Samoens lies in the heart of the Grand Massif  ski area of the Rhone Alps, one of the most extensive in Europe.

The Grand Massif has some 265kms of downhill skiing, suitable for all levels, from the 5km (green) Marvel run at Morillon 1100, to the Cascades, a 14km run around Sixt Fer a Cheval nature reserve, one of the longest in Europe.

Over the last few years, major investment has led to much work has being done on the area. With the new huge free car-park at the Samoens lift station, and the express telecabine from Samoens  which whips you up to the nursery slopes and ski area in just 8 minutes.

Once at the top there are 134 pistes to chose from with plenty of variety for all levels and abilities, with many new high-speed lifts. The area also has the lowest ratio of accommodation capacity to number of lifts, meaning you’ll rarely find yourself queuing for long!

The Flaine bowl offers some of the best and varied skiing. Lower down is Les Carroz, a linked Grand Massif resort fully connected to Morillon and Samoens.

As usual there are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants to take a break at whilst skiing, but also some rather unusual ones, such as that at Lac de Gers, accessed via Snowmobile.

The navette bus, or ourselves, will bring you back from the telecabines at Samoens, Morillon or Sixt.

Ski Area Info

• Grand Massif ski Area :          265km of pistes
• Extensive off-piste terrain
• Altitude : 700m – 2480m
• Linked Ski Stations : Samoens 1600, Morillon 1100, Flaine, Les Carroz, Sixt Green Runs : 15
• Blue : 53
• Red : 51
• Black : 14
• Cross-country 90 km
• Snowparks : 3, for various levels of experience
• Longest run : Les Cascades, 14 km blue run from Flaine to Sixt. A total vertical drop of 1700m

Snowboarders will fall in love with the area, with very few drag lifts and so much accessible freeride terrain and fresh tracks to be had days after new snow, simply due to not many tourists!

There are ski schools at both Morillon and Samoens and soon as you get off the lift at Samoens 1600 you arrive at one of the largest groomed beginners areas in Europe.

It is probably worth phoning to book ski lessons and for the children’s village.

The area also has 229 snow cannons covering the pistes, and plenty to keep the nursery slopes open right to the end of the season.

Other Winter Activities

• Cross country skiing.
• Raquettes (snow shoeing). Walk to dinner through the wilderness under the stars.
• Skidoos / Snowmobiles. An organised evening event with noe experience required and ending with a fondue!
• Avalanche search and rescue course. For those who wisely wish to know what they’re doing off-piste.
• Animal tracking, great fun for kids and adults alike.
• Tobogganing,
• Ice climbing,
• Ice diving,
• Igloo building,
• Indoor climbing,
• Spa and Massage, Swimming pools.
• It is also possible to do heli-skiiing, parapenting and speed-skiing.
• Something not to be missed is a dog sleigh ride—the children will love it.

The ice rink in Samoens is open during the day and also in the evening, so it is fun to go there for a skate before or after dinner.

About My Mountain Chalets

My Mountain Chalets are based in a small hamlet on the outskirts of Samoens, just 1 hour from Geneva.

The medieval village of Samoens is recognised as a “Ville Fleurie” and has also been awarded the Coq D’Or for being one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Flowers in the summer and fairy lights in winter add to the beauty and charm of the village and the surrounding area.

Nestled at the head of the Giffre Valley, Samoens is a hidden gem for those who love the mountains, and the gateway to the Grand Massif ski area. In the centre of town there is a renowned botanical garden and a picturesque square lined with cafes, restaurants and local shops.

Many activities take place in the square and we’ll keep you updated as to what’s going on in and around the town.

The skiing in the Grand  Massif is some of the best to be found in Europe with plenty to offer all levels and abilities. The area is also particularly “snow-reliable” due to it being in the shadow of Mont Blanc.

Luckily, although Samoens has everything a ski resort can offer, it has managed to remain a relatively well-kept secret, with the majority of tour operators and tourists tending to visit Flaine.

The villages of  Morillon and Verchaix are also only a minute from the chalets. They are smaller than Samoëns, but are equally as charming and they too have a selection of shops and restaurants and a big supermarket on the road from Verchaix to Samoëns.

About ten minutes drive up the valley from the chalet is Sixt, a beautiful village with wonderful walks along an impressive glaciated valley with a 12 large waterfalls.

How to get here

Leave Shuttle/Ferry - Follow signs for Paris and Reims, keep following Reims (about 2 ½ hours.)

After Reims-Follow signs Dijon and Lyon. At Dijon- (about another 2 ½ hours.) follow Genève and Lyon.

At Genève – Stay on A40 s.p. Chamonix, Mont Blanc tunnel and Turin.

At Cluses Junction 18 – Leave A40 through peage and around the outskirts of the town, s.p. Taninges, Samoëns and Morzine.

Follow the mountain up out of Cluses, through village of Chatillon.

After Chatillon- go down the hill for 1 km or so, then take a right fork s.p. Morillon and Samoëns.

When you get to Morillon, about 5 km, you'll enter the village under an arch, passing the shops and then the telecabine on your right, continue through the village in the direction of Samoens.

After the village take the first turning on the right (approx 1km from village), signposted L’Etelley and Vercland.

Continue along road for about 600 metres and then take turning on your left.

The turning is just before a building that looks like a school and which has tall trees on its boundary.  The street lights also start at this point.

If you reach a T junction you have gone too far and need to turn round.

Continue along road.

The road makes a right angle bend to the left, continue.

After approximately 300 metres the drive to the chalets is on your right.

The drive is a fork to the right and rises up a slope, at the top of the drive on the right are the two chalets.

Chalet Marmotte is the chalet on the left and Chalet Marvel the chalet on the right as you face them.

From Geneva Airport – car hire.

Always try and hire your car from the Swiss side, it is much easier than from the French side as you are given a car with a permit to drive on the Swiss motorways. Exit airport turning right on to the dual carriage way.

After approx 500m you will see a turning to the left marked to the French motorway (A40), turn left and keep following signs to the French motorway.

If you miss this turning don't worry, continue along the dual carriageway, keeping in the right hand lane.

After 500m you come to traffic lights, turn left, but keep right and fork right immediately onto the motorway.

This will bring you through the Swiss frontier and you will join the A40 in France.

Follow signs to Chamonix, Mont Blanc Tunnel & Turin .

Continue by following the instructions above from Geneva to the chalet.