Aravis: The ‘Other’ Linked French Ski Area
4th December 2024
We’ve all heard of Les3Vallees, Les Portes du Soleil and Paradiski, but what about Aravis? It’s in the Lake Annecy region and comprises the neighbouring resorts of La Clusaz, Manigod, Le Grand Bornand, and the gateway village of St Jean de Sixt. NEW
They may not be linked in the same seamless way as the other mega ski areas in France, but that is exactly their charm.
Each one has a character all of its own and are connected by lift or a short bus ride where the journey is part of the experience.
All in all the area offers an altogether more genuine French alpine experience with more than 220kms of slopes for every level.
There are fabulous steep blacks on the north-facing La Balme sector (think a smaller version of Argentiere) and endless cruising blues for intermediates.
La Balme, France – Image © PlanetSKI
The slopes start at 1,100m and head up to 2,600m – it is not terribly high, but certainly high enough.
The Aravis is made up of 4 traditional villages, all originated from farming communities – La Clusaz, that has linked skiing to Manigod, and Le Grand Bornand with a free ski bus between the other areas and included on the Aravis ski pass.
Then there is St Jean de Sixt – the gateway village to the Aravis.
Resorts in Aravis – Image © Aravis.
The Aravis area is under an hour from Geneva, has excellent road access and is linked by rail to nearby Annecy.
Image © Aravis
La Clusaz
It is a genuine French alpine village that oozes Gallic charm.
It centres around an attractive main square with the ski area fanning out above and is the main resort of Aravis.
Unlike the French purpose-built mega resorts it is steeped in alpine history with snowsports starting here in 1907 after an access road was built in 1902.
In 1956, the first cable car was installed, a luge track was added in 1985 and the first snow cannon in 1994.
It home to the world-famous freeskier Candide Thovex who learnt his skills in the area.
PlanetSKI passed through a few years ago on one of our legendary alpine road trips.
We were not disappointed:
La Clusaz, France – Image © PlanetSKI
Manigod
It is a small valley village over the Col de la Croix-Fry from La Clussaz and linked by lift.
The village itself is small and traditional with very few shops, all selling local produce such as the locally made cheese, Roblochon.
It offers a quiet get-away-from-it-all base for the Aravis ski area.
Manigod – Image © Aravis.
Le Grand Bornand
It is a smaller, and some would say more charming, version of La Clusaz.
Access to the 90kms of local ski slopes comes from the village itself or the neighbouring hamlet of Le Chinallion.
There are plenty of cruising reds and blues, but also some challenging black slopes at Le Lachet.
Beginners are well catered for with good nursery slopes.
The area also has extensive cross country trails in the Vallee du Bouchet.
Le Grand Bornand – Image © C. Hudry-Aravis
St Jean de Sixt
There is no direct skiing from the village and it is an access area to the main ski areas that are just 3kms away in either direction.
Don’t let the lack of ski-in, ski-out put you off as it is an excellent base and a traditional alpine hamlet that sits at 960m.
It also offers excellent value for money and is a cheaper alternative to the other areas.
PlanetSKI last stayed in St Jean de Sixt with the company Skiweekender back in 2018.
Much has changed, but much hasn’t, and overall it offers the same alpine experience.
Check the past PlanetSKI reports:
PlanetSKI is planning to visit Aravis for a few days in early January 2025 (one of our road trips again), so look out for our reports direct from the villages and the slopes.
La Clusaz, France – Image © PlanetSKI
So, what’s new for next winter in the Aravis area?
New The Trapper’s Tepee
Welcome to Jack Digger’s tepee.
Jack, also known as the Skilful One or Nehirowisiw in the Atikamekw language of Canada, was the last trapper in La Clusaz.
Come and enjoy a unique experience in his authentic tepee, at an altitude of 1,500 m.
Share an unforgettable evening in the world of the trapper, at the heart of a larch and spruce forest.
Go up by chair lift or minibus, put on your snow shoes or boots and make your way to the tepee, following a professional guide.
Have a drink outside, share the trapper’s supper, enjoy live music and head back to the village by sledge. Switch off completely and enjoy a peaceful evening at the Trapper’s Tepee in La Clusaz.
New La Bascule – Giant Swing in the Aravis 1860m
Back for its first winter season after opening in the summer, La Bascule, the new giant swing perched above the Aravis, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Annecy Mountains and the Confins Valley over a six minute ride.
Giant swing – Image © Aravis.
New Savings for Bus Travellers to La Clusaz –A multi-transport booking service has launched so guests can plan their journeys from home to resort and calculate the CO2 emissions and travel time of each leg.
Various transport solutions are then offered to create the best itinerary.
Guests who then decide to travel by bus to the region can receive a ski pass for 39 euros rather than 53.
New Le Mazot– sleeps 6
Maison des Aravis, owners Mathilde and Sarah, extend their B&B to include a new chalet, Le Mazot sleeping up to six in three ensuite bedrooms.
Charming traditional chalet with sauna and the slopes of La Clusaz nearby.
Michelin* Le Cin5 – Heading in to its first winter season, Le Cin5 at the 5* Hotel Au Couer du Village with chef Vincent Deforce leading his team combines local products from the Haute Savoie with flavours from an island close to his heart, Mauritius.
The only Michelin * restaurant in La Clusaz.
New 6 Million Euro Chair Lift in Le Grand Bornand
The Duche chairlift will be replaced this winter by a €6m new lift offering more comfort, and checking all the boxes in terms of sustainability:
The new route with less impact on the environmental plan by avoiding wetlands and natural, senstive habitats, and safer thanks to the distance from the chalets close to the slope as well as being better integrated from an architectural point of view and more economical in energy.
Manigod – Largest Night Skiing Area in Haute Savoie
Eight slopes open from 4.30pm, Manigod offers the most night skiing in the Haute Savoie.
New: Special ski rates at Manigod for students [15-25yrs] 24e per day. Themed evenings each month:
30th December – Olympic Games evening
18th January – Surprise Party Theme
16th February – Sledging Evening
26th February – Retro day & evening
2nd March – Sledging Evening
And if you visit the area don’t forget to forego a bit of skiing and check out the weekly market in La Clusaz.
It’s genuine France and the real deal:
La Clusaz, France – Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France – Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France – Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France – Image © PlanetSKI
Roll on January for that PlanetSKI visit…
PlanetSKI in Aravis – Image © PlanetSKI
Image © Aravis
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