The essentials of your winter holidays in 10 questions

Experience Winter in Samoëns: Discover a wealth of activities and outings with our interactive map and blogs.

 

Our interactive map showcases all the events and activities taking place during your stay.

Easily filter by your preferences, your children’s ages, your budget, and much more!

 

Our blogs offer on-the-ground tips and first-hand stories to inspire you throughout your holiday.

Complementing the interactive map, they immerse you in the local atmosphere, reveal hidden gems, and guide you towards must-do activities tailored to your interests!

 

You can also browse our online brochures for even more inspiration and ideas to make the most of your stay!

Find our ‘In case of rain’ selection on our interactive map.
You’ll discover plenty of suggestions to turn unpredictable weather into memorable experiences!

Here are the 5 essential pieces of information to experience an unforgettable day of skiing on the slopes!

 

1️⃣ Ski areas:

In Samoëns, two worlds of skiing complement each other:

• The Grand Massif alpine area for downhill skiing: this is one of the largest areas in the French Alps, connecting the resort of Samoëns with the resorts of Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. It offers a total of 265 km of slopes for all levels. From the village of Samoëns, it is easily accessible by car (25 min), or by taking the Grand Massif Express gondola or the Vercland gondola (15 min);

• The Haut-Giffre Nordique ski area for cross-country skiing: this area offers many trails that crisscross the banks of the Giffre river (700-900 m), the majestic Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval (900 m), and the panoramic plateau of the Col de Joux Plane (1,700 m). From the village of Samoëns, it is easily accessible on foot, by car, or by taking the free SKIBUS shuttles; It all depends on the area you want to discover and the snow conditions!

 

2️⃣ Ski passes:

For downhill skiing, different packages are available, including:

• Grand Massif Ski Pass (Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt), to enjoy about 265 km of slopes;

• 4 Villages Ski Pass (Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt), offering access to approximately 145 km of slopes;

• Samoëns Débutant Ski Pass, to discover gentle skiing on adapted slopes;

• Morillon/Samoëns Pedestrian Pass, to enjoy the gondolas on foot;

• Find all the available passes and their prices on the Grand Massif website.

Ski passes can be purchased at the gondola ticket offices, or directly online on the Grand Massif website or its mobile app.

For children under 8 years of age and people of 75 years of age and over, take advantage of attractive prices; more information here.

Need help or information about purchasing your alpine ski pass? The Grand Massif customer service team is here to assist you on +33 (0)4 50 90 40 00 or by email at contact@grand-massif.com.

 

For cross-country skiing, find the different day, week and more passes on the Haut-Giffre Nordique website.

Ski passes can be purchased online or at the Accueil Nordique offices (located in the left entrance of the Samoëns Tourist Office and at the Col de Joux Plane chalet).

Need help or information about purchasing your cross-country ski pass? The Haut-Giffre Nordique customer service team is here to assist you on +33 (0)4 50 96 64 19 or by email at nordic.hg@orange.fr.

 

Have you booked a ski lesson and are unsure which pass to choose? Get in touch with your ski school — they’ll be able to tell you which pass is needed for your lesson.

 

 

3️⃣ Piste maps:

You can consult the map of the slopes of the alpine area:

• in digital format on the Grand Massif website or on the Grand Massif mobile app;
• in paper format for €1, only on sale at the gondola ticket offices.

 

For the map of the slopes of the nordic area, find it:

• in digital format on the Haut-Giffre Nordique website;
• in paper format, available free of charge at the Samoëns Tourist Office and at the Accueil Nordique offices.

 

4️⃣ Live piste info:

For the alpine area, find in real time the status of the slopes and ski lifts, as well as the snow conditions and the weather, directly on the Grand Massif website or via the Grand Massif mobile app, perfect for planning your day and skiing with complete peace of mind!

 

For the nordic area, find the day’s bulletin on the Haut-Giffre Nordique website.

 

 

5️⃣ Ski schools meeting point:

Alpine ski lessons, whether group or individual, start at the Plateau des Saix (Samoëns 1600). The instructors are waiting for you at the ski school meeting point, located at the arrival of the Grand Massif Express gondola. However, we invite you to always refer to the information provided when making your reservation.

 

Cross-country skiing lessons can start at different locations depending on the snow conditions. Please refer to the information provided by your ski school.

 

Haven’t booked your ski lessons yet? Get in touch with our alpine ski schools and our cross-country ski schools today for lessons suitable for all levels.

 

 

🎿 About ski lockers:

Some sports shops in Samoëns offer a ski locker service for a truly hassle-free experience. No more carrying bulky equipment back and forth — simply leave your boots, poles, skis or snowboards safely at the end of your day on the slopes and travel light! Find participating shops, along with details and service conditions, here.

Take advantage of the free SKIBUS winter shuttles to effortlessly reach the alpine slopes of the Grand Massif, as well as the cross-country trails and snowshoe trails of the Haut-Giffre Nordic Area.

 

Shuttle stops:

Locate the nearest SKIBUS stop to your accommodation on the interactive map.

 

Shuttle dates and timetables:

Check the dates and timetables of the SKIBUS lines.

 

Optimize your access to the slopes:

• Beginners and ski lessons: access the alpine area directly via the Grand Massif Express gondola. The beginner zone and the ski schools meeting point are located at the arrival of this gondola.
• Experienced alpine skiers: save time and avoid waiting in line by taking the 10-seater Vercland gondola, an ideal alternative to the Grand Massif Express gondola lift.
• Nordic skiers and snowshoeers: take the shuttles of the Joux Plane line to access the Col de Joux Plane (1700 m), and the shuttles of the Y94 line to access the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval (900 m).

Discover a wide range of walking routes on our interactive map, and refine your search by duration, difficulty level, or the goal of your walk: a mountain refuge open in winter, a waterfall, a view of the Mont Blanc, and much more!

 

First time here, or keen to revisit the classic routes? We’ve brought together the most iconic hikes in the section ‘Hiking Trails’ > ‘Not to be missed’.

 

A snowshoe topo-guide is also available:

• in paper format, for sale at the Tourist Office and on our online shop for €9 ;
• in digital PDF format, which can be downloaded free of charge here.

❄️ Please note that depending on snow conditions, snowshoes (rackets) are not always necessary: snow boots or warm, waterproof hiking boots are often enough to fully enjoy a winter walk.

 

🐕 If you wish to go for a walk with your dog: find here our favorite walks and our dog-friendly tips to enjoy the stay together!

 

Please also note that the hunting season runs from mid-September to mid-January, and may affect areas close to hiking trails.

You can check the days and times of authorised hunting on the Haute-Savoie Hunting Federation website or via the Chasseco app.

In Samoëns, sledging rhymes with fun and wide-open spaces! Families and snow sports enthusiasts alike will find what they are looking for on dedicated slopes:

• In Samoëns 1600, on the snow front, for a friendly atmosphere (1600 m of altitude, accessible with the Grand Massif Express gondola [see pedestrian fares] or by car, 25 min drive from the town centre);

• At the Col de Joux Plane, with a unique panoramic setting and a spectacular view of the Mont Blanc (1700 m of altitude, accessible by free SKIBUS shuttle or by car, 25 min drive);

• At the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, where the magic of the snowy landscapes transforms each descent into an unforgettable memory (900 m of altitude, accessible by free SKIBUS shuttle or by car, 25 min drive).

To see the list of restaurants currently open, click here.
You can also find them on our interactive map and filter by location, type of cuisine, dietary requirements, and more.

Discover the region’s must-see sites and our favourite recommendations in our Visits Around Samoëns brochure (in French only).

Every year, from 1 November to 31 March, all vehicles travelling in Haute-Savoie must be equipped for snow.

 

Here are the regulations in effect for the winter of 2025-2026:

 

For your safety, if you drive a car, motorhome or coach, you must:

• either have snow chains or snow socks in the boot to equip at least two drive wheels;
• either drive with four 3PMSF-approved winter tyres (the simple “M+S” marking is no longer sufficient, unless you also have chains);
• either drive with four 3PMSF-approved 4-season tyres (4-season tyres not bearing this logo are not accepted, unless you also have chains).

 

This regulation applies in all circumstances, whether there is snow on the road or not. Vehicles equipped with studded tires are exempt.

In the event of an inspection, failure to comply with these obligations results in a fine of €135 and can go as far as immobilising the vehicle.

You can travel to Samoëns by bus from the SNCF railway stations of Cluses (Line Y94) and Annemasse (Line Y02).

As the bus and train stations are located next to each other, they offer a quick and convenient train–bus connection.

 

When your bus arrives in Samoëns, you may get off at one of the seven following stops: Grand Massif Express (gondola lift car park), Gare Routière (behind the Tourist Office), Les Vallons d’en Bas, Le Quart, Fontaine de Vallon, Les Vallons d’en Haut, Le Sougey.

 

Timetables, fares and booking information from 20 December 2025 to 19 April 2026:

• Winter Timetable Line Y94 Cluses → Samoëns
• Winter Timetable Line Y02 Annemasse → Samoëns

Timetables, fares and booking information from 20 April to 3 July 2026 (not yet available, coming soon):

• Spring Timetable Line Y94 Cluses → Samoëns
• Spring Timetable Line Y02 Annemasse → Samoëns

Travelling by plane? Looking for a taxi or a rail/airport transfer?

Still unsure which mode of transport to choose?

Discover all the ways to reach Samoëns here.