Visitor reviews for La Clusaz Ski Resort

La Clusaz Ratings

Overall: 4.2. Based on 27 votes and 23 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 3.8

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) La Clusaz is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.5

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) La Clusaz has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.3

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.5

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.7

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of La Clusaz.

Public Transport: 3.7

(1) There are no buses or taxis to La Clusaz, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.5

(1) No places to stay in/near La Clusaz, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.9

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.0

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in La Clusaz.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.4

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.0

(1) There are no child care facilities at La Clusaz, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.1

(1) La Clusaz relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.5

(1) There are no snow groomers at La Clusaz, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at La Clusaz are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.1

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) La Clusaz is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.8

(1) If snow conditions are poor at La Clusaz, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.1

(1) La Clusaz usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.4

(1) The staff at La Clusaz are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at La Clusaz are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.0

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.5

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.8

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 3.9

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.5

(1) No intermediate terrain at La Clusaz, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.1

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 4.0

(1) Not even a kicker at La Clusaz, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 4.3

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around La Clusaz, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.8

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) La Clusaz has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.3

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.6

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 4.3

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 4.1

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 4.0

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.3

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.2

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.2

(1) Overall, La Clusaz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.2

(1) Overall, La Clusaz is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

July 02, 2012
Melissa from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have not been, but I am hoping to go soon. Friends have told me the staff are rude, hard to get there and no where to buy a lunch.
March 16, 2011
Chris K from Ski Netherlands Netherlands
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).
July 29, 2005
Ed Edgerton from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
i have been skiing in La Clusaz for over ten years now and each year I return the skiing improves. There is a wide varitety of slopes which enables beginers and experts to ski in the beautiful wilderness which surounds La Clusaz. La Clusaz's snow is groomed to a high standard and with an abundence of snow cannons there is always a healthy amount of ski able snow. There are also many off piste tracks which will test even the most experienced up on the massive de la balme. In the tradional rustic town there are many resaurants which serve tradional food and specialits of the area. Also if you come to La Clusaz during the christmas period there are many attractions going on in the main square which are always a delight.
February 07, 2006
Chris Voice from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
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.
February 20, 2018
Derion from Ski Greece Greece
Actually under the name "La Clusaz" there are five interconnected ski centers with the same ticket: Balme, Aiguille, Etale, Beauregard and Manigod. Last year I visited Beauregard and Manigod. This year I skied Aiguille and Balme. So I am still missing Etale. I stayed in Annecy. It is about 30km far away from La Clusaz and an hour bus drive. I took the offer from Annecy bus station. At 40€ per person a lift ticket and bus transfer are included. Really good price! The bus leaves from Annecy at 09:30 and returns at 17:00. I skied on Friday, 16th February 2018. What a fantastic ski day. I was really worried about rain that had fallen the last day. However, the rain caused no problem. Temperature was at about 6C in the base and around freezing level at the top of the mountains (approximately 2.500m). I rented good ski equipment at 27€/day. I started skiing in Auguille. The only piste in not so good condition was Merle, because there were too many people skiing on it. However, and despite the fact it was French winter school holidays and the ski center was really busy, there were almost no queues at the lifts. Snow coverage was really good: 40 cm at the base and more than 3 meters on the top. Not a single stone in the whole ski center. The weather was very changeable. In the lower slopes, there was little rain. In some slopes there was sun. On the top of the mountains (Aiguille and Balme as well) there was dense fog. On the top of Balme (piste Blanchot) it was snowing heavily. What a weather mixture in one single day and a single ski center! In my opinion, the best mountain is Balme. You do not need to take the gondola from Aiguille. I skied down the red piste La Fernuy. It was written that the piste was not prepared and the snow was heavy. Well, this was not true. Fernuy was pretty nice and the view from there was fantastic. Furthermore, Balme was much quiter than Aiguille and a lot more enjoyable, as the mountain was virtually empty from skiers. The red Blanchot, Torchere and Lachat were really good. Up on the top, in the beginning and the middle of Blanchot, it was snowing heavily. Down further, the weather cleared. I skied the red Lachat, which is a big red piste, totally alone! La Clusaz consists mostly of blue and red pistes. It is the paradise of the interemediate skier. You need at least three full days to visit all the five interconnected ski centers. Overall, it was one the best skiing experiences ever from all the aspects. La Clusaz is totally recommended!
January 23, 2007
Tony Wade from Ski France France
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!
February 26, 2013
Darcy from Ski France France
I have been skiing in La Clusaz since 1990. My children started skiing there as well at the age of 9 yrs and 7 yrs. I fell in love with La Clusaz from that date and have been skiing there religiously 3-4 times a year travelling from the UK (by car or plane). I have always found La Clusaz friendly and the most beautiful Alpine resort with character (no concrete blocks). Restaurants are plentiful (on the slopes and in the resort centre. I have been promoting La Clusaz to my friends and family and my children's friends. Plenty of varied skiing (for the novice, children, adults, and for any serious skiers). Slopes (pistes) are very well maintained daily. Just look at the slopes during school holidays and you hear lots of English. I will not hesitate to recommend La Clusaz to anyone. Just come once, you fall in love with it instantly.
April 13, 2007
alun evans from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
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.
November 17, 2008
Sarah from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
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.
January 03, 2023
Vladimir Boschi from Ski Croatia Croatia
The most bad prepared pistes I have ever seen. We traveled 1200 km for nothing. Cheaters, one you report about pistes on internet, completely different in realty.