La Clusaz - introduction

La Clusaz is that oddity – a resort you want to return to time and again, despite it being possible to compile a list of reasons why this should not be so.

It is, of course, all to do with it being a perfectly charming, quintessentially French authentic mountain village that has simply refused to be ravaged by the march of time.

Never mind the fact that, in this age of huge ski networks, it doesn't possess the largest of ski areas and doesn't have the height to guarantee the best snow, this is a resort with which most visitors fall in love – including us, it's one of our favourites.  It commands great loyalty among both skiers and boarders, many of whom consider a winter incomplete without a visit here.

In fact, its 5 interlinked sectors, though compact, provide an impressive range of skiing for everyone, including some excellent off-piste. And the number and quality of its mountain restaurants is a good reason in itself to ski here.

Highlights

• A traditional village that oozes Gallic charm
• One of the most accessible of all French ski villages
• Good range of skiing, with something for everyone
• Because most of the slopes are pastureland in the summer, not much snow is needed to make them skiable
• Excellent mountain huts, and plenty to choose from
• Wide choice of very good restaurants in town

Lowlights

• Can get crowded at weekends because of day-trippers (the price for being so conveniently close to Geneva)
• Not the most reliable of snow, because of its relatively low altitude. But much has been invested in snowmaking equipment to alleviate this
• Not a huge number of really tough pistes (but a lot of off-piste to make up for that)