La Clusaz

Essentially, La Clusaz is the archetypal ski resort plucked from your childhood imagination. With a collection of stunning wooded slopes that sprawl over five linked mountain areas, the skiing in La Clusaz is diverse and offers something for the whole spectrum of ability levels - not to mention some of the most picturesque scenery that The French Alps has to offer. On the whole, these linked areas cover 200km of the ski area (which the full mountain pass covers) and at a relatively high altitude and with regular snowmaking topping up the cover, you can rest assured that snow conditions will be reliable. In fact, La Clusaz is renowned among the French as an extremely snow-sure resort.  

The mountain provides a great choice of tree runs and wider open runs for intermediates and advanced skiers with a hand full of challenging blacks. The highest point of La Clusaz in particular, La Balme, contains some expert terrain and when conditions allow, there is plenty of off-piste* accessible from this point to have a play in. The Park Rats in the group are also well catered for, with a well maintained and well-situated half-pipe and park.

As well as La Clusaz's collection of more challenging wider ‘darker blue’ runs, there are also plenty of ‘lighter blues’ in La Clusaz, ideally suited to the lower end intermediate. Additionally, there are also enough nursery slopes, gentle cruises and general progressive terrain for snow- ploughers to find their ski legs on and progress to the next level.   

Cross-country skiers will be grinning from ear to ear in this resort, for La Clusaz is widely renowned for its fantastic cross-country skiing and boasts the largest Nordic ski area in the Haute Savoie - this includes 80km of cross-country ski tracks that take you deep into the back and beyond. 

Take a look below at our ability level breakdown to find out more information relevant to your ability:

Advanced

You would be forgiven for thinking that La Clusaz was just a beautiful family-friendly ski resort, but as the home of the famous freeride and freestyle skier Candide Thovex, you can expect far more from the terrain! With plenty of challenging black and red runs, as well as good off-piste opportunities and terrain parks, there is more than enough to keep experts occupied. The Torchère and Blame area is the place to head with Torchère, in particular, having a couple of challenging runs to tackle including the nice long black run ‘Vraille’.

Intermediates

Intermediates have more than enough skiing available to them in La Clusaz, especially if you purchase the full area lift pass which will give you access to Le Grand-Bornand and other resorts close by as well. Skiing in La Clusaz offers the opportunity to progress for less confident skiers with some lovely cruisy blues all the way to some steeper reds. Each different area around La Clusaz is great for different things, but for confident intermediates we suggest Balme, and the best spot for less confident intermediates would be the Massif de Manigod.

Beginners

Beginners will have runs aplenty to take those first turns on, with lots of English speaking instructors ready to help out around any of the nursery slope areas. Beginners will have a choice from around the town to the mountain tops such as the Massif de Beauregard where there is great scope for progression a selection of green runs leading into some gentle blues. The main area though is the Massif de Manigod which can be accessed by bus from La Clusaz and has some great runs for beginners.

Snowboarders

La Clusaz is an ideal place to develop your snowboarding skills. With plenty of nursery slopes and blue runs in the area, you are presented with the perfect terrain for linking those first few turns. Likewise, you will not be disappointed if you are a more experienced snowboarder with some good steeps and powder to mix up your time that you might be spending in one of La Clusaz’s terrain parks. La Clusaz does have lots of drag lifts, but if you can get past that, then you are sure to have a great time!

Off Piste

La Clusaz is home to some great off-piste that is easily accessible. There are some good spots over towards Balme and Torchère with some expansive areas up high and some great places to tear through the forest down low. These areas also hold the snow really well due to its height getting up to around 2500m and also it's positioning. There is also a good opportunity to go further afield with some ski touring, or you can take some short hikes to get to the best spots for completely untouched powder lines.

* Ski Weekends strongly advise that off-piste skiing should only be undertaken when in the company of a professional ski instructor or guide.

To find out more about skiing in La Clusaz feel free to contact one of our friendly Ski Experts on 023 8020 6971 or email sales@skiweekends.com