Le Grand-Bornand is one of France’s best-kept secrets — a charming, authentic Alpine village in the Aravis massif of Haute-Savoie that offers excellent skiing, a beautiful medieval church, and the famous Reblochon cheese. Just 32 km from Annecy and 80 km from Geneva, it combines genuine Savoyard character with well-developed ski infrastructure, making it a favourite among French families who want to avoid the crowds of the mega-resorts.
Key Facts
| Summit elevation | 2,100 m (6,890 ft) |
|---|---|
| Base elevation | 1,000 m (3,280 ft) |
| Vertical drop | 1,100 m (3,610 ft) |
| Skiable terrain | 90 km of pistes |
| Runs | 48 pistes |
| Lifts | 24 (including gondola to Le Chinaillon) |
| Season | December – April |
| Closest city | Annecy (32 km), Geneva (80 km) |
| Lift pass area | Le Grand-Bornand alone; can link to La Clusaz with Aravis Pass |
Mountain Overview
The resort consists of two areas: Le Grand-Bornand village (1,000 m) and Le Chinaillon (1,300 m), connected by a gondola. The skiing spreads across three zones — Rosay, Lachat, and Maroly — each with distinct character. The Lachat sector at the top gives the best snow conditions and access to the highest terrain above 2,000 m.
Terrain distribution: 15% green, 38% blue, 33% red, 14% black. The mountain suits confident beginners through to advanced intermediates best, though blacks like the Venise and Maroly offer genuine challenge. Expert skiers visiting as part of the Aravis linked area (also covering La Clusaz) will find 220 km of combined pistes.
Terrain Highlights
Beginners: The Maroly sector near Le Chinaillon has gentle green and blue runs with good beginner lift infrastructure. The ski school operates from both village and Chinaillon bases.
Intermediates: The Lachat sector is the resort’s heart — long reds with good vertical and open views across the Aravis range to Mont Blanc. The Lachat 1 and Lachat 2 gondola corridor is particularly good.
Advanced: The Venise black run is the resort’s most sustained challenge, dropping 480 m vertical from the Lachat summit. The off-piste around the Jallouvre Massif is excellent for guided powder exploration.
Aravis Link: An interlinked lift pass connects Le Grand-Bornand with La Clusaz (10 km away by road but connected via the Lachat ridge) for a combined 220 km ski area.
The Village
Le Grand-Bornand village is one of the most attractive ski resort villages in the French Alps, centred on a 16th-century church and surrounding hamlets. The village hosts the annual Grand-Bornand Biathlon World Cup in January — one of Europe’s biggest winter sporting events. Reblochon cheese, made by local farms in the valley, is the gastronomic highlight — look for fermier (farmhouse) Reblochon at the weekly market.
Getting There
Le Grand-Bornand is 32 km southeast of Annecy via the D909. From Geneva Airport (80 km), the drive takes approximately 75–90 minutes via the A40/A41 motorway. Annecy train station is served by TGV from Paris (3.5 hrs); shuttle buses connect to the resort in season. Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport is 130 km (2 hours).
Looking for flights? Search flights to Le Grand — compare prices across airlines and find the best deal for your dates.
Where to Stay
The resort has a mix of traditional Savoyard chalets, residence apartments, and hotel options:
- Les Flocons de Sel — luxury chalet-hotel in the village, Michelin-starred restaurant
- Hôtel La Croix Saint-Maurice — traditional hotel near the village centre; good value
- Residence Pierre & Vacances — self-catering apartments in Le Chinaillon with ski-in access
- Chalet rental — the valley has excellent chalet stock; peak weeks book out months in advance
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Tips for Your Visit
- Visit in January for the Biathlon World Cup — extraordinary atmosphere and free to watch
- Buy the Aravis Pass to ski both Le Grand-Bornand and La Clusaz for maximum terrain variety
- Eat Tartiflette made with local Reblochon cheese — this is where it comes from
- Weekends can be busy (local Geneva/Annecy crowds); weekdays are much quieter
- The village is genuinely charming — arrive in daylight to appreciate it
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Le Grand-Bornand good for beginners?
Yes — particularly from the Le Chinaillon base where beginner terrain is well separated from faster traffic. The ski school is well-regarded and the village ambiance is relaxed.
How does Le Grand-Bornand compare to La Clusaz?
They’re neighbouring resorts sharing the Aravis mountain range. La Clusaz is slightly larger and has more name recognition; Le Grand-Bornand has a more authentic village feel and is less crowded. With the Aravis Pass, you ski both — the combination is excellent.
Is Le Grand-Bornand suitable for a week’s skiing?
Solo, the 90 km may feel limited for a full week for strong skiers. With the Aravis link to La Clusaz (220 km combined), a week is perfectly manageable. Families and intermediates will be very happy for a full week in the village alone.
When does Le Grand-Bornand Biathlon World Cup take place?
The Grand-Bornand Biathlon World Cup is held annually in mid-to-late December or early January. It’s one of Europe’s most spectacular free spectator winter sports events — well worth timing a trip around.
What is the best month to ski at Le Grand-Bornand?
January and February offer the best snow conditions. March has excellent sunny skiing with spring snow on lower slopes — popular with families. The Christmas/New Year period is very busy; book well in advance.