Samoens in the Summer:
The summer offers warm temperatures to swim, walk, cycle, go rafting, or to visit neighbouring towns / lakes in France, Switzerland or Italy.
The outdoor leisure complex is situated an easy 1.5km walk (or cycle) along a pleasant footpath next to the river and through a small short tunnel (no need to cross any busy roads).
• 2 beautiful lakes for fishing or walking around or swimming and sunbathing
• large swimming pools (2 pools, one for 'swimming' 25m x 12.5m, the other for 'playing' 25m x 12.5m)
• infants pool
• 60m water slide
• Football
• Tennis 6 courts
• Archery
• Indiana Jones park in the forest by the lake
• Golf driving range
• Canoe / kayaking/ rafting
• Roller-blade area
• Skateboard park
• Horse riding
• Picnic areas
• BBQ areas
• Café's
There are hundreds of miles of cycle paths, with guidebooks and signs to guide one about. Each ride has its distance, difficulty and approximate time. Chairlift bikes up mountain, chairlift up to restuarant, walk down.
Samoens facilities:
Samoëns has 13 restaurants, 12 café's and pubs, and 11 further restaurants within hotels; two chemists, a small local supermarket, a number of excellent delicatessens, very good chocolatiers, numerous ski shops, numerous clothes shops and boutiques. Of course, there are many bakeries selling croissants, baguettes etc. In the village is a new Sherpa supermarket (5 minute walk away) as well as a Casino supermarket. A Carrefour Market is 2km outside the village, and Carrefour hypermarket is located in Cluses, 17km away. Excellent open street market on a Wednesday morning. The visitor centre and the ESF shop (ski school) are located near the ice-skating rink. Towns such as Annecy, Geneva, Evian, Lausanne, Montreaux, Courmayer and others within Switzerland / France / Italy are within a hour drive. The alpine Botanic Gardens “La Jaysinia” are located in town, are free to walk around. Excellent views of the village from the top of the path, plus waterfalls. Mont Blanc 45 min away.
Samoens and surrounding areas:
In summer various bands and musicians play in the town centre during the day and in the evening, and sometimes in the park at Samoens or Morillon. These concerts are usually free. Yvoire is a medieval walled village, absolutely beautiful, pedestrianised and well worth a visit. Many lovely shops, restaurants etc., right on the side of Lac Leman. (lake Geneva). Next to Yvoire is the village of Excenevex, and we stop at the Hotel de la Plage for lunch, and to use their beach to swim in the lake after lunch. Food is good, about €26 ph and €11 per child for the set menu – but, you also get to use the beach and very safe swimming. The hotel is very old, and used mainly by the local French. Yvoire is in France, so no vignette (tax) is needed. Reach Yvoire via Les Gets / Morzine road through Thonon, about 48 miles away via a lovely drive through the mountains. Village of Sixt - 5mls away–you see the most incredible waterfalls – up to 30. The “Cascade Rouget” waterfall is a must.
Ski:
Over 265 km of ski slopes are available in the Grand Massif ski area. The area consist of 5 very well linked resorts - Samoëns, Morillon, Flaine, Sixt and les Carroz. From 1,600m to 2,500m. Virtually no crowds, and very little, if any, queuing is necessary. NEW for Winter 2009/2010 a new 6 man lift in Samoens to Tete des Saix The breathtaking 14 km long ‘Cascades’ ski slope which cross the Sixt Fer a Cheval nature reserve giving you a unique skiing experience. Free bus back to the telecabine in Samoens from Sixt. Fantastic skiing for the intermediate and beginner skier, while the advanced skier is also very well catered for. It is possible to ski from resort to resort without even taking your ski's off! There is a state of the art snow terrain park in Flaine. The free Ski Bus stops right outside the chalet (20m from door), and takes you the 900m to the Grand Massif Express telecabine entrance at Samoëns. Telecabine to 1,600m. The bus trip is no longer than 5 minutes.
Other Activities:
mountian decent on free wheel scooters after chair lift up mountian in summer.
