Samoëns

• Access to large and varied Grand Massif ski area

• Good beginner and intermediate offering with long scenic runs

• Reliable snow higher up with mostly north-facing slopes

Beginners

Samoëns is very strong for beginners, particularly at Samoëns 1600 where a large, dedicated learning area (one of the largest in the Haute Savoie) provides a safe and controlled environment.

Facilities include gentle slopes, fun runs, covered magic carpets and beginner lifts, making learning comfortable and less intimidating. The separation from more advanced skiers helps build confidence, especially for children.

Once ready to progress, there are plenty of gentle green and blue runs to explore across the wider area.

Intermediates

Intermediates will find plenty to enjoy here. The Grand Massif offers extensive blue and red runs, allowing you to explore across multiple sectors including Flaine, Les Carroz and Morillon and find different routes each day to ensure variety.

A standout is the famous Cascades run, a 14km blue piste that offers a long, scenic descent from the summit of Les Grandes Platières at 2500m through forests and mountain terrain down to the village of Sixt Fer à Cheval (900m lower!). You may even spot mountain goats as the run borders of the edge of a nature reserve. At the bottom you’ll need to take a shuttle bus back to Samoëns as the piste is one way with no lift to take you back up – but it’s well worth it!

Another way to ski down from 1600m is to ski down to Vercland on the Grand Cret red or ski back to Morillon village on the Diana blue piste. You can then pick up a shuttle bus back to Samoëns. These lower runs below 1600m are subject to snow conditions so may not be an option in early or late season.

Advanced

Advanced skiing is available but slightly less dominant than in more extreme resorts. There are steeper mogul runs, off-piste areas and challenging descents, particularly around higher sectors like Tête des Saix.

There are also extensive off-piste itineraries and marked ski touring routes, using off piste routes to climb up and coming down on pisted runs.

Mountain fun zones

Beginner and family zones include themed areas and fun trails through the forest, as well as playful learning pistes. These add variety and are particularly popular with children.

Nordic skiing

There is a good range of cross-country skiing in the wider area, alongside snowshoeing routes and scenic trails through forests and valleys.

• Wide range of activities both in village and on the mountain

• Excellent choice for families and mixed non-skiing groups

• Strong focus on outdoor experiences and scenic exploration

Outdoor mountain experiences

Samoëns offers plenty beyond skiing, including snowshoeing, dog sledging, snowmobile treks and tobogganing. If you fancy trying an Olympic discipline, you can even book an introductory Biathlon session with us.

The surrounding Giffre Valley provides a beautiful setting for exploring, with guided treks and routes through forests and open landscapes. Evening snowshoe walks and unique experiences like ice climbing are also available.

Family-friendly activities

Families are particularly well catered for, with activities ranging from sledging and snowtubing to beginner-friendly snow zones.

In the village, the tourist office puts together a weekly activity programme with a range of free or low-cost activities, many aimed at families. In December, the village is particularly magical with a fairytale atmosphere and Christmas market.

Something for non-skiers too

Samoëns is a great option if not everyone is skiing. The village itself offers plenty to do, from shopping and cafés to wellness, walking and markets. The resort’s historic botanical garden, founded in 1906, is a lovely place to wander for an afternoon.

For something unique, you can experience the benefits of immersion and cold-water swimming in the Lac aux Dames, with Florian Milesi, a sports coach and cold-water swimmer.

The mix of activities on and off the slopes make it an ideal choice for mixed groups, where some want full ski days and others prefer a slower pace.

• Excellent choice of restaurants, cafés and local food spots

• Relaxed après-ski focused on dining and socialising

• Good selection of shops and weekly market

Dining options

Samoëns has an impressive range of restaurants for a village resort. You’ll find everything from traditional Savoyard dishes to more modern cuisine, with a strong focus on quality and local produce.

There are also plenty of cafés and informal dining options, making it easy to mix eating out with self-catering.

Après-ski atmosphere

Après-ski is relaxed and centred around the village rather than the slopes. Bars and terraces provide a sociable atmosphere, but it’s not a party resort.

Evenings tend to focus on good food and drinks rather than nightlife, which suits the overall feel of the resort.

Shops and local life

The village has a great range of shops, from supermarkets to artisan boutiques. The weekly Wednesday market is a highlight, known as one of the largest in the region.

Tiffanie’s bakery and patisserie, with branches in the village and by the Grand Massif Express, gets rave reviews from our team. Popping out for croissants in the morning and feeling part of village life quickly becomes a favourite part of your stay.