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Voykit pocket guide · France
La Clusaz
Two nights for a long ski weekend; three if you add cross-country or a day in Annecy. A day-trip from Geneva or Annecy is tight but possible.
La Clusaz is a working alpine village with 120 km of downhill runs, good intermediate terrain and reliable off-piste. It is less purpose-built than Courchevel or Val d'Isère, and its après-ski is low-key. Most visitors come for a long weekend or a midweek ski break.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (ski season); Jun–Sep (hiking)
- Avoid
- Nov (lifts closed), May (mud season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €70–110 excl. bed · Mid €110–180 excl. bed · High €180+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire and ambulance 112 · Mountain rescue (PGHM) 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–4 |
| Fondue or raclette (per person) | €18–30 |
| Pizza (takeaway) | €10–15 |
| Beer (demi / 50 cl) | €5–8 |
| Ski pass (Aravis, 1 day) | €45–55 (check) |
| Ski hire (skis, boots, poles, 1 day) | €25–40 (check) |
| Taxi from village to slopes | €10–15 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GVA · Geneva Airport
- About 1 h by road; private transfers or rental car recommended.
Typical fares
- Geneva Airport → La Clusaz (private transfer)
- about €200–250, 1 h (check)
- Annecy → La Clusaz (bus)
- about €10, 45 min (check)
- Ski pass (Aravis, 1 day)
- about €45–55 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Free ski bus connects the village, lifts and neighbouring Grand Bornand. A car is useful for access from Geneva but not needed once you are in the resort.
See and do
Known for
- Aravis ski area (shared with Le Grand Bornand)
- Off-piste north-facing combes
- Traditional village atmosphere
- Cross-country skiing at Les Confins and Plateau de Beauregard
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Annecy | Car or bus (about 45 min) | About 1 h |
| Chamonix | Car via A40 (about 1 h 15 min) | About 1.5 h |
| Megève | Car via Col des Aravis (summer) or A40 (winter), about 45 min | About 1 h |
| Geneva | Car (about 1 h) | About 1 h 15 min |
Sleep
- Uphill side of the village
- Best views and ski-in/ski-out access; higher prices.
- Centre village
- Walking distance to lifts, bars and restaurants; more affordable.
- St-Jean-de-Sixt
- 2 km (1.2 mi) away, free bus to both La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand; cheaper accommodation.1.2 mi (2 km) away, free bus to both La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand; cheaper accommodation.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjourbohn-zhoor |
| Thank you | Mercimair-see |
| How much? | Combien ?kom-byen |
| Where is the ski lift? | Où est le télésiège ?oo ay luh tay-lay-syej |
| I need help | J'ai besoin d'aidezhay buh-zwan ded |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez-vous anglais ?par-lay voo ahn-glay |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Col des Aravis road is closed in winter; access is via Annecy, Thônes or the A40 near Bonneville.
- Book lift passes and ski school in advance during French school holidays (Feb–Mar).
- Last ski bus times vary; check the schedule at the tourist office.
A safe resort; standard mountain risks apply: stay on marked runs, check avalanche risk before off-piste, and carry a transceiver, shovel and probe. The biggest hazard is icy pavements in winter.
One and two days
No timed day plan for La Clusaz yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Aravis ski area (shared with Le Grand Bornand)
- Off-piste north-facing combes
- Traditional village atmosphere
- Cross-country skiing at Les Confins and Plateau de Beauregard
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: La Clusaz, revision 3693364 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=3693364
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/la-clusaz). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.