La Clusaz

La Clusaz is the largest ski resort in the Aravis massif, with 132 km of pistes. Add the ski areas around Le Grand Bornard, St. Jean de Sixt and Manigod and you get a total of 220 km of pistes covered by a single ski pass (the Aravis Pass). Skiing traditions here go back almost a hundred years. This once small Savoyard village has turned into a modern ski resort that has nevertheless kept its old atmosphere. Unlike many French resorts that grew out of existing old villages, La Clusaz has been modernised many times without damaging its traditional look. La Clusaz offers a great variety of slopes. From here you can reach five different ski areas (La Balme, L’Aiguille, Beauregard, La Croix Fry/Manigod/Merdassier and L’Etale), linked by a system of lifts and cable cars. There are plenty of steep, difficult pistes, but no shortage of slopes for beginners and children either. The wide pistes on the edge of the village are particularly good for learning. La Balme is an attractive ski area with mostly fairly steep slopes (the best black pistes are here) and excellent off-piste terrain. The view of the Mont Blanc massif from the Col du Balme is also worth seeing. The L’Aiguille ski area, in turn, is recommended for its excellent freeride terrain and the long pistes on the Cret du Loup, among which "Le Mur Edgar" stands out: a mogul run where local skier Edgar "Crazy Eddie" Grospiron, a several-time Moguls World Cup winner and 1992 Olympic gold medallist, honed his skills. Beauregard is the sunniest ski area, with lots of gentle blue pistes and beautiful views of the La Clusaz valley and the Savoy Alps with the Mont Blanc massif. The La Croix Fry/Manigod/Merdassier ski area has many pleasant, easy pistes for polishing your technique, as does the L’Etale area, although its blue pistes are a little more demanding. Because of the low altitude, snow conditions in these areas (especially on the lower pistes around La Clusaz) can be variable. Higher up, snow is guaranteed, and the best snow conditions are usually found on the slopes of La Balme. The La Clusaz area is an excellent place for snowboarding, especially for those who already have their first runs on a board behind them. There are slalom slopes, mogul slopes, a snow park and, above all, plenty of attractive off-piste terrain. Cross-country skiers have 70 km of trails of varying difficulty. The longest and most demanding trails cross the Plateau des Confins, around the Lac des Confins. You can also ski at low altitude, on the trails along the broad floor of the La Clusaz valley. The trails in the Beauregard area get excellent sunshine. The range of sports and entertainment in La Clusaz will satisfy even the most demanding visitors. The network of winter walking paths is 35 km long in total. You can also go snowshoeing or take an igloo-building course. Snowmobile rides, sled dog races and paragliding courses are organised too. The village has a leisure pool complex with an indoor pool, a heated outdoor pool, a jacuzzi and a sauna, among other things. La Clusaz is one of those ski resorts where there is usually "something going on". Shows, concerts, regional evenings, firework displays, torchlit night skiing and fairs are held here on various occasions. Nightlife is just as lively. Especially at weekends, the many bars and pubs in the village are full. The local restaurants serving regional food are well worth a visit.