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This attractive area between Geneva (50km) and Mont
Blanc includes four charming traditional resorts - Morillon,
Samoëns,
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval and
Les
Carroz - and the modern concrete built resort of
Flaine. The Vallée du Giffre which runs
through Morillon and Samoëns, ends in the
spectacular 'Fer à Cheval'.
France's fourth biggest ski area has 265 km of piste
and offers a great variety of terrain for all levels,
reliable snow and a lack of queues. From the
central Tête des Saix, north-facing runs drop
down steep mogul slopes towards Samoëns while on
the opposite side of the valley, easier pistes fall
through tree-lined trails towards Morillon. The runs
to Les Carroz are short but varied while the small
ski area of Sixt also links into the Grand Massif via
the 14km 'Cascades' blue run (although the return is
via bus). There are outstanding off-piste
possibilities and the 3 'Jamparks' offer snowboarders
some of the best conditions in Europe.
Read an article about Morillon
and Samoëns
by Eric Barton on his 2010 ski trip to these
‘hidden gems’ – view
article here.
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Set amid forest, Samoëns is the only
resort in France to be listed as a 'Historic
Monument'. Once a thriving stone-cutting
centre, it still retains an ancient church,
medieval fountains and a variety of old rustic
buildings.
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Morillon is a traditional village with a 16th
century church, linked to the more modern ski
resort of Les Esserts by gondola and road (8
minutes drive).
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Les Carroz is a spacious, sunny, family resort
with pavement cafés and interesting
little shops centred around a main square.
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Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty
with the magnificent 'Fer à Cheval' and
its wonderful waterfalls and natural reserve,
Sixt is still largely unknown outside France.
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The
region is easy to get to via direct motorway
links from Geneva or by TGV train to Cluses,
with regular bus links between the
resorts.
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