Ski Holidays in La Clusaz, France

Snow report issued:	2nd Feb 12
Last snowed:	2nd Feb 12
Fresh snow depth:	3cm
Depth at resort:	86cm
Mountain depth:	355cm
Piste state:
Excellent (Great skiing thanks to the recent snowfalls)
Weather report:
Predominantly sunny with cloudy spells
Temperature:	-10°C
Open lifts:	48 of 51

View La Clusaz snow history

Slope Direction	N NW E
Very Easy Runs	27
Easy Runs	28
Medium Runs	23
Difficult Runs	7
Toughest Run Name	Levraille
Skiable Vertical	1500m
Number Of Lifts	56
Top Lift Height	2600m
Night Skiing	Y
Snowboarding Parks	2
Half Pipes	1
Swimming Pools	2
Night Clubs	2
Mountain Restaurants	11

Geneva:	60 minutes
Lyon:	1 hour and 30 minutes

A holiday in La Clusaz gives a good first impression of traditional Alpine architecture and ambience. The downside is that La Clusaz lacks the altitude and slope-side convenience for first timers which can mean a bit of a walk or bus ride to the slopes.

The village nursery slopes are good and convenient, but low, which may be a problem if the weather is warm, even with all the snowmaking cover. However, higher runs can easily be reached by gondola or chairlift if need be.

Intermediates will probably enjoy the varied terrain of La Clusaz the most, with the majority of the 1309km (78 miles) of runs graded easy or moderate. The terrain is a great mix of fast 'motorways', exciting pistes carved through the trees and challenging technical runs.

Night skiing is a fun event each week to 10.30pm on the slope down from the Patinoire gondola (extra cost, not included in your lift ticket). At every full moon La Clusaz stages its popular full moon ski nights when the slopes are open to 1am.

Although not always highly rated as a destination for advanced skiers, there are seven black runs to choose from.

More significantly, the resort's very active ski club has brought forth some of France's best skiers over the past century, most recently freestyle and freeride competitors of world class, in particular triple X Games champion Candide Thovex who organises an international contest - the Candide Invitational - each year.

All these stars have to train somewhere and the Balme massif is the main attraction with steep, north facing slopes collecting powder in steep gullies like Borderan, as well as providing lots of bumps and jumps.

The Vraille run is one of the resort's big challenges, descending 1100 vertical metres over its four kilometre length.

If you want to improve your technique, La Clusaz could be the place to do it, as the resort boasts seven ski schools including some specialising in off piste touring and freeride. Dimension Freeride offers a 'powder hunter' service and will text you details of where the best powder is to be found each morning.

Boarders, like skiers who love to freeride, will love the Balme area which is generally described as a 'natural playground' mixing steep chutes, powder bowls and great bump runs through the trees. There is a freestyle park with half pipe but this is perhaps less of a draw than the natural terrain that Balme offers.

The aqua centre, which incorporates a large outdoor heated pool, is a major attraction. The facility also includes a sauna, jacuzzi, fountain and children's paddling pool. Other facilities in the village include a large ice rink and a toboggan run. Sleigh rides, ice climbing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, quad biking, dog sledding and paragliding are all available.

Several hotels have spa facilities which are open to the public. The Alpen Roc has a Balneotherapy centre with hydo-massage pools, body wraps, shiatsu sessions, a swimming pool and sauna. The Beauvoir is the place to go for your Dead Sea mud body wrap.

La Clusaz is definitely one of the liveliest French resorts, thanks to its traditional ambience and great selection of bars and other night spots. Le Grenir and Les Caves are both popular choice and the interior of the nightclub L'Ecluse has to be seen to be appreciated.

There are nearly 70 restaurants to choose from, with many serving an array of local dishes such as fondue, pela, raclette and tartiflette. For a special night the Chalet du Lac is more than 300 years old and sits in a unique location by a glacier-fed lake. It serves Alpine food from a bygone era such as pork fricassee and duck hotpot, washed down with regional Savoy wines.

La Clusaz makes a special effort for children and stages the 'Pestacles du Pere Noel' Christmas festival all winter long. This is a Santa-centred free weekly theme day with street entertainers, fireworks, circus skills classes and similar. Children will also enjoy the large swimming and ice centres.

Non-ski nursery care is offered by the Club des Mouflets for children aged from eight months to four years.

Young skiers can join the ski school's Club des Champions for children aged from three to six years. The ski school offers standard lessons for children aged five and over working their way through the French national awards series. Children 12 and over can sign up for special teen classes with the onus on cool snow sports.