Skiing and snowboarding in the Grand Massif

Chalet Nordchamp is situated between the villages of Samoëns & Morillon, right in the heart of the Grand Massif ski area. We’re just two, three or four minutes away from the local ski-lifts that take you up from the valley floor to the mid-station at Samoens 1600 or Morillon 1100. If you’re staying with us on a traditional catered-chalet basis, we’ll drop you off each morning at the lift of your choice, and collect you again in the afternoon, just drop us a message when you get on the lift at the top, and we’ll be at the bottom ready to collect you.

The Grand Massif has 265km of pistes, across the four villages of Samoëns, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt; and the purpose built resort town of Flaine. There’s a lovely combination of tree-lined village runs, high bowls above the tree-line at Flaine, and awesome off-piste, particularly in the Gers bowl.

Ski-school meeting points are easy to find at both Samoëns 1600 and Morillon 1100, and both have conveniently placed restaurants for group or family meet-ups after lessons. The long green Marvel run in Morillon is a perennial favourite for novice skiers graduating from ski-school, looking for something more challenging than the nursery slopes, but not yet ready to go haring off around the mountain.

Experienced skiers will enjoy the steep, mogul challenge of the black run Aigle Noir in Samoëns, and the off piste powder in the Gers bowl is not to be missed.

Intermediates have the run of the ski area - you can reach all the far flung reaches on reds and blues. Our personal favourites are the Fred piste over in Flaine for its fantastic views of Mont Blanc, and the collection of reds around the Gron chair-lift in Les Carroz.

Far from the madding crowd…

Much as we love downhill skiing and snowboarding, there are other activities available in the winter away from the pistes.

There are three cross county ski areas close by.  Closest, just a kilometre away are tracks that runs around the lakes and through the forest between Morillon and Samoëns.  A short drive along the valley floor to Les Molliets, is the start of the tracks running along to the Fer à Cheval at the end of the valley.  If there’s not enough snow in the valley for the local runs to open, its a short drive up to the Col de Joux Plane (1700m high) for a range of circuits at the nordic park. Or just 30 minutes drive away is the Nordic ski centre at Plateau D’Agy. More information about ski de fond is available on the Vallée de Haut-Giffre website.   

Walking in snow shoes is a beautiful way to see the mountain, away from the hurly-burly of the ski slopes.  There are lots of trails through the mountains and forest, some easy going, and some a bit more strenuous. 

If you go with a guide like Arno from Alp Adventures you'll get the benefit of both their local knowledge of the area and wildlife.  It’s well worth it.

Fat-biking is another great way to explore the mountain and countryside, away from the ski-crowds. For fit experienced mountain-bikers its a full-on adrenaline fest.  For those who operate at more moderate pace, there are plenty of level routes alongs the river in the valley floor to enjoy. And there’s a choice of regular or e-bikes too.

Our nearby neighbours Ride The Alps are just a short walk from the chalet. The founder, Jamie, is an experienced and fully qualified mountain guide (its a very thorough process, which he's blogged about here ).  During the winter season, he offers guided fat-biking days for groups: a well maintained bike, and his local knowledge guiding you through the best trails for the conditions.  Awesome fun.