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Samoens
Set amid forest and nestling at the foot of the
imposing Criou mountain, Samoëns has remained
unspoilt by tourist developments and is the only
resort in France to be listed as a 'Land of Art and
History'.
Despite recent
growth on the outskirts, the many traditional-style
bars and restaurants still give a feel for the 'real'
rural France. Labelled as a ‘Famille Plus
Montagne’ resort it is also an ideal family
destination.
Non-ski activities
include dog-sledding, indoor climbing and skating but
also some more unusual activities such as archery in
the forest, caving, ice climbing or diving under
ice!
 
The resort is linked to the massive Grand Massif
(with Les Carroz, Morillon and Flaine) and provides
extensive skiing for all levels with virtually no
queues. Not many places offer such a wide variety of
skiing, and very few have such fantastic panoramic
views over Mont-Blanc.
There is an excellent nursery slope area at Samoens
1600, in fact now the biggest beginners’ area
in the Haute Savoie. For the more advanced there is
also a testing terrain: 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. Intermediate
and more advanced skiers and boarders will enjoy the
49 red pistes and 12 black pistes of the Grand
Massif. Since Winter 2003/04, there is a new
fast (8 mins), high capacity gondola from the village
to a new extensive beginners area on the plateau at
1600m, which also acts as a gateway to the Flaine ski
area.
Cross-country skiing is a gentle way of
discovering the natural environment. At Joux
Plane, situated at an altitude of 1700 metres (30km
of slopes), dominating the valley of the Haut Giffre
(60km of slopes) and facing Mont-Blanc, this activity
is guaranteed from November to April. It is
also possible to go tobogganing here, or walking on
specially prepared tracks using snowshoes, or on
circular walks. Shuttle buses run between
Samoens and the Col de Joux Plane.
Official Tourist Office Samoens
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