Resort Reviews

A selection of reviews of the beautiful resort of Samoëns – the perfect destination in the French alps for a winter or summer vacation.

Off-piste thrills in the best French ski resort you’ve never heard of – The Teleraph – 2nd December 2016

Thrilling backcountry and fast on-piste turns are just some of the treats in store on a short break to the traditional Savoyard resort of Samoëns in France, says Kieran Lee

Wandering round the medieval centre on my way to a suitable watering hole, I’m struck by the beauty and rustic feel of the place. The mountains around Samoëns are rich in limestone and the village was once renowned for its highly skilled stonemasons – much of their stunning craftsmanship is still visible in the architecture.

An imposing church, which dates from the 13th century, dominates the skyline, and the picturesque market square is home to the towering Gros Tilleul (large lime tree), planted in 1483 and a famous local landmark. There’s even a botanical garden, constructed in 1906, showcasing more than 8,000 plants from around the world.

Samoëns is a far cry from many of France’s more modern, functional purpose-built resorts.

From The Telegraph December 2016 – click here for the full article.

Is this the prettiest resort in the Alps? – The Times – 16th Oct 2010

Samoëns is a medieval delight and a joy from top to bottom, says Felix Milns

It is a medieval village with a classical square. An historical monument and a place where ancient stone masons used to perfect their art. Samoëns would be one of the most beautiful villages in any light; being a ski resort makes it doubly so. And it is not just any ski resort. It is part of the Grand Massif, with 265 km of piste the fifth largest ski area in France.

The region is better known to the British for purpose-built Flaine, although Samoëns is a far more appealing base. It is something of an undiscovered freeride paradise – and the resort now wants to push itself as something more than a pretty-pretty place. 

Read the full article in the Chalet APASSION blog

Samoëns gourmet après-ski weeks – FRANCE Magazine – 6th November 2013

Samoëns is a charming, traditional village nestled in one of the most northern parts of the French Alps. It is still relatively undiscovered by British skiers but this little village is starting to make a big impact in the UK, continuing to gain popularity with holidaymakers for both winter and summer seasons. Only one hour from Geneva airport, it makes for easy access which means less time travelling and more time to enjoy your mountain holiday.

Samoëns offers direct access to the extensive Grand Massif ski area but when you come down off the slopes there is much more to still enjoy including a wide range of culinary delights. This little Alps village has long been renowned, in France, as a Mecca for gourmet cuisine and visitors invariably rejoice about their foodie experiences in this resort which is justifiably proud of its culinary heritage.

Ski France: is Samoëns the country’s best resort? – The Telegraph – March 2011

Clare Mann searched in vain for the perfect ski destination – and then she found the French ski resort of Samoëns.

Samoëns is a breath of fresh mountain air. The French proudly describe it as one of their monuments historiques, that just happens to be attached to a great ski area. An hour by car from Geneva, this ancient village, famed for its stonemasons, is part of the Grand Massif ski domain and is connected to high-altitude, snowsure Flaine. Consisting of five resorts – Flaine, Samoëns, Morillon, Sixt and Les Carroz. The Grand Massif offers 265km of piste; 80 per cent of the slopes are north facing, so hold the snow well, and the majority of the clientele is French.

The centre of Samoëns is traffic free, and has a beautiful square dominated by a magnificent lime tree. The main street is a delight, full of gourmet shops offering mountain ham, local cheese and mouth-watering pâtisserie. Every Wednesday there is a wonderful market selling local produce. There is also a handful of gorgeous Savoyard interior designer shops offering Alpine bric-a-brac: old skis, retro skiing photographs, antler lamps, “polar bear” skin rugs, and pretty china decorated with hearts. It’s enough to make you want to buy a chalet on the spot.

The Alps soft summer adventures – The Sunday Times – July 2010

Most of the resorts featured here are high and purpose-built. The scenery is spectacular, but the towns themselves are rather short on traditional Alpine charm. Not so Samoëns, which is officially one of France’s “Monuments Historiques” – but has links to the Grand Massif network’s 265km of pistes. If you plan to take a more relaxed approach to your skiing, this is the place.

The ski resorts that provide something for everyone – all year round – The Telegraph – February 2012

No longer locked solely into a single winter season, an increasing number of traditional Alpine resorts are being transformed into multi-season hives of sporting and lifestyle family activity.

The Grand Massif, one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps, has some of the region’s most scenic and traditional low altitude villages.  Located an hour or less by road from Geneva Airport are two year-round working villages, Samoëns and Le Carroz d’Arâches.

These destinations boast childcare facilities, children’s ski schools and lots of beginner and intermediate slopes, in addition to 265km of serious ski runs on the doorstep that reach altitudes of 2,500 metres.  Seasonal activities range from hot air ballooning, white water rafting, golf and paragliding through to racket walking, dog sledding, heliskiing and snow-kiting.

Eyes down: where to book your holiday home for summer 2010 – Sunday Times – March 2010

Samoens isn’t your average mountain village. Long before skiing rescued the Alps from poverty, it had a vibrant economy thanks to its stone masons – and its centre is now protected as a historic monument. The scenery is of course spectacular.

Samoëns: A resort that goes down a treat.

Mary Novakovich discovers the village of Samoëns, where excellent French skiing meets plenty of cheese fondue

As a Francophile who only recently returned to skiing after a long hiatus, I was less than enamoured by the idea of the French Alps. Too many British people and concrete villages. But surely there was an authentic slice of France somewhere among the dozens of resorts that run from the Jura to northern Provence. I asked a few people from the Rhône-Alpes region where I could find a resort that could more or less guarantee snow, wasn’t completely anglicised, had more than two restaurants and didn’t resemble a Sixties modernist horror. “Samoëns,” they chorused 

 

From the The Independent on Sunday – November 2009 – click her for the full article.

 

Le skiing weekend with a flavour of France

Tired of drab Alpine concrete? Picture-box Samoëns offers more than snow for those seeking a short getaway, says Charles Starmer-Smith…

From The Telegraph January 2007 – click here for the full article.