Winter is not just about skiing! There is so much to do in Samoëns and the Haut-Giffre valley away from the slopes, the area truly offers something for everyone.
A short walk from the centre of Samoens village, you'll find an impressive 56 x 26m covered ice rink with seating for 450 people. Fantastic family fun and open all day and evenings for ice skating, with lessons and equipment hire available. Enjoy regular ice hockey matches, spectacles and ice dancing throughout the winter. Website
This is an activity not to be missed! Explore the beautiful valley floor, forests, peaks, or visit a mountain refuge for a hot chocolate in front of a log fire. Many marked routes are available throughout the valley for all levels of fitness, adults and children. Or hire a guide who can help you get the most from your outing and help you find the local wildlife! There may also be the opportunity to build your own igloo! Equipment can be hired from any of our equipment partners. Website - Email - Tel : 00 33 (0)6 42 31 81 77
There are 2 luge/sledging runs at Samoens 1600. On the plateau at the top of the Grand Massif Express there are two new luge runs for children of all ages. From 16m long for the young ones through to 60m for the older children (and Dads!). There is also a Luge run on the col de Joux Plane, great fun for children, teenagers and adults! Accessible by car or via a bus service from the village.
There are 3 Spas in Samoens which are open to the public, two of which allows use of the indoor swimming pool for customers who book spa treatments.
Ô des Cimes (Residence LaReine desPrés), Samoëns
They provide a swimming pool, fitness room, sauna, hammam, hot tubs and a wide range of massages and other treatments. Website
Spa Montagne du Monde (Residence Alexane), Samoëns
Offers a swimming pool as well as other spa facilities such as a sauna, spa, and hammam. Many treatments are available. Website
Oxalis Institute de Beauté, Samoëns
Located in Samoëns village centre and offering a variety of facials, body beauty treatments, relaxing hot stone massages, manicures, waxing and exfoliation. Website
If you are happy to travel further away, this spa is approximately 30 minutes drive away: www.thermes-saint-gervais.com
We have partnered with ‘Massage Me’, an experienced team of massage therapists, to offer you a variety of fantastic treatments. You can book your treatments online and they will come to your accommodation.
Their tailor made service means you can choose a treatment to suit your needs, whether it’s a relaxing massage, deep tissue or sports massage. The therapists are also trained to massage "mum to be's" and kids.
For the die-hard ski fans, Massage Me has developed the ‘Skiers Legs’ treatment, designed exclusively with the skier/snowboarder in mind. This deep tissue treatment will rejuvenate aching muscles and keep you on the slopes from first lifts to last.
Therapists are on hand between 8am and 9pm, 7 days a week. Prices start from as little as 50€ for 30 minutes. For groups there are 10% discounts available for bookings of 3 or more consecutive hours, so it’s ideal for getting everyone involved. There are also some wonderful gift packages available if you’re looking to treat somebody special.
If you’d like to enquire about this in chalet service on your winter holiday please contact Massage Me directly.
Simply Yoga with Annabelle
Annabelle will hold private yoga sessions in the comfort of your chalet. Available for all levels.
Website Email WhatsApp/SMS: 00 33 (0)6 27 57 27 74
Julia Barnes Yoga
Website Email Phone: 00 33 (0)6 13 48 12 38
Pilates with Abbie
Book Pilates sessions at your chalet. Convenient and suitable for every ‘body’, Pilates is a great way to support your core and joints during the ski and bike seasons, stretch you after a day on the mountains or simply to enjoy! With hundreds of hours training and over 10 years teaching experience, Abbie will tailor each session to your requirements. €45 for 1-4 people for 1 hour, or €10 per person per hour for groups of 5 and more. Email or phone : 0033 (0)7 83 50 70 59
A great gym based in Vechaix and offering modern equipment and personal training sessions.
There are public indoor swimming pools in Cluses and Flaine open all year. Samoëns has two swimming pools but these are only available when booking other spa treatments. See the "Spas and Well-Being" section for more information.
Fat bikes are mountain bikes with extra wide, knobbly tyres designed for riding on snow. Escape the crowds of the resort, explore remote valleys and have a proper adventure on two wheels in the midst of an alpine winter. Read more about Fat Biking in Samoens.
Discover the Haute Giffre valley on an electric scooter with fat tyres perfectly suited for snow and ice. Ideal for adults or kids. Website
Soar like an eagle above Samoens and the Haute Giffre valley, with unique views of Samoens and the surrounding mountains. Alps Accommodation guests receive a 10% discount. Website
Build your own igloo! Fantastic fun for all ages. Website - Email - Tel : 00 33 (0)6 42 31 81 77
Let's not forget about Samoëns village itself, which has won awards for its charming beauty. Amble around its medieval streets lined with local shops, including chocolatiers, boulangeries, gift shops, sports and clothing shops, wine and sausage specialists. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants to enjoy. Samoens has a magnificent church, or walk through the botanical garden past the frozen waterfall, up to the pretty chapel, and take in panoramic views over the village. The Tourist Office arranges daily entertainment around the village, ranging from kids' activities to live music concerts, antique and crafts fairs and lots more! The weekly market is the biggest in the area, covering most of the village.
Morillon is another beautiful village well worth a visit for its shops, restaurants and weekly market. You can get to Morillon via a free bus service.
On the edge of Samoëns, the picturesque Lac au Dames provide the perfect place to go for a walk and take in fantastic views of the Criou mountain, make some snowmen, or try a bit of Nordic skiing! You may even spot some brave open water swimmers in the lake, with a yearly competition often held there.
Alternatively, take a stroll around Lac Bleu where its crystal clear waters take on a deep blue colour giving its name. There is an excellent restaurant overlooking the lake, and the scenic riverside walk between the lakes of Samoëns and Morillon is a popular choice.
Even if skiing isn't your thing, you can still take advantage of a few of the Grand Massif ski lifts as a foot passenger to explore new areas, and take in some amazing views!
In Samoëns, you can take the Grand Massif Express up to the Samoëns 1600 plateau where you'll find a selection of mountain restaurants and cafes overlooking the pistes and offering fantastic mountain views. Alternatively, take the Vercland gondola up to the same plateau, although this lift terminates at a slightly higher point (a few hundred metres from the Grand Massif Express) where you can enjoy even more cafes and restaurants. You can walk between these two lift stations at Samoëns 1600, or take a short shuttle bus.
In Morillon, you can take the Morillon gondola up to Morillon 1100 Les Esserts, a ski in ski out satellite village at 1100m altitude. Up there, you'll find some lovely bars and restaurants, as well as the nursery ski slopes with sledging area.
Explore the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval by dog sled. Options available from individuals to families or large groups. Website
Fly down the mountain the mountain, and swoop between the trees on a luge connected to rails! Suitable for all ages. Website
The Samoens tourist office regularly organise wine tasting evenings, as well as beer tasting, and local Savoyard food. Check out the weekly entertainment guide to find out more. Additionally, wine tasting session can be organised through the Le Nez en l'Air, located in Samoens, and La Feuille de Vigne Savoyard often have weekly wine and beer tasting evenings.
How about a scenic apres-ski trip on the Vercland gondola, surrounded by friends, and with an aperitif wine, local sausage, cheese and many other tasty treats! A perfect way to enjoy a sunset. Website
An organised evening with a guide on varied mountain trails above Les Carroz, followed my a meal in a traditional Alpine chalet. This activity is offered by Delta Evasion in Les Carroz. Website
Nunayak offers you the first winter river descent in France from Sixt Fer-a-Cheval to Samoëns. Website
Enjoy organised walks around the Haute Giffre valley with a guide who will help you discover the local flora and fauna. Website
Discover the history of Samoëns Website
A hugely popular attraction in summer, the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval is just as magnificent in winter. Enjoy enormous frozen waterfalls, marked walks, sledging area, incredible scenery and a restaurant offering a warm retreat. The area can be accessed by a free bus.
Introductory courses teaching you how to be more aware of mountain safety, how to use your off piste equipment properly, basic search techniques and other useful info. Website - Email - Tel : 00 33 (0)6 42 31 81 77
Available in the lac de Montriond. near Morzine. Individual, group, and night dives are all available. Website - Telephone: +33 (0)6 07 14 95 39
Learn how to climb frozen alpine waterfalls with the use of ice axes and crampons with Zig Zag. Website - Email
Discover the Grand Massif, or the greater Haute Savoie area from the air by helicopter. Website
Le Valgrisenche, near Val d'Aosta, offers 39 different drop-off points, such as the Tête du Ruitor, the Aiguille de la Grande Sassières… Ski under the most beautiful alpine peaks (Mont-Blanc, Matterhorn, Grand Combin, Grand Paradis ), which make this small wild valley one of the best heliskiing bases in the world. Website
A huge activity centre located just outside Geneva. You'll find a huge water park with slides, indoor and outdoor pools, indoor climbing walls, fitness activities, shops, restaurants and much more! Ideal for sunny, rainy or snowy days! Website
An impressive trampoline park located in Marnaz, around 20 minutes drive from Samoëns. Website
If that is not enough, there are some fabulous towns and cities to visit in the Haute Savoie area, such as Chamonix, Annecy, Geneva, and stunning Yvoire located on the Lac Leman. All are within 1 hour drive.
Please note all prices are correct at time of publishing and we cannot be held responsible if the prices change during the season. Please check directly with the supplier before booking.
