Samoëns

Just one hour from Geneva and one and a half hours from Lyon, the resort of Samoëns enjoys a privileged location and exceptional panoramic views in the heart of the French Northern Alps. It is part of the Grand Massif, linked to four other resorts: Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval.

A village resort par excellence, Samoëns is also known as the home of stone carvers. It offers a high-quality ski area while retaining its authentic and unspoilt village atmosphere, nestled in the Giffre valley.

The Samoëns ski area

The ski resort of Samoëns is ideal for winter sports, but it is also renowned for the unique charm of its welcoming village with its distinctive character. This medieval-style village has preserved its rich historical and cultural heritage. As you stroll through its cobbled streets, you will feel its past as the birthplace of stone carvers.

The Grand Massif ski area is easily accessible from the village thanks to the 8-seater Grand Massif Express cable car, which takes just 8 minutes to reach an altitude of 1,600 metres. This area offers 265 kilometres of slopes, making it one of the largest and most beautiful ski areas in the world.

For the more adventurous, it is possible to hit the slopes of the Flaine resort with the Grand Massif ski pass, which gives access to a total of 265 km of slopes.

This area allows you to discover legendary slopes such as the Bleue Cascade, a 14-kilometre-long run. Furthermore, like the rest of the Grand Massif, Samoëns enjoys an excellent reputation for its snow conditions, which are enhanced by its ideal geographical location.

The Samoëns ski resort is committed to sustainable development

In the heart of the French Alps, the ski resort of Samoëns, part of the vast Grand Massif area, stands out for its concrete commitment to sustainable development.

The area is certified Green Globe, an international recognition that guarantees responsible and environmentally friendly management.

This certification stems from Agenda 21, a programme adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which sets out specific principles for sustainable tourism development. To obtain the Green Globe label, the resort must meet more than 300 criteria covering some 40 topics such as ecological resource management, support for local industries and the protection of biodiversity.

Samoëns is rolling out a number of concrete initiatives. These include gradually reducing its carbon footprint by electrifying its ski lifts and increasingly integrating renewable energy into its operations.

The resort is also working to raise awareness among its visitors. Educational trails on local flora and fauna provide a better understanding of the natural wealth surrounding the resort, while encouraging visitors to behave respectfully.

Unforgettable experiences in Samoëns

The Grand Massif ski area offers a wide range of activities suitable for people with reduced mobility. To make skiing more accessible, skiers with disabilities can benefit from a 50% discount on prices upon presentation of a disability card indicating a disability of over 80% or a mobility card mentioning the disability.

Ski on the blue run ‘Les Cascades’.

Treat yourself to a unique experience skiing in the heart of the Sixt-Passy nature reserve. This 14-kilometre-long blue run with a 1,700-metre vertical drop takes you from the summit of the Grandes Platières in Flaine to the village of Sixt. You will be amazed by the beauty of the frozen waterfalls that line the route.

To make your day even more enjoyable, free shuttles run every 20 minutes between Sixt and the Grand Massif Express in Samoëns, making it easy to get around the resort.

The mountain resort of Samoëns in summer

Take the family on a walk in the heart of a flower-filled countryside where nature is at its best. Along the way, you can observe peaceful animals such as goats and cows grazing freely. Marmots like to frequent the region’s wetlands. You’ll need to keep your eyes and ears open to spot these little inhabitants of the mountain pastures. As you climb, you’ll be rewarded with an exceptional panoramic view of the Giffre Valley and its surroundings, a breathtaking sight.

Aim for the hole

The Samoëns golf course, with its 3,555 metres and Par 63 designed by Robert Berthet, offers a challenge for players of all levels. Although relatively short, it is distinguished by its steep slopes and can even accommodate electric cars to make it easier to get around the course.

Among the most remarkable holes, the number 7 stands out with its spectacular exit onto a promontory, with a green offering breathtaking views of the Arve valley. Before tackling the course’s signature hole, the 16th, don’t miss the 188-metre par 63 that overlooks a green 70 metres below, a must-see for any visiting golfer.

Webcams of the Samoëns ski resort

If you want to see the current state of the ski resort and its natural environment, you will find below the webcams of Samoëns in real time.

Samoëns ski slope

Samoëns – Col de Joux Plane

Hotels in the resort of Samoëns

Terminal Neige – Totem

The mix of natural materials, stripped back with no unnecessary additions, and the oak furniture are all made to measure, surrounded by natural wool fabrics.

In this intimate and artistic atmosphere, you will discover 95 rooms and a ‘Loft’, an XXL suite (3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms), to share with family or friends.

Each room is decorated with a mural, created by local street artists, using graphic lines inspired by the work of Jean Dubuffets.

It also has free WiFi, a terrace and a TV, as well as a restaurant, bar and sauna.

Hôtel Les Servages d’Armelle ****

In the mountains, located on the slopes of Les Carroz, the rooms and suites are decorated with raw wood and alpine granite and offer exceptional views of the Aravis mountain range and the valley.

It has private parking, ski storage and a boot dryer. It also offers a concierge service: on-site ski pass sales, transport service via an equipment rental provider and activity booking.

4-star accommodation at the foot of the slopes.

Here, hotel does not mean business, but tradition. The hotel welcomes guests with simplicity.

Résidence Lagrange – Les Fermes de Samoëns ***

Savoyard-style residence located 800 m from the village centre, 400 m from the main shops and 1 km from the cable car (free shuttle). Heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam, WiFi. Bed linen and towels provided.

The Résidence Lagrange consists of apartments in two-storey buildings and chalets built in the traditional Savoyard style.

Accommodating between two and 12 people, the apartments have a balcony or terrace on the ground floor.

It also has a heated indoor swimming pool (outdoor pool in summer), fitness room, television, bed linen and towels. In addition, you will have access to a sauna/steam room, internet connection, covered parking, laundry and hotel services.

So whether you are a couple or a family, choosing the Résidence Lagrange will always be a good choice.

Skiing in Samoëns: the resort’s strong points

Samoëns is a gem in the French Alps, combining the charm of an authentic Savoyard village with one of the largest and most varied ski areas in the country: the Grand Massif. It is particularly easy to reach, as it is less than an hour from Geneva airport, making it ideal for weekend getaways or short trips to the snow without having to travel long distances through the mountains.

The village has retained its authentic character, with cobbled streets, traditional stone buildings, and a warm and peaceful atmosphere. This alpine identity is kept alive throughout the year, giving it a welcoming atmosphere that many large resorts have lost.

Directly connected to the Grand Massif ski area, Samoëns offers skiers access to more than 265 kilometers of interconnected slopes with Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz, and Sixt. Its own sector has one of the largest and safest beginner areas in France, ideal for families and first-timers. For intermediate skiers, blue and red runs wind through forests and spectacular panoramas, while more experienced skiers can enjoy natural itineraries and high-quality off-piste areas.

The resort has modern lifts, such as the Coulouvrier chairlift, and is notable for memorable descents such as the Cascades piste, which offers a continuous 14-kilometer run from the heights of Flaine to the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval valley. In addition, the higher elevations, reaching 2,480 meters, guarantee good snow quality throughout the season.

The family atmosphere and the services available complete the experience: ski schools, equipment rental, restaurants, shops, and alternative activities such as snowshoeing and winter hiking. Samoëns offers a balanced combination of authenticity, comfort, and a large ski area, providing a diverse skiing experience in a setting of great natural beauty.

Tips from the I Love Ski Community for skiing in Samoëns

If you are staying in the village, leave early to take the Grand Massif Express cable car, which connects directly to the slopes. If your accommodation is in the upper part of the village, take advantage of the direct ski-in/ski-out access to enjoy skiing from the early hours.

On busy days, it’s best to start early and head to Flaine, where the slopes are wider and usually have good snow cover. On the other hand, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, explore the Morillon or Sixt areas, with more natural landscapes and less traffic.

For freeriders, after a recent snowfall, the forests descending towards Morillon usually offer excellent snow, always with caution and appropriate equipment. And if you prefer a more relaxed day, the Cascades slope is a unique experience: a long panoramic descent perfect for enjoying the surroundings.

Finally, book your lessons or equipment in advance during school vacation weeks, and be sure to explore the historic center of the village in the evening. Samoëns combines skiing with the Alpine way of life, and it is precisely this combination that makes it so special.