Day 1 – Samoëns, Morillon and Les Carroz
Starting at the Samoëns Plateau, take the wide green run down to the CHARIANDE EXPRESSS CHAIRLIFT, or the blue piste round the back of the GME to the COLOUVRIER CHAIRLIFT. Both of these lifts take you to the top of the Tête des Saix, where you have stunning views. At the top, on a clear day you can clearly see Mont Blanc.
First up is a fantastic long blue run. Follow the piste called SILICE which then becomes DOLOMIE down to the bottom, where you ski past 2 chair lifts onto another blue called PORTET. Remember to take time at the start and take in the stunning tree lined scenery. This is a lovely long quiet run with many opportunities for photos. Keep a look out for wildlife. The second half of this run has a lovely wide section, where you can try to perfect those nice long carving turns.
At the end of the run, you will see Les Molliets, and the Tête des Saix chairlift, you are now on the edge of Les Carroz ski area. You can take a coffee break here at Chalet des Molliets or jump on the MOLLIETS CHAIRLIFT and rest on the comfy chair! At the top take the blue run, L’ARETE, in the direction of Morillon. This run is narrow in parts but it soon opens up and has fantastic 360 degree views. Regretted not having coffee at Les Molliets? Don’t worry, Le Chalet d’Clair (at the top of Sairon chairlift) serves the best hot chocolates in front of the fire (well worth bookmarking this one for lunch another day too!)
Ok, off again, from the restaurant follow the sign towards Les Carroz via the BIOLLAIRE piste. This is a lovely long blue, with the choice of a sneaky red section (CUPOIRE) for the adventurous, don’t worry it rejoins the blue. Passing the Gron chairlift, carry on straight ahead following the blue piste of COMBE. Look out to the left where you can join the bottom section of LA FORESTIERE piste which zig zags through the trees, avoids the steeper section of Combe, and is great fun! This run is long and wide at over 5km with stunning scenery. At the bottom of this run you reach the KEDEUZE GONDOLA.
Next up is a favourite piste for many! Leave the gondola station following the blue PLEIN-SOLEIL piste. This is a very wide cruisy piste, with amazing views. Follow this piste until the bottom of the PLEIN-SOLEIL CHAIRLIFT at which point you can either continue down the very wide, but slightly steeper red of TIMALETS, or jump on the chairlift which takes you back to the top of Les Carroz. At the foot of the Timalets piste, on the right, is Les Servages, a beautiful cosy restaurant for lunch, or continue along the piste to the KEDEUZE GONDOLA, whizzing you back to the top.
We’ll head back towards Samoëns now. So, from the top take the BLANCHOT piste which traverses through beautiful forest with great views towards the slopes of Samoëns beyond. Follow this piste round to the right onto the blue MARMOTTES piste to the bottom. Jump on the TETE DES SAIX CHAIRLIFT, to be whisked up to the top of Samoens, and remember to look right on the way up for some of the best views you’ll get from a chairlift!
Once back in Samoëns, the long, twisting blue piste of DAHU is a great adventure and the next run on the list. Follow the signs for the Dahu piste as you weave left and right down the mountain and don’t forget to take a minute to admire the views of the impressive Criou mountain above Samoëns. A few hundred meters below the lake, look out for restaurant La Luge à Téran on the right which is a lovely coffee stop with great views of the steep black runs of Samoens. If you are still full of energy then carry on past the restaurant and hop on the CHARIANDE EXPRESS CHAIRLIFT.
Eight minutes later, we’re back at the top of Samoëns. If you haven’t already ventured onto the reds, this can be your first red named MARMOTTE (don’t worry it’s an easy one!). Follow the signs for Dahu initially for the first few hundred meters to avoid the steeper top section of the Marmotte. After the first hard right turn of the Dahu, look out for the Marmotte signs on the left and follow to the bottom. This is a great long wide piste and often has great snow conditions for your last run, ideal to perfect those carving turns. Part way down this piste, set slightly uphill on the right, you’ll find a great restaurant, Le Montana 1842, feel free to stop here for a warming drink or calming beverage.
If your legs are not too tired, take in a few more runs in Samoëns. Or have a well-deserved rest at the plateau.
Day 2 – Flaine and Sixt
Feeling fresh and ready for day two, jump onto the CHARIANDE EXPRESS CHAIRLIFT OR COLOUVRIER CHAIRLIFT which will once again whisk you up to the Tete des Saix at 2118m. We are heading straight to Flaine so keep a look out for signs marked ‘Flaine’ as you go.
From the summit descend on the blue pistes of SILICE and the DOLOMIE until you reach the VERNANT CHAIRLIFT on your left hand side. A great wide and easy blast which serves as the perfect warm-up! Take the Vernant chairlift up over some spectacular cliffs and couloirs, and keep your eyes open for dare-devil speed riders who love this area.
Once at the top of the Vernant chairlift take a second to take in the stunning view of the Mont Blanc Massif. Continue towards Flaine on the blue TOURMALINE piste which winds all the way down towards the village of Flaine. This is a fantastic piste which starts off very wide and open and then narrows into a lovely twisting tree lined piste passing frozen streams. Towards the bottom of this piste look out for signs taking you to the GRAND PLATIERES GONDOLA in Flaine which is found by following the short pistes of BAUDROIE AND EPICEA. Hop on the GRAND PLATIERES GONDOLA.
With one of the most spectacular views you will find of Mont Blanc, this is the perfect time for a quick hot chocolate! The restaurant Le Desert Blanc serves great hot chocolate with a sunny open terrace.
It’s time for the first run in Flaine and it’s one of the best – SERPENTINE. Follow this piste from the restaurant as it initially traverses across the summit before descending into a wide, fast and undulating descent back down to Flaine. Look out for the DESERT BLANC CHAIRLIFT which appears to your left as you pass a restaurant to your right. Take the Desert Blanc chairlift back to the summit.
Next up we have another blue piste called CRISTAL. Leaving the top station of the chairlift, turn left and then shortly after turn left again onto Cristal. This run starts wide and fast and boasts fantastic snow, while the second half of the run is undulating and great fun! This run takes you back towards the Desert Blanc chairlift, but this time carry on past this chairlift and join the lower section of the SERPENTINE piste which will take you back down to Flaine. The lower section of the Serpentine run is equally as thrilling as the top section! At the base of the Serpentine, join onto the green of EPICEA and follow it, keeping a look out for the fantastic restaurant of Pente a Jules which is hidden in the trees on the right. It’s time for a well deserved lunch break!
Re-fuelled and raring to go, ski back down towards the Grandes Platieres gondola but this time ski to the bottom of the nursery slope and get onto the AUP DE VERAN GONDOLA.
It’s time for the fantastic blue of MEPHISTO which is situated in a shady part of the ski area which often holds fantastic snow. For any skiers feeling confident, look out for the red piste of DIABLOTIN on the right which loops around and then rejoins Mephisto further down. Both runs are equally fun! From the base of Mephisto, ski down the GRAND PLATIERES GONDOLA and take it back up to the summit at 2480m.
Next up is the fantastically scenic 14km of CASCADE, one of the Alps longest blue runs. From the summit of Flaine, initially follow the blue of SERPENTINE, but look out for another blue of Cascades which branches right after a few hundred meters. The Cascades winds its way from the highest point of the ski area all the way down to the stunning village of Sixt-fer-a-Cheval offering breathtaking scenery, frozen waterfalls, remote mountain restaurants, great skiing and a real sense of adventure. It’s important to leave plenty of time for this piste, partly because it is such a long piste, but also because you will want to take a LOT of photos! At around the halfway point, look out for advertising for the Gite de Gers. A great place to stop for a drink in a stunning location. The Gite is situated a few hundred metres form the piste but ring the bell, and the Gite staff will pick you up on a snowmobile or you can pre-book a ride by phoning ahead! The Cascade piste comes to an end on the nursery slopes of Sixt-fer-a-Cheval where you can take a regular BUS BACK TO SAMOENS for a well-earned rest and a beer or two!