Samoëns Overview

Samoëns offers a winning combination of small-town charm and access to vast snowsure slopes. 

What's the skiing like? Samoëns belongs to the Grand Massif (265km) ski area which is shared with Flaine, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt. The vast majority of the ski slopes here are north facing so hold the snow well. One of our favourite runs is the 14km Les Cascades (blue run) down to Sixt from the Grandes Platieres (2480m) with a good value, hearty lunch at the Lac de Gers along the way. 

Best suited to . . . Intermediate skiers with nearly half of its terrain being long blue runs. Expert skiers also have plenty to do with some great powder stashes at the Gers bowl with its 800m drop.

What's the resort like? This traditional Savoyard village offers good-value food and comfortable accommodation and attracts a largely French crowd - a nice change from the big-name British favourites. The centre of the town has a beautiful square with 16th-century church and is traffic free. The main street is lined with antique shops and independent food shops selling delicious pâtisserie.

Don't leave Samoens without . . . visiting the famous botanical garden, the only one of its kind in the Alps, where you can take a relaxing stroll around the lush surroundings. Also be sure to sample plenty of the mouth-watering local cheeses, meats and wines in the centre of Samoens (food and drink here is cheaper than in the bigger, more well-known French resorts).

Downside? You can't ski directly back to the village, you have to take the Grand Massif Express telecabin down or ski down to the neighbouring village of Morillon and catch the ski bus to Samoens from here (10 mins).

Getting there? Geneva Airport is 80km/50mins away.