Club Med Brings Family-Friendly Ski Resort to French Alps
by Jessica Montevago
Photo: Dmitry A. Mottl
For clients looking to hit the slopes next winter, Club Med will open its new flagship ski resort nestled in the French Alps in December, 2017.
Built on the edge of a cliff, the Grand Massif Samoëns will offer direct access to two main skiing domains from the ski equipment room. The Massif is best for beginners, while Flaine, the fourth-largest ski area in France, is more suitable for intermediate and expert skiers. Guests will also be able to explore the Samoëns village by taking the express ski lift followed by shuttles to the city center. In addition to accommodations and meals, the all-inclusive package cost will cover ski equipment, lessons and lift passes to five ski stations: Samoens, Morillon, Les Carroz and Flaine and a natural ski park in Sixt Fer a Cheval.
The 420-room resort, an hour from Geneva airport, was designed to be family-friendly. As with all Club Med locations, there will be a kids club for children aged anywhere from 4 months to 17 years. Grand Massif Samoëns will also have an “introduction to snow” course for toddlers, snowboard lessons for kids 8 and up, a dedicated ski room for children, a climbing wall, a music room and an art studio. One restaurant is dedicated to families with little ones, featuring kids’ meals and a baby corner.
For the rest of the family, Grand Massif Samoëns offers an indoor and outdoor heated pool, a gourmet lounge with menu design by French Chef Edouard Loubet, a Hamman and sauna, a fitness center and a spa.
The resort will be designated a four “trident” property, falling in the middle of the company’s three, four or five trident ranking system.
The move marks a commitment from the Paris-based brand to target affluent Millennials. CEO Henri Giscard d’Estaing said at the Skift Global Forum that many older Millennials are financially comfortable, have children and are interesting in travel.
Ski vacations also tap into another popular travel trend: wellness. The company’s 2016/17 ski study found nearly all skiers (95%) see their trip as a chance stay active while on vacation. The findings were from a survey of 1,002 adults in the United Kingdom.
