Samoens Highlights Ice & Snow Adventures

Ideally situated in the heart of the Grand Massif ski area, one of the largest ski resorts in the French Alps, Samoëns is a charming village with its own history and identity. It’s a family-friendly resort where children aged under 8 (and adults aged over 75) are entitled to free ski passes.

As well as skiing, visitors in the winter can enjoy an array of snow and ice activities and some adventures.

Ice experiences

• After hosting the World Ice Swimming Championships in 2023, Samoëns is a well-known destination among ice swimmers. This winter, anyone who would like to swim in water below 5 degrees can do an introduction to ice swimming at Lac aux Dames with Florian Milesi, a sport coach and cold-water swimmer. The positive effects of breaststroke in cold water on physical and mental health are numerous: improved blood circulation, boost to the immune system, reduced stress, a feeling of intense well-being, etc. It costs €75 for an hour (breathing exercise and swimming).
• Fancy trying winter river rafting? Local company Nunayak organises Frozen River outing on rafting, canoeing or kayaking, depending on the weather condition.Frozen River outing: single descent on the Giffre river with all the necessary equipment and transport. Price: €55€ per person. Frozen Day outing: off-piste skiing around the Grand Massif, then descend from Sixt to Samoëns by river (all equipment and transport . Price: €145 per persons (4min. - 6 max.) all-inclusive
• Cold yoga practices were developed mainly by Tibetans in the Himalayas in very hostile conditions. Inspired by the Tibetan Toumo, which means ‘warmth, inner fire’, cold yoga teaches people to resist the cold and reconnect with their environment. Claire’s introductory course combines different yoga and shiatsu techniques that are accessible to all. The health benefits of the cold include improved blood and lymph circulation, boosted immunity, a better night’s sleep, and favourable effects on thermoregulation. Participants enjoy the remarkable scenery of superb rock faces covered in immaculate snow. It costs €25 per person.
• Synchronise your breathing with the rhythm of your steps for a regenerative walk. A relaxing, almost meditative experience, Afghan walking, originally practised by nomads on the high plateaux, combines relaxation with better management of effort in the mountains. With the help of a few breathing exercises, each participant is invited to walk faster and further without getting tired. It costs €25 per person.

Mountain retreats

• Situated at an altitude of 1,763 m above the village, the Bostan refuge is a welcoming place for all hikers. Built in the early 80s, the refuge has undergone constant renovation. This large, beautiful wooden chalet is now a warm, comfortable and friendly place to spend time. With a capacity of 72 beds and a lovely sunny terrace, the refuge and its team offer accommodation and meals in both summer and winter. Some will enjoy stopping off at the refuge to have lunch and share a convivial moment with friends or family, while others will take advantage of the refuge to achieve a greater goal the following day after a pleasant night on half-board. Completely renovated in 2016, the Refuge de Bostan is now self-sufficient in energy, taking advantage of its hybrid solar panels to generate hot water and electricity. The refuge is easy to reach (2 hours) by snowshoeing or ski touring and the path is signposted. Price: 1/2 board €52 - Overnight stay: €18
• Mont-Plaisir is an eco-friendly chalet (spring water supply, photo-voltaic panels, wood-burning stove) in a beautiful natural environment, accessible by a 30–40-minute snowshoe hike or by ski touring. It can sleep up to 8 people. 180€ per night for 2 people (minimum 2 nights) or €1260 for a week, luggage transport on snowmobiles included in the price.
• Situated at the top of the Joux-Plane pass and isolated from the rest of the world, Chalet Mappelet is a former holiday camp which has been renovated in an eco-friendly way. Self-sufficient in electricity and water, Chalet Mappelet has a large ground floor with a kitchen and living room. On the first floor there is a double room and a dormitory with 7 beds. Chalet Mappelet is accessible from Samoëns by a 15-minute snowshoe hike or cross-country skiing. A week costs between €1500 and €1800.

Samoens is a family-friendly resort where children aged under 8 (and adults aged over 75) are entitled to free ski passes.