Samoens - Ski, Snowboard & Summer Holidays

Where you stay in Samoëns depends on the type of ski holiday you're looking for.

The historic village centre is the most popular choice, with its traditional stone buildings, excellent restaurants, bars and shops, all within easy reach of the Grand Massif Express gondola via the free ski bus or a short drive.
If convenience is your priority, accommodation close to the gondola provides the quickest access to the slopes. Families often choose quieter areas on the edge of the village, where larger chalets with gardens and mountain views offer plenty of space.
If you're looking for a peaceful alpine setting, nearby hamlets such as Vercland, Verchaix, Vallons and Les Moulins provide a more secluded atmosphere while still offering easy access to the skiing. Whether you prefer a luxury chalet, a catered chalet, a self-catered apartment or a hotel, Samoëns has accommodation to suit most budgets and holiday styles.

Yes, Samoëns is an excellent choice for a family ski holiday. The resort combines a charming, traffic-calmed village with easy access to the extensive Grand Massif ski area, offering terrain for every ability. Beginners can learn on dedicated nursery slopes, while confident children and parents can explore a wide network of gentle blue and red runs together. The resort has highly regarded ski schools, childcare options and family-friendly activities including ice skating, sledging and winter walking. Away from the slopes, the traditional village atmosphere, good selection of restaurants and relaxed pace make Samoëns particularly appealing for families looking for an authentic Alpine holiday rather than a purpose-built ski resort.

Yes, Samoëns is an excellent ski resort for beginners.

The resort offers dedicated nursery slopes in the village, as well as wide, gentle pistes higher up the mountain where new skiers can build confidence after their first lessons. The Grand Massif Express gondola provides easy access to beginner-friendly terrain, and there are several highly regarded ski schools offering lessons for both children and adults.

As confidence grows, beginners can progress onto the many long, scenic blue runs across the Grand Massif ski area, making Samoëns an ideal destination to develop skills without quickly outgrowing the resort. The combination of excellent tuition, varied beginner terrain and access to one of France's largest linked ski areas makes Samoëns a great choice for first-time skiers and those looking to improve.

The main ski schools to contact are the ESF, ZigZag Ski School and 360 Ski and Snowboard school.

Samoëns is part of the Grand Massif, one of the largest linked ski areas in France, with around 265km of pistes spread across the resorts of Samoëns, Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. The ski area offers 139 marked runs, ranging from gentle beginner slopes to challenging black pistes, with skiing between 700m and 2,500m in altitude. This variety means there's plenty to keep skiers of all abilities entertained throughout a week's holiday. Beginners can enjoy dedicated learning areas and easy blue runs, intermediates have miles of scenic cruising terrain to explore, while advanced skiers can tackle steeper pistes and off-piste routes around Flaine and the Gers bowl. One of the highlights is the 14km Cascades run, one of the longest blue runs in Europe, which winds through spectacular mountain scenery to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. The Cascades run begins up in Flaine above 2000m and finishes on the valley floor at around 600m, so conditions can be variable, and early or late season opening is very much dependent on snow cover.

Yes, Samoëns is one of the best resorts in the French Alps for intermediate skiers.

As part of the Grand Massif ski area, it offers access to around 265km of pistes, with an abundance of long blue and red runs that are perfect for confident cruising and exploring different parts of the mountain. Intermediates can ski between Samoëns, Flaine, Morillon and Les Carroz, enjoying varied terrain, reliable snow conditions and modern lift connections.

Samoëns skiing itself offers a good selection of cruisey blues and red runs with various aspects. There are steeper descents such as Aigle Noir when you want to challenge yourself. From the plateau at Samoëns 1600 fast modern lifts take you to the top of the Tete de Saix, which opens up the whole of the Grand Massif to you. Enjoy the pretty tree-lined red and blue runs down to Les Carroz and Morillon, or head up to Flaine for the excellent terrain and views of Mont Blanc.

As confidence grows, there are plenty of more demanding red runs and black pistes to tackle, along with opportunities to try guided off-piste skiing. With its extensive network of scenic pistes and relatively uncrowded slopes, Samoëns is an excellent choice for intermediate skiers looking to make the most of a week in the mountains.

Yes, Samoëns has plenty to offer advanced skiers, particularly through its access to the extensive Grand Massif ski area.

While the resort is best known for its excellent intermediate terrain, experienced skiers can enjoy a selection of challenging black runs, steep mogul fields and exciting off-piste routes, especially around the Gers bowl and neighbouring Flaine.

The varied terrain includes wide open slopes, tree-lined descents and high-altitude skiing up to 2,500m, providing plenty of opportunities to test your skills. For those looking to venture beyond the marked pistes, hiring a qualified mountain guide is recommended to make the most of the area's renowned off-piste terrain safely. Combined with fast lift connections and access to 265km of pistes, Samoëns is an excellent base for advanced skiers seeking both variety and adventure.

The lift pass you need in Samoëns depends on how much of the mountain you plan to explore. Most visitors choose the Grand Massif Pass, which gives access to the entire Grand Massif ski area, including Samoëns, Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval – around 265km of linked pistes. This is the best option if you want the freedom to ski across all five resorts.

If you're a beginner or only plan to ski locally, you can save money with a Beginner Pass, which covers the learning area and selected lifts around Samoëns 1600. There's also a Vill4ges Pass, which includes the ski areas of Samoëns, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, but not Flaine. If you buy a Vill4ges Pass, you can purchase a one-day upgrade to access the entire Grand Massif, including Flaine. However, if you expect to ski across the whole area on several days of your holiday, it's usually better value to buy the full Grand Massif Pass from the outset.

For most intermediate and advanced skiers spending more than a day or two in the resort, the Grand Massif Pass offers the best value, allowing you to make the most of the area's varied terrain, modern lift system and extensive network of pistes.

Samoëns offers plenty to keep non-skiers entertained, making it an excellent choice for mixed groups and families. The picturesque medieval village is perfect for exploring on foot, with its traditional stone buildings, independent shops, cafés and excellent restaurants. Visitors can also enjoy winter walking and snowshoeing trails, ice skating, cross-country skiing, wellness spas, yoga and massage treatments, or simply relax with a coffee while taking in the mountain scenery.

For those looking for something more adventurous, Samoëns also offers activities such as paragliding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, guided cultural walks and visits to local farms producing traditional Savoyard cheeses. Throughout the winter, the village hosts markets, concerts and seasonal events, creating a lively atmosphere both on and off the slopes. Whether you're accompanying skiers or simply prefer to stay off the pistes, Samoëns has enough variety to make a winter holiday enjoyable without ever putting on a pair of skis.

Samoëns is also home to one of the oldest and largest weekly markets in Haute-Savoie, held every Wednesday morning in the heart of the village. Dating back to 1355, the market is a highlight of any visit, with stalls selling local cheeses, charcuterie, fresh produce, bread, honey, clothing and regional specialities. During school holidays, it expands through the village streets, creating a lively atmosphere.

The village is also home to La Grenette, a historic covered market hall on Place du Gros Tilleul. This attractive stone building has been at the heart of village life for centuries and continues to host markets and community events, making it one of Samoëns' most distinctive landmarks.

The beautiful Jaysinia Alpine Botanical Garden is another of Samoëns' highlights. Located just a short walk from the village centre, this peaceful hillside garden is home to thousands of mountain plants from around the world, as well as waterfalls, streams and scenic walking paths with views over the Giffre Valley. Created in 1906 by local philanthropist Marie-Louise Cognacq, co-founder of the Paris department store La Samaritaine, the gardens are free to visit and provide a tranquil escape, particularly during the spring and summer months. Even in winter, the grounds offer a picturesque setting for a gentle stroll.

The closest airport to Samoëns is Geneva Airport (GVA), located around 50km away. Thanks to its short transfer time of approximately one hour by car or shared transfer, Geneva is by far the most convenient airport for visitors travelling to Samoëns and the Grand Massif ski area.

Geneva is served by numerous airlines with direct flights from the UK and across Europe, making Samoëns an easy destination for both weekend ski breaks and longer holidays. From the airport, you can choose from shared and private transfers, hire a car, or travel by train to Cluses followed by a local bus or taxi to the resort.

Other airports, including Lyon, Turin and Chambéry, can also be used, but they involve significantly longer transfer times. For most visitors, Geneva offers the quickest and easiest route to Samoëns.

A very popular and well-established transfer company, specialising in the Grand Massif area, is Go Massif, who offer both shared and private transfers to Samoëns and all the other resorts of the Grand Massif. Samoëns is also a great destination for short breaks and weekends due to it's proximity to Geneva airport.

Yes, you can travel to Samoëns by train, although there isn't a railway station in the village itself. The nearest station is Cluses, around 20km from Samoëns, with regular services from Geneva, Annecy and Paris. From Cluses, you can complete your journey by bus, taxi or private transfer, with the trip to the resort taking around 30 minutes.
Travelling by train is an increasingly popular and environmentally friendly way to reach Samoëns, particularly for visitors travelling from France, Switzerland and other parts of Europe. If you're travelling from the UK, you can take the Eurostar to Paris, connect to a high-speed TGV service to Cluses, and then transfer to the resort. While flying into nearby Geneva Airport is the quickest option for most visitors, travelling by rail is a comfortable alternative that avoids the need for a hire car.

Samoëns offers a relaxed and authentic après ski scene rather than the lively nightlife found in some of France's larger purpose-built resorts. After a day on the slopes, visitors can unwind in cosy bars, traditional pubs and welcoming restaurants, enjoying local Savoyard specialities, craft beers and regional wines. There are also several lively venues offering live music, cocktails and DJs during the ski season, particularly at weekends and during peak holiday periods.

The village's historic centre creates a charming atmosphere for an evening stroll, with cafés, wine bars and restaurants gathered around its picturesque square. If you're looking for a sociable but laid-back après ski experience in a traditional Alpine village, Samoëns is an excellent choice. Those seeking a more energetic nightlife can also visit nearby Flaine, while still enjoying the peaceful character and authentic charm that make Samoëns so popular.

In springtime there are often live music events and dj's at Samoëns 1600 in the sunshine. Your accommodation provider will be able to advise you more on what's going on in the resort.