La Clusaz

La Clusaz

Overall Rating

La Clusaz

La Clusaz3/52
La Clusaz3 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Turkey Snowcats, Kackar Mountains, is the only freeride catskiing operation in Türkiye. cat skiing

Nearby Ski Resorts

Chamonix
Grand Massif
Les Contamines
Megève
St Gervais

La Clusaz Maps & Stats

    La Clusaz Ski Trail Map
  • La Clusaz Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,100m - 2,600m (1,500m)

    Domaine Aravis
    1,000m - 2,600m (1,600m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    Unknown
  • Lifts (49)
    5 Gondolas / cable cars
    13 Chairs

    Domaine Aravis - 81 lifts
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Late Dec to end April
    8:55am to 5:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 125km
    Longest run - 7km+
    Advanced - 10%
    Intermediate - 39%
    Beginner - 51%

    Domaine Aravis - 211km
  • Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 24/25
    La Clusaz-Manigod only
    Adult (15-64yr): €49.90 to 53
    Senior (65-74yr): €47.90 to 50.50
    Veteran (75yr+): €24.90 to 27
    Child (5-14yr): €37.90 to 41
    Child u/5yr: Free

    Domaine Aravis (includes Le Grand Bornand) - from 2-days
     Domaine Aravis Ski Trail Map
  • Domaine Aravis Ski Trail Map

La Clusaz - Reviews

La Clusaz - Reviews

The Race for Fresh Tracks

21/08/2018

POWDERHOUNDS EUROPE

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador

POWDERHOUNDS EUROPE

Powderhounds Ambassador
Powderhounds Ambassador
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Telemarker
  • Rider Level
    Expert
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Month Visited:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    5

The Race for Fresh Tracks

21/08/2018

We scored a powder day at La Clusaz. Sadly, it was on an incredibly busy Saturday in January when it seemed the whole of western Europe decided to go skiing ……….. at La Clusaz.

A long queue of cars awaited us. Paid parking sucks, as does the ski bus which costs too! Walking through the original village was pleasant. Skiing the lower part of the mountain as lifts slowly opened after the storm was icy, despite the expectation of fresh snow. We headed across to the best terrain in the resort below the Massif de Balme. The linking trail was long & would not please any snow-boarder. The return trail was worse due to the Furney gondola not running & snowboarders were noted walking for much of it. Oh well, any day in the snow is a good day……

Through cunning observation, we snuck ahead of the pack onto the resorts highest chair & plundered steep waste deep powder below the Col de Balme. We got a second run in before the entire upper bowl was smashed by the frenzied humanity. Fun though, & certainly super quality, steep freeride terrain that few places have straight off a lift. Staying off-piste, the lower half of the 1200m+ skiable vertical via the Combe de Balme became gradually like elephant snot, then glue, then crud, then ice. The base levels at La Clusaz are too low for quality snow. In Austria, 1000 to 1200m elevation is ok, but questionable, in France it is nearly ridiculous these days.

As an incoming storm finally shut down any worthwhile lifts, we skied from L’Etale down the scaly L’Envers piste that crossed numerous stone laden driveways (WTF!) back into the main village. Looks like access to the private chalets trumps the lower ski slopes here.

Having called it a day & needing an urgent wee stop, I noted that any passer-by could look in on all the shrunken man-hoods through a clear glass window in the public toilets. Ah the French!

After being informed there was no refund on our lift ticket deposit (what is the deposit for?), it was with great relief that we left, possibly never to return such was my disappointment. Lucky it was a deep powder up top. Imagine what I would have said otherwise!

Whilst the village of La Clusaz has a sprawl of hotels, apartments buildings & chalets running up two valleys, we elected to overnight in the magnificent surrounds of the medieval walled village of Conflans, sitting pretty above the downtrodden city of Albertville. A fine bar with a huge array of brews, beer taps mounted on a motorcycle engine block, some tasty local food & a wander around the town walls in falling snow made everything right again.

Ski La Clusaz on a road journey from Geneva if there is deep fresh snow or if doing a reconnaissance for when there is deep fresh snow. But do it during the middle of the week, starting early to get first lifts.

You can see our thoughts on the pros and cons on the La Clusaz overview page and also see our European ski resort ratings page regarding how we score it compared to other skiing areas.


See our video here

La Clusaz

David
12/07/2018
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Level
    Expert
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Month Visited:
    January
  • Admin Rating
    4

La Clusaz

David
12/07/2018
Sking in the upper areas of La Clusaz you could be mistaken into believing you were now in the Dolomites. That is until you start purchasing food etc.

The terrain accessed from the Col De Balme is spectacular. La Clusaz offers interesting terrain for powder hounds and is well worth a visit.

La Clusaz  is about 3 hours from Burgundy in case you were wondering! (Editor's note - wine & snow combination, gotta love Europe!)
See our video here