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Le Grand Bornand Ski Resort
If you ask us, Le Grand Bo plays a monumental role in the world of ski holidays… This is one of the top farming villages in the region - there are nearly as many cows as people - and the main thing produced is Reblochon cheese. Without Reblochon there’d be no tartiflette, and without tartiflette’s cheesy, bacony, carby deliciousness to devour after a day on the slopes… Well it doesn’t bear thinking about. If you haven’t had it before, this is the place to try it.
But cheesy goodness isn’t the only thing this place has going for it. Surrounded by the Aravis massif – Mont Blanc on one side, Lake Annecy on the other – the landscape is a feast for the eyes. The village is, too, being an official member of the TOTFA Club (Top of the French Alps) which includes the 17 prettiest French mountain resorts. It’s brimming with history: on last count, 400 of the chalets dated back well over a century (the oldest was built in 1664 and the same family have lived there from generation to generation). The weekly farmers market has been running since 1795 and the whole place is Savoyard through and through, built in wood with Soralet balconies and hay lofts and completed with a church steeple and central square.
Travel 6km up the road and you reach Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon, the base for the ski area. It holds onto a historic feel with a centre of 17th century buildings, but the lift system represents the wonders of the modern world, transporting 40,900 people an hour around the 54km of pistes.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Haute-Savoie, France
Established:
Open: December - April
Downhill: 84km, 46 runs
View our detailed Le Grand Bornand snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Le Grand Bornand snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Annecy – Haute-Savoie – Mont Blanc Airport (NCY) | 33km, 35 mins |
| Geneva International (GVA) | 64km, 1 hour |
| Lyon-Saint Exupéry (LYS) | 159km, 2 hours |
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| Top Altitude: | 2100m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1000m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1000m & 1300m |
| Longest run: | |
| Slope Orientation: | |
| Vertical Drop: | 1100m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 84km, 46 runs |
| Beginner slopes: | |
| Intermediate: | |
| Advanced slopes: | |
| Lift Pass Price: | €178 (adult 6 day Le Grand Bornand) €208 (adult 6 day Aravis) |
| Nearby resorts: Megeve, Saint Gervais, Samoens | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Le Grand Bornand
There’s a brilliant beginner’s area up at Plateau du Rosay, where a long conveyer belt and easy-to-use drag serve a couple of gentle greens. On recent years, learners have been able to purchase a ‘Forfait Mini Domaine’ which covers the easy terrain in the area. When you’ve got snowploughing down pat, progress onto the long, winding Serpentine, Myrtilles and Le Lac greens.
Moving up a level, smooth cruisey blues include Le Col de Chatillion and the Abondance run to Chinaillon which widens up as you approach the base. Intermediates should try the Denivel’ Maxx run, which sets off from the summit of Mont Lachat on red Gypaete, joins Col de Chatillion and L’Azalee then finishes up on the long red Les Envers to the village totalling 3km and 1100m of vertical.
Other good reds in the area include Piste 2000 down the northeast face of Lachat (don’t miss the awesome views over the Aravis) and the runs from the La Tolar and Le Maroly lifts.
For advanced SNO lovers, the black La Noire du Lachat is steep and technical while La Noire des Pylones builds up some pretty fierce bumps. There’s a boardercross and Big Air Bag up near La Duche and the Maroly snow park has features for beginners and experts. Off piste, the Lachat chair leads to the Espace Freeride, an unmarked, ungroomed powder playground.
If you want to ski further, upgrade to the Aravis pass which covers 211km of terrain in La Clusaz, Manigod, and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt.
Le Grand Bornand Apres Ski
It might look like a set of sleepy mountain villages, but there’s a good range of après ski options over here. Les 2 Guides in the middle of the village has a nice, pubby atmosphere, while Le Thovet’s a favourite for cocktails and wine and Marco’s Bar shows sports events. On a sunny day, bag a spot on the south facing terrace of Bar La Colombière (which has been run by the same family since 1912), or if it’s cold outside, grab a booth by the fire at Bar Les Clarines. The Floria Café Givre has a dance floor and often puts on karaoke nights and you can dress up and dance at the Beaver Creek nightclub, which usually operates a free shuttle service.
The choice of places to eat is brilliant too. On the mountain, La Colombiere des Neiges is a good self-service restaurant for simple comfort food (and delicious hot apple juice). Try Johnny’s amazing Burgers and steaks at Aux Aravis, where they do good set menus for €10 or €22. If you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to push the boat out, book a table at Le Confins Des Sens – it features in the Michelin guide and the carefully curated menus include a special gourmet one for children, a discovery option and 4 and 5 course sets. And when that leaves you craving more fine-dining, try the Menu Gourmand at L’Heliantis.
Of course you can’t come here without trying the locally produced Reblochon cheese at least once – and it’s hard to find a menu that tartiflette doesn’t appear on (we like the one at Le Reblochon Qui Fond).
In the activities department, there’s dog sledding with Takamaka and horse drawn sleigh rides through snowy landscape. Ski biking, snow scooting and yoonering is allowed on pistes like Serpentine, Azalée, Fougères and Violettes. There’s also an 800m² ice rink, which puts on fun events like human curling…
Best time to go
Best time to ski Le Grand Bornand
Best time to visit & ski Le Grand Bornand
The lift company have extended the skiing hours here in previous seasons, hosting sunset sessions between January and March. To ensure the slopes stay in best possible condition, there are 233 cannons covering 45% of pistes. For an extra layer of excitement, come during the Glisse en Coeur charity event (usually in March) and enjoy the buzz of concerts and ski competitions.
Peak Dates
Fairy lights have decked the old chalets here in Christmases past, where street performers and a nativity scene have appeared in the village and events included torchlight walks and the arrival of Santa Claus. If that wasn’t enough reason to spend Christmas in Le Grand Bornand, you’ll also find Nordic activities like igloo building and dog sledding, as well as copious amounts of mulled wine and hot chocolate.
We love New Years in Le Grand Bornand which usually includes a big party on the 31st with fireworks and a DJ.
Escape to one of France’s prettiest mountain villages and spend Half Term in Le Grand Bornand, where there’s plenty on and off the mountain for families and groups of teachers.
Often the ticket office gives out discounted ski passes in the spring, which is one of many things that makes Easter in Le Grand Bornand amazing.
Families in Le Grand Bornand
This Famille Plus resort knows what makes a wonderful week with the brood. There are some cracking deals available on lift passes, including reduced Kid, Junior and Student passes. In previous years, under 5’s have been able to ski for free throughout the season (and if you want to bring Granny and Grampa, over 75’s can too…). We’ve also seen special offers like free passes for under 12’s over Christmas.
The tourist office is kitted out with baby changing areas if you have tots in tow, and day care is available with Les P’tits Maringouins in both the village and Chinaillon. For youngsters who are ready to take to the slopes, the Mom’en Ski Club bundles together lessons, lunches and childcare.
It’s not all ski-focussed, with an Ice Garden in the village for little ones’ initiation to ice skating, as well as a bigger rink for older children and adults.
GroupsGroup Holidays Le Grand Bornand
This charming village and mid-sized ski area have oodles to offer groups. While beginners and early intermediates explore the local ski area, those hungry for more terrain can get the Aravis pass and ski La Clusaz, Manigod, and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt.
If you’re looking for après, there’s everything from cocktails at Le Thovet and live sports at Marco’s to karaoke at Floria and late night dancing at Beaver Creek. A communal love of cheese helps in this neck of the woods, with most restaurants serving fondue and tartiflette made with local Reblochon cheese.
When it comes to group activities, husky rides always go down well, and if the ice rink are holding their ‘human curling’ sessions they are definitely worth a try!
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