Samoëns Ski Resort Guide
Samoëns, France
Rated: 3/5 (from 6 ratings)
| Recommended For | Beginners, Snowboarders and Snowfall. |
|---|---|
| Total Piste Length | 266km |
| Highest Lift | 2,500m |
| Resort Height | 1,600m |
| Nearest Airports | Geneva and Annecy |
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Samoëns
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.
Summary
The French ski resort of Samoëns is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,600m, with 266km of marked runs.
Samoëns is part of the Grand Massif ski area with access to 265km of downhill skiing, with 351 marked pistes, served by a total of 78 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Samoëns itself (266km of 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 at 1,600m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 2,500m, snow cover is generally reliable.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Samoëns?
The next notable snow forecast is 3cm, expected on 27 April, with around 16cm forecast over the next 7 days.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
| Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow to 1,675m | Snow to 1,106m |
Ski Area Stats
Samoëns Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 14 | 41km |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 51 | 107km |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 53 | 118km |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 15 | |
| Downhill Total Length | 266km | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 90km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 16 | |
Grand Massif Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 37 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 132 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 140 | |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 42 | |
| Downhill Total Length | 265km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 78 | |
Altitudes
Samoëns Ski Area Heights
| Highest Lift | 2,500m |
|---|---|
| Resort Altitude (Samoëns) | 1,600m |
| Lowest Piste | 720m |
| Max Vertical | 1,780m |
Ratings & Suitability
| Intermediate Skiers | |
|---|---|
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Samoëns Overview
Nestled at the heart of a great glacial valley, surrounded by seven dramatic peaks, 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. There's a generally peaceful, timeless feel to the resort, although lively night spots can be found.
In recent years the resort has taken a dramatic strep forward with the opening of a modern gondola lift that lifts guests right from the village up in to the Grand Massif, the fifth largest ski area in France and one of the world's 30 biggest.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Samoëns is 14km long and the most difficult run is the 'Diamant Noir'.
Skiing
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.
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Snowboarding
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.
Location and Map
Where is Samoëns?
This ski resort is in the French Alps in Grand Massif, Haute-Savoie.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Samoëns is Geneva, 52 minutes drive away.
Annecy, Chambery, Sion, Lyon Bron, Grenoble, Lyon St-Exupéry, Berne, Turin Caselle and Dole–Jura airports are all within three hours drive.
Annecy and Geneva are just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 16 ski lifts are able to uplift 16,700 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 35km of ski runs, with 143 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Samoëns open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
Usual opening is late December, and usual closing is Late April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
COVID-19 / Coronavirus
We don't yet have specific details of the COVID-19 precautions being taken in Samoëns, but they are likely to include most of the following :-
- Face masks required on lifts, and in shops.
- Social distancing in public areas.
- Reduced lift capacity.
- Extensive disinfection / sanitization.
French Ski Resort COVID-19 Measures describes further measures that may also be applied.
Visit the Samoëns Tourist Office for the latest.
Talking about Samoëns
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
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.
