Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval resort guide Ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
Resort reviews
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is located in the Vallée du Giffre in the French Alps and carries the accolade as one of the prettiest villages in France, one of not many in the region showing just what a beautifu resort this is.
It's a quaint village with a historic centre that is home to a couple of cafés, bars and restaurants. The village is sleepy and incredibly rustic, head a little way out to the 'Cirque du Fer' and the 'Cascades du rouget' to experience outstanding natural beauty.
Après-ski
The après-ski in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is very low-key & relaxed, this is a sleepy village for families who want peace & quiet. There are only a couple of restaurants offering good value local cuisine and a very warm welcome.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 850m |
| 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 |
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval ski area guide
The resort is linked in to the Grand Massif ski area giving a massive 265km of piste - 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 and the 14km long Cascades blue run back to Sixt-fer-a-cheval from the top of Flaine.
Beginners
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval 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 internediates, there is a huge choice of pistes from Samoëns to Les Carroz and into Flaine. The blue Cascade 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. Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval 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.
Our view on Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
We think Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is a great ski resort for young families wanting a peaceful setting and outstanding natural beauty. It offers the opportunity to access an awesome ski network that is the Grand Massif with over 265 km of ski slopes. 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-fer-a-cheval!
- A day trip to Chamonix to experience the 24km Valley Blanche from the top of the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m
If you like Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval , 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.
