Things To Do

Located in the Northern French Alps, the Giffre Valley is home to all of Hanski Harmonie's holiday properties. Whether you choose to holiday here in the winter or summer, we are sure that you will fall in love with this beautiful area.

There is a multitude of activities to be enjoyed locally throughout the year - just click on a picture to see the exciting things on offer.

The Giffre Valley is home to one of the best ski areas in the world offering a superb range of skiing in the Grand Massif ski domain. Accessed from the new 8 person cable car in Samoens, you can be in the heart of this wonderful area in minutes.

The Grand Massif ski domain is one of the largest linked ski areas in the world. With 265 kilometres of slopes to suit all ages and abilities spread across 5 resorts, even the most adventurous of snow sport lovers will find something to excite!

The domain boasts 15 green runs, 53 blue, 51 red and 14 black as well as fantastic off pistes areas often  untracked for days after fresh powder! For thrill seekers there are also 3 JAM parks to practise your jumps!

Furthermore, due to its proximity to Mont Blanc it has one of the best snow records of any resort in the Alps. This, coupled with Samoens’s ski resort altitude of 1600m, will virtually guarantee excellent snow coverage for the long ski season running from early December to the end of April.

Cross country skiing enthusiasts are equally well catered for. There are 90 kilometres of well groomed pistes to explore following the river Giffre from the beautiful village of Sixt to Morillon via Samoens.

The Giffre Valley and Samoens in particular also has much to offer away from the slopes. You can choose from many activities including ice skating!

With regards to your ski and snow board lessons Hanski Harmonie is proud to be associated with ZigZag ski school. This forward thinking, personal and caring company offer the premier ski and snow board school in The Grand Massif ski domain. Zig Zag offer very highly qualified, English speaking instrutors who demonstrate modern teaching methods in a caring environment. From your first steps on the snow to off piste helisking adventures, ZigZag are the number one company in The Grand Massif.

The beautiful, mediaeval village of Samoens is the only historically listed ski resort in The Alps. You will find a perfectly preserved Haute Savoie mountain village unspoilt by tourism. There are many high quality bars and restaurants and specialist shops selling traditional local produce such as cheese, wine and chocolate.

Morillon is another 'real' mountain village not yet tarnished by mass tourism and just 2 miles from Samoens. Its slopes are some of the quietest and longest in Europe. The green 3 ½ mile 'Marvel' runs through the forest and is perfect for all standards.

Summer in the French Alps offers the perfect antidote to the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Imagine yourself in beautiful mountain surroundings with warm sunshine and brilliant blue skies where each day provides a new activity and a new challenge, or merely the chance to relax in idyllic, peaceful settings - you are imagining a holiday in the Giffre Valley!

Our properties provide the perfect base for you to explore this amazing area and sample the many activities on offer.

Walking - The Giffre Valley has over 900km of marked paths of varying gradient and difficulty. Peaking at an altitude of 3100m the trails are perfect for walkers of all ages and fitness levels. Take a map or a local guide and go explore!

Mountain Biking  - With 600km of marked mountain bike paths ranging from the easy to the challenging everyone will find something to enjoy. Lifts from the valley floor will whisk you effortlessly to the high mountain peaks, opening up endless possibilities to explore whatever your fitness and experience level. There are many shops specialising in cycle and equipment hire - so why not give it a try?

Rafting - Renowned as one of the best white water rafting and canoeing rivers in the Alps, the River Giffre  offers all the excitement and adrenaline you could wish for.

Climbing - The Alps enjoy a justifiable reputation for offering some of the hardest challenges of any mountain range in the world and the Giffre Valley is no exception. But there also much easier areas to take your first steps. Experienced, friendly, local guides are here to help you learn the ropes.

Golf - There are several championship standard 18 hole courses in the area all enjoying picture postcard mountain views. Furthermore, being far less crowded and conservative than coursers in Spain or Portugal, the Giffre Valley makes an excellent base for the golf enthusiast or for those just wanting to play a sociable game with friends.

Fishing - Catch your own fish and then cook it for your evening meal, what could be better?

Paragliding - Soar high above the Giffre Valley and ride the thermals with your pilot as part of your tandem flight. There can be no better way to see the Alps.

Adventure Parks - Set deep in the forest 'Indiana Parc' is an ideal place for children and parents to spend a morning or afternoon tackling the assault course in the trees. High above the forest canopy you will experience a series of obstacles, completely safe and great fun.

Swimming - Samoens has a fantastic open air swimming pool with slides, sunbathing area, tennis courts lake and golf driving range. In Morillon there is a life guard patrolled man-made swimming lake with beach. Perfect for lazy sunny days.