Grand Massif Ski Resort France
Grand Massif ski resort is a popular French snow holiday destination combining Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns & Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval to form the fourth largest interlinked skiing region in the country. Les Grand Massif’s highlights include a long skiable vertical, 265km of trails & a higher-than-average snowfall in the alpine zone of the resort.
Pros & Cons for Grand Massif Ski Resort
Pros
- High snowfall zone, particularly in the upper alpine sectors.
- Long skiable vertical of over 1,780m.
- Vast network of lifts & ski trails.
- Quality on-piste trails for beginner & intermediate skiers & snowboarders.
- Ski trails up to 14km long.
- Exceptionally good value lift pass options.
Cons
- Generally busy.
- Some of the low elevation villages may not have natural snow for much of winter.
- Limited public transport services to the resort.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- Close to Geneva airport and major French centres - the double edge sword of close to everything but very popular.
- Accommodation options are extensive from valley to mountain, modern or traditional.
Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain
The Grand Massif skiing & snowboarding terrain is of typically European mega-resort proportions. Not the highest or largest resort in the Alps, it nonetheless has all the attributes of a great ski area. The skiable vertical is nearly 1,800m on north-aspect slopes, putting it firmly in the upper echelons of the world’s resorts. The region is known for extremely high snowfalls in the upper alpine zones, ensuring the 265km of trails are well covered & the expansive off-piste alpine & tree terrain is ripe for the plucking. Trails are rated 50% beginner, however the longest of them is a leg-melting 14km from the top of the resort above Flaine all the way down to the gorgeous village of Sixt. For freeriders the alpine valley of the La Combe de Gers is the prime location for powder turns.
Check out the ski trail map for Grand Massif below.
The ski lifts include 30 gondolas, chairlifts & a funicular, connecting the various villages & high points in the region relatively seamlessly. The longest chairlift is allegedly on the hill as well - kudos to them! All villages are lift interlinked to the broader ski area except Sixt.
Lift Passes
For all that terrain & skiable vertical, the lift pass price is surprisingly affordable for the entire domain. But to make it even more attractive, there are cheaper passes for two separate sectors within the Grand Massif - Flaine & Vill4ges (sic - the 4 is not an error!). The sectors split the resort in half with regards to lifts & terrain. Another ski pass option is for Sixt, but the skiing is only appropriate for novices. Saturdays here are way cheaper than other days, and every ticket is cheaper if bought online.
See the Flaine ski pass area trail map and Vill4ges ski pass area trail map.
Where is Grand Massif France?
The Grand Massif ski resort is in the Haute Savoie of France, only 47km ’as the crow flies’ south-east of Geneva. The ski area is just south of the massive & sensational Portes du Soleil ski resort. By road, Samoëns village is only 83km (1¼hr) east of Geneva airport. The closest major town is Cluses, 19km (30min) by road to the west of the ski area.
Unsurprisingly, Geneva (GVA) is the gateway airport. Trains, private shuttles or rental cars are options from the airport. The nearest TGV train station to the resort is at Cluses, 29km by road to the north-west of Flaine and less to the other villages (Samoens is 19km & 30min away).
Cluses railway station is on the TGV line from Paris and connects well with lines from Geneva. It is 1⅓hr by regional train from central Geneva (leaving every hour through the day). From Cluses to the Grand Massif villages of Morillon, Samoans & Sixt-fer-a-Cheval the route 94 bus operates on an extremely limited timetable of between 2 & 3 times a day (travel time 45min), with no services on a Sunday. An alternative is via the Annemasse train station, where the route 102 bus completes 2 to 3 journeys to Morillon, Samoans & Sixt-fer-a-Cheval per day, including a service on Sunday (travel time 1½hr). There appeared to be no public bus services to Flaine village during the interrupted 2020/21 season.
Search & book here for all train tickets to Cluses or Annemasse.
Given the relatively poor public bus timetabling, if getting a train to Cluses, we recommend organising a private transfer from the station to your accommodation in the Grand Massif. Alternatively, if the financials stack up, simply get a transfer direct from Geneva airport. A private transfer can be quite time & cost effective, particularly if in a group of 3 or more people.
Search & book here for all transfers to any Grand Massif village.
For hints, tips & warnings about getting to French ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in France page.
Grand Massif Accommodation
The Grand Massif comprises the marvellous diversity of villages one comes to expect at the ‘mega-resorts’ of France & Europe. Ranging from elevations of 1600m (Flaine & Samoens 1600) down to as low as 700m (Samoëns & Morillon), everyone can get the experience they are after.
The options range from the charming & traditional valley villages of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval & Samoëns, to the more contemporary Morillon & Les Carroz d'Arâches. From small mid-mountain, ski-in ski-out resort villages including Station de Morillon & Samoëns 1600 to the large classically overdone major alpine village of Flaine.
Search & book all Grand Massif ski accommodation.
In general, prices increase relative to the altitude of the village. Flaine is the highest (& most costly). All villages are lift-connected into the Grand Massif except Sixt, which whilst it has a few short novice ski tows, is only connected by the 14km long Les Cascades ski trail from the top of Flaine. The closest ski lift into the resort from Sixt is at nearby Samoens. Note that architecturally, Flaine may not be to everyone’s liking, but it is super-convenient to the best ski terrain and the most snow guaranteed!
Ski Rentals, Lessons, Guiding & Services
Ski rentals are available throughout the Grand Massif via our local partners through multiple locations in Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon & Samoëns. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Grand Massif Ski & Snowboard Rental page.
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Review
The Powderhounds will review Grand Massif in the near future. We will add more info after we visit. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.
See how the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.
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