One of my favourite ski memories is being at the La Clusaz Ski Resort in France for New Year’s Eve. I remember arriving at the top of the L’Aguille ski slope on Massif de l’Aiguille and thinking, “This view is unbelievable, and what a way to see the end of the year.” High above the cloud level, all I could see were the peaks of the surrounding mountains. I felt like I was skiing in heaven.
La Clusaz, France, is renowned for its extensive ski area, varied terrain, charming village atmosphere, and authentic Savoyard culture. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to explore more of this stunning ski resort, our comprehensive winter guide features the skiing terrain, activities, and top recommendations on where to eat and stay to help you make the most of your time in La Clusaz.
The Aravis mountain range with Mont Blanc in the background from La Clusaz Ski piste.
La Clusaz Ski Resort
La Clusaz (meaning ‘a narrow path between two mountains’) ski resort is situated in the picturesque Haute-Savoie region in south-eastern France. The village sits at an altitude of about 1,100m, while the ski area reaches a maximum height of 2,600m. It is pretty and unspoiled, with a charming atmosphere, featuring cosy chalet-style restaurants and accommodations and is only 30 minutes from Annecy and within an hour’s drive of Geneva airport.
The ski season runs from mid-December to late April, with the Balme Massif opening in late November.
Skiing La Clusaz
La Clusaz Ski Resort (Manigod) has five ski areas: Beauregard / Étale / Balme / Aiguille and Croix (Fry / Merctassier). These areas are spread across four main mountains: Massif de Balme / Massif de l’Aiguille, Massif de l’Etat, and Massif de Manigod. There are 125 km of runs, connected by 47 chairlifts and gondolas. It is also part of the wider Massif des Aravis ski area, which includes St-Jean-de-Sixt and Le Grand-Bornand Ski Resort, with 200 km of ski slopes connected by ski shuttles.
For beginners and families, head to the Manigod area, which offers gentle green and blue pistes. On a clear day, and if you are a confident skier, head up to the top of Col de Balme in the Balme Massif, where you can enjoy incredible views of Mont Blanc. This area is renowned for freeride and off-piste skiing, featuring steep reds and blacks. The top of the L’Aguille ski slope on the Massif de l’Aiguille is also another great spot, and my favourite area to ski. Not only do you feel like you are skiing above the clouds, but you can take different red and blue slopes all the way back to the village.
The search and rescue team at Col de Balme La Clusaz Ski Resort
La Clusaz Ski Passes & Ski Area
Ski Passes
Ski passes are available for La Clusaz / Manigod Ski Area (Beauregard / Etale / Balme / Aiguille and Croix ( Fry /Merctassier)) or an Aravis Pass, which also includes St Jean de Sixt and Le Grand-Bornand Ski Resort. These ski passes can be purchased for either a single or a two-day pass. If you buy a 6-day consecutive lift pass, you will get an additional day free, along with one entrance to the ice rink and cinema.
Visitors can also get a family pass or a duo ski pass for two people, allowing a parent/guardian to ski with children under five. If you purchase your ski passes online from La Clusaz Tourism, you will receive a discount.
La Clusaz Ski Resort Overview
- There are some good, steep, challenging red slopes, especially in both L’Aiguille and Torchere areas.
- 84 Piste slopes (16 green / 31 blue / 30 red and 8 blacks )
- 47 Ski lifts
- 1 FreeStyle Area & 1 fun zone
- 125 km of runs
- 5 massifs (groups of areas for skiing and snowboarding)
- Plenty of on and off-piste skiing, especially through the forest after a fresh dump of snow.
Overlooking the slopes on Massif de L’Etale – La Clusaz Ski Resort
Winter Activities in La Clusaz Ski Resort
La Clusaz Ski Resort offers a variety of winter activities for everyone. For families, there are options like ski-joering, where you are pulled by a horse while on skis, night sledging, or paragliding for the more adventurous.
Here are my top things to do in La Clusaz Ski Resort during winter.
Tandem Paragliding over the French Alps
If there is one adventure activity I recommend in the Alps, it is tandem paragliding on skis. I have paraglided a few times before in the summer, but never on skis, and to be honest, I loved it even more. When you start, you stand on the side of the slope in your skis (so you don’t ski off). Then your guide says ‘go’, so you turn your skis downhill, and before you know it, you are up in the air. It is much easier than running during takeoff.
Once in the air, you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of La Clusaz Ski Resort and the Aravis mountains. You depart from the Beauregard Area near Hotel Altitude 1647, subject to wind conditions, with your qualified guide. Then you land in the blue slope area close to the Le Champ Bleu Ski lift. Tandem paragliding lasts about 20 minutes, and you’ll need to bring sunglasses and skis. Book your tandem paragliding experience online and see the rest of the details.
Tandem Paragliding over La Clusaz Village
Enjoy a Spa La Clusaz
One of the top things to do in La Clusaz, France, whether in winter or summer, is to enjoy one of the spas. The Spa Payot – Le Chamois Spa Wellness Centre is the place to do it. The Spa offers a wide range of massages and treatments, as well as a Sauna, relaxation area, herbal teas, and an aquatic course. Not to mention the amazing pool, one of the largest in the Alps.
The pool featured hydro-massage jets, a swan-neck fountain, and seating with jets and bubbles, all designed to help you relax during your ski holiday. Another spa and wellness centre worth mentioning is Nuxe Spa, located at the St-Alban Hotel, along with Cristal Spa in the centre of the village. Don’t forget to take your swimwear.
Explore historic Annecy
Take a break from skiing and visit the fairytale village of Annecy, Haute-Savoie. Known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals, and pastel-coloured houses. It is only a 30-minute drive from La Clusaz village.
There are many things to enjoy, such as wandering around the old town or exploring Lake Annecy on foot or by boat. You can easily spend half a day or a full day in Annecy and still return to the ski resort for dinner. Hire a local guide for 60 minutes to explore Annecy or enjoy a three-hour food tour in a historic village.
Ski-Joering in La Clusaz
Want to try a fun, different activity in La Clusaz Ski resort? Then I suggest going ski-joering. It consists of two people being pulled by a horse, while on skis without poles. You hang onto a tow rope in a manner akin to water skiing. Ski-joering originally comes from the Norwegian word skikjøring, meaning “skis driving over snow.” The horse starts at a steady pace to let you get accustomed to it, then picks up speed, which is a lot of fun.
The horses are specifically trained to go around a circuit, so you will be perfectly fine. You are also with a guide who rides in front of you on another horse, which the other horses follow. This activity lasts 30 minutes and is available from December to March. It can also be done in the resort of Morzine, France.
Please wear your ski trousers and ski jackets, and take your downhill ski boots and skis if you have them.
A selfie with my horse from Ski-Joering – Winter Activities La Clusaz
La Clusaz Restaurants
Nothing beats enjoying a hearty lunch or dinner after an intense day of winter activities in the mountains of La Clusaz. However, sometimes the main problem is deciding where to eat. Here are a couple of lunch and dinner recommendations you may like.
La Ferme – Mountain Restaurant.
Looking for a restaurant on the mountain in La Clusaz, I recommend La Ferme, situated on the blue ski slopes just above the La Patinore gondola. The restaurant has a good-sized terrace with views of the main village. La Ferme serves traditional French cuisine and mountain specialities, such as Mont d’Or, Tartiflette, and Raclette, accompanied by local wines. Restaurant La Ferme is a well-known restaurant and popular with tourists and locals, so I suggest booking in advance.
Sushi Fumi – Restaurant in La Clusaz Village
Sushi is certainly not what comes to mind when you think of food in the French Alps, but Sushi Fumi is incredible. It is situated in the centre of the La Clusaz Ski Resort village. The sushi was extremely fresh, and the two owners added their own unique twist to the dishes. Not only did the food taste fantastic, but it also looked very colourful. Sushi Fumi only seats 10 people; you need to book a table during lunch and dinner.
L’Outa Restaurant
L’Outa Restaurant serves hearty mountain food such as pasta, burgers, and pizza, along with Savoyard specialities at reasonable prices. Situated in the centre of La Clusaz village, the service is warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere is relaxed. L’Outa Restaurant is open late, so you can enjoy drinks afterwards. This is a good spot in La Clusaz at night for socialising and relaxing.
Old-fashioned Raclette at Restaurant La Ferme – French cuisine on the mountain
Accommodation in La Clusaz
La Clusaz Ski Resort offers a variety of accommodations throughout the ski village. Most hotels are located in the centre or directly on the ski slopes. However, don’t be discouraged from staying further out, as there is a regular ski bus service that operates throughout the village area.
Some La Clusaz accommodations worth mentioning are Auberge de Jeunesse HI, a hostel if you are on a budget, or Au Cœur du Village Hôtel & Spa, an exceptional 5-star hotel. Check other hotels in La Clusaz across the Village Centre, Beauregard, and La Balme on expedia.com for prices and availability.
Hotel Beauregard ski-in and ski-out
I stayed at the Hotel Beauregard, a ski-in, ski-out chalet-style hotel on the slopes of La Clusaz. It is just 100 meters to the nearest ski lifts, Grenneche and Bossonnet, which you can reach on skis from your hotel. The room is decorated in a traditional alpine chalet style and features glass doors opening onto a balcony.
Hotel Beauregard offers a heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a jacuzzi, and a hammam, as well as a restaurant and bar area. If you or your children are taking skiing lessons, then the ESF (French Skiing School) has a pick-up point right in front of the hotel.
Getting to La Clusaz Ski Resort from Geneva
Geneva Airport
Geneva Airport is the nearest major international airport to La Clusaz. It is approximately 50 km away and about an hour’s drive in good weather. Direct flights from London to Geneva take just under 2 hours, and Swiss Airlines, EasyJet, and British Airways operate on this route. Geneva has two arrival areas; there is both a Swiss side and a French side to the airport.
Trip.com is a handy platform for comparing prices and booking flights from London to Geneva.
Lyon, Grenoble and Chambery are other airport options.
Geneva La Clusaz Transfers
Several companies offer direct shared or private transfers from Geneva Airport (GVA) and Geneva city to La Clusaz, in the ski season. Some options include Aravis Shuttle (minibuses), which operates eight daily shuttles with stops at Le Grand Bornand and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt.
Additionally, Intui Travel Transfer provides private cars, vans, and shuttle buses. You can also book a private transfer from Geneva to La Clusaz through Viator.
Skibus La Clusaz
You can easily navigate La Clusaz using the free Aravisbus ski bus service. It operates 24 routes covering La Clusaz and the surrounding areas, including nearby villages. At ski resorts, the shuttles also stop at Le Grand-Bornand, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, La Clusaz, Manigod, and Thônes.
Download the Aravisbus tracker to view the winter timetable and see the ski bus in real time.
Chilling with La Clusaz Ski Resort Sign on the piste.
Top Tips for La Clusaz Ski Resort
Child ID Bracelet: If you have a child, you can request a free ID bracelet for them to wear while skiing. The ID bracelet can be collected from the lift ticket office.
Drinks with a view: Catch the Beauregard gondola up to Hotel Altitude 1647 and enjoy a drink with a view.
La Clusaz App: Download the La Clusaz App, which keeps you up to date with the weather, shows your location on the piste map, allows you to recharge your ski pass, and much more.
Mobile Coverage: Consider using an eSIM, such as Airalo, for affordable mobile coverage while skiing on the pistes in the wider Massif des Aravis.
Coffee Break: If you want coffee or a break, I recommend Le Relais de l’Aiguille at the top of Cret du Loup. It offers incredible views of the Massif de l’Étale and the slopes. It is also a good spot on the mountain for lunch.
Staying at St Jean de Sixt: You can get to La Clusaz or the Le Grand-Bornand Ski Resort via a free shuttle with your Aravis lift pass. However, it does not run during lunch times.
Ski resorts near Geneva
Discover these detailed winter guides for ski resorts near Geneva Airport, in France and Switzerland. These itineraries offer valuable skiing information and other activities that you can do within these ski resorts. Feel free to also visit my skiing section for more adventure inspiration.
- The Ultimate Skiing Guide, Champéry, Switzerland – Just over an hour from Geneva Airport (128 km)
- Best activities to do in Pays de Gex, Monts Jura, France – Around 18 km from Geneva Airport
- Les Gets Ski Resort – Skiing & Winter Activities – Just over an hour from Geneva Airport (80.7 km)
Have you visited the La Clusaz Ski Resort in Haute-Savoie before on a winter holiday? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
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Disclaimer: Although I was a guest on the La Clusaz Tourism ski trip, all views expressed are my own and based on my personal experience.
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Absolutely breathtaking photos! This place looks heavenly! I’m always looking for a great winter escape to travel to with my family.
This is a great place to go for a winter holiday especially with families. They have lots of things to do for kids and adults
This is such a gorgeous resort. I would love to visit here while visiting France.
I hope that you get to visit one day too.
I haven’t heard of this place before but looks like such a great ski area. I am a huge fan of challenging ski slopes, so it gets my vote.
You definitely should try the skiing there if you like challenging red slopes they are a lot of fun and you have some amazing views
This looks amazing, seems like you guys had a fab time. Never gone skiing before but it’s definitely on my buck list
You don’t have to ski here to enjoy it, there is so much you can do off the slopes, as well as on the slopes.
Even though I have never skied in my entire life this post caught my attention. I would love to give it a go and if it doesn’t go well, you know where to find me: at the bar sipping on one of those fab cocktails 😉
This is a great place to go even if you don’t ski there is so much to do and lots of great bars and restaurants. You can even try out the spa to relax
Oh wow this just looks amazing!! Your photos really sell the place and it looks incredible picturesque and pretty x
Thank you so much, it is easy to take pictures of the place as it was so pretty. Definitely goo there one day
I dont ski but I love to read about ski stations so I get motivated to learn how to ski and La Clusaz just did that for me! It looks like to be a wonderful place to learn skiing and if I do give up after a try I could go sledding or relax on the SPA! But the Ski-joeling and the paragliding looks very awesome aswell!
You can go to a ski resort these days and not ski and there so many other things that you can do. It is a great place to learn and lots of fun green and blue runs to feel safe on.
This is a beautiful resort, and with so many activities too. My favourite is the ski-joering with the horse! I’m not a good skier, so this would be ideal for me! You can’t beat chowing on some delicious Raclette in the mountains, and your drinks with a view look refreshing! One place I’d really like to see 🙂
It is really pretty there and there is lots and lots to do off the slopes like going to the spa and trying out all the restaurants they were so yummy.
Ski-joering sounds amazing and as for the paragliding on skis, I’m impressed!
You would love it Suze it is a lot of fun to try.
I LOVED this blog post. I have been inquiring about a kid friendly ski resort in Europe but wasn’t finding much. I am so glad I only on this post. I was able to learn everything I needed to. Glad to see they offer ski school as well. My favorite thing would have to be tandem paragliding. Putting this on my list for our next ski vacation. I am not a big ski fan, but my 5yr old has gotten into skiing so gotta make the trip for his sake 🙂
Thank you very much for your kind words that are so nice to know. This place is very child-friendly and there is plenty of things on the slopes for them to do. I hope that you get there one done
I’ve always wanted to see snow (I’m from Australia – there sure ain’t no show here haha) AND I’ve always wanted to go to France. What a perfect combination La Clusaz sounds like haha – tick two items off of my bucket list at once. Such a handy guide, thanks for sharing. Your photos are gorgeous, too! x
I am from Australia as well and I learnt how to ski in Australia in Mt Baw Baw more than 20years ago and I still love it. I hope that you get to see snow one day and travel to France like you want too. Fingers crossed
This looks amazing! I have always wanted to go Skiing with my husband and the boys. The picture and the landscape is beautiful.
This is a great place to go for a family holiday. There is so much to do on and off the slopes. The best bit is that it is only an hour from the slopes
Oh what a beautiful place to ski. My kids would love to ski here for sure and try skiing behind the horses. A place to consider for next year’s family ski trip. BTW great detialed post.
This is a great place to take children to learn and they have a really cool kid area that they can learn in and play. Thank you to about the details.
Born and brought up in a tropical region, I have a strange fascination with snow. Your photos really allowed me to indulge in my snow fantasies unabated. The photo of the raclette brought about memories of an amazing one we had at Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, one of my favorite meals in the country.
I am originally from Australia but I learnt how to ski in Australia too 😉 I love love love cheese and that raclette literally just melted in your mouth. I have to look up Lauterbrunnen.
Breathtaking photos indeed, but what I loved the most, were the helpful tips, which you have conveyed at different points in the article. The resort looks so beautiful, and that too with such lovely views and equally sumptuous food. Though I don’t know skiing, but I wouldn’t mind giving it a hand, at such a beautiful location.
You are more than welcome in regards to the tips 🙂 You don’t have to ski to go here its a great resort for non-skiers
How fabulous to have the chance to return to a place you have such fond memories of – the views from the slopes truly are divine! Very cool how accessible La Clusaz Ski Resort is, and so close to the airport. Thanks for the tip on heading up to the top of Col de Baime to see Mont Blanc!
I was lucky because the 2nd time I went back on a press trip and I even enjoyed, even more, the 2nd time. I definitely recommend it if you ever get to chance to go 🙂
Great to know that it is easy to get to the La Clusaz Ski Resort France – being not far from Geneva in Switzerland, I totally would love to visit. I think it’s great that they have the La Clusaz App where you can get updates on the resort and the weather. That would definitely help in the planning of your trip. And ohhh my the views from Le Relais de l’Aiguille looks absolutely incredible! I would totally take a coffee break here to soak in the amazing views.
On a good day, it takes less than an hour from the airport perfect if you want to take a day trip there too or a weekend. It is a beautiful resort and I too could to stay at Le Relais de l’Aiguille all day 🙂
Wow! Such a spectacular landscape! So far, I’ve never done skiing in my life. Let’s see if the next few years brings it to me. South East France is mesmerizing. To go paragliding here and to see the white carpet of land beneath you would be just too good. I’m so tempted to book my tickets now. Ski on a horse back? I’ve never heard of that!
You don’t have to ski to go here there is so much to do off the slopes and plenty of places to eat at. I highly recommend it and I hope that you get there one day my friend.
I have heard a lot about La Clusaz ski resort and I am completely sold on their services. I never heard of the term Ski-Joering and its quite enriching to know that you can enjoy skiing with the horse. This is usual for me but it is quite creative idea. Loved the post. The tips are really handy.
The Ski-Joering was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be especially when you get used to it and the horse goes fast. And thank you very much about the post, I appreciate it
These photos are truly amazing. I would LOVE to go here. I’ve been wanting to go on a winter vacation for a while now. Wonderful post!
I definitely recommend it and I hope that you get there one day