Review by Patrick Thorne (who is a fan of the resorts and not just writing this for the money)
It's one of the easiest areas in Europe for us to reach – the shortest and easiest drive through France from the channel or just 50 minutes from Geneva International Airport; it's one of the larger ski areas in France; it has much more authentic charm and character than most of the other famous French ski destinations thanks to its century of Alpine skiing tradition mixed with continuing strong agricultural roots …and yet you may never of heard of it.
"Lake Annecy Ski Resorts" huh?
Well for those who know their French geography and how marketeers work, the answer is simple. This is the new-ish name (it's actually been around a few years now) for long standing French favourite ski areas La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand, as well as their smaller neighbours, Manigod and St Jean de Sixt.
La Clusaz
The best known of the Lake Annecy Ski Resort on the British Market, La Clusaz is one of the few resorts in the top division of French destinations that was not purpose built, so is rich in ambience and traditional architecture rather than awash with concrete.
In fact it (as indeed the whole Lake Annecy Ski Resorts region) is distinguished by its sporting spirit and its leading freeride area. Home to no less than 10 world champions, it also has one of the longest runs in the region, from the top of the main Balme mountain to the village there's over 1500m of vertical to ski.
This traditional Savoyard village is regarded by some as one of the most picturesque in France and has attracted tourists since the beginning of the twentieth century, establishing itself as a ski destination 90 years ago – long before resorts like the 3 Valleys and Paradiski were even thought of.
Today La Clusaz's skiing spreads across five mountains - Beauregard, La Croix Fry-Manigod-Merdassier, L'Etale, L'Aiguille and Balme, inter-connected by more than 50 lifts.
This huge area covers all kinds of slopes from large wooded trails for relaxed descents, to high summits and steeps. There are terrain parks, beginner zones, children's snow parks – everything you could look for in fact. The Telemark World Championships and the Freestyle World Championships are among top level events that have been staged here.
Off the slopes La Clusaz is a bustling, thriving, traditional resort. Along with its extensive accommodation, shopping and dining options, recent developments have included a fun swimming adventure pool complex and the resort was one of the first French ski areas to offer a five star hotel as an accommodation option along sides its numerous other accommodation options which cover every category from camping or a youth hostel up.
Manigod
Of the two smaller members of Lake Annecy Ski Resorts, Manigod is linked to La Clusaz by its wide sunny slopes of Croix Fry and Merdassier, making it a well kept skiing secret !
The village has many chalets scattered around the charming valley, which is particularly regarded for being home to several highly rated chefs and Michelin starred restaurants.
This season almost half of the ski slopes are open at night every Friday and Saturday evening until 9.30pm and every night during the February school holidays.
St Jean de Sixt
Located only 3km from La Clusaz and from Grand Bornand, this warm and welcoming village is well placed to reach either of the big areas of Lake Annecy Ski Resorts in just a few minutes on the free ski bus, it is also a centre for cross country skiing and other Nordic sports and has a small ski area of its own – ideal for beginners and families.
Le Grand Bornand
A jewel in the Aravis crown and a member of the prestigious Club TOFTA – Top of the French Alps – the unassuming Le Grand Bornand was remarkably the French resort whose athletes won a record number of medals at the Olympic Games in Sochi last winter.
Along with a good sized ski area, Le Grand Bornand has two base villages to choose from - at Le Grand Bornand Chinaillon and Le Grand Bornand itself. It is the only French resort is modern times to stage biathlon world cup events and you can try this great sport yourself, which combines cross country skiing with breaks to try to shoot at tiny targets by holding your rifle still as you're gasping for breath, in its international biathlon stadium.
But you'd be forgiven for not realising you're in one of the world's most successful breeding grounds for winter sports stars as you wander around this quiet resort, an authentic Savoyard village with its 400 200-year old chalets, passing its many farms producing reblochon cheese.
Not Just Going Downhill
Cross-country skiing is another strength with 70km of trails spread across the two plateaux of Confins and Beauregard. Snowshoeing is also popular here and there are a large number of cleared winter hiking trails.
But there are more than 40 activities listed in the area. Apart from all the usual on snow activities, (and many unusual ones), there's the chance to try biathlon (see le Grand Bornand) , perhaps go dog sledding or ski joëring (towed on your skis behind a pony), ice climbing or skating.
Adrenaline junkies have plenty of freeriding opportunities plus snowpark hits to enjoy but could also try speed riding with an instructor (skiing down a powder slope wearing a small parasail for really big air) or the world's first Bun J ride – a kind of bungee catapult on skis.
New this season on the edge of La Clusaz on the route des Confins is the chance to drive 100% electric Renault Twizy cars on an ice circuit (circuit-glace-laclusaz.fr) whilst in La Clusaz there's the option to spend a night in an igloo after an evening snowshoe hike.
If that sounds too energetic, or you just need a break afterwards, the Aquatic Centre in La Clusaz includes a 100m2 outdoor pool, indoor pools, spas, saunas and fitness centre and there are several other swimming pools and spa facilities in hotels in the various villages.
Cheese
Reblochon cheese is a big part of Lake Annecy Ski Resorts. All of the villages are home to small dairy farmers making this delicious cheese, which is served up in local restaurants and sold in shops and traditional markets. The farmers help maintain the ski slopes in the summer and maintain the year round communities here when again other famous resorts tend to shut down outside the ski season and become ghost towns. In Le Grand Bornand life still revolves around the traditional mid-week farmers market, alongside the Reblochon Market, first held in 1795.
But Lake Annecy ski resorts are real villages with a year-round life and small community and family businesses besides 'just' snow sports.
Lake Annecy Ski Resorts In Numbers
Highest lift: 2600m
Biggest Vert: 1600m
Total Runs : 220 km
Total Lifts : 85
Terrain P:arks: 3
Snow Guns: 350
Cross country trails: 130km
Toboggan runs : 7
Tourist beds : 64,300
Lodgings : 3214
Shops : 264
Restaurants : 128
Bars: 24
Discos : 3
Hotels : 38
Ski buses : 20
Get There
By air: Geneva (50 minutes/km)
Lyon Airport (90 minutes/150km away)
By Road: Autoroute A41 - Exit Annecy North.
By Rail: Annecy TGV Station (35 minutes away, 3.5 hours from Paris).
More: http://www.lakeannecy-skiresorts.com
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