Winter: La Clusaz & Le Grand-Bornand

Our chalet in Entremont lies in the heart of a true skiing paradise. Between the Mont Blanc massif and Lake Annecy you will find the beautiful ski villages of La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Manigod and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt — all just 5 to 7 minutes from the front door. Anyone who loves winter sports will find everything their heart desires here: miles of pistes, snow-sure altitudes, authentic mountain villages and convivial après-ski, without the crowds and the high-rise of the big French purpose-built resorts.

The Aravis ski area in brief

La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand, together with Manigod and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, form the Aravis ski area. With the Aravis ski pass you have access to hundreds of kilometres of piste, spread across several mountain massifs and suitable for every level. The two main villages each have their own character, but lie so close together that during your stay in Entremont you can effortlessly explore both.

La Clusaz: 125 kilometres of piste across five massifs

La Clusaz offers more than 125 kilometres of piste, spread across five mountain massifs: Beauregard, l'Etale, l'Aiguille, Balme and Manigod. The highest point lies at almost 2,500 metres, which ensures snow-sure descents until late in the season. You will find long red and black pistes for advanced skiers, broad blue runs for those who want to cruise gently, and a snowpark for the freestylers. After a day on the slopes, the picturesque centre of La Clusaz, with its church and cosy terraces, is a wonderful place to relax.

Le Grand-Bornand: convivial and family-friendly

Le Grand-Bornand has around 90 kilometres of piste around the higher-lying hamlet of Le Chinaillon. The village is known as particularly family-friendly: the pistes are varied yet easy to navigate, and there are separate practice areas for the very youngest. The authentic village centre, with its more than 400 old chalets and the weekly market, gives Le Grand-Bornand a warm, village atmosphere that you miss in many more modern ski resorts.

Cross-country skiing and winter walking

The Aravis is much more than just alpine skiing. On the fairytale Plateau des Confins near La Clusaz and in the Vallée du Bouchet near Le Grand-Bornand lie dozens of kilometres of cross-country trails through a silent, white valley. Those who prefer to go on foot can strap on snowshoes for a winter walk with the Chaîne des Aravis as a breathtaking backdrop. A dog-sled ride or an evening of ice skating are also among the possibilities.

Freeride and off-piste for the daring

Experienced skiers and snowboarders get their fill in the Massif de Balme. The couloirs and off-piste slopes around La Clusaz are among the finest in the northern Alps and attract freeriders from all over Europe each year. Preferably book a local guide, who knows the safest lines and the finest powder snow.

Ideal for beginners and children

Anyone standing on skis for the first time is in good hands in the Aravis. Both villages have renowned ski schools (ESF) with lessons in several languages, snow gardens for the youngest children, and quiet blue pistes to build confidence. Thanks to the short distance from the chalet, the days are relaxed: out on the piste in the morning, and easily back in between for the children.

Après-ski and Savoyard conviviality

A day on the piste leaves you wanting more with good food along the way. In both areas you will find atmospheric mountain huts where you can lunch wonderfully — nowhere big, anonymous eateries, but convivial chalets where Savoyard classics such as tartiflette, fondue savoyarde and raclette are on the menu. In the evening, in the village, you taste the local Reblochon with a glass of wine, or enjoy a quiet après-ski without too much noise.

Cradle of Olympic champions

The Aravis breathes winter sports. La Clusaz is the birthplace of Olympic champion Edgar Grospiron and produced several World Cup and freeride titles. Le Grand-Bornand is also a regular host of the Biathlon World Cup, which each December draws thousands of enthusiastic spectators to the valley. So here you literally ski on pistes with a rich sporting history.

On the slopes from Entremont

Because the chalet lies so close to the ski villages, you are out on the piste in the morning without long car journeys and back home just as quickly in the afternoon for a hot chocolate or a glass of wine by the fireplace. In the warm season the Massif des Aravis is just as worthwhile. Take a look at the chalet and the available dates and plan your carefree winter sports holiday in the French Alps.