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Ski holidays in Samoens, Grand MassifIf we're being honest, winter is when Samoens comes into its own. Probably THE up-and-coming resort in the French Alps, thanks to the new Grand Massif express gondola, opened in 2004. 260km of marked pistes of all gradings & 75 ski lifts. High altitude snow bowls keep the powder hounds happy and ensure good skiing from December to April and pretty north facing tree runs also hold their snow late into the season and provide valuable shelter on those white-out days.The Samoens valley has 3 separate gondola routes up(Samoens, Vercland, Morillon) and three very different ways down to the valley (Sixt, Morillon and Vercland, Samoens) ensuring a ski-day packed with variety. The lifts and return points are also all efficiently linked by the free ski bus, so you can always get home, wherever you come down to the valley. There are three jam parks for boarders (and skiers) who like their tricks and good skiers should take the the opportunity for guided off piste descents with spectacular views of Mont Blanc. Unusually for France the area is dotted with large numbers of atmospheric mountain huts (including two refuges for overnight stays) where you can sip a beer in the sun or crowd around the woodburner for a vin chaud and a savoyard dish whilst you thaw out. Beginners are well catered for with safe, flat learning areas up the mountain in the sun at Samoens and Morillon with the reassurance that, until they're ready to explore further, a gondola will return them to the valley. Children couldn't be better placed. The Grand Massif area has long been recognised as an ideal place for children to ski and Samoens has the "Petits Montagnards" in recognition of its child-friendly facilities. Intermediates will enjoy the freedom that comes with moving from resort to resort by ski (in addition to Sixt, complete with its own ski area, Samoens and Morillon you can also ski to Flaine and Les Carroz). Finally experts will find plenty of blacks and, when conditions are right, some safe off piste(ie crevasse free), particularly around the Combe de Gers and under the Vernant & Grand Vans express chairs. They should also take the chance to ski tour. Please note, a word of warning. The Col Plate above Flaine can look very inviting after a fresh snow fall. It is riddled with rock crevasses. Take a look at the picture at the top of Plattieres as you leave the gondola or walk over it in summer and be very, very careful. And if that's not enough for you the Les Perrieres Express Chair into the Portes du Soleil circuit is 20 minutes from our door and a free day's skiing the Portes du Soleil is included in any 6 day Grand Massif liftpass. There's also a free day in Courmayeur included on the pass and the resorts of Praz de Lys, Chamonix, La Clusaz, Megeve and Les Contamines are all feasible for a day trip. For an independent ski resort guide to the Grand Massif, including reviews, images, video and piste map follow this link to Flaine ski resort. For up to date advice on skischool, equipment hire and passes click here Finally there's much more besides skiing and boarding. For information about other activities follow this link | 
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