Discover Samoëns
The historic village of Samoëns dates back to the 1430s, with its central square being dominated by a huge Linden tree planted around that time to commemorate the founding of the village with the donation from the Duke of Faucigny of seven mountain pasture (Samoëns is a contraction of Sept Montagnes in the old patois).
Samoëns is one of the five resorts of the Grand Massif ski area which includes Flaine, Sixt, Morillon and Les Carroz. The area is interlinked and suitable for all standards of skiers and riders. The snow record is generally good, indeed excellent at Flaine, and snow cannons cover 50% of the slopes. A new reservoir in 2021 will further enhance the snow making capability. For us Samoëns is a true all-season resort with a vibrant population of locals and events throughout the year.
Altitude 697m-2480m
265km of ski pistes
67 ski lifts, 142 pistes
Snow park Flaine, fun park Morillon
22km cross country trails
1 hour from Geneva airport
As an Alpine ski resort, Samoëns combines the historic charm of the village with a high-speed gondola that whisks skiers up to the fields of the Grand Massif. Comprising five interlinked resorts, there are 67 lifts and 142 marked pistes encompassing 265 km of terrain ranging in variety from the tree lined runs of Morillon and Les Carroz to the high peaks and challenging terrain at the top of Flaine from which the 14km Cascades, the longest run in Europe descends into the valley at Sixt. The off-piste is varied and plentiful for freeriders to intermediates and as the Grand Massif is predominantly north-facing, the resorts hold their snow well and long into the Spring.
Summer offers great variety with hiking, biking (both road and mountain) white water sports and via ferrata all in close proximity. The national park at Sixt Fer a Cheval sits at the end of the Giffre Valley and offers stunning vistas of its 30-plus waterfalls and back country trails. Also on offer are the more gentle pursuits of tennis, swimming in the local pool and Morillon lake and fishing in Samoëns lake and the river Giffre. In addition, Samoëns boasts one of the finest botanical gardens in France specialising in species from mountainous regions across the world and includes the only Giant Sequoia in France. The Samoëns American festival is a fixture in the Calendar over the 4th July weekend and thousands flock in dressed as cowboys and the occasional Indian to celebrate everything from line dancing.
