country.
It's a quaint village with a historic centre that is home to some wonderful artisan shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The centre is the hub of the resort and at certain times throughout the year, you can listen to live bands.
Samoëns ski area guide
Samoëns is linked in to the Grand Massif ski area giving a massive 265km of pistes - one of the largest and finest ski areas in France.
Even in high season, the lift queues are minimal. Due to its geography, the area receives abundant snow enabling the ski season to extend well into the Spring - approx 80% of the slopes are North facing.
Skiing in the Grand Massif gives options for all levels of skier and boarder in varied terrain - from the sun drenched bowl of Flaine to the rabbit runs in the forests around Samoëns, Morillon and Les Carroz.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 720m |
| Top lift | 2500m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 265 |
| Longest run | 14 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 76 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed and fun |
Beginners
Samoëns 1600 provides the largest area for beginners (7 lifts) easily reached by the high speed gondola from the town centre. The beginners area has a children's club but the best thing is that there is a restaurant next door with a sun terrace so you can keep an eye on your children.
Intermediate
For intermediates, there is a huge choice of pistes from Samoëns to Les Carroz and into Flaine. The blue Cascades run is a must for cruising and starts from Flaine at 2480m and continues for 14km in to Sixt-fer-a-cheval!
Advanced
For advanced skiers, there are 14 black pistes to challenge you including the Combe de Gers which has a staggering 800m vertical drop all off-piste. Samoëns may not have the ruggedness of some off-piste trails such as that found in Chamonix and Verbier, but it does offer plenty to keep the experienced skier challenged throughout their holiday break.
Cross-country
Cross country skiing is a gentler way of discovering the local mountains. There are 46km of tracks in the Samoëns valley next to the banks of the Giffre river plus more trails around the Joux Plane pass at 1700m - only open when the valley trails are closed.
Snowboard
The Jampark at Flaine is superb and has all the rails and jumps for beginners and experienced boarders.
Things to see & do in Samoens
- Ice skating
- Winter walking and snowshoeing trails
- Dog sleighs
- Tobogganing
- Parapenting
Après-ski
The après-ski in Samoëns is relaxed and informal as you would expect in this pretty village. The food is varied but predominantly traditional French and Savoy cuisine in the town's many restaurants. There are also several good lively bars to choose from dotted around the back streets of the town centre and around the main square.
Our view on Samoëns
We think Samoëns is a great ski resort either for the skiing where there is simply too many pistes to cover in a week or for your summer holiday. Samoëns is perfect for families with so many things to do to keep everyone entertained. A few suggestions:
- The blue Cascade run is a must for cruising and starts from Flaine at 2480m and continues for 14km in to Sixt!
- A day trip to Chamonix to experience the 24km Valley Blanche from the top of the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m
If you like Samoëns, you may also consider the resorts in Alta Badia and Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites. Both regions offer exceptional opportunities for touring with many connected resorts under one lift pass.
