The Complete Grand Massif Snowboard Guide
A combined five-resort ski area with reliable snow and affordability not found in other parts of France, the Grand Massif is a trip everyone should consider. From the super resort of Flaine with its art deco buildings and sculptures on the slopes to the quaint village feel of Samoëns, you can find something for everyone in Le Grand Massif. The Grand Massif combines the five resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval to provide access to 265kms of slopes with a good snow record.
View before dropping into the Tete de Saix
GRAND MASSIF FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving in the Grand Massif has always been hassle-free on each of my trips there. Access via transfer from Geneva airport is seamless and the transfer times to the villages are not excessive. My first trip to the Grand Massif saw me stay in Samoëns where access to the ski area is via Grand Massif Express or Vercland gondolas. Facilities and lift infrastructure throughout the Grand Massif is brilliant.
GRAND MASSIF SKI AREA
The Grand Massif Ski Area is home to five unique French Ski Resorts. Combined they account for 265km spread across 152 pistes which makes remarkable value when a season pass can be purchased for under €600 (Early Bird Pricing). The ski area of the Grand Massif doesn’t stand out as groundbreaking in that it is not the steepest or the largest however, it is well-equipped to deliver an exceptional package to its guests.
The Grand Massif can be considered one of the best combined French ski areas to visit with its extensive piste map with connecting trails offering something for the whole family. Half of the terrain in the Grand Massif is marked as green or blue pistes which means it can be great for those learning to ski or intermediates looking to explore a larger area.
The fact that the Grand Massif caters well to beginners shouldn’t put off the more able skier or snowboarder with the variation of terrain across the resorts offering substantial challenges. There are several interesting black trails and some easily accessible off-piste including Agate which is accessible from Flaine’s highest point, Tete Des Lindars (2561m).
Each resort making up the Grand Massif offers something different, so it is well worth investing in a full area pass. This is especially true given that it is not a big deal to ski from one end of the piste map to the other, which can be the case in the larger Portes Du Soleil and Three Valleys ski areas.
You can travel between the resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt using chairlifts or free shuttle buses. On piste- the links between the resorts are also well-established with plenty of options to ride between the resorts. I enjoy the Grand Massif for not being restricted to one ski area for a day. In contrast to the 3 Valleys where you may opt to ski in Val Thorens for a day and then Meribel on another, the Grand Massif is big enough to make it interesting but small enough that skiing multiple resorts in a day is not just possible but advisable.
FLAINE
Flaine represents the highest point in the Grand Massif at 2500m, ensuring a consistent snow record throughout the season. A year-round resort, Flaine comes alive in the winter and is the most well-known resort in the area.
Flaines Village as seen from a Mountain Restaurant
The pistes in Flaine are well-maintained and were designed by Emile Allais, a former French Ski Champion. The beginner’s area at Flaine is perfect for establishing those first turns. However, I would still opt for lessons in nearby Samoëns, which provides a great space for learning including a children’s park.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will enjoy Flaine’s expanse of terrain and easy access to the nearby resorts. There is some interesting tree riding to be found and those looking for a challenge should head towards Gers Bowl, especially when there is fresh snow.
Flaine is serviced by fast lifts and a combination of chairs and gondolas can be found. A ride on the Flaine bucket lift is a unique experience. Perhaps for beginners, the best thing about Flaine’s lift system is free access to the moving carpets, ensuring an option to self-learn.
READ THE FULL FLAINE SKI RESORT GUIDE HERE
LES CARROZ
Les Carroz sits in the heart of the Grand Massif and is an ideal location to explore the rest of the resorts. With easy access to Flaine, Samoëns and Morillon it is easy to see why so many people choose Les Carroz as their base.
Les Carroz ski resort is relatively small with 37km of local pistes however this stat doesn’t do it justice. There is plenty of fun to be found away from the piste, through the trees and in the off-piste near Corbalanche and the Tete de Saix. As a small resort, Les Carroz benefits from being part of the wider Grand Massif ski area but equally stands alone as a resort that offers a good all-round package. Les Carroz boasts a pretty awesome terrain park and boarder cross track, as well as a couple of challenging black pistes.
READ THE FULL LES CARROZ SKI RESORT GUIDE HERE
SAMOËNS
If you are looking for a slightly different ski holiday base, then Samoëns certainly offers you an alternative to purpose-built on-mountain accommodations. The beautiful village at the base of the Grand Massif Express gondola has a quaint town centre which hosts nice restaurants, ample shopping and entertainment for the children. The village of Samoëns is amongst my favourite bases for any ski holiday.
The resort itself is found above the village and is accessed via either the Grand Massif Express or Vercland gondolas. Samoëns ski resort is possibly the most versatile ski area in the Grand Massif. Ranging from one of the largest beginner areas in the French Alps to challenging off-piste skiing and snowboarding. Beginners will find everything they need in Samoëns with a steady progression of runs serviced by magic carpets and chairlifts, although this area can become a bottleneck for crowds in peak weeks.
Intermediates will love the Coulouvrier chairlift, a high-speed chair currently the longest in Europe at 2.9km, which accesses blue and red runs that pass through a natural bowl. Additionally, the run down to the old Vercland bubble gives ample opportunity for stretching those legs.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders will want to make a b-line for the Chariande Express chairlift before the crowds and move away from the resort base. From here they will have the option to drop into an unpisted bowl or head over to the Tête de Saix.
READ THE FULL SAMOËNS SKI RESORT GUIDE HERE
MORILLON
With one of the lowest altitudes out of the Grand Massif resorts at 1100m you could be forgiven for ignoring Morillon, this would be a mistake. The local area has 45km of trails which are home to some of the best cruisey pistes in the entire Grand Massif.
Beginners and intermediates will enjoy the wide pistes in Morillon with the 7km Marvel Slope a particular highlight. Winding its way through the trees Marvel Slope is a great place to spark that excitement in young skiers. In Morillon, you can ride down to the village which is a fantastic way to end your day on snow.
Unfortunately, the lower terrain in Morillon is rarely in action these days with the lower reaches of Morillon struggling with little snow below 1100m. Luckily the 650m of vertical drop between the top of Sairon chair and the gondolas mid-station. offers some fantastic terrain.
I have spent multiple weeks based in the village of Morillon and am fond of it. Morillon is a quieter base for your Grand Massif ski holiday, but with easy access to Les Carroz and Samoëns in addition to the local area, Morillon can be a great budget base for your Grand Massif trip.
READ THE FULL MORILLON SKI RESORT GUIDE HERE
SIXT
Sixt is a ski resort set amongst a nature reserve that is unspoilt by the modern world and mega-resorts that sit around it. The finishing point for the incredible 14km Cascades piste that starts with views of Mont Blanc before ending in this beautiful French village. Sixt is a resort of culture and heritage. You head to Sixt to step away from the crowds and take in the surroundings. At only 765m snow can be sketchy towards the end of the season however the Rouget waterfalls will be a draw.
Sadly skiing and snowboarding in Sixt fer a Cheval is becoming a thing of the past. Last winter (23/24) I don’t recall the ski area in Sixt being open at all and the Cascades trail from Flaine was also noticeably absent. If you are staying in Sixt don’t fret as you have free shuttle buses linking the village to Samoëns and Morillon where you can access the Grand Massif ski area.
SEASON DATES
The season in the Grand Massif runs between December and April. Although all resorts will have good snow throughout the season Flaine will have the best conditions in early and late season. Sixt can suffer from poor snow towards the end of the season, due to its altitude at 750m, but this makes it an affordable base with free buses connecting you to other resorts.
GRAND MASSIF PISTE MAP
Grand Massif Piste Map
TRAVEL AROUND THE GRAND MASSIF
With 265kms of terrain it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the decisions of where to ski each day. However, with the Grand Massif being so well connected, it is fairly easy to ski across all of the resorts in one ski day. Travelling between the ski resorts of Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz, Samoëns and Sixt Fer a Cheval is possible via the connecting lifts or in some cases free shuttle buses.
GRAND MASSIF CHAIRLIFTS
The main way to move between the resorts of the Grand Massif is to use the linked chair lifts. The links are fast chairs and allow for large amounts of people to move between the resorts fairly easily. Just be sure to keep an eye on the times that each link will close so as not to get stuck in the wrong resort. Sometimes the linked chairlifts close due to high wind, this was rare during my visits but was communicated brilliantly by staff at each chair.
The Tete de Saix is the main crossroads of the Grand Massif with the following lifts all meeting on or close to the Tete de Saix; Coulouvrier (Morillon), Chariande Express (Samoëns), Tete de Saix (Les Carroz) and Corbalance (Les Carroz). From here it is easy to ski directly into the aforementioned resorts or head to the Vernant chair which accesses Flaine.
GRAND MASSIF BUS ROUTES
Included with your Grand Massif lift pass is free access to the inter-resort shuttle buses. The routes are colour-coded so it’s fairly simple to navigate. Although there is a timetable for the buses, they are not always regular so be sure to plan.
Sixt, Morillon and Samoëns are linked by bus with a few different routes heading to the varying lift stations. If you are based in Sixt and do not have access to a car it is likely you will need to rely on the bus service to move between the resorts. Skiing between Samoëns and Morillon is simple but the buses are there as another option if needed.
Flaine has local buses that run around its village dropping skiers and snowboarders back to their accommodation. From Flaine, you can take a bus to Les Carroz however it is most likely you will choose to ski this route instead.
DRIVING
Driving is an option I would certainly consider if returning to the Grand Massif. Samoëns offered free parking in the base area of the Grand Massif Express and this might make other aspects of a self-catering trip more practical. Similarly, there is free parking at Morillon gondola and various lifts in Les Carroz. It is worth noting that Flaine is a car-free resort so bare this in mind.
TRAVEL TO THE GRAND MASSIF
When visiting the Grand Massif I have always booked a transfer from Geneva Airport. This method of getting to the Grand Massif has always seemed the most simple and I have never felt like I needed a car. Companies like Go Massif and Alpin Bus offer regular transfers from Geneva Airport.
To check transfer prices you can search for the best deals below.
GRAND MASSIF ACCOMMODATION
Being such a varied combination of ski areas the Grand Massif can offer accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. On the top end of the scale is the Club Med in Samoëns, offering an all-inclusive option with ski in ski out location that would be perfect for families. The upmarket village of Les Carroz offers some plush accommodation options but if you have a lower budget don’t be put off. I stayed in a budget apartment in Les Carroz and found it a perfect base from which to enjoy the Grand Massif. Similarly, I found a budget apartment in Samoëns for a New Year trip in a location adjacent to the Grand Massif Express. As with most French ski areas, there is the option for an apartment on the slopes with Samoëns 1600 and Flaine being great options.
GRAND MASSIF PROS
Grand Massif Season Pass costs only €489 if purchased before mid-December.
The Grand Massif offers 265km of pistes on one lift pass.
The Grand Massif has a variety of ski areas with each resort offering something different.
Snowsure skiing in Flaine until late April makes a Grand Massif ski trip reliable.
The villages of the Grand Massif offer a short transfer time from Geneva Airport.
GRAND MASSIF CONS
Samoëns base area can get crowded during peak weeks.
High winds can close the linked chairlifts between different resorts.
GRAND MASSIF GALLERY
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am incredibly fond of my visits to the Grand Massif which have offered an expanse of skiable terrain at a reasonable price, especially for France. During my rips I have experienced the best and worst of the possible snow conditions however I have always found a way to get some enjoyable skiing in. The Grand Massif should be on your bucket list if you are looking for a multi-resort ski area with some brilliant terrain and something for the whole family.
DISCOVER GRAND MASSIF
https://www.grand-massif.com/en/
GRAND MASSIF VIDEOS
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Morillon Ski Resort Guide | Grand Massif
Quiet and unassuming, Morillon is a perfectly placed village that offers an escape from the grandeur and excess associated with some French ski resorts. Those looking for a more relaxed vibe and a friendly village should consider Morillon as a base to access the 265km of Grand Massif Pistes. The village of Morillon is split into two, the accommodation at the base of the gondola and Morillon Les Esserts at 1100m.
MORILLON FIRST IMPRESSIONS
My first day in Morillon was accessed from Samoëns where I skied down the wide pistes to the base of the gondola. Morillon grabbed my attention immediately with the ability to just cruise and carve your way without interruption. Morillon offers a good mix of beginner and intermediate terrain but with fantastic access to the rest of the Grand Massif where you can find more challenging runs.
MORILLON SKI AREA
Morillon village is the lowest base in the Grand Massif at 700m which can mean the slopes closer to the gondola base station are patchy in early and late season. It was possible to ski to the base in April but I wouldn’t say the conditions were enjoyable.
On my most recent trip, Dec 23/Jan 24 - skiing back to the village at 700m was not possible. throughout.
The Morillon ski area is small with 22 local runs, consisting of 5 green, 12 blue, and 5 red pistes. The local area is therefore well suited to intermediates and beginners with some beautiful wide pistes to help inspire some confidence. This however wouldn’t put me off booking accommodation in Morillon as a more advanced skier or snowboarder as the links to the rest of the Grand Massif are well-established. You will be required to take the Morillon gondola and then the Sairon chairlift which opens up the rest of the ski area.
From Morillon, you have easy access to the Coulouvrier chair, which at 2.9 km is the longest in Europe! This is one of my favourite chairs in the whole of the Grand Massif as it makes the whole Grand Massif accessible. From the top of Coulouvrier, it is possible to ski back to Morillon, down into Samoëns, across into Les Carroz or over to Flaine.
MORILLON FOR BEGINNERS
In Morillon 1100 you will find the beginner’s area which is well-positioned close to some restaurants and the ski-in ski-out village. From nearby you can take Les Esserts chair which will access some green terrain for when you fancy exploring for the first time. Morillon is also home to the green Marvel slope which is a 7km green trail that runs through the Morillon trees.
INTERMEDIATES IN MORILLON
Intermediates will love Morillon with a selection of blues available from the top of the Biollaires chairlift, Sairon is a particular favourite due to its 3km length and 600m vertical drop. Morillon is also home to several nice red pistes with Paccoty being an enjoyable route to the Coulouvrier chair. A much overlooked route is the short Freres blue route which can be lapped using the Vielle drag lift. This blue is tucked away near the start of the green Marvel run so is often overlooked.
Outside of Morillon, intermediates can explore the whole of the Grand Massif with some beautiful trails spread throughout the neighbouring resorts of Samoëns, Les Carroz and Flaine. If intermediates would like to experience a big day out… they should consider heading to Flaine and taking the 14km blue trail Cascades that runs to Sixt. From Sixt, you can return to Morillon using the free Navettes bus service.
ADVANCED SKIERS MORILLON
There isn’t much for advanced skiers and snowboarders in Morillon ski resort but with easy access to Samoèns and Les Carroz, you will be able to find a challenge. Head to Les Carroz which offers some fantastic tree-skiing. Like most people in the Grand Massif, you will also want to explore Flaine which offers brilliant off-piste within its large bowl.
Within Morillon, the excellent Stade Morillon red is an opportunity to open the lungs and get some speed, when it isn’t reserved for the race kids. Morillon is also a good spot to find uncontested freshies on a powder day.
FREESTYLE TERRAIN MORILLON
Morillon has a small but fun terrain park that runs alongside a drag lift Vielle. The run has several banked turns, flat boxes and small jumps. The Morillon Ze KidzPark is aimed at a blue level of run and is intended to provide an intro to freestyle.
Morillon is sheltered from the wind so the lifts here remain unaffected when the resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz and Samoëns need to close their upper installations.
On a bluebird ski day, Morillon is one of my favourite resorts. The slopes here get ample sun coverage and there are a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a beverage on the sun terrace.
LIFTS MORILLON
Morillon has a total of 9 lifts in the resort with the longest being the Coulouvrier. From the village of Morillon, you will need to take the Morillon Gondola that will drop you at the satellite village of Morillon 1100 Les Esserts. From Morillon 1100 you have the option of Sairon or the shorter Les Esserts chairs. The Les Esserts chair only serves the lower part of Morillon so if you want to reach the summit you will need to take Sairon chair.
From the top of the modern Sairon chair, it is possible to ski across to Les Carroz and the Gron chair and Le Kedeuze gondola. Alternatively, you can ski towards Coulouvrier and the links to Samoëns and Flaine.
The lifts in Morillon could do with some updating but actually, this is part of the appeal of staying in Morillon. The slower lifts can make Morillon less popular than some of the other Grand Massif villages so is a fair price to pay for quieter runs.
@geoffreyarduini Biollaires Chairlift
SKI SHOP RECOMMENDATION
Located in Morillon 1100 next to the Les Esserts chairlift is the shop Ski One. During my stay, I received fantastic service from the store which repaired quite a bad core shot in my snowboard. Morillon doesn’t have many great ski shops with some of the equipment being quite dated across the other stores. Therefore if you are looking for ski rental, repairs or to pick up some gear I would recommend Ski One.
You can book rental online by using this link. This is NOT an affiliate link but a recommendation based on fantastic service.
SEASON DATES
The ski season in Morillon opens in December and closes in late April. Early season conditions have been variable over the past couple of seasons so be aware the whole area may not be open in December. If this is the case, skiing will still be possible above 1100m and in the nearby Grand Massif resorts.
MORILLON VIDEO
MORILLON GALLERY
GRAND MASSIF PISTE MAP
GETTING AROUND THE GRAND MASSIF FROM MORILLON
MORILLON TO SAMOËNS
Getting from Morillon to Samoëns is possible via skiing between the resorts or taking the local Navettes (free shuttle service). Information and timetables on the Navettes can be found by clicking the picture below.
Using the buses between the ski stations is not a necessity as all resorts can easily be skied between however they can be a lifesaver if you have tired legs and can’t face the ski commute back.
TRAVEL TO MORILLON
Most international guests to Morillon will arrive at Geneva Airport where a short transfer to the village is possible. Depending on traffic and weather conditions your transfer should take no longer than 1 hour.
Alternatively, you can take the train from Geneva to Cluses whether you will then need to take a local bus service.
NEARBY SKI RESORTS
MORILLON ACCOMMODATION
As previously mentioned Morillon has two main bases; the village of Morillon at 700m and Morillon 1100 Les Esserts.
MORILLON VILLAGE
Staying in Morillon 700m will mean that you need to make the morning commute up the gondola however this could be well worth it. Although Morillon village is a quiet village, staying at Morillon 700m does give you access to several restaurants, bars and other amenities. I enjoy staying in Morillon village as it also provides flexibility in case you would prefer to take a Navette and start your ski day in another ski resort.
Morillon Village is also nice if travelling with family or pets. A short walk from the main street you can be down by the river where there are footpaths between Morillon and Samoëns. This area is also home to a lake, pump track, mini golf and children’s high ropes climbing area.
MORILLON LES ESSERTS
The satellite village of Morillon Les Esserts is a ski-in-ski-out village for those who would like to be as close to the action as possible. Staying at Morillon 1100 gives you more direct access to the slopes and you can avoid the morning gondola commute, however, there are fewer amenities in this part of the village.
BOOK MORILLON ACCOMMODATION
MORILLON PROS
Morillon is an affordable base for your Grand Massif ski holiday providing access to 265km at a fraction of the cost of Flaine accommodation.
The local area of Morillon has some fantastic pistes that are normally in great condition.
The Morillon ski area is fantastic for intermediates with numerous blue and red trails.
Morillon is home to Marvel a 7km long green run fantastic for beginners.
Morillon has great access to the other Grand Massif resorts and from the top of Sairon you can be straight into Les Carroz, one lift from Samoëns and two lifts from Flaine.
MORILLON CONS
Morillon has been suffering in the early season meaning its lower slopes have not been open. The resort run back to the base of the gondola is fantastic so this has been a real shame.
The lifts in Morillon are slower than in other parts of the Grand Massif and could do with updating.
The village of Morillon is small and quiet, for me this can be a positive, but many would prefer Samoëns or Les Carroz for their busier towns.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, I feel that Morillon offers a good option for a holiday in the Grand Massif. Getting from Morillon to the other Grand Massif ski areas is not a problem and the local area has enough to offer. However, I can see why many would prefer to base themselves in a busier village and visit Morillon on a ski day.
I am fond of Morillon however the issues it has faced over the past couple of seasons with early season snow would make me think twice about basing myself here for a Dec-Jan trip.
AROUND THE GRAND MASSIF
