Liftpasses

These are the key features:

• They can be pre-ordered on line although not at a discount. This can save you a bit of time in resort.
• If you don't pre-order, you can still buy any type of pass for any duration at the kiosks at the base of all the main lifts. Credit cards are accepted
• You pay a compulsory €3 supplement for the re-usable hands-free liftpass. You can get the €3 back at the end of the holiday by handing the pass back in at the lift kiosks.
• A passport photo is not required
• All passes give free access to the skibus that runs from Sixt to Verchaix through Samoens and Morillon, linking all the lifts
• Under 5s and over 75s ski for free
• Children up to 15 receive discounted passes (2 bands ages 5-11 and 12-15)
• Proof of age is required for all discounted passes (take passports when you collect them)
• You will be offered the option of "assurance" when you buy a pass. The wisdom or otherwise, of taking this option, which covers the cost of getting you off the mountain after injury (stretcher/snowmobile/helicopter... yes it can add up to quite a sum!) depends on the cover offered by your main holiday insurance.
• Grand Massif passes (see below) of 6 days or more offer a free day skiing the Portes du Soleil circuit. (nearest lift is 20mins by car from Chalet Claud)

There are a number of passes to choose from:

• Grand Massif Covers the entire area and recommended for all but absolute beginners and very early or nervous intermediates. A six day pass will cost €192
• Massif Covers Samoens, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt but not Flaine. More than adequate for beginners and early intermediates. A six day pass will cost €159 If you do decide you want to go to Flaine you can buy a day-supplement.
• Beginner passes These just cover your ride up to and use of the nursery slopes. They cost €13 each day. Buy them daily until your instructor advises you to get a Massif pass.
• There are separate passes for the cross country skiing trails.

Ski-schools and nursery slopes

There are four choices of ski school in Samoens and the ESF also has a branch at Morillon which uses the nursery slopes at Morillon 1100. All other skischools tend to use the Samoens 1600 nursery area. This is closer, more easily accessed (just hop on the Grand Massif express!) and more snow sure than Morillon, thanks to its height. Skiing at Morillon comes into its own once beginners progress from the nursery slopes, as the skiing above Morillon 1100 is generally easier than above Samoens.

Links to the four Samoens ski schools are to be found on this page of the Samoens website. Take your time and study them carefully. We have a few comments that may influence your choice:

• The ESF is a long established and large organisation. Its prices are generally cheaper than other ski-schools. It has a large capacity and should be able to accommodate you, even if you book late and in peak season. It also has some extremely good instructors. Like most large organisations, however, it also has some less good instructors. Unless you know who you're getting, there's an element of luck involved. By and large dealing with the ESF is like dealing with any other large organisation, both the pros and the cons.

• Independent ski schools tend to be very much smaller. They tend to be more expensive than the ESF. Working in a marketplace with one very dominant player, independent schools need to offer a very high standard of service to survive. They tend to have limited capacity and, if popular, will frequently be fully booked if you leave it too late, especially in high season. Some independent ski schools can be quite specialised. If you use one, make sure that teaching skiers of your ability level is part of their core business. By and large dealing with independent ski schools is like dealing with any small organisation. You are more likely to get the personal touch but you will pay a little more.

• We would like to recommend that you use Adrien Vallier and his team at ZigZag skischool. They are a small group of enthusiastic instructors who speak good English. They offer a full range of teaching from beginner to expert, snowboarding and telemark. They have an excellent track record with children. We have already booked lessons with them for some friends of ours who are novices and we intend to use them ourselves for ski touring and freeride. They are really flexible, using Samoens, Morillon and further afield. Any length of lesson is possible and you don't have to start on a given day. They'll even arrange to come to the chalet to present awards (I know, it's a bit cute but the kids love it!). The key is to book early. They are very popular and will get booked up early. You can book with them direct or we can arrange it for you. If you do book direct, mention you're at Chalet Claud to ensure you get that extra bit of service

Kindergarten

Equipment rental

If you want to look elsewhere, or just compare what's on offer,a list of the ski hire stores in Samoens can be found on the official website.