The world’s biggest dog sledding event, a week of fine foods and finer wines, spectacular fireworks displays, live music acts and of course lots of snowy fun… The winter season is in full swing! Visitors to Samoëns and the Grand Massif are enjoying a fabulous month of January, and with the February school holidays fast approaching the best is yet to come. To help you make the most of your holiday, Alps Accommodation have put together a list of some of the not-to-be-missed events and fabulous activities you and your family can enjoy this winter.
12-23 January: La Grande Odyssée
Each winter some of Europe’s and the world’s biggest canine superstars flock to Samoëns for the grand opening of this grand event, a 12-day, 400km dog-sled race across the beautiful Mont Blanc Savoie region.
17-21 January: La Semaine Vigneronne
Another of our favourite annual events. Come and meet some of France’s best winegrowers! Sample delectable delights in the wine-tasting pavilion, sign up for a masterclass, or enjoy gastronomical evenings and hone your oenology skills… on and off the slopes!
27 January: Les Hivernales du Haut-Giffre
Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval’s Nordique festival is another great day out for all the family. Learn about our valley’s flora and fauna, build an igloo or have a go at cross country skiing, biathlon, fat-biking, snow-shoeing and more. You’re bound to discover a new winter passion!
12 February: Maquill’en Piste
The annual Mardi Gras is always a blast and what better way to prepare for a day and night of fancy dress fun then a face-painting workshop in beautiful Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval!
15 Feb – 22 March: Les Vendred’illuminés
Every Friday for every week of the French school holiday period Samoëns will be lit up! Enjoy spectacular fireworks displays, torchlit parades and the amazing antics of flame-throwing, master juggler Shay!
19 March: Morillon Carnival
Morillon’s annual Mardi Gras is one of the best in the valley! Face painting, costume hire, a torchlit descent down the slopes, wild and brightly coloured parade floats, and tasty food and drink stands. All the right ingredients for a great day and night out!
1-2 March: Criou Blues Festival
Elliot Murphy and Jessie Lee & the Alchemists headline this year’s festival, now in its second year. Sign up for a masterclass or simply get your groove on and enjoy two nights of toe-tapping musical fun in Samoëns’ Bois Aux Dames concert hall!
10-17 March: Bars en Live
Every night of the week from 7pm you can enjoy free, live music concerts in the bars of Samoëns… Good times are guaranteed!
24 March: Dupraz Happy Banked Slalom
Morillon’s annual snowboarding event is always a blast, attracting some of the region’s top riders. Stop in and enjoy the slope-side BBQ, or test your own skills on the winding, banked turns off-piste!
20 April: Septi Contest
Now in its 11th year, the Septi Contest is always a great day out and the best end to a fabulous season. Simply enjoy the festive vibe at Samoëns’ Bois Aux Dames lakes or enter a team of your own and tackle the ski-jump or cable-tow across the lake!
And that’s just a small taste of the many special events you can enjoy this winter in Samoëns and the Haut-Giffre. Plus, the Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-A-Cheval tourist offices arrange a huge array of wonderful activities for all the family to enjoy every week. Join a guided tour of Samoëns’ historical centre and gardens or ride the Septi-train through the valley. There’s also treasure hunts, cooking demonstrations, photography exhibitions, English movie nights, traditional wooden games, ice-skating shows and ice-hockey matches, giant snowball fights and much, much more. Not to mention all the fun you’ll have skiing and snowboarding. Oh! And did we mention the brand-new Speed Dragoz alpine rollercoaster in Les Carroz?! Open from 3pm, why not enjoy a wild ride through the forest of Les Carroz before you clip back into your skis or snowboard and return to Samoëns or Morillon for a night of fun.
You really are guaranteed a great time here in Samoëns and the Grand Massif this winter. And if you’ve not yet organised your holiday, don’t worry! The team at Alps Accommodation is always ready to assist with your holiday planning needs, so get in touch today.