Aravis and Grand Massif snow forecast

Skiing in Aravis and Grand Massif

Two neighbouring massifs in Haute-Savoie, each a natural day out from Geneva and Annecy, grouped here because local skiers often choose between them on the morning. They are not lift-linked to each other.

The Aravis section covers La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand, which share a lift pass with Manigod across around 220 to 230 km of pistes. These are traditional working villages rather than purpose-built resorts, with tree-lined lower slopes that ski well in poor visibility and higher open bowls above. The top lifts reach about 2,470 m at La Clusaz, but the village bases sit near 1,000 m, so the lower runs are sensitive to mild weather and rain.

The Grand Massif section is centred on Flaine, a car-free resort at 1,600 m in a high, north-facing bowl that has a strong reputation for holding snow; its top station is the Grandes Platières. Flaine links to Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt for around 265 km of runs between about 700 m and 2,500 m, with long runs down through the trees towards Sixt and Samoëns. Off-piste skiers know the Gers bowl.

Both massifs usually open in mid-December and run to mid-April, with Flaine's higher bowl typically the better bet late in the season or after a warm spell. Geneva airport is close to both.