Samoëns Visitor's Guide

Welcome to Samoëns, the Grand Massif

Altitude 700 to 1900 m

Season open 17/12/2011 to 15/04/2012

A genuine alpine experience

Samoëns (pronounced Sam-mwah) is an atmospheric alpine village located at 750m altitude, from where skiing is easily accessible via the fast, modern Grand Massif Express gondola.  The gondola carries skiers 10 minutes up the mountain to a wonderful beginners’ area at 1600m, where the snow coverage is very reliable.  A range of restaurants and small bars offer a relaxed après-ski atmosphere in a genuine Savoyard village environment.

Like Morillon, Samoëns is easily accessible within an hour’s easy drive from Geneva International airport, making it a hassle free ski destination.  Limited ski-in/ski-out accommodation is available at Samoëns 1600m as most accommodation is closer to the village on the valley floor.

Several small bars offer a buzzy evening atmosphere in the high seasons.  A range of restaurants offer everything from good value family pizza (La Louisiane) to haute cuisine (La Monde à l’Envers).  Traditional Savoyard meals are served in cosy, long-established La Tornalta, and high end La Table de Fifine, while the more sophisticated bar/restaurant Le Bois de Lune offers an atmosphere worthy of dressing up for.  A result of the village’s compact size is that it is almost entirely pedestrianised.

Perfect for beginners

Samoëns offers a superb beginners’ ski area that is an ideal learning environment for both children and adults.  Four button lifts and a chairlift spread the crowds out and gentle slopes allow learners to gain confidence before progressing onto higher slopes.  The beginners’ plateau also offers an excellent place to relax in the sun while watching the kids have fun on the baby slopes.

For first-timers, group lessons are the ideal way to progress from the beginners slopes and out into the resort with confidence.  Early intermediates might like to take the ski bus 5 minutes to Morillon, where they can discover the Marvel slope directly, while those with confidence can ski there via the Tête des Saix.