Last Updated on February 2, 2026

Samoëns: A haven for winter activities

Situated in the Haute Savoie region of France, around an hour’s drive from Geneva Airport, Samoëns is a perfect destination for a winter break. Take time out to reset with a short stay in this pretty mountain village. From skiing and snowshoeing to cold yoga and ice swimming, there are outdoor activities to suit everyone. Stoke up for the cold winter weather with a delicious meal at one of the cosy mountain restaurants.

Samoëns Village 

Samoëns is a traditional French village dating back to the Middle Ages. The village’s emblem depicts the seven surrounding mountains, with the inhabitants known as Septimontains. Once a thriving centre for trade with neighbouring Switzerland, Le Criou mountain towers above the village; the trade route would have been across the mountain.

Samoëns has a long tradition of stonemasonry, with stonemasons known as Frahans developing their skills using stone from local quarries. Examples of their work are evident in the village’s architecture. They travelled far and wide and gained worldwide recognition for their excellent work. In the centre of the village square stands an ancient lime tree, the Gros Tilleul. This enormous tree is around eight hundred years old and forms a focal point for village gatherings.

Why not book a guided tour of Samoëns with a heritage guide to learn more about the history of this pretty Alpine village?

Skiing in the Grand Massif

Samoëns, together with the resorts of Morillon, Les Carroz, Flaine and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, make up the Grand Massif ski area. The Grand Massif is one of the largest linked areas in France, with two hundred and sixty-five kilometres of slopes. A free ski bus runs in a loop around the village every ten to fifteen minutes, hop on and you will be at the Grand Massif Express lift in no time. It isn’t possible to ski down to Samoëns village; however, you can get up the mountain to Samoëns 1600 in no time at all. The beginner’s area is at the top of the Grand Massif Express, ideally located for having your first ski lessons or families travelling with children.

From Samoëns 1600, it is a short ski down to the Chariande chair lift. The top of this lift, Tete des Saix, gives you easy access to the wider area. The Sairon wide blue run down to Morillon is a joy to ski as it sweeps through the trees. Take advantage of it at the start of the day when it is freshly groomed; you will not be disappointed. Or head down towards Les Carroz; there are many options to explore.

If you want to get to Flaine, take the Vernant chair up to the ridge and ski down the Tourmaline blue run to the resort. This piste can sometimes get busy, especially with ski school groups at the end of their lessons.  Go down as far as Flaine Forum, where you can jump on the Grandes Platières (DMC), Gondola to the top of the resort. On a clear day, the views from the top are spectacular with Mont Blanc clearly visible. There is a choice of runs from here, including the sweeping red Méphisto or the wide blue Serpentine to take you down the mountain. When it is open, the red run Cascades, from Flaine down to Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, starts at the top of the DMC. This is a fourteen-kilometre piste, winding through a nature reserve. At the bottom, you need to catch a bus as there is no lift back up.

With runs for every ability, the Grand Massif ski area is a great ski holiday destination.

There are lots of other winter outdoor activities in Samoëns. Take the chance to disconnect from the noise and bustle of modern-day life by trying one of these.

Ice Swimming

Ice swimming sounds daunting, but it is something people say will benefit your health. We were fortunate to have Carrie and Rob Wilmot, members of the GB ice swimming team, with us throughout our experience. Preparation is key to this activity; you don’t jump into the water without preparation, as it is a big shock. Florian Milesi, a sports coach, guides you through breathing exercises to help you manage your reaction to the cold before you venture into the water. Ice swimming takes place in a frozen lake; the ice is broken to provide adequate space for entry. On the day we tested this, the water temperature was between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius. You slowly enter the water, remembering to breathe correctly and immerse yourself. Given how cold it is, you do not stay in the water too long. Take warm clothes to change into at the end of the session.

Afghan Walking

Afghan walking on snowshoes is another activity you can do in the fresh mountain air. Edouard Stiegler, a French economist, observed this method of walking used by nomads in the desert of Afghanistan. He brought this back to Europe and named it Afghan walking. This is suited to snowshoe walking as you leave the road and head off into nature using snowshoes. It is a calming experience as you breathe through your nose in a rhythm with your steps. The synchronisation of pace and breath gives walking a meditative feel. The rhythm used changes according to the steepness of the terrain. Afghan walking makes walking in the mountains easier; you can lose yourself in the silence apart from the sound of the birds.

Cold Yoga

If you have not heard of cold yoga, neither had I before I attempted it. I wasn’t sure what to expect and purposely didn’t look it up. After Afghan walking our way up to a flat section of the mountainside, we stopped. The views over the valley and the opposite mountain were stunning; it was a beautiful sunny day. We followed our leader, Claire, through a series of yoga exercises with and without our snowshoes still attached to our feet. We then took off as many layers as we were comfortable doing and lay down on the snowy ground. I felt at one with nature and very peaceful. 

Both Afghan walking and cold yoga were highlights of my winter trip to Samoëns. We experienced a taster session of Afghan walking and cold yoga with Claire from Quintessence.

Any sort of exercise in the mountains makes you hungry as you expend a lot of energy. This is always a good excuse for indulging in a hearty mountain meal.

Restaurants Samoëns

Why not try soupe châtrée, a speciality dish from Samoëns? This is a take on a French onion soup. Layers of bread and local Tomme cheese are compressed in an ovenproof dish with the bouillon of an onion soup, and the onions are strained out. When cooked, the soupe châtrée is cut with a knife at the table. It is hearty, delicious and very filling – perfect after a day on the slopes.

The soupe châtrée we dined on at the Neige et Roc Hotel in Samoëns was excellent.

For an authentic mountain restaurant meal, consider the Ferme Dunoyer on the road up to Col de Joux Plane. You will need transport to get here, as it is a short drive up the mountain from the village. A rustic room is set with a long table; cow bells decorate the walls.

This is a no-frills experience; you can see the happy cows in the adjacent barn, their temporary winter home. For an extremely reasonable set price of thirty-five euros per adult, you are treated to a spread of local dishes cooked by the farm owner, Blandine. To start, tuck into terrine with fresh bread. The choice of main dishes includes tartiflette, fondue, Diots sausages with polenta and a casserole of gammon with potatoes and cabbage. Have a kir, one of my favourite aperitifs, to start and a carafe of red wine to accompany the main course. This simple yet wholesome meal was a memorable moment of my visit to Samoëns.

L’Estanco, a modern French restaurant in the centre of the village, has a delightful menu. There is a selection of dishes with sufficient choice to accommodate vegetarians and pescatarians. The friendly staff will answer any questions you may have. To start, I shared a terrine of Beaufort cheese with artichoke and bacon, which was full of flavour and beautifully presented. My main course of Magret de canard with framboise sauce was pink and tender, it came served with a waffle and peas. The crème brûlée for dessert had a perfect crunch with a soft and creamy interior. It was a generous portion. For excellent French cuisine, at a reasonable cost, L’Estanco can’t be beaten.

The Melting Spot restaurant in the main village square offers a menu of traditional Savoyard mountain dishes together with daily specials. Frequented by locals, this restaurant is an obvious choice for a meal. The salade au Chèvre chaud was excellent, a large plate of vibrant salad with mouth-melting warm goat’s cheese.

For a mountain restaurant with a view, Lou Caboens can’t be beaten. Situated at the top of the Grand Massif Express Gondola, this restaurant has a sunny terrace and an extensive menu of tasty dishes. Accessible for both skiers and pedestrians alike, this is an ideal place to take time out and watch the world go by. 

Samoëns is a beautiful location for a winter activity break. You can explore the Grand Massif ski area, try ice swimming, Afghan walking or cold yoga. Treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the mountain restaurants or just take time out from a hectic lifestyle.

There is something special about Samoëns as a base for a winter holiday. I loved the traditional village centre, which sets Samoëns apart from many purpose-built ski resorts. I would have happily stayed much longer.

I was hosted by the Tourist Office in Samoëns for two nights, staying at Le Grand Cerf. We skied the Grand Massif with a guide; ice swimming, Afghan walking and ice yoga were non-skiing activities.

Where to stay in Samoëns

La Renardiere. This rustic chalet-style hotel has spacious apartments in a tranquil setting, sleeping from two to six people. Choose from self-catering or bed and breakfast options; a breakfast delivery from the boulangerie is also possible to order. The village centre is around five minutes away. The cosy lounge with a fire and bar is very welcoming. Le Bérouze bus stop is less than a minute away for access to the Grand Massif Express lift. Wellness facilities include a sauna, hammam and pool. 

Le Grand Cerf Lodge is a modern lodge, adjacent to the Gai Soleil Hotel, offering stylish accommodation with balconies overlooking the village and mountains beyond. Guests can use the wellness area in the main hotel; continental breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. The ski bus stops immediately outside, and the village centre with all the facilities you need is close by.

Getting to Samoëns

The closest airport to Samoëns is Geneva Airport, a short transfer away. From Geneva Airport, the quickest way to get to the village is to book a shared transfer. Go Massif specialise in transfers from Geneva to resorts in the Grand Massif area.

Fact box

For more details on Ice Swimming.

Find information on Cold Yoga.

Check out Afghan walking here.

For a guided tour of Samoëns, see. Samoëns Tourist Office has a wealth of information on the village, including accommodation and lift pass prices for skiing in the Grand Massif area. 

Looking for more winter resorts? Check out our feature on the best ski resorts in Europe