Whether you’re a budding skier or you just enjoy the Alpine atmosphere, the village of La Clusaz is truly a snow-covered paradise. Located in the region of Haute-Savoie, La Clusaz is perfectly situated close to Annecy and both the Aravis and Alps mountain ranges, making it a popular tourist destination amongst skiers and winter sports fans.
In addition to sledding activities, La Clusaz offers a wide range of things to do in winter, with something for everyone to enjoy. And that’s what we’re going to discover today!
Winter Activities in La Clusaz: Sports and Adventure
Not only can you ski at the La Clusaz ski resort, but the surrounding mountains also offer a wide range of unique and adventurous activities in the winter. It’s important to note that the winter season begins in the region as soon as the weather is cold enough for the following activities to take place:
- Sled Dogs: you can take a ride with sled dogs through a preserved natural environment in winter in La Clusaz. Sled dogs are an ancestral tradition of the Inuit culture. You can take part in this thrilling and incredibly memorable activity at La Giettaz, just 40 minutes from La Clusaz and on the other side of the Aravis Mountain Pass. You’ll be joined on your unforgettable journey by professional guides. It’s important to note that only those three years or older can take part in this activity.
- Ski Paragliding: for thrill seekers, ski paragliding in La Clusaz is an incredible experience! The takeoff point is located 1,700 metres above the ground at the top of the Beauregard Ski Lift in La Clusaz. Two different paragliding adventures are available. You could choose the Discovery Paragliding Experience, which is the calmer of the two and provides an incredible view over the snow-capped Aravis mountain range, or you could opt for the Thrill Seekers Paragliding Experience, which sees you perform acrobatics in the air with a professional. Basically, there’s something for everyone! It’s important to note that neither the ski lift nor your skiing material is included with the price of your ticket, so you will need to come prepared with your own skis, snowboard or monoski.
- Snowmobile Ride: Just an hour’s drive from La Clusaz is Les Saisies Ski Resort, where you can take a 25-kilometre snowmobile ride. You can choose an on or off-road adventure, both of which take place after the ski slopes close at 4:30pm. You’ll get to learn about snowmobile racing in an idyllic location at the gateway to the Aravis mountains. After being briefed by a guide, you’ll take to the road as you drive across the snow until you reach an incredible viewpoint, where you can even see Mont Blanc.
- Winter Canyoning: Even in winter, it is still possible to go canyoning in La Clusaz! Set sail on an adventure through the Angon Canyon, performing jumps in the water basins, tobogganing in naturally-cut crevices and speeding down slopes. Some even say that the experience is more magical in the winter because of the clearer lighting and icy formations, which provide an unparalleled sensation in a unique setting. The experience costs €79 per person and lasts two hours.
Winter Ski Lift Schedule
La Clusaz has a large skiing zone, comprising five mountain passes, 125 kilometres of slopes and 49 ski lifts. For the 2024-2025 winter season, La Clusaz ski resort will be open to the public from 14th December 2024 to 27th April 2025, although exact opening schedules for the various mountain passes across the site may vary slightly. To find out more about ski lift schedules in La Clusaz, we recommend that you check out the interactive site map to help you better plan your alpine adventure.
Pools and Relaxation Areas in La Clusaz in Winter
For those looking for somewhere to relax, the village of La Clusaz offers tourists a one-of-a-kind treatment centre: Cristal SPA. Located inside the 5-star Hôtel Au Coeur du Village, the spa offers visitors a unique relaxation experience at the heart of the French Alps. The spa’s wellness programme has been designed to prioritise comfort and wellbeing: you’ll find a pool with a counter-current, jacuzzis, a relaxation zone with a tea room, a hammam with rock crystals, a sauna and treatment rooms prepared according to the principals of Swiss spa brand ALPEOR.
In this relaxing paradise, crystals take centre stage: you’ll find amethyst, rose quartz, rock crystals and more throughout the spa, giving the place a tranquil ambience.
Special Wintertime Events in La Clusaz
La Clusaz comes alive in the winter, with many events taking place in the run-up to Christmas, giving the village a warm and friendly feel. For example, from 9th to 11th November, you can visit the Big Ski Sale and find great deals to help you get ready for the winter. Throughout December, many Christmas-themed activities take place, such as Father Christmas’ Fair, a street art festival for families that takes place from 23rd December to 3rd January. Finally, children won’t want to miss Father Christmas’ Grand Entrance on the 24th December on Champ-Giguet in La Clusaz. This event is full of surprises, especially if you’ve been good all year…
Tips for Travelling to La Clusaz in Winter
When visiting La Clusaz in winter, it’s important to come prepared in order to make the most of your trip. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your visit to La Clusaz:
- Put winter tires on your vehicle or bring chains with you: there’s always snow at this time of year, plus it is actually obligatory to have this equipment with you in the region.
- Bring warm clothes: at this altitude, you’ll feel the cold more since you’ll be exposed to the wind. So, it’s important to bring the right clothing so that you don’t turn into a freezer after enjoying your activities in the snow.
Study the Site: we recommend that you check the weather forecast before you take to the slopes and book your activities. You can find virtual maps of the valley and live cameras online, which will help you prepare for your trip.
Come and Visit La Clusaz in Winter!
There’s something for everyone to enjoy in winter in La Clusaz, whether you’re a snowsports enthusiast or you’re simply looking to relax after a challenging year. You’ll come away from your trip with unforgettable memories, and a desire to come back to La Clusaz again.
To help make your stay easier, Location Lac Annecy offers a range of accommodation to meet your needs, located close to the various activities mentioned in this post. Check out our website to find the perfect place to stay on your incredible getaway.