La Clusaz Ski Holidays

La Clusaz Ski Holidays

La Clusaz is a charming alpine village located in the north-west part of the Aravis mountain range, only 30 minutes from Annecy and an hour from Geneva. This picturesque village has been a hotbed for French snowsports talent, with a number of champions hailing from the village. Why not hone your skills in this fantastic winter playground?

Being a traditional village rather than a purpose-built high altitude resort, La Clusaz's activity isn't restricted to the winter months and as such it has a vibrancy as well as a wider variety of shops, restaurants and services than you might expect for somewhere its size. This also makes it an ideal destination for non-skiers with plenty of activities to keep everyone happy. La Clusaz also prides itself on being a very family-friendly resort and its proximity to Geneva Airport makes it a great option for a short break too.

Skiing in La Clusaz

The ski area in La Clusaz is linked to Manigod, giving access to 125km of skiing over five linked mountains (Beauregard, Etale, Aiguille, Balme and Manigod), with stunning views of Mont Blanc from higher points and a variety of runs to suit all levels of skier and snowboarder. The nearby Grand Bornand and Saint Jean de Sixt ski areas are also accessible by shuttle bus and are included in a full area Aravis lift pass offering 210km of runs in total.

In the La Clusaz area, the Beauregard and Manigod sectors are particularly well suited to families and beginners with three snow gardens for children and beginners. There's also a "family run" recreation area in the Mini Loup sector with two freestyle courses suitable for all to develop their freestyle skills on.

Intermediate skiers are extremely well catered for with a good selection of blue and red runs, including tree-lined pistes and cruisy slopes, and will find plenty of terrain to explore on the Etale and Aiguille sectors in particular.

For those looking for something a bit more testing, head up to the Balme area where there are some more challenging runs and a 1500m vertical drop back down to the centre of La Clusaz. The natural contours of this part of the mountain also make it a freerider's paradise. There are some good off-piste routes to try, including the classic Combe de Bellachat trail with a qualified guide. 

La Clusaz is also renowned for its nordic skiing. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will love the easily accessible selection of trails on offer over the two areas, Plateau des Confins and Plateau de Beauregard, providing over 80km of trails, including a 7km long connection to the neighbouring resort of Le Grand Bornand.

Image credit: Patrice Lebeau