A three-bedroom apartment of 60 m2 in Samoëns, Haute Savoie, Rhone-Alps, France – ideal for winter sports, a wide range of summer activities, and family holidays. Sleeps six in the three bedrooms. There is one bathroom (with a shower), and a separate WC.
The apartment is situated on the first floor of the recently constructed ‘Le Clos’ development, just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the traditional Alpine village of Samoëns with a wide range of shops, bars, and restaurants.
Important note re cancellation policy: while uncertainty about travel to and stays in France continues during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have arranged that you can cancel at any time and receive a full refund. The policy will revert when we are advised that travel is more or less back to normal.
Winter and skiing:
Samoëns has direct access, via the nearby Grand Massif Express (GME), to the Grand Massif ski Domaine, the fourth largest ski area in the French Alps. Due to its altitude (reaching 2,500 metres) and geographic location, it has heavy snow-fall and generally excellent conditions throughout the winter season. The domaine, which includes Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Sixt and Samoëns, has 67 ski lifts and 142 slopes: 23 green slopes for beginners, 60 blue slopes, 47 red slopes and 12 black slopes. In addition, 80% of these pistes face north, which means the snow is not only abundant, but also of excellent quality. The top of the lifts above Flaine open onto a ridge with stunning views of the Mt Blanc range.
A number of the easy green and blue slopes are accessible directly from the top of the GME. Les Cascades, a 14 km blue from the top of Flaine, offers a challenging big-mountain run with fabulous views and ends in Sixt where the ski bus connects with all of the Grand Massif resorts, including Flaine. Several other ski areas are easily accessible, including the Portes du Soleil (Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz) just 30 minutes away by car. In addition to the skiing, you can try skating on the new ice rink in the centre of Samoëns or explore the many trails with snow shoes.
The free ski bus (‘navette’) service provides frequent and easy access to the main ski lift (GME) where there is a large, free car park. Two bus lines are have stops nearby, one (turquoise) just outside the property, while the other (red) is more frequent and a five-minute walk away. These reach the GME in around five minutes and run early enough to catch the first lift each day and to arrive at Samoëns 1600 in good time for the start of ski lessons. Secure facilities are available at Samoëns 1600, and at Xtreme Glisses ski rental close to the base of the GME, to leave skis and boots in heated storage, offering the option to change footwear and walk into the village after a day in the mountains.
Summer:
In summer, Samoëns also offers a wealth of opportunities for all ages. Within the village, there is a park, a swimming pool, a tree course (like Go-Ape, with four grades) and many free activities laid on for children during the daytime and evenings. The village is active throughout the year, the centre is traffic-free and there is a lively market on Wednesdays. It is also developing as a centre for music, including an organ festival and American country during the summer. The surrounding mountains offer endless opportunities for walking, rock climbing, via ferrata, hang-gliding, rafting, road and mountain biking. The Col de Joux Plane – a favourite for the Tour de France - starts in the village, and Samoëns regularly hosts world and national mountain biking competitions, while nearby Les Gets and Morzine also offer a dynamic mountain-biking scene. Bike rental, including mountain and e-bikes (with guides if required) are all available. The Cirque de Fer à Cheval, a natural amphitheatre near Sixt, is one of the most spectacular sites in France, with hundreds of waterfalls after rain or snow melt, and the highest rock walls in the Alps.
Samoëns has been awarded the ‘Family Plus’ label, ensuring there are plenty of activities for families of all ages and those not wishing to partake in skiing or strenuous summer activities. There is also a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as shops for mountain equipment and clothes, crafts, books, and local foods and wines. The two butchers and several delicatessens will tempt you with excellent ready-to-cook meals, cheese, hams and other local produce.
Getting there:
The nearest airport is Geneva, well-connected by several low-cost airlines including Easyjet and Jet2, and just 77 km (around 70 minutes) away from Samoëns. Transfer services are available and bookable on-line; we recommend GoMassif. Alternatively, car hire based at the airport is simple to arrange.
Our apartment:
The apartment is located in a quiet area of the village beside a stream, with easy (5-7 minute) access by foot to the village shops, bars and restaurants. It is light and airy, with high sloping pine ceilings in the lounge and main bedrooms, and unobstructed views. Being on the first floor with no neighbours above, it is quiet at night. There are three bedrooms, one double with a king-size bed, one twin, and one with two full-sized bunks. The two main bedrooms have ‘pont-de-lit’ furniture in pine, providing a warm, traditional Savoyard feel to the rooms, as well as ample, practical storage space. The bunk bedroom is a separate room (it is not in an alcove as is often encountered in chalet accommodation), will full-sized bunk beds suitable for adults as well as children.
The lounge provides dining seating for eight people, and has wi-fi, TV with a decoder (Orange), and a DVD player; the attached kitchen area is well-equipped and includes an oven and dishwasher. The lounge opens onto a large, west-facing balcony overlooking adjacent gardens and with magnificent views of the mountains and a table with seating for six, and three deck chairs.
The bathroom has a shower, basin and washing machine. The WC is separate from the bathroom.
Guests renting the apartment benefit from:
• In resort meet-and-greet service with our local property managers who will give you the key, show you around, answer any questions and will be on-hand throughout your stay.
• A greeting hamper of food and drinks, as well as toiletries and essential kitchen basics, which are included in the rental price.
• Flexible catering options and ready-meal delivery services available.
• A range of discounts on Winter and Summer activities including ski hire, ski lessons, bike hire, rafting, parapente (para-gliding), horse riding and the tree-course (the ‘Go-Ape’ activity).
All prices include welcome hamper, linen and towels, laundry, end of stay cleaning, and tourist tax. The changeover day is normally Sunday, but if you would like a different start/end day, please request the dates you want or contact the owners.
