Samoëns

Authentic stone-built Haute-Savoie village offering Grand Massif access without the purpose-built feel.

Key Stats

Vertical Drop
1,780m (5,840ft)
The height difference between the top and bottom of the mountain
Summit Elevation
2,480m (8,136ft)
How high the highest lift or peak reaches
Base Elevation
700m (2,297ft)
Height of the main base village — higher means cooler, drier snow
Annual Snowfall
700cm (276in)
Average annual natural snowfall — higher is better for powder days
Trails
146
Total number of marked runs on the trail map
Lifts
67
Total number of lifts including chairlifts, gondolas, and t-bars
Resort Size
265 km of pistes
Marked piste length across the lift-linked area

Terrain Breakdown

The percentage of marked trails in each difficulty level. A higher beginner percentage means more terrain suitable for novices and families; a higher advanced percentage means more challenge for experts.

Easy
25%
Intermediate
50%
Difficult
25%

Best For

FamiliesSki Villages

When to go

Average monthly snowfall and snowpack depth, with the typical operating window shaded.

Samoëns's heaviest snowfall lands in January; the snowpack peaks in March.

snowiestdeepestJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
Snowfall
peaks Jan
Snowpack
peaks Mar
Typical season
Dec – Apr

Snowfall: Météo-France, monthly normals (1994–2023).

Snow depth: Météo-France, monthly normals (1994–2023).

Location

Samoëns sits in the Giffre valley of the Haute-Savoie, in the northern French Alps near the Swiss border. The village lies low in the valley, with the linked slopes climbing to high-alpine terrain above the tree line.

Getting there

Easy to reach

Fly into Geneva (GVA), about 1.5 hours from the resort by road.

Compare Samoëns to

These are the resorts most similar to Samoëns. Pick one to see a side-by-side.

vs Les 3 Valléesvs Portes du Soleilvs Le Grand Bornandvs Évasion Mont-Blancvs Val Cenisvs Montgenèvrevs Saint-Lary-Soulanvs Paradiski

Explore Further

More ski resorts in France →Official website →