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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Samoëns Ski Resort Guide | Grand Massif
Samoëns offers two bases, the traditional village with its cobbled streets and historic town square and the satellite village of Samoëns 1600 where ski-in-ski-out accommodation provides direct access to the Grand Massifs 265km of pistes. Samoëns is a fantastic base to the wider Grand Massif but equally remains a stand-alone ski resort with plenty to offer.
Samoëns 1600m
SAMOËNS FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving in the town of Samoëns has a different feel to most European ski areas. The old village sits at the base of the Grand Massif Express, a gondola that rises 900m to the ski area. From the gondola top station, a quick run takes you to the Chariande Express where you can access the rest of the extended ski area.
SAMOËNS SKI AREA
Samoëns is perfectly placed to access the slopes of the Grand Massif resorts of Flaine, Morillon and Les Carroz by chairlift or the village of Sixt by bus. If you do not want to venture too far then Samoëns has enough to keep most of the family entertained.
The beginner’s area in Samoëns is first class and would make a perfect base for learning, although during peak weeks it can suffer from overcrowding. There is a magic carpet, some surface lifts, and a friendly chairlift, after graduating from this area you should be able to handle everything the mountain has to offer. The ski schools will meet in Samoëns 1600 by the gondola or entrance to Club Med.
Those looking to explore further will not be disappointed with Samoëns, there are many interesting steeps and off-piste routes that lead back to the Chariande Express Chair. Some great skiing can also be found near the Coulouvrier chair with some interesting blue and red-grade slopes.
After fresh snow, most will head to the Tete de Saix and the links over to Flaine, where you will find some awesome powder lines and tree skiing. Many neglect the long run down from Samoëns to Vercland, which can have great conditions after fresh snow. Sadly snow to Verclands base area can be unreliable.
Samoëns ski area can be prone to high wind causing the links over to Flaine, Les Carroz and Morillon to shut down. If this happens skiing in Samoëns can be great for bad weather days with ample cover in the bowl and between the trees. If you still plan to ski another Grand Massif resort on a bad weather day this is possible via the local free bus service.
BEGINNERS TERRAIN SAMOËNS
The beginner’s area in Samoëns is amongst the best in the Grand Massif. What I like about the beginner’s area is there is a perfect progression in terms of lifts. Beginners can start worry-free on the Magic Carpets before moving onto a slow drag lift and then the two slow beginners chairlifts which all access green runs.
INTERMEDIATES TERRAIN SAMOËNS
The intermediate terrain in Samoëns offers a perfect blend of challenge and enjoyment for skiers and snowboarders looking to progress their skills. With its wide array of groomed blue and red runs, this picturesque ski area caters well for intermediates. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will also benefit from the links to nearby resorts like Morillon and Les Carroz which have beautiful blue cruisers.
Samoëns Grand Massif
ADVANCED TERRAIN SAMOËNS
Advanced skiers and snowboarders will need to enjoy heading away from the piste to make the most of skiing in Samoëns. Yes Aigle Noir can claim to be amongst the most challenging black pistes in the Grand Massif but there is little else on the piste map.
Where Samoëns comes into its own is the slackcountry areas between the pistes which can be exceptional after fresh snowfall. Samoëns is great for catching snow that gets blown into its large bowl. and this makes it a really fun resort to hit when the conditions are good.
WHERE TO SKI IN SAMOËNS DURING A STORM
Sadly in Samoëns there is little cover from bad weather when conditions turn to their worst. Luckily nearby Morillon and Les Carroz ski resorts have some fantastic terrain which is lined by trees which gives good context in bad weather.
ACCESSING THE GRAND MASSIF
From Samoëns it is easy to transition between the other Grand Massif resorts allowing you to make the most of the whole ski area. From Samoëns take the the Chariande Express or Coulovrier chairs which will take you to the Tete de Saix, the crossroads of the Grand Massif. For Flaine, head to Verdant chair, alternatively you can ski directly into Morillon and Les Carroz from this point.
Coulovrier Chair above Samoëns
FREESTYLE SAMOËNS
In terms of freestyle, you have a couple of options in the Grand Massif. Flaine has a terrain park and border cross tracks that wind down skiers left of the bowl as you head towards the village. In Les Carroz there is a small park that is serviced by a poma, the layout of this park didn’t allow for good flow between jumps and rails but had some of the best features.
SAMOËNS SNOW HISTORY
Samoëns has a pretty reliable snow history however it is worth noting that over the last few seasons, the lower reaches of the resort towards the Vercland gondola have suffered with a lack of snow. In general, throughout the past winter the majority of Samoëns and the further Grand Massif had exceptional snowfall and it’s fair to say that you will get decent snowfall when you are in the higher reaches of the resort.
RELATED VIDEOS
SAMOËNS LIFTS
Samoëns has 3 major lifts, the Grand Massif Express and Vercland gondolas which whisk skiers up to the main area of Samoëns 1600 and the Chariande Express which departs 1600m and arrives at the Tete de Saix. There are two additional quad chairs in the beginner’s bowl and the addition of some surface lifts and magic carpets.
Skiers in Samoëns also have good access to the Coulouvrier chairlift, Europes longest, when it is in service. Sadly the Chariande 2 lift that used to run from the main bowl alongside the Chariande Express is no longer in service. I made the video below to discuss the reasons for this.
SEASON DATES
The season in Samoèns runs from early December to the end of April with closing normally around the 20th April. The resort has invested heavily in snow making to ensure they are able to maintain great conditions in both the early and late season.
SAMOËNS PISTE MAP
Grand Massif Piste Map
To see the interactive piste map click here
GETTING TO SAMOËNS
Getting to Samoëns is pain-free with Geneva airport around an hour away. I’ve always taken a resort transfer directly into my Grand Massif accommodation which has always been smooth. Although driving is possible I have always favoured transfer to these resorts
TRANSFER COMPANIES
Most of my transfers to Samoëns have been with GO MASSIF. Go Massif have been fantastic for shared transfers between Geneva and the Grand Massif and having used their service multiple times I would recommend them.
Alpin Bus are a company that I have used for private transfers between Geneva Airport and the Grand Massif. The communication throughout has been fantastic and service came in cheaper than Go Massif for the private option.
FIND YOUR TRANSFER
SELF-DRIVE
If you would prefer to self-drive there are numerous counters available at Geneva Airport where car-rental is possible. From Geneva, you can expect to drive for 1-1.5 hours depending on conditions. Other nearby airports; Chambéry and Lyon, also offer short drive times of 2 hours and 2.5 hours respectively. Driving to Flaine from Geneva represents one of the shortest ski resort transfers in the Alps.
TRAVEL AROUND THE GRAND MASSIF
The Grand Massif is a large area but luckily access between the resorts is fairly simple. From Samoèns you are perfectly placed to explore the other resorts.
SAMOËNS TO FLAINE
From Samoèns you will want to take the Chariande Express chair. Here you can either drop off into the off-piste near the Corbalanche Chair then head towards Vernant's chair. If you would prefer to stick to the pistes then Silice (blue) will take you to Dolomie (blue) which will lead you to Vernant. From the top of Vernant take Tourmaline (blue) all the way into Flaine.
SAMOËNS TO MORILLON
The fastest route via the pistes to Morillon is via the Chariande Express chair from Samoëns. Take the Perce-Neige (blue) until you reach L’Arète (blue) which will lead you to Morillon. Alternatively, you can utilise the free shuttle bus services which run between Samoëns and Morillon ski resorts.
SAMOËNS TO LES CARROZ
There are a number of routes between Samoëns and Les Carroz. Perhaps the most direct for beginners and intermediates is to take the Chariande Express chair from Samoèns and follow Silice (blue and then Dolomie (blue) which will lead you to Portet (blue). This run gets fairly flat around the end of Dolomie so you can often see some people pushing or walking this route. If you can maintain your speed you should be fine.
The more advanced can take the Chamois red piste from the Tete de Saix which runs towards Marmotte and Les Molliets chair. From Les Molliets you can either return to the Tete de Saix via the chair of the same name or take Les Molliets to head towards Gron or the Keuduze gondola and Les Carroz village.
SAMOËNS ACCOMMODATION
Staying in the village of Samoëns is a great base with plenty of restaurants, bars and shops within easy walking distance of your accommodation. It is worth noting that the village is a short walk or shuttle bus ride from the Grand Massif Express Gondola so you will need to factor this into your morning routine.
If you prefer on-slope accommodation there are several places to stay at Samoëns 1600 although you will miss out on the village vibe. Samoëns 1600 is also the base for a large Club Med hotel with all-inclusive facilities including a ski school. This would make a good base for families heading to the Grand Massif.
SAMOËNS LIFT PASS
Lift passes in Samoëns represent exceptional value. If you think you will ski more than one week in a season then consider getting the Grand Massif season pass, if purchased online before 30th November you save 50% meaning a whole season of skiing for €552. You can even add summer access so you have access to all the summer hiking and mountain biking.
If you are only visiting for one week then you can see all the options for lift passes here. I would always recommend getting the Grand Massif pass rather than the local area pass as it represents better value.
SAMOËNS PROS
Samoëns has direct access to the rest of the Grand Massif from the Chariande Express.
There is a brilliant beginner’s area in Samoëns that makes it the perfect base for never-evers.
Samoëns has a good mix of terrain in the local area making it a great base for mixed ability groups.
Aigle Noir black run is genuinely intense and for able skiers and snowboarders can represent a fantastic challenge.
SAMOËNS CONS
Crowding in Samoëns has become a problem during peak weeks since the closure of the Chariande 2 chairlift.
If you are staying in the village you will need to take a shuttle bus to the Grand Massif Express. Because of the bus timetable, it is hard to get to the GME before there is a queue during peak weeks.
Restaurants in the Samoëns ski area seem to charge more than in other Grand Massif resorts.
SAMOËNS GALLERY
NEARBY SKI RESORTS
FINAL THOUGHTS
Samoëns has been one of my favourite ski areas in France for years, I love it for the traditional village and the access it has to the rest of the Grand Massif. However, since the Chariande 2 lift has been out of action, Samoëns has had a problem, crowding during peak weeks. If you are visiting Samoëns outside of the main holiday weeks, I guarantee you will have a fantastic time! During peak periods, you may suffer from morning queues at the Grand Massif Express and Chariande Express chairlifts.
DISCOVER SAMOËNS
www.samoens.com
AROUND THE GRAND MASSIF