PlanetSKI Hits Aravis & the Annecy Mountain Resorts
19th January 2025 | James Cove, Aravis, France.
So far we have visited Arc 1950 and Saint Foy:
Now it’s a 2-hour journey to the resorts near Lake Annecy.
There were some snowy conditions on departure from Villaroger.
North-west French Alps. Image © PlanetSKI
North-west French Alps. Image © PlanetSKI
And there was fresh snow falling as we rolled into Chalet Hotel de la Croix Fry on our first stop: Manigod.
Manigod, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Manigod, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Manigod sits next to La Clusaz and is a tranquil hamlet where time seems to stand still.
It has 25kms of ski slopes, with 31kms for cross country skiing.
It is linked to La Clusaz with its 125kms of slopes so despite a modest amount of its own terrain there is no shortage of skiing.
- 8 Black runs
- 30 Red runs
- 31 Blue runs
- 16 Green runs
The area is also a re-known freeride spot and is home to Candide Thovex, Seb Michaud and Edgar Grospiron.
Manigod also has slopes for night skiing.
Snow was falling on arrival.
Day One started in Manigod and then we headed to La Clusaz, though we didn’t see much of either resort as the cloud closed in.
La Clusaz & Manigod, Aravis. Image © PlanetSKI
Fortunately, we had local instructor, Hugo Genand, from the ESF to show us around.
La Clusaz & Manigod, Aravis. Image © PlanetSKI
But it was all a bit grim quite frankly.
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
And the next day?
It couldn’t be more different.
After several days of rain, snow and fluctuating temperatures on this road trip the day was an absolute cracker:
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
The British are the most important foreign market for the area, ahead of the Belgians and the Dutch.
“Our British guests like the combination of our village authenticity with out history and agriculture, plus the fabulous skiing that has a huge variety of terrain where each of the areas compliments the other,” said Charlotte Duclos from the Aravis tourist office.
One couple who visited in January are PlanetSKI readers, Mike and Lizzie Hutchinson.
Mike Hutchinson, La Clusaz, France. Image c/o PlanetSKI/Mike Hutchinson.
“We wanted an easy and short transfer from Geneva airport to a decent ski area and an hour is about as good as it gets,” said Mike.
“We stayed in La Clusaz, but I loved the skiing in Le Grand Bornand.
“It is an area I had never even heard of, but it certainly delivered with great slopes, superb snow and a genuine and authentic alpine atmosphere.”
Lizzie was equally impressed.
“€5 for a hot chocolate is good in my books when it costs double that in Les3Vallees,” said Lizzie.
“I had not even heard of the ski area before our online research bit I would thoroughly recommend it.
“What a treat the resorts are.”
Lizzie Hutchinson, La Clusaz, France. Image c/o PlanetSKI/Lizzie Hutchinson.
“I loved the fact that it was not one of those purpose-built French ski areas with little personality and too much concrete, but the real deal.”
La Clusaz has a market every Monday throughout the year.
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
One of the many new things in the area this year is Tipi du Trappeur.
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Jack Digger’s tepee – he was the last trapper in La Clusaz.
It is set in larch and spruce woods above La Clusaz and accessible by foot or sledge.
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Inside a cheese fondue awaits.
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
La Clusaz, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Afterwards it’s a 4km sledge back to the village.
Next up on this January road trip was the neighbouring resort of Le Grand Bornand that is famous for its Nordic skiing.
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Le Grand Bornard holds a round of the Biathlon IBU World Cup – the only resort in France to do so.
Last month ahead of Xmas 25,000 spectators came for the event.
The grandstand is still being dismantled with the main ski area behind it.
- 5 Black runs
- 13 Red runs
- 14 Blue runs
- 15 Green runs
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
It will be the venue for the event in the 2030 Winter Olympics should France be certified as hosts of The Games, which they most likely will.
So it is perhaps the best area to give biathlon a try – the home of biathlon in France.
The discipline involves cross-country skiing and shooting.
First the skiing:
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
I felt a but like Bambie on to begin with on the narrow skis with only my toes secured, but one soon get used it it.
The trick seems to keep the knees bent and your weight forward.
Then the shooting:
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Le Grand Bornand, France. Image © PlanetSKI
The trick here is to breath deeply and take your time.
The biathlon session is run by the ESF and is €120 for 2-hours for four people – €30 per person seemed good value for me.
I was staying in the Hotel des Aravis in the village of St Jean de Sixt that sits between Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz/Manigod.
The village sits between the two ski areas with regular and free shuttle busses running.
230kms of downhill ski runs and 170kms of Nordic trails are easilt accessible from St Jean de Sixt.
Saint Jean de Sixt, France. Image © PlanetSKI
It is run by the UK company Ski Weekender that has been offering short breaks for 20-years.
Saint Jean de Sixt, France. Image © PlanetSKI
The village is about an hour from Geneva airport so is perfect for a short break with no long transfer required.
“The ski areas compliment each other perfectly with Le Grand Bornand offering an altogether different experience than La Clusaz & Manigod,” said the founder of Ski Weekender, Paul Turnbull.
“People like the authenticity of the area as it is a genuine French mountain community.”
Saint Jean de Sixt, France. Image © PlanetSKI
And so PlanetSKI’s January road trip in France draws to a close.
Not only is the area 1 hour from Geneva it is about 8 hours to Calais and is one of the closest alpine ski areas if you are driving.
Ideal for our return to the UK on this January road trip in the French Alps.
Driving through France. Image © PlanetSKI
It was an uneventful return journey, leaving St Jean de Sixt at 10am and approaching Calais around 6.30.
The sun went down in Northern France on the approach to Calais.
Northern France. Image © PlanetSKI
Northern France. Image © PlanetSKI
As I looked at the sun going down I thought of where PlanetSKI is going next.
We’re off to the Land of the Rising Sun – Japan.
France has been a warm-up for a 6-week road and rail trip round the country that is top of many people’s bucket list.
We’re visiting the main ski areas in and around the Hakuba Valley on the main island of Honshu, and then we’re heading north to the powder paradise of Hokkaido.
Adventures await.
Do check back….
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