Worldwide Ski Resorts • France • La Clusaz

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Overview

Situated in the French Alps, close to the Swiss border, the resort of La Clusaz has developed from what was until recently a destination that seemed to attract only the French and a few Swiss winter holiday makers, into an international resort that attracts visitors during both summer and winter alike. In contrast to many other major French ski resorts, the village has retained the charming character and the friendliness associated with traditional old alpine communities.

Lifts run from the village direct to the slopes, some of which it shares with the neighbouring Le Grand Bornard resulting in a massive area that extends over five sectors. Care should be taken to purchase a combined pass. The village itself is rather spread out, but is an attractive community that has been sympathetically enlarged in keeping with the traditional architecture. There is a choice of accommodation available in the resort ranging from catered chalets, small, low to medium class hotels and plenty of self catering chalets and apartments. There is also an excellent choice of restaurants and bars to be found in the village.

Profile

The resort stands at 1100m and including the La Grand Bornard slopes, provides access to 210 km of pistes with over 200 acres of snow making available. By French Alpine standards, snow reliability is not the best and is inclined to be patchy in poor seasons due to the relative lack of altitude. Although the ski map tends not to show it, there is plenty of skiing to attract expert skiers with some true steep blacks and large areas of off piste country to play in. Intermediates will enjoy having such a large choice of runs available that will provide more than enough sport for every level.

Beginners also have an excellent choice of nursery slopes and a wealth of gentle greens and even blues on which to practice and progress their skills. Snowboarders too have a choice of terrain parks in each of the two resorts that are well equipped with every imaginable feature and Cross Country fans have some 70 km of the best trail networks to be found in Europe at their disposal. The ski schools seem to have mixed reviews, but there is a choice of establishments available. There is ample child care available in the resort.

Mountain Information

The slopes of the resort lie at 1100m and go up to 2500 m. They are widely spread, but there are five interconnecting areas in this scenic region. Experts should try the La Balme area at the highest point of the resort where the most challenging steep runs are to be found. Some of the best off piste country lies over on the Combe de Bellachat and provides plenty of serious challenges. Intermediates are simply spoiled for choice, but should visit the L’Etale and L’Aiguille for the slopes that will suit the less confident, or try the Combe du Fernuy for something more testing. There are a number of very good restaurants in every sector, many of which serve the traditional cuisine of the Savoy.

Apres Ski

Apres ski in La Clusaz is not what could be called riotous, but there are some excellent bars and a couple of decent clubs providing live music, as well as discos.

French Resort Guide

Resort Information • La Clusaz

Resort Height Resort Height 1100m
Top Station Top Station 2600m
Bottom Station Bottom Station 1100m
Vertical Descent Vertical Descent 1500m
Drag Lifts Drag Lifts 38
Chair Lifts Chair Lifts 13
High Capacity High Capacity 5
Opening Dates Opening Dates Dec-April
Rating Expert Rating Expert 6
Rating Intermediate Rating Intermediate 8
Rating Beginner Rating Beginner 10
Apres Ski Rating Apres Ski Rating 8
Snow Reliability Snow Reliability 8

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