Grand Massif - Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval

However years ago the well known climber and founder of the Alpine Club, Sir Alfred Wills, made Sixt his base for discovering the area and built a chalet in the village.

Ranked among the “Most Beautfiful villages of France”, Sixt combines nature with architecture and originality with 24 hamlets scattered overna area of 12000ha. The most notable are Mount, Passy (where chalet Le Penoutlay is located), ​​Salvagny, Le Fay, Hauterive, or The Molliet The Frenalay, and most of them conceal treasures from a long and rich history.

Life is centred around the 12th century Abbey and is quite simple - a few shops, post office, mini-market, a few cafés and restaurants and a bakery that makes some 'sinful' cakes.  Wonderful walks, snowshoe outings, dogsledding, a challenging 'via-ferrata' (a type of ladder fixed directly onto the rock), ice climbing and village discovery visits, are also available. Discover the making of Tomme de Sixt at 1800 meters     at l'alpage de Salvadon!

There is a regular ski-bus service from Sixt to Samoëns and Morillon.

Only a 10-minute drive beyond Samoëns, Sixt is only a 30-minute drive from the motorway exit near the TGV train station of Cluses and only 1-hour drive from Geneva.

Sixt ski area opens fromSaturday, December 17, 2011 to Sunday, March 11, 2012 INCLUSIVE. The Grand Massif ski area stays open until 16/04  so you can get the gondola from Samoens just down the road. There is a large free car park by the Samoens Grand Massif Express lift that takes you to Samoens 1600.

Follow the links below

Why Sixt?

·          A very pretty, undiscovered village, set in outstanding scenery

·          Superb walks, uncrowded pistes

·          Access to the massive Grand Massif ski domain

·          Easy access from the motorway, train station or Geneva airport

Childcare in Sixt

See Samoens info, please click here

Activities in Sixt         

Snowshoeing, ski touring, dog-sledging, ice-climbing, Via Ferrata climbing (depending on the weather)…

Luge/Tobbogan

Take the sled safely on groomed trails in Sixt Fer à Cheval.

2 toboggan runs for you:

- The toboggan run of the Cirque du Fer à Cheval:

 Located in the heart of the great site of Cirque du Fer à Cheval, you will find a toboggan fully equipped and secure.

- The toboggan run Salvagny: near the hamlet of Salvagny, below the kindergarten, this track is secure arranged for the children.

(see pictures in the resort gallery above)

Dog sledding

Northern Area High Giffre:
Intelligence planning trips (duration 20 to 30 minutes)
Tel: 04 50 34 13 79

Reservations are home to the Nordic area located at the tourist office in Samoens.

11/12 rates:

Adult – €37

4-10yrs – €18.50

Under 4 with adult - free

Snow trekking: afternoon or day trips…

Stéphane FERRAND :

Tel : +33 (0)4 50 89 56 47

Mail: s.ferrand@wanadoo.fr

Mountain activities

Ski touring, Vallée Blanche, rock climbing, ice climbing, via ferrata ...

Bureau des Guides et Accompagnateurs de la Vallée du Giffre

Tel : +33 (0)4 50 34 43 12

Internet : www.guidesmontagnes.com

Parapente / Paragliding

Les Tontons Volants

Opposite Grand Massif Express - Samoëns

Tel : +33 (0)4 50 89 82 30

Internet : www.samoens-parapente.com

Walking

Over 100 km of signposted footpaths providing access to 5 mountain huts and conservation areas: “Cirque du Fer a Cheval”, the Cascade “du Rouget”, the “Gorges des Tines”

Ice Climbing

Sixt Fer à Cheval is one of the main sites for ice climbing in France. For both beginners and the more experienced there are 60ish itineraries from 40 to 500m high. The 'vallon de Sales' sector is perfect for beginners. The Sixt Fer à Cheval sector is for the more experienced with ascents that progress up to grade 7.

Christophe DUCROZ (Co. Guides Sixt)

Tel: 06 76 58 51 73 tofducroz@yahoo.fr

Library

Library in Sixt Fer à Cheval is open all year long.

Opening times:  Outside school holidays - Every Wednesday and Saturday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
During school holidays: Every evening from Monday to Friday from 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Tariffs :
0,70€ per book

Markets

Market Samoëns:

Every Wednesday morning (from 8am to 13H), year round, will wander about the market in Samoëns Savoie. You will find all products of our region as well as numerous articles and household textiles, and accessories.

Market Morillon:

Wednesday evening, from 16H.

Guided tours

The various guided tours for both individual and for groups, by the Heritage Guides for Pays de Savoie Sixt Fer à Cheval you will discover much of this history and enter the abbey. A circuit of the chapels can tour the nine small buildings of which two are in the mountains, one in the village d’alpage des fonts, the other in l’alpage de Sales.

Most activities take place in the nearby villages of Samoens and Morillon.

Eating Out and Après-Ski in Sixt

6 restaurants, some snack restaurants and bars. Le Chalet du Lignon has a panoramic terrace. The closest cinema is at Samoens. pizzeria

Other amenities in Sixt

Sherpa minimarket open from 8am-12.30 and from 4.30-7pm.

Boulangerie open from 06.30am-12.30 and from 3.30pm-7.30pm

Souvenir shop from from 9am-12.00 and from 3pm-7pm.

Regional products open from 8am-12.30 and from 4pm-7.30pm

Cash point, library, 3 x sports shops.

On Sundays, at 18.30: welcome drink at the Tourist Office with an introduction to the resort.

In Samoens (5km): Market on Wednesdays, doctors, pharmacy, physiotherapist, hairdresser, laundry/dry cleaning, bakeries, several sports shops…

There is also a farm situated in the very picturesque Hameaux Palme-Dessous, just 2 km outside Sixt Fer à Cheval. The farmer sells local traditional farm products.

All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website

Sixt Tourist Office

Tel +33 450 34 49 36

www.sixtferacheval.com  or check www.samoens.com

Access to Sixt            

By Road: Driving distance from Calais 543 miles (approx 7hrs40)

From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Mâcon then ‘Autoroute Blanche’ Motorway (A40 Mâcon – Cluses)  Exit Cluses Scionzier. Follow signs to Samoens. Sixt is 5km after Samoens.

It takes approximately 25 minutes from the motorway exit to Sixt Fer a Cheval.

By Rail: Cluses 30km - Shuttle bus +33 450 98 07 81 or Taxi +33 450 34 90 www.giffre-transports.com

Airports:

Geneva is 86km from Sixt (1 ¼ hours)

www.gva.ch/en

Chambery Airport is 124km from Sixt (1 ½ hours)

www.chambery-airport.com

Lyon Airport is 207km from Sixt (2 ¼ hours)

www.lyonairport.com

Grenoble Airport is 214km from Sixt (2 ¼ hours)

www.grenoble-airport.com

Bus transfers from Geneva Airport – see timetable/prices/info.

Runs from 18/12/10-16/04/11. On 25/12, bus 70 & 77 only.

Leaves GVA airport at 11.20, 13.00, 14.30, 18.30.

Departs Sixt at 08.40, 11.45, 14.30, 16.05, 17.25.

Tickets must be reserved with altibus.com (not pre-bookable with Peak Retreats). Transfer time 1 ½ hrs. Cost when pre-booking online is €80 per adult return (cheaper prices for groups of 6 adults). Child is half adult rate (2-10yrs).

Airport Transfer

Pre-book your taxi transfer with Peak Retreats

From Geneva Airport to Sixt - from £71 per person return based on 4 people sharing. 

For all other transfer prices please click here

Getting around Sixt and Grand Massif

Frequent shuttles run between Sixt, Samoens and Morillon. Check with Tourist Office on arrival for a timetable.

Access Plan

Sixt France

Click on maps to enlarge

Resort Map

Sixt France

SKI AREA

With over 34 km of ski trails, Sixt is great for families, with an easy access beginner area, a snow garden for children from 3 years and a secure sledging area.

You can’t ski from Sixt to the other areas of the Grand Massif, but you can ski back to Sixt using ‘Les Cascades’ piste - this 14 km piste takes you from the summit of Les Grandes Platières at 2,500 m down to the village of Sixt located 900 m further down the mountainside. A great descent through alpine meadows and forests on one of the finest pistes in the Alps. A forest ski run on the edge of the Sixt Fer-à-Cheval Nature Reserve where it’s not unusual to come across mountain goats. 14 km of quiet surroundings and breathtaking landscapes!

If you wish to try skiing outside of Sixt’s small domain, take the shuttle bus or drive to Samoens just down the road (10 mins). From here you can take the Grand Massif express gondola up to the main ski area.

Alternatively try Les Gets and the wider 'Portes du Soleil' which are only a short drive away.

BEGINNERS

In Sixt you have a few green runs accessed via drag lifts then a further few blues to progress on. Otherwise skiing in Samoens couldn’t be easier with an excellent nursery slope area at Samoens 1600 for beginners to practise on with 7 lifts. The area for beginners is separated from the other sectors of the domain, to enable users to ski in complete safety, and avoid having users with different levels of experience on the same pistes. The restaurant terraces overlooking the pistes enable you to make the most of a relaxing rest in the sun while keeping an eye on your children.  

INTERMEDIATES

In Sixt, there are 4 blue and 4 red slopes. Otherwise intermediates and boarders will enjoy the 49 red pistes and 15 black pistes of the Grand Massif.  The Grand Massif itself has extensive intermediate slopes with big lift networks.

EXPERTS

In Sixt there is only 1 black slopes so for the more advanced there is also a testing terrain with Grand Massif domain: The steep north-facing mogul slopes from the Tête des Saix, the central point of the entire Grand Massif system, down to Samoëns are particularly enjoyable. There is also extensive off-piste in Grand Massif.

SIXT PISTE MAP

To see the Grand Massif piste map for 11/12 please see the resort guide panel on the top right hand side of the current page.

Please note that lift passes will need to be collected in Samoens. Ski school is arranged in Samoens (10 min drive or shuttle bus).

Samoens/Sixt Lift Pass

Save Time in resort and budget ahead by pre-booking lift passes. See below for prices.

PRE-BOOK* your GRAND MASSIF LIFT PASS with PR

FREE PASSES!

Children under 5 and seniors over 75 receive a FREE lift pass.

Note: Proof of age will be required for reduced price passes.

BEGINNER PASSES

Please note that there is also a cheaper lift pass called ‘Massif’ covering only Samoëns, Morillon and les Carroz although we cannot pre-book this. Beginners are advised to buy the ‘Massif’ lift pass in resort (€164 for 6 days).

Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):

For complete beginners:

Sixt beginner pass - €8 for adults and €7.50 for children (1/2 day)

Sixt beginner pass - €9 for adults and €8.50 for children (day)

Sixt Local ski pass – ½ day and daily rates:

½ day - €11 children, €11 adults

Day - €15.50 children, €12 adults

Massif ski pass – ½ day and daily rates:

½ day - €23 children, €31 adults

Day - €25 children, €34 adults

Grand Massif ski pass – ½ day and daily rates:

½ day - €28 children, €37 adults

Day - €31 children, €41 adults

Samoens/Sixt Ski School

PRE-BOOK* your 6 Half-Day GROUP SKI/BOARD LESSONS

Please note that a booking fee of £9 per party will be charged.

Times and Schedules (ALL TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED, SUBJECT TO CHANGES).

All lessons are SUNDAY-FRIDAY.

¹ SKI: Adults, Children (6-14):

¹ SKI: Piou Piou (3-5):

^* SKI FULL DAYS: Adults, Children (6-14) ONLY:

(*) Full days NOT available 1/1-11/2 & 11/3-22/4. Full days only for 6yrs+.

² SNOWBOARD: Adults & Juniors (10 to 15 years old):

Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (18/12-2/1, 13/2-13/3 & 9/4-24/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.

Samoens Individual Tuitions

(11/12 prices, NOT pre-bookable)

Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.

Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change

Ski school Samoens contact numbers:

Ecole du Ski Francais Village  +33 450 34 43 12

Ecole du Ski Français Samoens 1600   +33 450 34 40 86

Samoens ski hire

Samoens ski hire prices start from £37 for children (skis and boots) & £54 for adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View here for Samoens ski hire prices.

Mountain Restaurants in Grand Massif

Many located in Grand Massif.

Cross Country in Grand Massif

80 km of marked trails in the Giffre valley, flowing between forest and valley right up to the fabulous Cirque du Fer à Cheval.

From Samoëns to Sixt Fer à Cheval there are 46 km of marked ski trails and which are also equipped for the skating technique. For beginners there is the Glière sector (green - 2 km), Salvagny (blue - 5,2km), the Molliet (blue - 9,5 km), for those with a little more experience there is the 'loop of the Fer à Cheval' (16 km) or the long trail which links Samoëns to Sixt (27 km). The Col de Joux-Plaine sector (1700 m) has 30 km of trails (ski de fond/skating) and thanks to its high altitude, snow coverage is assured. The views from this sector are magnificent over the Mont Blanc mountain range and the Haut-Giffre valley. Prices 11/12: Day pass costs €7 and weekly pass €30 for adults. Children’s rates also available.

Snowshoeing in Sixt

Several marked trails are set up for the practice of this activity. The guidebook is available at the tourist office at a price of € 5.50.

Outings organized every winter to make you discover the mountain fauna, its adaptation to winter, learn to identify animal tracks ...

Stéphane FERRAND:

 Tel: 04 50 89 56 47 / 06 26 97 59 54 s.ferrand@wanadoo.fr