The Samoens Valley

This Samoens ski chalet to rent is only two miles from the town of Samoens at the heart of the Giffre Valley in the Grand Massif area of France.

"At the heart of the Giffre Valley, the very pretty village of Samoens is only a 20 minute drive from the motorway exit near the TGV train station of Cluses and only 55km from Geneva.

Set amid forest and nestling at the foot of the imposing Criou mountain, Samoëns has remained unspoilt by tourist developments and is the only resort in France to be listed as a 'Land of Art and History'. Once a thriving stone-cutting centre, it still retains an ancient church, medieval fountains and a variety of old rustic buildings. Despite recent growth on the outskirts, the many traditional-style bars and restaurants still give a feel for the 'real' rural France. Labelled as a ‘P’tits Montagnards’ resort it is also an ideal family destination.

The Ski resort is linked to the massive Grand Massif (with Les Carroz, Morillon and Flaine) and provides extensive skiing for all levels with virtually no queues. Not many places offer such a wide variety of skiing, and very few have such fantastic panoramic views over Mont-Blanc. There is an excellent nursery slope area at Samoens 1600, in fact now the biggest beginners’ area in the Haute Savoie. For the more advanced there is also a testing terrain: The steep north-facing mogul slopes from the Tête des Saix, the central point of the entire Grand Massif system, down to Samoëns are particularly enjoyable.

ntermediate and more advanced skiers and boarders will enjoy the 49 red pistes and 12 black pistes of the Grand Massif. Since Winter 2003/04, there is a new fast (8 mins), high capacity gondola from the village to a new extensive beginners area on the plateau at 1600m, which also acts as a gateway to the Flaine ski area."

Why Samoens?

• Linked to huge Grand Massif ski area
• Pretty, undiscovered rural valley village
• Very good selection of restaurants
• Easy access from the motorway, train station or Geneva airport