Gite De Gers - Samoëns

Very pleased the Gite has reopened after being closed down last year. I cycled up and arrived rather early for lunch but the owner was very welcoming and helpful, making up a special hot apricot and apple crumble. Delicious. The lunch menu looked excellent. Such a change from my last 2 visits in winter when I was both ignored and dismissed, even though I only wanted a beer inside after skiing the Combe de Ger. The view is stunning and worth the trip up, or the ski down in winter via the Cascade route to Sixt/Salvagny. Accessible either from the Samoens side or up the Cascade from Sixt in Summer. Also accessible in Summer by 4x4 from the 1600 road. I hope the Gite remains occupied and opens for the ski season as it has been sorely missed since closing. The cascade route has been improved by the installation of lots of new snow cannons. Years ago a large group of us stayed overnight in January for my wife's birthday. A hugely enjoyable stay made better by the heavy snowfall overnight providing 7km of fresh powder to ski down to Sixt.

This restaurant/refuge is reached by a long ski down Les Cascades from the top of the ski resort at Flaine. The run down is straightforward but with several stretches where a schuss is needed if you want to avoid pole pushing.. You need to book ahead with a phone call and check that Les Cascdes is open (sometimes closed because of snow conditions). After the ski down the track through the trees look out for the radio phone box at the corner fo the piste (near a barn on the left). Make the call and the restaurant will send a skidoo down for you which will tow you (6 skiers at a time) up to the restaurant (2-3 minute tow)! You have arrived!!! Lunch is simple fare but in large portions and the view next to the frozen lake up the valley is to die for. Try and get there by 12.00 noon because after a long lunch the usual way back to Flaine is to ski down to Sixt (a track) and then bus to Samoens and up and over two valleys by chairlift to the Flaine bowl (allow two hours). This is an event to put on your bucket list!!