La Clusaz Ski Resort Guide
La Clusaz, France
Rated: 4/5 (from 7 ratings)
| Recommended For | Freeriders, Expert Skiers, Intermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders and Snowfall! |
|---|---|
| Total Piste Length | 78 miles |
| Highest Lift | 8,530ft |
| Resort Height | 3,609ft |
| Nearest Airports | Annecy and Geneva |
| Save on Ski Hire | Save up to 50%  |
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La Clusaz
A traditional and picturesque Savoyard village, with an extensive and varied ski area across five distinct peaks. The highest, La Balme, is a Mecca for freeriders and off-piste thrill-seekers and is a regular haunt of local Candide Thovex. Unspoilt village, friendly locals and great skiing!
Summary
The ski area of La Clusaz is in the French Alps at an altitude of 3,609ft, with 78 miles of marked runs.
La Clusaz is part of the Annecy Mountains ski area with access to 152 miles of downhill skiing, with 173 marked pistes, served by a total of 150 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in La Clusaz itself (78 miles of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Annecy Mountains ski resorts of La Sambuy / Seythenex, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt.
With ski lifts as high as 8,530ft, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in La Clusaz?
There is currently no significant snow in the 7-day forecast for La Clusaz.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
| Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ski Area Stats
La Clusaz Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 8 | 7 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 30 | 19 miles |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 30 | 42 miles |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 16 | 14 miles |
| Downhill Total Length | 78 miles | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 43 miles | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 49 | |
Annecy Mountains Ski Area
| Trails Number of runs | 173 | |
|---|---|---|
| Downhill Total Length | 152 miles | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 150 | |
Altitudes & Slopes
La Clusaz Ski Area Heights
| Highest Lift | 8,530ft |
|---|---|
| Lowest Trail | 3,609ft |
| Resort Altitude (La Clusaz) | 3,609ft |
| Max Vertical | 4,921ft |
Ski Slope Aspects
N, E, NW
La Clusaz has ski slopes facing north (good for keeping the snow), as well as east.
Ratings & Suitability
| Freeriders | |
|---|---|
| Expert Skiers | |
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
La Clusaz Overview
La Clusaz is the largest ski station in the Aravis and comprises a variety of distinct ski areas around a traditional and un-spoilt village centre.
It is one of a small number of French resorts that are not purpose-built but are blessed with world class ski areas. The ski area covers five lift-linked mountains, with additional terrain to explore above neighbouring Le Grand Bornand (with the Aravis Pass) - a total of 200km (125 miles) of trails.
The lift links between the ski areas can be supplemented with short rides on the regular and reliable ski bus service (included in the lift pass).
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in La Clusaz is 2 miles long and the most difficult run is the 'Vraille'.
Skiing
The ski are of La Clusaz incorporates five mountains - Beauregard, La Croix Fry-Manigod-Merdassier, L'Etale, L'Aiguille and La Balme. These are all lift-linked and provide a wide range of slopes from nursery to steeps.
Beginners are well catered for with various Green runs close to the town, on the Beauregard peak, and above the Col de la Croix Fry. Both Beauregard and Croix Fry are highly recommended for families as they tend not to attract the speed freaks and cliff jumpers.
The Croix-Fry, Manigod and Merdassier slopes are an area of largely gentle slopes, ideal for children and beginners.
Intermediates are easily able to put some mileage under their skis, with lengthy Blue and Red runs on La Balme, L'Etale and the Aiguille mountain, known for its sunny slopes with big verticals, such as the Grand Crêt which drops 1,200 metres (3937 feet) back to the village. The Combe de Fernuy Red run leads over to the base of the fifth and highest mountain, Balme.
Good skiers have a fantastic playground on La Balme; a large bowl containing a few pistes and a vast variety of off-piste itineraries ranging from easy to indisputably hard-core. If going off-piste, you must pay attention to the conditions posted at the start of the lifts (particularly the La Balme chair) as the avalanche risks in this area can be locally higher than nearby. If the pisteurs have roped off any area (common in the afternoon), you should choose another route (there are plenty!).
A ski bus network links the base of the mountains and makes the link over to the nearby ski area of le Grand Bornand at least once every 30 minutes.
Cross-country skiing is also well provided for with 70km of trails on the two plateaux of Confins and Beauregard.
'Speed Riders' (basically, fast paragliders with skis!) are regularly seen descending the slopes of La Balme, as are the occasional wing suit flyers!
There are a variety of pistes to suit all levels of skier ability, from Beginner to Expert.
Ski Rental in La Clusaz
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Ski Lessons in La Clusaz
To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see La Clusaz Ski Schools and La Clusaz Ski Instructors.
Snowboarding
The Balme mountain, popular with freeride skiers, is also regarded as a snowboarding paradise with powder stashes, big carving slopes and plenty of natural hits among varied terrain in a wide open bowl.
Location and Map
Where is La Clusaz?
This ski resort is in the French Alps in Bellevaux, Thonon-les-Bains.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to La Clusaz is Annecy, 39 minutes drive away.
Geneva, Chambery, Grenoble, Lyon St-Exupéry, Lyon Bron, Sion, Berne, Saint-Étienne and Dole–Jura airports are all within three hours drive.
Annecy and Geneva are just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 49 ski lifts are able to uplift 53,000 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 1 miles of ski runs, with 190 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is La Clusaz open?
Open from : December 7, 2024.
Closes : April 27, 2025.
Usual opening is late December (Weekend opening 7/8 Dec, full area from 14 Dec.), and usual closing is Late April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Talking about La Clusaz
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
La Clusaz Webcams
The Webcams in La Clusaz are not always up-to-date. Please check the date on the image to ensure you are seeing current snow conditions.
Aprés Ski
On most Full Moons during the season, La Clusaz offers late-night skiing on a handful of slopes above the village.
For the normal selection of bars, restaurants and night clubs, La Clusaz has it covered. The Pressoir bar stocks over 80 beers and is open until 2am as is Les Caves du Paccaly and Le Grenier. Night Clubs include L'Écluse and Club 18.
Off the piste there is plenty to do - the area is famous for its farm foods, including wine, cheese (reblochon and chevrotin), pastries and ham.
