Activities – APASSION

The Grand Massif tops the Sunweb Powder Ranking!

robin.tarr — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:22:12 +0000

Sunweb, one of Europe’s largest on-line travel agents, recently published analysis to highlight which of Europe’s ski resorts have, over the last 17 years, benefitted from the most snowfall. The Grand Massif tops the charts with Flaine ranking 1^st with an average of 59cm of fresh snow in the first week of March and Samoëns ranking 2^nd with 56cm of fresh snow in the same week.

So, if you are either a powder hound looking to make fresh track in the off-piste or just looking for assurance of great piste conditions in the second half of the season, then Samoëns in the Grand Massif is the destination for you!

See the full article on the Sunweb website (published in French).

First Ski de Fond of 2024!

robin.tarr — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 17:40:04 +0000

Back to basics after a year since our last outing so we drove up to Le Col de Joux Plane to start on the gentle nursery slopes and whilst it looks pretty flat we soon worked-up a sweat getting back into the ski de fond / Nordic skiing technique!

Considering it was mid-February we had the slopes largely to ourselves and after an hour and not many kilometres we found a snowy hill for a perfectly peaceful picnic lunch stop!

Why not give something different a try on your next trip to the Alps!

Early season randonnée!

robin.tarr — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:59:17 +0000

After the heavy snowfall of the last couple of weeks it was time to check out the conditions!

Preparation of the slopes is well underway and the pistes are starting to take shape. Whilst ski randonnée isn’t for the faint hearted it’s a great all round work-out and enables you to get off the beaten track to places as yet unexplored!

On this occasion we hiked from Samoëns 1600m up to the top of Tête de Saix. We certainly didn’t make first tracks but it was a magical walk up and an amazing ski down on a beautiful sunny afternoon!

“Apero Suspendu” – High-wire drinks!

robin.tarr — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 15:32:09 +0000

For something a bit different this winter season we can highly recommend the ‘Apero Suspendu’ run by the Grand Massif ski domain.

Every Thursday evening from the end of January to early April you can reserve your own gondola to share an aperitif and nibbles with family or friends for up to a maximum of 6 people.

Starting at 7pm and lasting just 50 minutes you can enjoy your aperos whilst admiring the lights of the valley and watching the hard work of the piste bashers as you savour some local Savoyard specialities.

Reservations can be made online or at the ticket offices of the Grand Massif Express or Vercland telecabine.

A Perfect Yoga Retreat (despite a little rain!)

robin.tarr — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 09:37:43 +0000

What a perfect few days filled with 5 yoga sessions with the amazing Tess from Alpine yoga with Tess, parapenting, hiking, and plenty og healthy eating (including a fabulous night out at le 8M des monts) and of course plenty of laughs – not even the rain showers could dampen the spirits of our ladies!

A fabulous end to Winter Season 2022-23

robin.tarr — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 17:01:34 +0000

With just one more day before the lifts close for another winter season we couldn’t believe our luck today; 50cm of fresh powder on the pistes! We were skiing in snow above our knees for most of the day! Much fun was had by all with a fair few tumbles in the soft fluffy stuff!!

First ride out of 2023

robin.tarr — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 15:59:47 +0000

Whilst there is still plenty of skiing to be had before the 2022-23 season draws to a close its still never too early to benefit from the glorious Spring sunshine and the stunning scenery from the saddle of a bike!

With that in mind (plus the incentive of a Sunday morning coffee in the sun) we unpacked our cycle gear, dusted-off the road bikes and tried to remember how to unclip our cleats before falling off!

A little chilly in the shade at first but we warmed to the occasion and were soon working-up a sweat just to keep-up with ‘lead-out’ man Paul.

Given it was our first outing of the season we took the 13km ride from the chalet, along the valley floor through the village of Sixt Fer-à-Cheval, to the Cirque de Fer-à-Cheval in the Sixt-Passy National Park.

Always a beautiful ride regardless of the season and we were rewarded with blue-skies and snow (as well as that coffee on the way home!)

Replacement of the Sairon lift in Morillon

robin.tarr — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 12:57:57 +0000

Work continues apace on the new Sairon lift in Morillon ready for the start of the forthcoming winter season which starts on the 17 December! The new 6-person, high speed, chair lift is replacing the 4-person chair that has been in place for 36 season!

Not only will Sairon II increase the capacity by 50% per seat, each seat will be getting to the top of the mountain 5 minutes quicker! Thats a lot more people in a lot less time!

Morillon is one of 5 villages that make up the Grand Massif ski domain – Flaine, Morillon, Samoëns, Sixt Fer-a-Cheval and Les Carroz. The domain is the fourth biggest ski area in France. The region rises to 2600 metres with 265km of piste served by 67 lifts. There are ski runs to challenge all ability levels with 23 green, 60 blue, 47 red and 12 black runs.

An early winter season wonderland

robin.tarr — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:47:00 +0000

What a fabulous start to the season!

It couldn’t have been a better time to experience the Cascades piste. Fourteen kilometres of uninterrupted skiing whilst enjoying the incredible scenery of the Sixt-Passy National Park. The run commences in Flaine at 2480 m and heads down to the beautiful small village of Sixt at 760 m, at the end of the Giffre Valley. It was simply stunning!

Make sure its on your tick-list when you are next in the Grand Massif.

All Change in Vercland – After 40 Years!

robin.tarr — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:14:54 +0000

After a ‘lost’ winter season due to Covid restrictions, the new high speed 10-person gondola in Vercland opens for the first time this weekend as does the new restaurant/bar just off the Grand Cret piste on your descent to Vercland – Grand Crêt 17. We’re sad to wave goodbye to the iconic old ‘red eggs’ but are super excited to experience the new gondolas that await! The new lift will take just 7 minutes to whisk you from Vercland to Samoëns 1600m where the Grand Massif ski domain commences.

The new restaurant, Grand Cret 17, is a great addition to the existing La Reposette bar and restaurant which is based at the foot of the Grand Cret piste and the new Vercland gondola! A huge outside terrace with stunning views is the perfect spot for lunch or a drink whether on skis or foot. The interior is beautifully decorated in old wood with a long bar, large log fireplace, cosy corners and massive picture windows over the Giffre Valley.