Grand Massif, a domain full of contrasts
Located in the Haute-Savoie. France.
Located in the Haute-Savoie and facing the Mont Blanc, the Grand Massif ski area offers a well-preserved environment and an impressive panorama.
The ski area of the Grand Massif has 148 pistes for a total of 265 km: 20 green slopes for beginners, 64 blue slopes and 50 red slopes for advanced skiers and 14 black slopes for expert skiers.
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Since this season, with the creation of a new sector called VILL4GES we can choose three ski passes that will allow us to ski respectively in Flaine; VILL4GES (Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt); or in the entire ski area of the Grand Massif (Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt).
Created over 30 years ago during the winter of 1982-1983, Grand Massif is an exceptional ski destination both for its surroundings and for the quality of its ski area. This immense area of almost 40 000 hectares was born from the union of La Tête des Saix and the five ski resorts that make it up: Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns y Sixt
In addition, the history of the Grand Massif is closely linked to the history of winter sports in France. Les Carroz installed in 1939 the first ski lift in history.
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GMDS (a company formed by the merger of DSF and DSG), a subsidiary of the Compagnie des Alpes, operates the ski resorts of Flaine, Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt.
Flaine
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Flaine is known by the nickname of "big snowy bowl" because it has one of the best snow records in the Alps.
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With a ski slope that goes from 2,500 to 1,600 meters, Flaine offers an impressive view of Mont-Blanc. The amazing natural balcony with views can be reached in just 12 minutes using the cable car "Grandes Platières".
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Flaine is a "Ski-in / ski-out" ski resort, where everything is designed so you can enjoy your skiing holiday without any problems.
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Designed by Emile Allais, the French ski champion, the Flaine tracks follow the natural contours of the mountain and allow you to tour the Grand Massif area using only blue tracks while enjoying the wonderful scenery.
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The ski resort, which opened its doors in 1969, has several buildings on the list of French historical monuments (Inventaire des Monuments Historiques de France), with its typical outdoor monumental structures (the visitor will be surprised by the fabulous panoramic view that combines monumental sculptures, including "Boqueteau des 7 arbres" by Dubuffet (9.20 m), "Tête de femme" by Picasso (12 m high) and the "Three Vasarely hexagons (5.30 m high), with an impressive view of Mont Blanc).
Les Carroz, Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt
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In the heart of the Giffre valley, these four ski resorts maintain the appearance of an authentic mountain village. A modern cable car connects them with the ski area located above 2,000 meters above sea level. With tracks suitable for all levels and impressive natural sites, the valley has what is considered the jewel of the Grand Massif: a 14-kilometer blue trail that borders the Nature Reserve and links Flaine with Sixt.
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The Espace AquaCîmes des Carroz is a place not to be missed during your stay at the Grand Massif. This 1500m2 wellness area has a large outdoor pool heated to 30 ° which in winter will allow us to enjoy our swim at the foot of the snowy peaks.
After skiing, in Samoëns you can enjoy the warm charm of the chalets and the atmosphere of an authentic mountain village. In fact, the name "Samoëns" dates back to 1167 AD. C. and derived from a medieval expression that means "the seven mountains", a reference to the peaks that surround the town: Cuidex, Vigny, Folly, Oddaz, Bostan, Chardonnière, Freterolles and La Vullie. This is the reason why the inhabitants of Samoëns are known as "septimontains" (men) and "septimontaines" (women).
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In 2016 the Club Med opened its facilities in Samoëns, which has meant an important boost to the development possibilities of the ski resort.
Birthplace of Antoine Deneriaz, Olympic downhill champion, Morillon offers a relaxing and familiar ski area, in the heart of a cozy and perfectly preserved nature.
In Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, time seems to stand still thanks to a beautifully preserved environment, a unique architecture, and a rich cultural heritage. The visit to Sixt will allow us to immerse ourselves in the heart of one of the most beautiful villages in France and recharge energies surrounded by a large natural reserve that covers 80% of its territory.
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In recent years appellations of origin have multiplied in Europe to protect and promote local quality products. Coinciding with this flowering of new regional labels in 2014, the label "Origine Grand Massif" was created in 2014 to promote the products of local gastronomy (cheese, sausages, ravioli, honey from local beehives, etc.), local handicraft production like stone and wood in Samoëns, and cultural activities such as music and poetry.
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The concern to preserve this privileged environment in the Grand Massif, took the company responsible for the management of the destination to achieve the Green Globe certification for the entire domain (lifts, slopes, and complementary services) in September 2016.
