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Flaine to Samoens on foot... best way?

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Suggestions warmly received!

We're family skiing in Flaine, finishing on Jan 25th. Us two dads then have a chalet booked in Samoens, starting on the 26th.

So we need to get from Flaine on the Saturday to Samoens on the Sunday, maximising skiing opportunities on the way... and finding somewhere to stay Saturday night Eh oh!

Have considered;
1. Ski Flaine Saturday, bus to Cluses end of day, stay in Cluses and then bus to Samoens. Bad news: No bus at the right time (or at all on the weekend from what I can see)
2. Ski Flaine Saturday, leave skihire back in Flaine and attempt to use ski lifts to get to Samoens on foot... Eh oh! Find cheap apartment in Samoens for Sat night (tricky).
3. Ski Flaine Sat, get a taxi transfer (cost around €120?) to Samoens. Stay in Samoens random apartment for one night.

Obvs could drop the skiing in Flaine on Saturday, but seems a shame to give it up...

Any thoughts?

Appreciated, thanks.


Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 28-10-24 19:05; edited 1 time in total
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Option 1 (bus from Flaine to Cluses on the Sat, and then to Samoens on the Sun) would have been ideal as the cheapest option and still get in some skiing, but no buses has kaput that idea...
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@shilldiy,
Ask whomever you are booked with in Flaine and Samoens if you can do an extra night? If either say yes then just need transport between villages.
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@shilldiy, unusual, but possible, if they let you as foot passenger ride the lifts down. You'd need to check this for connecting.

Bus to Molliet lift (its on the road from Flaine to Les Carroz, the only route) start morning with no skis.

Molliet to Tete d Saix chair ( high point above Samoëns 1600) then the only lift down you'll need to 1600 Station.

Hire skis at Samoëns 1600 (shop there for this "Roland Gay" ) and ski the day from there.

Gondola lift down to Samoëns village at days end (it's skis off for this anyway, with definite foot passengers OK) to reach village.

I wouldn't go all way down to Cluses if you can avoid as it just adds distance for no reason if you can travel foot passenger to Samoëns.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Kenzie wrote:
@shilldiy,
Ask whomever you are booked with in Flaine and Samoens if you can do an extra night? If either say yes then just need transport between villages.


Unfortunately not an option, both places operate on weekly schedules (one finishing Saturday, one starts Sunday)
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Or ski over to Samoëns 1600 first thing, hire skis, then take your Flaine hire pair back to shop over there by carrying them on your shoulder while you ski, to then have the day skiing wherever you wish.

You'd then not even have to get off the snow for the day.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
ski3 wrote:
@shilldiy, unusual, but possible, if they let you as foot passenger ride the lifts down. You'd need to check this for connecting.

Bus to Molliet lift (its on the road from Flaine to Les Carroz, the only route) start morning with no skis.

Molliet to Tete d Saix chair ( high point above Samoëns 1600) then the only lift down you'll need to 1600 Station.

Hire skis at Samoëns 1600 (shop there for this "Roland Gay" ) and ski the day from there.

Gondola lift down to Samoëns village at days end (it's skis off for this anyway, with definite foot passengers OK) to reach village.

I wouldn't go all way down to Cluses if you can avoid as it just adds distance for no reason if you can travel foot passenger to Samoëns.


Thanks Ski3... will check out the route suggestion Eh oh! ideally we'd ski in Flaine as we'll already have skis from there (and don't need them until Wednesday in Samoens... long story).

But I realise I am making a tricky query even trickier Eh oh!
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
@shilldiy, you are mad
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@shilldiy,
How much luggage will you be carrying?
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Kenzie wrote:
@shilldiy,
How much luggage will you be carrying?


Probably turn it into a big rucksack each
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
shilldiy wrote:
Kenzie wrote:
@shilldiy,
How much luggage will you be carrying?


Probably turn it into a big rucksack each

Ever skiied with that much weight on your back?
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
No, but fairly competent and would have been quite happy to give it a go.... although we won't have skis (as they'll have been handed back in Flaine, and we'll then need to get new ski hire in Samoens).

I guess I'm asking...

If there's a hidden bus route/transfer option between the two (on a weekend) I don't know about,

OR

If getting from one to the other by foot with a big bag on my back using ski lifts is actually possible (no massive gaps of snow, and we're ok to go down the wrong way on all of them)

Thanks all
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Have you checked with Go Massif? https://gomassif.com

As they do transfers to both Flaine and Samoens, they may have someone going between the two, or more likely could drop you in Cluses, where you’re more likely to find a hotel for one night and then get them to pick you up on Sunday morning (or get the bus)
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Hitchhiking is not unusual in the Alps. I've done so a few times around Morgins/Chatel, picked people up quite often too. Mainly more local people will stop, and probably also that will do this.

The fact that there's two of you makes it more difficult, but I'd be pretty confident you'd both get there if you separated.
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
There used to be a bus that ran round from Samoens to Flaine. It was very helpful if you happened to accidentally get caught on the wrong side of the ridge in bad weather Embarassed . Unfortunately that route isn't there any more.

I doubt you'd be let up chair lifts on foot to be able to do it, but the suggestion by @ski3, could work and if you did that, Roland Gay has ski lockers for hire, so you could ski there first thing from Flaine and leave your bags in the locker, as opposed to skiing around with them all day. At the end of the day, you could then walk down the short walk/ski to the GME bubble, or get on the Vercland bubble opposite Roland Gay and jump on the bus at the bottom straight into Samoens, which would also have the huge benefit of taking you to La Reposette on the way back Very Happy, which is 100% recommended.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@shilldiy, A few more ideas.

Is the family holiday a package with a Geneva airport coach transfer? If so could you use that for part of the journey? I'd expect it to go through Cluses.

Have you considered hiring snow blades in Flaine and then using them to travel across to Samoens? You could then pick up your proper hire skis in Samoens and ski the snow blades back much more easily than full size skis.

Have you considered hiring a ski locker in Samoens from the Friday (or earlier) and skiing over a couple of back packs of luggage in advance so you don't need to ship a massive amount of stuff on the Saturday. You could both bring a folding holdall and use that.
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Another option/possibility, bus to Molliet, lift straight up to Morillon section, from there walk straight ahead into Morillon ski area and to the "l'Igloo" restaurant which is located at the top of chair coming up from Morillon Les Esserts 1100 that is definitely foot passenger usage (often see them downloading after a good lunch from there) then gondola down to Giffre valley floor from 1100 ski station.

At the base of Morillon, in the village, is a small hotel that could be booked for the night.

Here you are on the Giffre Valley bus route that includes Morillon and Samoëns, along with the stops at lift access points.

You could walk the top connect from lift arrival to L'Igloo in ski boots if needed and its all downhill too.
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
ski3 wrote:
Another option/possibility, bus to Molliet, lift straight up to Morillon section, from there walk straight ahead into Morillon ski area and to the "l'Igloo" restaurant which is located at the top of chair coming up from Morillon Les Esserts 1100 that is definitely foot passenger usage (often see them downloading after a good lunch from there) then gondola down to Giffre valley floor from 1100 ski station.

At the base of Morillon, in the village, is a small hotel that could be booked for the night.

Here you are on the Giffre Valley bus route that includes Morillon and Samoëns, along with the stops at lift access points.

You could walk the top connect from lift arrival to L'Igloo in ski boots if needed and its all downhill too.


That's a good shout, but are you sure on the chair lift access for people on foot? I'm sure I've looked before and it was pretty much just the gondolas that took foot passengers?
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porkpiefox wrote:
ski3 wrote:
Another option/possibility, bus to Molliet, lift straight up to Morillon section, from there walk straight ahead into Morillon ski area and to the "l'Igloo" restaurant which is located at the top of chair coming up from Morillon Les Esserts 1100 that is definitely foot passenger usage (often see them downloading after a good lunch from there) then gondola down to Giffre valley floor from 1100 ski station.

At the base of Morillon, in the village, is a small hotel that could be booked for the night.

Here you are on the Giffre Valley bus route that includes Morillon and Samoëns, along with the stops at lift access points.

You could walk the top connect from lift arrival to L'Igloo in ski boots if needed and its all downhill too.


That's a good shout, but are you sure on the chair lift access for people on foot? I'm sure I've looked before and it was pretty much just the gondolas that took foot passengers?


Yes as certain as I can be. Spent formative kids skiing there, my kids, on those lift and often with foot traffic accessing the L'Igloo restaurant going up from Les Esserts station. The first lift is on a learner ticket and son took his first unaccompanied ride there as I watched him going overhead Very Happy

Anecdotal from me, but frequently used for ski less persons.
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
ski3 wrote:
porkpiefox wrote:
ski3 wrote:
Another option/possibility, bus to Molliet, lift straight up to Morillon section, from there walk straight ahead into Morillon ski area and to the "l'Igloo" restaurant which is located at the top of chair coming up from Morillon Les Esserts 1100 that is definitely foot passenger usage (often see them downloading after a good lunch from there) then gondola down to Giffre valley floor from 1100 ski station.

At the base of Morillon, in the village, is a small hotel that could be booked for the night.

Here you are on the Giffre Valley bus route that includes Morillon and Samoëns, along with the stops at lift access points.

You could walk the top connect from lift arrival to L'Igloo in ski boots if needed and its all downhill too.


That's a good shout, but are you sure on the chair lift access for people on foot? I'm sure I've looked before and it was pretty much just the gondolas that took foot passengers?


Yes as certain as I can be. Spent formative kids skiing there, my kids, on those lift and often with foot traffic accessing the L'Igloo restaurant going up from Les Esserts station. The first lift is on a learner ticket and son took his first unaccompanied ride there as I watched him going overhead Very Happy

Anecdotal from me, but frequently used for ski less persons.


Ah ok. We’ve been going there for years, as part of a large group of different families and, at times, some haven’t skied, for different reasons. I’m sure their website says that foot passengers are only allowed on the gondolas, so we’ve always assumed that’s the case, but, as you say, it may be different in practice. The Igloo is a good spot though, had many nice drink in there over the years.
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Thanks all, appreciate the input!

Checking through logistics of various options... will post back here to let you know what we went with.

Just for a sense of closure... Eh oh!
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Does anyone do local microlight rentals? Or a paragliding ski trip pointing in the right direction?
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I think the price of a self inflicted problem is cash Just spend the money on a direct transfer. Everything else being discussed will, in practice, be a major pain even if it proves successful.
The walk to Morillon ski area from the Les Mollies lift is not exactly pedestrian friendly, especially carry large large backs packs. Are you sure that the guard rail on chairs will close with a large back pack? If not you have no chance of getting on.
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? Ski Flaine Saturday, bus to Cluses end of day, stay in Cluses.
? Sunday am taxi to ski hire shop by the lift in Samoens (leave luggage with shop), ski all day then check-in.
Even in cash terms you gain by staying in Cluses over Samoens and it a short/quick taxi to Samoan and means you maximise pleasurable skiing. Obvs ignore if you are a masochist.
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Thanks again all, we've opted to;
- Ski in Flaine on the Saturday
- Private transfer to Cluses (no bus)
- Stay in Cluses (cheaper accommodation)
- Public bus to Samoens
- Go food shopping/find a pub before checking into chalet.

Skiing (or microlight) all gear across would have been a great adventure, but sticking with sensible.

Cheers & enjoy your seasons
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Sounds like a good plan. I've stayed for a couple of nights in Cluses before, but that was due to a repair on a particularly bad arm break, so can't offer any advice other than the hospital staff were very nice there Laughing
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Kenzie wrote:
shilldiy wrote:
Kenzie wrote:
@shilldiy,
How much luggage will you be carrying?


Probably turn it into a big rucksack each

Ever skiied with that much weight on your back?


Yes, it's quite easy really.

Once skied with our backpacks from Plan Piesey to Arc 1800, so we could catch the Funicular to Bourge train station.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
shilldiy wrote:
If getting from one to the other by foot with a big bag on my back using ski lifts is actually possible (no massive gaps of snow, and we're ok to go down the wrong way on all of them)


I think it is sensible you've gone with the choice you have because I think the answer to this is almost certainly no. The documented pedestrian pass access for Grand Massif is only "certain gondolas" which suggests no access on foot for chair lifts. I do think they may allow pedestrian access on the Burgin chair to access L'igloo restaurant which would faciliate the descent to Morillon in the Samoens valley, if you could get to L'igloo. But to get there you'd have a big challenge as you'd need the Les Molliets chair which I don't think allows pedestrians. And even if it did, or you managed to blag your way on with a valid ski pass and a lot of charm to get the lifties to slow it down at the stations for you to get on/off, from the top of Les Molliets you'd still have a 2km walk downhill, some of it steep if on foot, by the side of a busy piste, carrying a big bag, maybe in fresh snow, to get to L'igloo.
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
[quote="shilldiy"]
- Private transfer to Cluses (no bus) /quote]
The ARVI bus goes from Flaine to Cluses Station at least 5 times a day in winter https://www.arvi-mobilite.fr/les-carroz-flaine-express/ Timetables should appear here as we get closer to winter
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@skier52, that's very exciting... will take a look closer to the time, thanks for letting me know Eh oh!
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Poster: A snowHead
A snowhead following a brave attempt to cross between two ski resorts via 10,000' mountains

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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
[quote="skier52"]
shilldiy wrote:

- Private transfer to Cluses (no bus) /quote]
The ARVI bus goes from Flaine to Cluses Station at least 5 times a day in winter https://www.arvi-mobilite.fr/les-carroz-flaine-express/ Timetables should appear here as we get closer to winter


Note, Cluses - Flaine bus only Mon-Fri, not weekends. Timetable not posted yet, but you can book tickets for the winter and Mon to Fri is bookable, but says no buses if you try to book Sat or Sun
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