Haute Savoie / France
One of France’s best-loved resorts in winter for Christmas, New Year, Easter and summer, La Clusaz in Haute Savoie is a hidden gem surrounded by the breathtaking Aravis mountains.
Just one hour from Geneva airport, La Clusaz offers world-class skiing, extensive activities for all the family, great shopping and dining, plus a choice of gorgeous OVO Network chalets. Come and discover it for yourself! If you are thinking of bringing a pet with you, why not browse our selection of pet friendly chalets in Le Grand Bornand.
La Clusaz has been a farming village much longer than a world-class ski resort, and perhaps that is why it retains such a wonderful appeal.
Traditional chalets are dotted in and around the town, making every view picture perfect. Indeed, many visitors comment on how charming the town is with no high rise developments. Here you will still see the cows being moved to high mountain pasture at the start of the summer, and it’s possible to buy cheese, eggs and other local produce directly from the farmers around the valley.
La Clusaz is one of the most popular ski areas in France for the French and you’ll quickly discover why they love it so much. Not only is there a wide choice of luxury OVO Network ski chalets in France available for full weeks or weekends, but there's a huge ski area to enjoy with an enduringly fabulous snow record. With high altitude skiing (up to 2600m) and 151 snow cannons covering virtually all the lower slopes you don't have to worry about a lack of snow.
You’ll also find quiet slopes and rarely any queues, especially during weekdays and outside of the French peak weeks of New Year and February half-term. If all that’s not enough to convince you to ski here, then you’ll find prices (lift pass, ski hire, eating out, shopping etc) here are significantly less than the more well known resorts, offering even better value for money.
Between La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand, they have produced many Winter Olympic medallists in a range of events, showing just how good the conditions and the tuition is here!
Skiing at La Clusaz is focused on five peaks — Beauregard, Manigod, La Balme, l’Etale and l’Aiguille, each offering pistes that vary in length, width and difficulty. Choose the peak which best suits you, or explore the entire ski resort of La Clusaz.
In addition, La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand share a great-value, combined Aravis Ski pass that provides 220km of skiing and 95 lifts with slopes suitable for all levels, including extensive off-piste areas. Take a look at the La Clusaz piste map for more information.
You can also see the latest La Clusaz weather forecast for the upcoming week and up-to-date webcams so you can plan your days.
Offering excellent skiing and winter activities for children of all ages, La Clusaz is always popular with French families. In La Clusaz, you’ll find a choice of friendly English-speaking ski instructors who pride themselves on developing, nurturing and encouraging skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities.
There are also four nurseries, children's snowparks, and five kids' ski schools, ensuring that children are well catered for. Away from the slopes there’s a large swimming complex offering indoor and outdoor pools, plus sledging areas, ice skating and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
In summer, La Clusaz comes alive with activities for every age group and much of the fun for kids is free! The large swimming complex includes some water slides and an outdoor paddle pool for small children, plus there are two mini-golf courses, the summer luge, horse riding, mountain biking, and chairlift rides. There’s plenty to do. Add to this weekly activities especially designed for children such as mini high ropes, bird of prey exhibitions, trampolining and much more, and your children will be spoilt for choice. You can also head to Col des Aravis to enjoy incredible views of Mont Blanc.
La Clusaz offers plenty of winter activities to enjoy in this mountain playground.
In addition to the downhill action, La Clusaz has a massive network of cross-country ski circuits (ski de fond). Other activities include ski joering (skiing behind a pony), speedriding areas, tandem paragliding, dog sledging, night skiing, sledging, ice skating, outdoor swimming in the heated swimming pool, and snow-shoeing
Try your hand at everything from canyoning and paragliding to tennis and yoga . Choose from mountain biking, paragliding, via ferrata and climbing within La Clusaz, plus the nearby Bun-J Ride bungee jump, high ropes, canyoning, diving, road biking, and more. Those after a slower pace of sports can enjoy golf, mountain hiking, flora and fauna walks, swimming, tennis and yoga.
The French Alps boast a vast array of flora and fauna — all accessible by foot. Walk to one of the many refuges and enjoy a traditional Savoyard lunch or take one of the chairlifts up and enjoy the walk down, stopping to pick berries along the way. With an incredible range of birds and animals in the area — deer, chamois, ibex, marmots, lynx, golden eagles, and grouse to name just a few — it’s a wonderful area to explore.
It doesn’t have to be all about adrenalin and action in the Alps! There’s plenty of choice for a lazy, relaxing, rejuvenating holiday.
For those seeking serenity, take your pick of massages and beauty treatments at a choice of salons in and around the town. A photographer’s paradise, take a walk and you’ll soon find tiny chapels and traditional Savoyard pastures set amid stunning scenery. Relax at your OVO Network chalet and enjoy the beautiful views that this area is famed for, surrounded by the sounds and scents of the mountains. And of course, you can indulge in the local produce from the farms and in the delicious restaurants of La Clusaz.
With a choice of restaurants, ranging from great value burger places to fine dining and traditional Savoyard fare, there’s something for all the family in La Clusaz. When it comes to eating out, you’re spoilt for choice in La Clusaz! Here are just a few to try.
La Ferme has a wonderful atmosphere and a good range of dishes, the Telemark Cafe on the slopes is a must - lively and with beautiful views, while La Chavinette is a great place to go with kids for a quick burger in the centre of town and it offers dishes to takeaway. Try Le Vieux Chalet for a special occasion, set on the slopes just outside the main village, while La Scierie offers delicious food in a very stylish setting.
There are so many more dining choices, plus great bars and a few nightclubs if you fancy a night on the town. Try Bali Bar, Caves du Paccaly, or Le Refuge to start!
With a weekly market and a great choice of shops, La Clusaz offers plenty of retail therapy away from the slopes. From designer ski gear through to fashion brands and footwear, the shops in La Clusaz offer plenty to choose from if you’re looking for something new to wear.There are also fabulous cheese, charcuterie and wine shops, along with chocolate specialists, renowned boulangeries, and a couple of places selling souvenirs and toys. You’ll also find stylish homeware shops, photography stores and jewellers.
Every Monday the town holds its traditional market where you can buy everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to meat, local crafts, cheeses and clothing, plus there are a couple of small supermarkets for all the essentials.
Just 30 minutes from La Clusaz is the stunning lakeside town of Annecy. Often called the Venice of the Alps, Annecy is wonderful to explore at any time of year. Charming shops, excellent restaurants, numerous water sports, beaches, entertainment and more await, making it perfect for a day trip or an evening out on the town!