Via Alpina: Samoens to Le Buet via the Aiguilles Rouges
A 3-day hike along part of the Via Alpina in the stunning Haute-Savoie region of France.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 53 km
- Ascent
- 3.8 km
- Descent
- 3.2 km
Grand Massif
This incredibly big, but still little known area, has so much going for it that we are loathe to share, but share we must – it’s a fatmap community thing! With the title of ‘one of the largest linked ski areas in France’, host to the second longest totally on-piste run in Europe, and being just one hour from Geneva it is no wonder even the Tourist Offices don’t want to broadcast its attributes for fear of overcrowding!
Explore Grand Massif with curated guides of the best hiking trails, ski routes, and more. With over 36 3D trail maps in FATMAP, you can easily discover and navigate the best trails in Grand Massif.
No matter what your next adventure has in store, you can find a guide on FATMAP to help you plan your next epic trip.
Get a top trail recommendation in Grand Massif from one of our 2 guidebooks, or get inspired by the 36 local adventures uploaded by the FATMAP community. Start exploring now!
Routes in Grand Massif
Off Marmotttes
A steep short pitch with a flat-ish path to get out.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 836 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 177 m
Aujon off piste run
Easy and gentle off piste which is usually very quiet
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 731 m
- Ascent
- 1 m
- Descent
- 177 m
Vernant Right
Open face - great powder or moguls then more gentle terrain.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.1 km
- Ascent
- 2 m
- Descent
- 335 m
Vernant Left
An open face with great powder or moguls then into a steep couloir.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1 km
- Ascent
- 6 m
- Descent
- 358 m
Gron Off Piste
A longer open face which in good snow conditions can be fantastic.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 496 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 192 m
Under Gron chair
If you like an audience this is for you! A varied run with lots of fun bumps and lumps.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 271 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 78 m
Airon Bowl - exit right
A great open bowl
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 463 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 177 m
Airon Bowl - exit left
An open bowl that is prone to slide but has a long run in good conditions.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 971 m
- Ascent
- 1 m
- Descent
- 291 m
Hike to top of Veret when drag closed
A great run which is relatively easily accessed even when the lift is not open.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.9 km
- Ascent
- 133 m
- Descent
- 355 m
Grand Patieres - off piste access
A steep-ish couloir opens up to great pitch.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.5 km
- Ascent
- 2 m
- Descent
- 402 m
Open face - Past trees & turn right from top of Gron
This is a short but fun open run. The first bit is fairly steep then it gets shallower and more open.
Moderate Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 334 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 125 m
Off side of Corbalanches
Tight through the trees then opens up to steep short-ish pitch
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 704 m
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 225 m
Vernant Central
An open pitch with great powder or moguls into a steeper couloir and then open ground.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 746 m
- Ascent
- 2 m
- Descent
- 294 m
Gers Bowl
A long off piste run with great variety and a long difficult drag to get back out
Severe Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 2.1 km
- Ascent
- 13 m
- Descent
- 635 m
From top of Vernant & Grands Vans chairs
Along a ridge and then an open face.
Difficult Freeride Skiing
- Distance
- 1.3 km
- Ascent
- 0 m
- Descent
- 247 m