Went to La Clusaz past four days (12-15 March) for the first time. Enjoyed the good range of slopes and the village. Snow was not too good: icy in the morning and wet in the afternoon. Best area was La Balme: best snow, good runs for intermediate and good skiers. Worst was Lacha-run there with icy bumps and no grooming. The other ones in the la Balme area were great though, including some fresh snow tracks off the piste.
Never found a place where waiting for the lifts was such a rare phenomenon. Absolutely good point, let's you ski all day!
Stayed in hotel Beaulieu; easy to book on internet and decent service, including the use of the swimming pool of hotel Carlina, just 30 meters from Beaulieu. Decided to return next year, hopefully with better snow (especially due to high temperatures).
We have just had our 1st week in La Clusaz (half-term) and we had a great time. The snow on all but the lowest runs was great, the low runs had very thin cover but still ok to return to the village, snowmaking would help. The village is large and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep your evenings busy. As it was half-term week we were prepared for lift q's but there were very few and those were no more than 5 mins. Overall, a great resort. I would not book too far ahead because of it's low altitude but if you can book late and there's good snow give it a go, I bet you have a great time.
March 09, 2010
Laurance Coey
from
USA - California
Just back from a quick 5 day trip to La Clusaz with the boys. Even though the weather was not the best, they closed a couple of the high lifts for a few hours, we had some great skiing. The high sections on the reds are very good with some very fast reds at the Balme area. Great town with good, well priced restaurants. Not the place for lively nightlife, but if you are skiing hard enough all day long, then late, late nights should not be required. We covered all the runs, including Grand Bornand in our 5 days, but would definitely go back to La Clusaz, maybe next time with the family.
Really loved La Clusaz and wouldn't want too many more people to go there and turn it into a typical overcrowded resort which would result in it losing its beautiful charm.
Loads to do and great family skiing with the good selection of blue and green runs. Definitely going back before the end of the season.
I skied at La Clusaz the last two seasons and really loved it. Although the resort isn’t as high as some others, snow coverage has always been good and there are loads of new snow cannons. There are areas to suit all abilities but my favourite area is the Etale, over the back, where they put in a new telemix lift last season and regraded all the runs.
I actually stayed just 2km away in St Jean with SkiWeekender so La Clusaz is really easy to get to with their own mini-buses of by the free resort ski bus.
La Clusaz is great for weekend skiing as it’s only 1 hour from Geneva.
Went to La Clusaz once in Easter 2004 and had a big dump of snow when we were there. Also went there Xmas 2005...and the conditions were perfect...the place is a super small resort, suited for families and beginners and intermediates..my wife loves it there and would like to buy a property. Close to Geneve airport. Also have a day or two on Le Grand Bornand as the skiing was great there too.
After having 2 children,a 10 year break from skiing followed by a week in Flaine,I was determined to find a traditional alpine resort, close to Geneva and suitable for families. La Clusaz meets all these criteria. It's a beautiful town,the skiing area is big enough for a week,the lift pass is cheap by comparison with many other French resorts and we have been really impressed by ESF. We have just returned from our 3rd week there and although the snow was distinctly lacking at the beginning of the week as in much of the Alps, I am sure we will be back there next year.We love the place!
First thing first: the top lift at La Clusaz is NOT at 2600m but more like 2450 and the maximum vertical drop is really a lot more like 1100m and never 1500m. This is all the sort of propaganda designed to attract skiers looking for bigger and higher resorts. Here in Grand Bornand (where I live) the piste map tells us that the toplift on Mt. Lachat rises to 2100m while my IGN map reliably informs me that that the summit of the mountain is actually 2050!
All that said the skiing is excellent at La Clusaz and if you're willing to hike the 'Combs' into the Aravis it's an epic backcountry resort. Even if you just ride the 'Balme' sector you'll end up with big muscley thighs!
Have spent a season and numerous weeks holidays in La Clusaz over the last few years - stunning scenery fantastic and relatively undiscovered off-piste - very quiet skiing although Feb half-terms definately to be avoided. Skiing looks relatively limited on paper but links to nearby Grand Bornand and easy driving access to Chamonix/Megeve etc means you won't be bored. Locals are very helpful, ski schools great - go there!!
I visited La Clusaz five years ago and fell in love with the village, the people, the skiing and the food. I went home re-mortgaged my house and came back to buy an apartment. Since then many members of my family have visited and learned to ski with the excellent teaching available; from the creche for my youngest grandchild to the adult classes for my older children. Summer or Winter there's plenty to do and magnificent views to enjoy. The skiing pretty good too.