Discover the ski resorts that welcome you just a stone’s throw from the town of Annecy. You can go downhill or cross-country skiing in Haute Savoie, but also in the other winter sports resorts from Annecy throughout the department and beyond!
The paradise of skiing
Do you love skiing and plan to come and have a blast in one of the many ski resorts in Haute-Savoie this winter? Come and ski, toboggan, snowboard or discover new sensations with the new slides. What to do in Annecy in winter? The city and its department are idyllic places to enjoy the joys of snow. From November to April, you can ski in peace and quiet on dozens of ski areas and hundreds of kilometres of slopes. In addition to skiing and snow sports, you can also enjoy the magnificent walks and snowshoe hikes that winter offers and its incredible landscapes.
If you are not a regular winter sports fan or only come for a few weeks each season, consider hiring the right equipment. However, if you like to have your own equipment, and it’s only natural when you like to practice a sport, Haute-Savoie is home to one of the leading ski and winter sports equipment retailers in France. So, we can only advise you to discover the equipment and clothing on Snowleader.com, a company which is located in Épagny Metz-Tessy and which has many shops, including one in Annecy!
Summer skiing and summer activities in the resorts
The altitude of some of the Haute-Savoie resorts is quite high. The ski season continues for most of the year. Some resorts in neighbouring departments even offer summer skiing. This is ideal for a varied holiday.
Culturally, the resorts offer festivals, museums and historical sites to visit. There is a wide choice of musical performances. Most styles are represented: classical, pop, rock, variety and electro. Concerts are often held in the middle of nature in the magical setting of the alpine meadows and mountains. In the summer, the resorts allow you to experience the mountains while practising the many activities we present to you. We offer you advice on how to book your ski holiday by choosing the resort that suits you best.
Ski areas around Annecy
Le Semnoz
The ski resort of Le Semnoz, which is located south-west of Annecy, allows you to come and enjoy skiing with your family. The ski area is accessible to all and is only 20 minutes from Annecy. Various sports are available in addition to skiing, such as sledging and snowshoeing. All this with an exceptional view of the Mont Blanc range and Lake Annecy.
More information on: Semnoz ski resort
La Clusaz
The ski resort of La Clusaz is located at the foot of the Aravis mountain range. It is located in a magnificent setting, a few dozen kilometres east of Annecy. La Clusaz is an international ski resort which allows you to ski all winter long on 132 kilometres of slopes! You can also enjoy full moon and night skiing.
More information on: La Clusaz ski resort
Le Grand Bornand
The ski resort of Le Grand Bornand is also a few dozen kilometres east of Annecy. It is located at the foot of the Aravis mountain range. You can ski there all winter on more than 90 kilometres of slopes with 39 ski lifts, at an altitude varying between 1,000 and 2,100 metres.
More about: Grand Bornand ski resort
Manigod
The resort of Manigod is located above the town of Thônes, about 25 kilometres from Annecy. It is one of the resorts of the Aravis massif, just like La Clusaz or Le Grand Bornand. This small resort between the Croix-Fry and Merdassier passes has only 25 kilometres of marked runs, at an altitude of between 1,500 and 1,800 metres.
More about: Manigod ski resort
Ski areas in Haute Savoie
Abondance
This resort is located about 100 km north-east of Annecy, between the town of Thonon-les-Bains and the Swiss border. It is situated between 1,000 and 1,650 m above sea level and has 25 km of ski runs and 9 ski lifts. For the pleasure of skiers, it is linked to the Portes du Soleil.
More information on: Abondance ski resort
Avoriaz
Avoriaz is located about 100 km north-east of Annecy. The resort overlooks the valley and the village of Morzine. Perched at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,400 metres and with 150 kilometres of pistes and 37 lifts, Avoriaz is one of the most popular resorts for celebrities. It is part of the Portes du Soleil.
More about : Avoriaz ski resort
Chamonix
At the foot of the Mont Blanc range, the resort of Chamonix is the highest in altitude with its 3,842 metres at the top of the slopes. It is located about a hundred kilometres to the east of the Annecy area, at the gateway to Italy and the Aosta Valley. The resort of Chamonix has 147 kilometres of slopes and about fifty ski lifts.
More information on : Chamonix ski resort
Châtel
This ski resort is located 120 kilometres north-east of Annecy, near the Swiss border, and is very close to the resort of Abondance. It has 83 kilometres of pistes and 44 ski lifts at an altitude of 1,100 metres in the resort and 2,200 metres at the top of the pistes. It is also linked to the Portes du Soleil.
More information on: Châtel ski resort
Combloux
The resort of Combloux is located about 80 kilometres east of Annecy, on the road to Chamonix and Mont Blanc. It has around 100 kilometres of ski runs and 37 ski lifts. Perched at an altitude of 1,000m in the resort and 2,350m at the top of the slopes, Combloux is linked to the Domaine Évasion Mont-Blanc.
More information on: Combloux ski resort
Flaine
The resort of Flaine is located 90 kilometres to the east of the Annecy basin, in the direction of Combloux and Chamonix. It is a magnificent destination, at an altitude of 2,500 metres. It has 120 kilometres of pistes and 26 lifts and is part of the Grand Massif ski area (265 km of pistes).
More information on: Flaine ski resort
Les Contamines Montjoie
The resort of Les Contamines is located 90 kilometres east of Annecy, on the road to Chamonix a few kilometres after the resort of Saint-Gervais. The ski area of Les Contamines Montjoie has 120 km of pistes and 24 lifts. Situated between 1,200 and 2,500 metres above sea level, the resort is also the ideal place for ski touring.
More about: Contamines Montjoie ski resort
Les Gets
The resort of Les Gets is located 80 kilometres north-west of the Annecy basin, between the towns of Cluses and Morzine. It has 180 km of pistes and 49 ski lifts. Les Gets is in the centre of the Portes du Soleil, which consists of 12 resorts and 650 km of pistes!
More information on : Les Gets ski resort
Megève
Megève is without doubt the largest ski resort in Haute-Savoie. It is located about fifty kilometres south-east of Annecy. It has more than 450 kilometres of ski slopes and 88 ski lifts if we take into account the Evasion Mont-Blanc domain.
More information on: Megève ski resort
Morzine
Morzine is a ski resort in Haute-Savoie, with a ski area linked to Avoriaz and the Portes du Soleil. Many activities can be enjoyed, such as hiking in summer or cross-country skiing in winter.
The resort is very popular with families.
More info on: Morzine resort
Passy Plaine-Joux
Passy Plaine-Joux is a ski resort in Haute-Savoie. Its southern exposure and easy slopes make it an ideal resort for families and beginner skiers.
It is also possible to enjoy many walks, both in summer and winter, particularly in the Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve.
More information on : resort of Passy Plaine-Joux
Praz de Lys Sommand
The resort of Praz de Lys Sommand is located 70 kilometres north-east of Annecy, between Cluses and Morzine. It has 60 kilometres of pistes and 26 lifts, at 2,000 metres at the top of the pistes. Praz de Lys-Sommand is actually made up of 2 resorts: Praz de Lys and Sommand.
More information on: Praz de Lys Sommand resort
Praz-sur-Arly
Praz-sur-Arly is a resort located in the Val d’Arly, in Haute-Savoie. Particularly popular with families, it offers a wide range of activities in winter and summer. Praz-sur-Arly is a village that hosts annual hot air ballooning events.
More information on : resort of Praz-sur-Arly
Samoëns
The resort of Samoëns is located 80 kilometres north-east of Annecy, next to Morzine, Praz de Lys Sommand and Avoriaz. It has 140 kilometres of pistes and 51 ski lifts at an altitude of 2500 metres at the top of the pistes. It is linked to the Grand Massif ski area. From the slopes, you will have a unique view of Mont Blanc and its massif.
More information on : Samoëns ski resort
Seythenex – Val Tamié
These are two ski areas close to each other. They are located in the Bauges massif, above Lake Annecy. The natural beauty of the area is evident throughout the seasons and these resorts are perfect places to learn to ski with your family.More information on: Seythenex-Val Tamié ski resort
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
The ski resort of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is first and foremost a mountain village that has managed to preserve its authenticity. It is located at an altitude of 765 m, in a unique natural setting, with the famous Fer-à-Cheval cirque. The resort is part of the Grand Massif ski area, which has 265 km of runs.More information on: Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval ski resort
Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
Saint Gervais is located 90 kilometres east of Annecy, a few kilometres from Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. In addition to skiing, Saint-Gervais is renowned for its fitness centre. The resort has 130 kilometres of pistes and 36 ski lifts. It is part of the Evasion Mont-Blanc domain.
More info: Saint Gervais Mont Blanc ski resort
Ski areas in Savoie
Bonneval-sur-Arc
Bonneval-sur-Arc is a ski resort in Savoie. It is located in the heart of the Vanoise National Park and was elected Most Beautiful Village in France.
The hamlet of l’Écot is an emblematic place of Bonneval-sur-Arc. The houses made of stone and wood make its charm.
More information on: Bonneval-sur-Arc resort
Courchevel
Courchevel is a ski resort located in the Tarentaise region. It is considered one of the most exclusive resorts in France, as well as being the world capital of skiing, and is part of the 3 Valleys. The resort of Courchevel celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016.
More information on : Courchevel resort
La Féclaz – Grand Revard
This beautiful family resort is located in the Bauges massif. It offers many activities, both in summer and winter. Particularly popular with cross-country skiers, it is nicknamed “Little Canada”. The towns of Chambéry and Aix-les-Bains are 25 km away, and Annecy is 35 km away.
More information on: Grand Revard – La Féclaz ski resort
Les Arcs
Les Arcs is a resort in the Tarentaise region of Savoie. The quality of its snow cover is well known. The ski area is part of Paradiski. The resort is composed of five sites and is accessible via an electric funicular. It is 100% pedestrian and takes into account the ecological aspect in its development.
More information on: Les Arcs resort
La Plagne
The ski resort of La Plagne is part of the Paradiski ski area, which has 425 kilometres of pistes. It consists of 11 villages. Many activities can be enjoyed in La Plagne, both in summer and winter. The resort is also a breeding ground for top athletes.
More information on: La Plagne resort
Les Saisies
Les Saisies is a resort in the Beaufortain region of Savoie. It is a family resort and gives access to the Espace Diamant ski area. From the slopes, you will have a nice view of the Mont-Blanc. This snow loft is also very popular for its Nordic area and for the quality of its snow cover.
More info on: Les Saisies resort
Les Sybelles
Les Sybelles is a group of 6 resorts forming a single ski area, located in Savoie and where it is possible to do many activities.
You can also enjoy the view of the Aiguilles d’Arves, but also the Croix de Fer pass during the summer season.
More information on : Les Sybelles and its resorts
Tignes
Tignes is the Tarentaise resort on which the Grande Motte glacier is located. Skiers of all levels can enjoy the ski slopes, which are linked to the Val d’Isère area. Tignes is also known for its hydroelectric dam, which was completed in 1952.
More info on: Tignes resort
Val Cenis
The resort of Val Cenis is located in the Haute-Maurienne region of Savoie. The ski area is spread over 125 kilometres of pistes. The green Escargot run is the longest in Europe.
Composed of 5 villages, the family resort of Val Cenis is popular with the people of Chambéry, but also with the Belgians and the Dutch.
More information on : Val Cenis resort
Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère is a resort in Savoie. It hosts many alpine skiing competitions, such as the 2009 World Championships. The Face de Bellevarde is the most famous slope in Val d’Isère. A posh resort, it has attracted an international clientele since the end of the Second World War.
More information on: Val d’Isère resort
Valloire
Valloire is a so-called 4th generation ski resort, located in the Maurienne. It is the home village of French skier Jean-Baptiste Grange. Valloire is also known for the unclassified Galibier pass. It has been climbed several times by Tour de France cyclists.
More info at: resort of Valloire
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is a third generation resort, located in the Tarentaise region. It was created in 1971. It is one of the region’s must-see resorts and has won 7 “World’s Best Resort” awards. The resort has 150 km of slopes and is part of the 3 Valleys area. In total, it is possible to ski on 600 km of slopes, 39% of which are located in Val Thorens.
More information about : Val Thorens resort
Ski areas in Isère
Alpe d’Huez
The ski resort of Alpe d’Huez is located in Isère. It is internationally renowned and has a vast ski area. The Sarenne piste, for example, is 16 kilometres long. The Alpe is also popular with cyclists and regularly hosts the Tour de France.
More information on: resort of Alpe d’Huez
Les Deux Alpes
The ski resort of Les Deux Alpes is one of the main ones in Isère. Originally, it consisted of two mountain pastures, those of Mont de Lans and Venosc. They were linked to create the resort. Today, Les 2 Alpes is known worldwide.
More information on: Les Deux Alpes resort
Les 7 Laux
Les 7 Laux is a resort located 35 kilometres from Grenoble and created in 1971. It is spread over the sites of Prapoutel, Pipay and Le Pleynet. The resort is very popular with lovers of powder snow and wide open spaces, but also with families.
More information about : 7 Laux resort
Winter skiing near Annecy
In winter, once in the resort, there are several choices for skiing. Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ski touring, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledging, discover the many activities available to you in winter in the mountains near Annecy! Which activity will you choose?
More information about : Winter sports in Annecy
How to ski and learn to ski?
Are you a ski beginner and would like to get on the slopes this winter without looking ridiculous? Are you already an amateur, but would like to improve your skiing technique? Don’t worry, here are some providers who will help you learn to ski and improve your technique:
