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Host rating
85 %
Last replied
8 Apr 2025
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Details
Description
The lodge & farm is located directly beneath the famous mount Criou in a heart-achingly pristine Alpine valley. Named after the now extinct Folly Glacier, the once abandoned farm has been restored by ourselves and volunteers with a focus on sustainable, biodiverse, regenerative forest practices.
We hold regular open days for visitors where we showcase tried and tested as well as new and innovative ways of increasing fertility for plants with biochar and microbial-rich compost, producing electricity and heat via pyrolysis of wood biomass and being entirely energy self-sufficient and sustainable.
We currently only host volunteers at our farm , but in future expect to have a space for events in winter and summer.
Our farm structures such as animal housing, sheds, fences as well as plant growing spaces are built with materials collected from the forests around us with as little manufactured materials as possible. We follow the ancient country tradition of using hazel rods woven together to make wattle fences and lay down living hedges to both protect animals from predators and to keep the deer out of our vegetable gardens. It is an entirely off-grid farm where the focus is on improving biodiversity and sustainability while prioritising food sovereignty. All the food we produce is consumed on the farm by ourselves, volunteers and friends. The energy we generate from wood biomass keeps the light on, the house warm and produces zero pollutants.
Recreation
Criss-crossed by nature trails, the farm is a gateway to a vast Alpine wilderness notably the Reserve Naturel de Sixt-Passy, the largest natural reserve in Haute Savoie encompassing over 1700 hectares.
Located two kilometers from the town of Samoëns - a famous winter sports, hiking , biking, climbing, paragliding destination winter and summer.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Sustainability
Pets
Farming
Charity work
Writing
Photography
Gardening
Cooking & food
Books
Architecture
Animals
Winter sports
Yoga / Wellness
Sailing / Boating
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Dancing
Cycling
Camping
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The farm is located along a beautiful hiking trail that crosses the Alps to Switzerland and is dotted with refuges for overnight stays. There are endless recreational activities on hand - including rock climbing at the end of the field, hang gliding, spelunking, mountain biking and rafting all within 10-20 minutes. The space also lends itself to relaxation in the pools of a wild mountain torrent cut across the farm, or simply lighting a campfire to enjoy the astonishing night skies and star gaze in an area of near zero light pollution.
Help
For Spring 2025, we are looking for help in chalet renovations, maintenance and organization. If you have experience in DIY and construction etc and are interested in living off-grid, drop us a line!
We also have lots of farm activities underway including:
1. Animal husbandry. specifically organizing our forest pastured ducks and chickens
2. Supporting the farm’s regenerative agricultural initiatives, including log-based forest farming mushroom production
3. Vegetable production in organic garden
4. Biochar production, compost heat extraction, green building for animal shelters
5. Forest thinning and brush removal along communal paths that crisscross the farm and its surrounds
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Studio apartment particularly suitable to accommodate a couple
As hosts we provide food for all guest meals. We prepare a hearty meal at lunch and guests organize breakfast and usually their meals themselves. We occasionally invite guests for our evening meals depending on family activities..
What else ...
Samoens and the wider Giffre valley is teeming with activities for the outdoor enthusiasts. It is a major destination for winter sports, whether via the ski lifts that lead to the huge Grand Massif skiing area or on countless cross country trails through the mountains.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
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