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Samoëns Ski Holidays
Nestled in the Haute-Savoie region at a base altitude of 700m, this charming village is unique in more ways than one. In fact, Samoëns is the only French ski resort officially recognised as a ‘Monuments Historique’ village - a testament to its beautifully preserved stone architecture and timeless atmosphere. Its traffic-free centre, cobbled streets, and traditional market square make it feel more like a living piece of history than a modern ski resort.
But don’t be fooled by the quaint façades. Samoëns is firmly plugged into the vast Grand Massif ski area, the fourth-largest ski domain in France, offering 265km of slopes linking Samoëns with Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz, and Sixt-Fer-à -Cheval. The high-speed Grand Massif Express gondola whisks skiers from the village to Samoëns 1600 in around eight minutes, giving immediate access to snow-sure, high-altitude terrain. It’s the best of both worlds - a traditional French village at the foot of a world-class ski area.
Samoëns is the only French resort classified as a National Heritage Site, giving you a beautiful, historic village feel with direct access to the huge Grand Massif slopes!
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
Mountain facts
The Grand Massif is a paradise for skiers who love variety, offering 265km of pistes that range from gentle, tree-lined runs to steep, challenging descents. The ski area is spread across five interconnected resorts, creating a vast and seamless terrain network to explore. The village of Samoëns sits at an altitude of 700m, while the highest point in the domain reaches an impressive 2,500m at Les Grandes Platières in Flaine, giving a total vertical drop of 1,800m.
Across the area, 62 ski lifts efficiently connect 25 green runs, 59 blues, 44 reds, and 11 blacks, ensuring something for every ability level. One of the highlights is Les Cascades, a stunning 14-kilometre blue run that winds from Flaine down to Sixt-Fer-à -Cheval. This combination of altitude, terrain diversity, and interlinked villages makes Samoëns and the wider Grand Massif ideal for everyone - from cautious beginners finding their confidence to seasoned skiers chasing that perfect powder line.
Snow conditions in Samoëns
Snow reliability is one of Samoëns’ quiet strengths. Around 80% of the Grand Massif’s slopes are north-facing, which helps preserve snow quality well into the spring months. The ski area benefits from generous natural snowfall, and when nature needs a little help, there’s extensive snowmaking across the resort to keep the main runs in top condition.
Thanks to the layout of the ski domain, conditions tend to remain excellent throughout the season. Flaine, at the heart of the Grand Massif, sits in a natural snow pocket and often enjoys some of the best powder in the region, while the sheltered Samoëns and Morillon slopes maintain soft, forgiving snow ideal for beginners and intermediates. The result is a dependable snow experience without the crowds or altitude extremes of the bigger-name resorts.
Skiing in Samoëns
Samoëns is one of the best destinations in the Haute-Savoie for beginners. The Samoëns 1600 plateau offers one of the region’s largest dedicated nursery areas, with wide, gentle slopes and covered carpet lifts. It’s perfectly designed for confidence-building, and because it’s accessed by the gondola rather than chairlifts, even nervous first-timers can reach the beginner zone without stress. The quiet, scenic environment and excellent ski school facilities make learning to ski here both fun and unintimidating.
Intermediates are absolutely spoiled for choice in the Grand Massif. The ski area’s layout encourages exploration - you can easily cruise from Samoëns to Morillon, over to Les Carroz, and even as far as Flaine in a single day. Long, flowing blue and red runs dominate, allowing for plenty of variety without ever feeling out of your depth.
A must-ski highlight is Les Cascades, a spectacular 14km blue run that winds from the heights of Flaine down to the peaceful village of Sixt-Fer-à -Cheval. It’s a gentle, scenic glide through forests and natural reserves, perfect for soaking up the mountain views and experiencing real escapism.
While Samoëns’ slopes lean towards the mellow side, experts won’t be disappointed. A quick link over to Flaine opens up a wealth of steeper, more technical terrain - including the formidable Diamant Noir black run, which provides a satisfying leg-burn and excellent snow conditions thanks to its altitude.
Off-piste enthusiasts should make a beeline for the Gers bowl, a natural amphitheatre of deep snow offering an exhilarating 800m vertical descent. It’s wild, unspoilt, and a magnet for powder lovers seeking something a bit more adventurous than groomed pistes.
Snowboarding in Samoëns
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Snowboarders will find plenty to love here, too. The tree-lined runs of Samoëns and Morillon are perfect for laid-back cruising, while the lift system - largely modernised, with a few old-school drag lifts remaining - makes getting around easy.
Freestylers can use several dedicated Fun Zones and snowparks across the Grand Massif. There’s also the quirky Ze Forest trail - a playful, wooded route that weaves through the trees, offering natural hits and a bit of fun variety away from the standard pistes.
Accommodation in Samoëns
Accommodation in Samoëns reflects the resort’s charm - traditional, welcoming, and often surprisingly good value. Whether you’re after a luxury stay or a cosy apartment for a family week away, the options here are varied and high-quality.
All accommodation in Samoëns
What's available at Samoëns ski resort?
Après-ski in Samoëns
Après-ski in Samoëns is more about warmth and conviviality than wild parties. This is the sort of place where you trade packed nightclubs for a glass of wine by the fire or a lively chat over a fondue - and honestly, it suits the village perfectly.
- Start your evening at Red Rock Bar, a buzzing spot in the heart of the village known for its friendly staff, good music, and easy-going crowd.
- For something a little more refined, Moonlight Cocktail Bar offers stylish surroundings and expertly mixed drinks, perfect for unwinding in a laid-back yet chic setting.
- When hunger strikes, Melting Spot is the go-to for classic Savoyard comfort food - raclette, tartiflette, fondue, you name it - all served in a warm, welcoming environment.
- For an essential morning (or post-ski) treat, don’t skip Boulangerie Tiffanie, whose pastries and fresh bread have achieved near-legendary status among returning guests.
Facilities in Samoëns
Beyond the slopes, Samoëns offers a surprisingly broad range of activities and facilities, making it ideal for non-skiers or mixed-ability groups.
In the village centre, the outdoor ice rink is a lively social hub and a perfect family activity. History lovers can spend a day exploring Samoëns’ ancient church and historic market hall, or take a peaceful stroll through the Alpine Botanical Garden La Jaÿsinia, a beautiful, terraced garden open even in winter.
For those craving a dose of adrenaline, Samoëns doesn’t disappoint: snowmobiling, tandem paragliding (parapente), and even ice climbing are all available. Meanwhile, the scenic walking paths along the Giffre river offer a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings, ideal for snowshoeing or Nordic walking.
Facilities for children in Samoëns
Samoëns has proudly earned the Famille Plus label, recognising it as one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in France. Everything here is set up with children in mind, from accommodation and restaurants to the ski schools and off-slope activities.
At Samoëns 1600, the large, dedicated beginner area provides a safe and stress-free environment for little learners, complete with covered carpet lifts and gentle slopes. Local ski schools, including ESF Samoëns and ZigZag, run excellent children’s programmes, starting from as young as three years old.
Off the skis, there’s plenty to keep children entertained - from toboggan runs and ice skating sessions to more unusual experiences like pony-ski-joëring (yes, being pulled on skis by a pony!) and farm visits to meet local producers. It’s a fantastic place for families who want both adventure and authenticity in equal measure.
Why choose Erna Low for Samoëns skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re TOPP members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
A traditional, car-free valley town and the fast Grand Massif Express gondola straight up to high-altitude skiing.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
