On Thursday, as our regular fans will know, we visited Samoёns in the Grand Massif ski domain. Since our main reason for being there was to do Les Cascades, a 14km long blue run from the top of Flaine down to Sixt a Fer Cheval down a quiet valley, we ended up seeing quite a bit of Grand Massif.
That's because to get from Samoёns to the start of the run, you pretty much have to cross the whole of the Grand Massif. The Portes du Soleil really spoils you with its massive domain. So the Grand Massif doesn't feel particularly grande, but there's plenty there to keep you busy for a week.
Natalie in the Grand Express bubble-lift from Samoёns.
My overriding impression of Grand Massif is that it's extremely pretty with just outstanding views of Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi. The skiing there also feels very safe, no massive cliffs to fall off and for every black run we saw, of which there are not many, there's an easy blue going the long way round, so this resort would probably be great for a group with mixed abilities.
Samoёns is quite pretty really, and generous. Look, Natalie's even got a mountain for a hat!
It was also very quiet. After the chaos that can be Avoriaz from time to time, it was really pleasant to get pistes to ourselves. Most people seemed to French or Dutch which, compared with Chamonix which was very English, makes you feel you're actually in a foreign country, which is why you came on holiday right? Also, no restaurants were blaring extremely bad music for the whole resort to hear. Quiet and pleasant really.
The blue runs were crazy as usual with too many people on them going too fast, but i guess that's February skiing all over. But still, even the crowded runs weren't as crowded as the Portes du Soleil.
That's me and that's my friend Mont Blanc. i call him Mont, or Mr Blanc on stormy days.
Did you know that one of the most dangerous places to be in a ski resort is on a blue run in clear sunshine[1]? Many accidents happen in these conditions because people feel safe and go too fast out of control, and smack into one another[2]. Bare that in mind next time you're hurtling down a blue with beginners all around you.
The conditions for us were extremely icy. The good snow was only to be found above 2000m and it got very slushy further down. Just like everyone else, they need more snow and some very cold days.
There was plenty of good off-piste we wanted to try out but didn't get the time to, so we'll definitely be making a return trip and some point.
This is the Tete Pelouse which is at the start of les Cascades at 2400m. i like this picture even though, unlike all our other photos, it doesn't feature a helmetted Davies.
My only negative comment on the Grand Massif, and this was really only a problem in Samoёns, is the state of their chairlifts. They are horrible! Built for midgets and not updated since 1246BC i got nicely smacked in the head by one particularly bad one (la Croix).
All in all, we really enjoyed our day there and there's plenty more to go back for.
1 comment:
I ski there regularly and the conditions of the chair lifts have improved drastically. Many of the old 2-3 seaters have been replaced with brand spanking new 6 seaters which are a joy to ride since they are extremely quite which allows you to really drink in the atmosphere
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