Skiing the Grand Massif

Samoëns is the most important village within the Grand Massif, one of France’s largest and most popular alpine ski domains.

A high-capacity telecabine system installed beside the village offers quick access to the pistes that link the five resorts of Samoëns, Morillon, Les Carroz, Flaine and Sixt. From the Château you can drive to the Grand Massif express lift in three minutes or use the free shuttle bus that stops almost next to the Château.

The area covers 260km+ of skiing – more than 130 runs at all levels of ability with some of France’s most modern high-capacity lifts. Pistes range from the highest (2640m) at Flaine with its spectacular views of Mt Blanc, through to the challenging dowhills of Samoëns itself and the gentle slopes or pretty wooded trails it shares with Les Carroz and Morillon. The remarkable “Cascades” run from Flaine to Sixt is 16km long.

There are English-speaking instructors throughout the Grand Massif, and special facilities for minding small children. Ski pass and ski hire prices are generally reasonable. Excellent cross-country and snow-shoe trails are another option, both in the valley and at the Col de Joux Plane