Ski in Samoëns

Skiing in Samoëns

Samoëns (Grand Massif), France (720m to 2500m)

Nestled at the heart of a great glacial valley, Samoëns has for centuries been the focus of important historical events. Older and larger than neighbouring Morillon, Samoëns retains the friendly charm of an ancient market town, still strongly influenced by its farming and masonry traditions. The Grand Massif skiing is accessed through a base station at Vercland, 2km from the village.

Samoëns

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Samoëns Ski Facts

Samoëns Ski Facts

		Intermediate Skiers
		Beginners
		Snowboarding
		Snow
		Apres-ski
	14	Black Runs (41km)
	51	Red Runs (107km)
	53	Blue Runs (118km)
	15	Green Runs
90km		Cross Country Trails
16		Ski Lifts
1780m		Max Vertical
2500m		Highest Lift
1600m		Resort Altitude
720m		Lowest Piste

Samoëns

The French ski resort of Samoëns is part of the Grand Massif Ski Area with access to 265km of downhill skiing, with 351 individual pistes, served by 78 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Samoëns itself (28 pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Grand Massif ski resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt Fer à Cheval.

The ski resort itself is above 1500m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With skiing above 2000 metres, snow cover is generally reliable.

Snowmaking :- Samoëns is able to augment natural snow, on 35km of ski runs, with 143 Snow Cannons.

Ski Lift Capacity :- The 16 Ski Lifts of Samoëns are able to uplift 16,700 skiers / snowboarders per hour.

There are six airports within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Samoëns are perfectly feasible. Geneva Airport is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.

Skiing in Samoëns

Samoëns is one of five resorts in the grand Massif lift-linked circuit of more than 265 kms (160 miles) of ski runs. It was formerly linked to the circuit a few miles from the village so a ski bus trip was needed to reach the slopes, but now a gondola, the Grand Massif Express, lifts skiers from the village centre up to a key plateau on the circuit, 1600m up, in just eight minutes.

Runs to try include the Piste des Cascades which from Samoëns 1600 you need to go to Flaine and take the

Grandes Platières cable car. The 14km (9 miles) long, blue rated wonderful Cascades run descends to the resort of Sixt Fer à Cheval. Expert skiers looking for tough skiing take the same lifts but head for the Combe de Gers sector and a black slope called Styx which is never bashed. This rejoins the long Cascades run at its end. Closer to home the Croix area at Samoëns 1600 has the black slopes Marmotte and Chamois, both really enjoyable runs with jumps and ramps at the end of the slopes.

One of the best known areas is the Combe de Gers reached from Samoëns 1600 by heading up to Flaine and then taking the Grandes Platières cable car over to Combe de Gers. Here a black slope called Styx is never crowded. This can take you over to join the Piste des Cascades or take a lift back to Flaine. Heliskiing (into Italy, not legal in France) is possible through the ski school, minimum of three participants of at least level three ability equivalent on the French scale. The Ski school also organises excursions to the legendary Vallee Blanche above Chamonix where descents of up to 25km (17 miles) off piste are possible from 3842 metres.

Snowboarding in Samoëns

There are three parks in the Grand Massif region. Above Morillon the park is especially for children, above Samoëns on the Soleil slope there's a park for all levels of ability, whilst -Flaine's The Jam Park in the Vernant area contains a Boarder Cross and other features. The snow park's construction depends on snow conditions and its location is changed accordingly on occasion. It is aimed at experienced freeskiers and boarders.

Samoëns Aprés Ski

Not a great après ski destination if you're lucking for all night party action, but a good choice for good wholesome evening entertainments. The Clarine Bar is very modern and has created an original selection of entertaining cocktails as well as a big choice of beers. Le Savoie is another good bar with internet access and sometimes live bands during the ski season. Another bar, Le Covey's, has Irish owners, a wide range of beers and a reputation for good craik. Another good choice is L'Aspen which is wood lined with attractive carvings and decorations. Here there are different beers from all around the world as well as the local Samoëns brew, Criou, named after the local mountain.

Samoëns Snow Reports by e-mail

For a Free 7-Day Snow Forecast for Samoëns, including a Snow Report with current skiing conditions, just sign-up to our Ski Chat Forum and set Samoëns as a favourite ski resort in your Profile.

Samoëns in brief

Samoëns Ski Resort is:-
Ok for Expert Skiers.
Ok for Intermediate Skiers.
Good for Beginners.
Excellent for Snowboarding.
Opened : 17 December 2011
Closes : 22 April 2012
Opening subject to Snow Conditions.

Samoëns Snow Forecast

Samoëns Piste Map

Map of Samoëns