 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all
I’m about to book a trip and as it will only be for a long weekend, I need a short transfer. Does anybody know anything about La Clusaz pls as not an area I’ve visited before
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It’s a nice ski area. I’m sure it’s been discussed before so maybe try and search and come back if you don’t find the information you’re after.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Iaindp, it's a nice ski area with an authentic town centre with a weekly farmers market every Monday, I was there two weeks ago.
There is a frequent good value shuttle service from Geneva airport to La Clusaz for €40 each way: https://www.aravis-shuttle.com/
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Nice spot, and big enough for a long weekend.
It also has the advantage of being pretty much the closest (non Jura) resort to Geneva.
Village level is pretty low, so can get slushy towards the bottom.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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thanks guys
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Will be there on Friday for 4 nights.
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| mikeycharlton wrote: |
Nice spot, and big enough for a long weekend.
It also has the advantage of being pretty much the closest (non Jura) resort to Geneva.
Village level is pretty low, so can get slushy towards the bottom. |
Depends on how you go but Grand Bornand is slightly closer. I quite like La Clusaz but it's not cheap. LGB is slightly less and can be quite good. But I agree that lower slopes in both stations can be really soft in the PM.
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I was there 2 years ago. Stayed in Annecy close to the bus station in an airbnb as it was well cheaper and great selection of restaurants, shops ,supermarkets etc. Took the bus up to La Clusaz every morning and back in the afternoon. They had a daily discounted lift tkt when you bought at the window and showed the bus tkt. Strangely it worked out cheaper than a multi-day. Also useful if you have a rubbish weather day and decide not to go. Skiing good but pricey drinks and food up at La Clusaz.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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It’s a nice resort but I think the ski area skis a lot smaller than its stats suggest. Open Piste Map has it listed as 95kms but maybe half of that is hard to access, and a bit low and flat.
So in terms of reputation and pricing I think it’s punching well above its weight. Some may say it’s overpriced for what you actually get.
La Balme is a great zone, particularly if you’re into launching yourself off natural jumps in the bits between the pistes (with all the local kids!), but if the cloud comes in there there isn’t much else.
Mountain restaurants are limited and not amazing quality IMO, but with a few gems if you know where to look.
Use the access to La Grand Bornand if you’re there for more than 2 days.
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While it's been a long time since I skiied there (used to have family in Thônes down the road), I always preferred the skiing in Le Grand Bornand, except at the tail ends of the season when Balme in La Clusaz had the only viable skiing. A lot of La Clusaz's piste mileage corresponds to the flat linking tracks and the multiple very short runs in Merdassier, so La Clusaz and le Grand Bornand are actually similar in extent. The lift system is significantly better in Le Grand Bornand (the last bottleneck, La Duche, is now gone it seems), all slopes are above 1300m except the village run so slope conditions are typically decent in the heart of the season, and there are enough challenging runs to keep you busy for the weekend.
Whether you stay in the village or at Chinaillon is up to you: the village is prettier, but the gondolas are at one end of it, and you'll sometimes have to download as despite the extremely high skills of whoever prepares the pistes there, the village run is sometimes closed and often not very good to ski.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Tue 20-01-26 6:40; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| balso wrote: |
While it's been a long time since I skiied there (used to have family in Thônes down the road), I always preferred the skiing in Le Grand Bornand, except at the tail ends of the season when Balme in La Clusaz had the only viable skiing. A lot of La Clusaz's piste mileage corresponds to the flat linking tracks and the multiple very short runs in Merdassier, so La Clusaz and le Grand Bornand are actually similar in extent. The lift system is significantly better in Le Grand Bornand (the last bottleneck, La Duche, is now gone it seems), all slopes are above 1300m except the village run so slope conditions are typically decent in the heart of the season, and there are enough challenging runs to keep you busy for the weekend.
Whether you stay in the village or at Chinaillon is up to you: the village is prettier, but the gondolas are at one end of it, and you'll sometimes have to download as despite the extremely high skills of whoever prepares the pistes there, the village run is sometimes closed and often not very good to ski. |
Would always recommend staying toward the Chinaillon end but that's because I really like the restaurant to skier's right looking down from the col. I can never remember the name, and it's cafeteria style, but it really punches above its weight. There's also a nice spot on the road toward La Colombiere on the left (the last restaurant in the town) with great views. LGB is sort of a lesser-known gem bc La Clusaz is closer to Annecy but I like it quite a bit. Although the top runs can get ICY.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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A snowhead who used to run a chalet in the La Giettaz reckoned that La Clusaz considers itself a cut above the other resorts in the area and was regarded as a bit snobby by neighbours in places like Le Grand Bornand. I think I'd go to LGB and for a few days in January would probably rent a car and have a potter round the area.
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Just back from 3 days on the slopes. It proved to be an excellent choice for a long weekend, though we didn't see much sunshine, though did get some fun powder to ski on Monday.
The area is bigger than expected, and we only did one run at the La Balme end. The red from Bellegarde back to resort is fun, some fun stuff at Croix Fry and Manigod too along with the Belvedere area.
Almost no queues and quiet pistes.Snow was great.
The dynamic pricing of lift passes saved us money over a 3 day pass.
I'd definitely recommend it for 3 or 4 days on the slopes.
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