The ski resort of La Clusaz is an authentic mountain village, home to great champions such as Edgar Grospiron and Candide Thovex. The resort is at an altitude of 1,040 metres and allows you to ski up to 2,470 metres!
A traditional mountain village
The favourite resort of Annéciens has been built between tradition and modernity. It is located at the bottom of a closed valley, surrounded by vast pastures. At the beginning of the 20th century, the opening of the Grandes Alpes road allowed the first winter tourist boom. Agriculture, with the production of cheese including Reblochon, fairs and forestry developed the local economy.
In 1955, the construction of the cable car launched mass winter sports in the resort. Many champions came from the village: Guy Peillat, Raphaël Monod and Régine Cavagnoud. This resort welcomes a French and international clientele with many hotels of different standards.
The church of La Clusaz, typical of the Haute-Savoie baroque style, is located in the centre of the village. We recommend theAravis water park. In winter and summer, you can swim in heated pools with a magnificent view of the mountains. A large slide with a slide cannon is a delight for children.
Every year, in mid-September, the traditional Foire de la Croix is held on the Champ-Giguet. Several competitions are held to decide between cows of the Abondance breed. The fair must also determine the best Reblochon cheese in the valley. This event marks the return of the herds to the village after the descent from the mountain pastures. During this day, various activities are proposed: a market on the church square, musical entertainment, an exhibition of agricultural equipment, horse-drawn carriage rides, a zip line and herd dog demonstrations by the farmers.
The ski area
The equipment offered in this fantastic playground is substantial:
- Kilometres of downhill ski runs: 132 km
- Number of slopes: 85, broken down as follows – 24 green, 30 blue, 24 red and 7 black
- Number of lifts: 55, which break down as follows – 34 drag lifts, 14 chair lifts, 1 cable car & 6 gondolas
- Kilometres of cross-country ski trails: 70 km
- One snowpark and one bordercross
Winter sports
The resort is renowned for its freestyle skiing. Its ski area is spread over the five massifs of Balme, Aiguille, Étale, Manigod and Beauregard. The Beauregard and Confins plateaus have magnificent Nordic ski runs.
Most of the major winter sports disciplines can be practised in the resort of La Clusaz:
- Nordic, alpine and touring skiing
- Skating
- Snowshoeing
- Sledging
- Snowmobiling
- Dog sledding
- Speed riding
- Ski Joëing
Top rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels and tourist accommodations in La Clusaz that offer excellent value for money. They have very good reviews from customers.
Hotel Beauregard
An establishment in the pure Savoyard architectural style, which benefits from ski-to-door access. Its strong points: heated indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, hammam. The rooms are tastefully decorated. Restaurants and shops are nearby. Parking is available upon reservation.
From €110 per night.
Hotel Les Sapins
All rooms are en suite and have a balcony, which offers a beautiful view of the Aravis mountain range. You can reach the slopes on foot. The Savoyard architecture and the refined restaurant will enhance your stay.
From 90 € per night.
St-Alban Hotel & Spa
A magnificent 4-star hotel that takes care of its guests: ski pass sales point, concierge service, indoor pool, wellness centre and spa. The hotel organises a ski rental service. The resort is 1 km away.
From € 105 per night.
Hotel La Montagne
A traditional and quality hotel located 180 m from the ski slopes. It offers private bathroom, Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast. The cuisine is traditional with delicious local specialities such as fondue and tartiflette.
From € 58 per night.
Hotel Christiania
Located in the centre of the village of La Clusaz, right next to the ski slopes. This 3-star hotel has a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains and is equipped with a terrace and a sauna. The Crêt du Merle chairlift is 150 metres away.
From €77 per night.
The most beautiful chalets
For an unforgettable holiday in the mountains, we offer three chalets for rent in La Clusaz that have received excellent reviews from guests:
Chalet le 1791
This beautiful 60 m² traditional chalet is located close to the ski school and has free private parking, a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom and a beautiful terrace. The view of the mountains is worth a visit. It is decorated in the Savoyard style in wood.
Chalet-Hotel Inarpa
This accommodation is located on the road leading up from La Clusaz to Le Confins. It offers ski in/ski out access to the ski area. Facilities include parking, lounge area, fireplace, cable TV. The jacuzzi allows you to enjoy the view of the mountains.
Chalet Cosyneige
A very nice address for this 134 m² chalet with whirlpool bath, private parking space, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, equipped kitchen, dining area. The large balcony offers a view of the river. You have ski in ski out access.
The resort’s athletes
The ski resort of La Clusaz has many athletes. Some of them have made a name for themselves on the international scene. Here are some of the village’s most famous athletes.
Edgar Grospiron
Born in 1969, Edgar Grospiron is a former freestyle ski champion. Specialising in moguls, he became the first champion of the discipline in Albertville in 1992. Three times world champion, he also finished first in the overall World Cup moguls ranking four times. Since hanging up his skis, Edgar Grospiron has become a consultant and speaker on management and motivation.
Edgar Grospiron – Youtube
Régine Cavagnoud
Régine Cavagnoud is a French skier specialising in Super-G. Born in Thônes in 1970, she started skiing in the resort of La Clusaz at the age of 5. At the age of 15, she joined the French team. Although her career was slowed down by injuries, the Frenchwoman became World Super-G Champion in 2001. Régine Cavagnoud, who had 8 victories and an overall World Cup ranking in her discipline, died in 2001 while training.
Vincent Vittoz
In La Clusaz, the cross-country skier Vincent Vittoz needs no introduction. Born in 1975 in Annecy, the Nordic skier has eight individual victories to his credit and one in relays. In 2005, he finished second in the overall World Cup ranking. Since announcing his retirement from sport, Vincent Vittoz has become a coach. He coached the French cross-country skiers between 2011 and 2018. Today, he coaches the French biathlon team.
Candide Thovex
Candide Thovex. If you’re a ski fan, you’ll have heard the name before. The skier, a freestyle specialist, began his career at the age of 14, in 1996. He won the X-Games big-air in 2000 and 2001, as well as the half pipe and super pipe in 2001 and 2003 respectively. In 2010, he won the Freeride World Tour, his first time participating in the competition. Today, Candide Thovex combines filmmaking and entrepreneurship.
Candide Thovex
Attractive ski passes
Downhill and cross-country skiing: the ski area offered by La Clusaz is very vast and this is why prices vary depending on whether you wish to ski only in La Clusaz or in the whole area. We invite you to discover the offers proposed: downhill ski passes and cross-country ski passes. Students can take advantage of a special pass, as well as senior citizens.
Snowshoeing itineraries
The resort offers more than 30 km of groomed circuits and 95 km of marked trails in the Aravis to practice this sport close to nature. You can choose an easy family walk or a full day’s walk, depending on your wishes:
- The Merdassier-Croix Fry circuit: this large groomed and marked trail allows you to link the Col du Merdassier to the Col de la Croix Fry. You will discover the authentic Merdassier mountain pasture and the Grand Crêt forest. Duration: 1 hour for 2.6 km.
- The descent from Mersassier to La Clusaz: this trail unveils the natural alpine pasture of Merdassier and then descends to the resort on the edge of the forest. Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes for 5.6 km.
- Les Confins: located above La Clusaz, this area dedicated to cross-country skiing allows you to follow numerous snowshoe trails which will allow you to see the tracks of the emblematic fauna of Haute-Savoie.
The must-see events in La Clusaz
La Clusaz is a dynamic resort where many events are organised. Some of them have become unmissable. Here are two of them.
The Radio Meuh Circus Festival
This innovative festival allows you to meet various artists in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. It is hosted by the independent web radio Radio Meuh. Over the years, the event has attracted an increasingly large audience. It takes place every year over four days at the end of March or beginning of April. It takes place at the bottom of the slopes, on the car park of the Salon des Dames.
It is an opportunity to discover new bands, as well as live artists. The festival offers concerts under a big top and DJ sets on the slopes and in the village centre.
Le Bélier
Le Bélier is an unmissable event in La Clusaz, organised by the Club des Sports. Born from the meeting of trail and hiking enthusiasts, it takes place in three editions throughout the year: the Bélier Blanc in January, the Bélier VTT in June and the Bélier trail in August.
On average, 4,000 participants take part in these races every year, including 1,500 hikers. Children have their own race and a village of exhibitors is set up in the heart of the resort.
Ideas for summer activities
We suggest some ideas for a great summer holiday in La Clusaz.
The tour of the Confins lake
4 km from the centre of the village, access is via the path below the restaurant “Le Foly”. The loop is suitable for the whole family and can be completed in one hour. This natural lake is located at the foot of the Aravis combes. Several restaurants are located nearby.
The lake of Tardevant
The departure is on the path that leads to the Bombardellaz refuge. After this one, the track passes by the combe de Tardevant and leads you to the lake. The return is via the Paccaly mountain pasture, where you can admire a pretty typical chalet. For the more experienced, we recommend continuing to the Pointe de Tardevant, from where you can see Mont Blanc.
The Espace Loisirs des Confins
On the Confins plateau, children can enjoy the following activities: two zip lines (300 and 700 m), balance workshop (stilts and stackline), accro tyro (high course and zip lines from 4 years old), trampoline and bouncy castle.
Snack at the farm: on the Beauregard plateau, the Corbassières farm offers delicious snacks during a visit to the farm. The view of the Aravis mountain range is unforgettable.
The Savoy Cheese Festival
This event has been held every year for the past 16 years in one of the Savoy cheese territories. In 2021, it was La Clusaz that hosted this event at the end of August. It is an opportunity to understand how the local star cheese is made: Reblochon PDO. The public meets the herds and takes part in games and other activities.
Taste of the farm
On the Beauregard plateau, the Corbassières farm offers delicious snacks. The view of the Aravis mountain range is unforgettable.
Access and Skibus
You can get to the ski resort of La Clusaz from the town of Thônes or Bonneville, but also from Le Grand Bornand, coming from Cluses and from the N212 between Megève and Albertville. From Annecy, it takes 45 minutes to reach La Clusaz. We recommend that you leave early, especially during the winter season. Slowdowns are not uncommon and can take effect at the end of the Aravis road.
There is a daily bus service between Annecy and La Clusaz, which costs €8. At weekends, the resort offers transport between Annecy (departure from the Glaisins cemetery in Annecy-le-vieux) with the purchase of a daily ski pass. Departure is at 8.30 am and return at 5.25 pm.
A bus line called SKIBUS provides a shuttle service between Le Grand-Bornand, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, La Clusaz, Manigod and Thônes. It connects the places of residence, the centre of the villages and the foot of the slopes. The service stops on 11 April. Fare: 2 € per ticket or 10 € per week. The skibus is free on presentation of the resident card, the Aravis Bus card and an Aravis ski pass valid for the La Clusaz, Manigod and Grand Bornand areas.
Official video of the resort of La Clusaz
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