European Ski Resorts A-Z

La Clusaz, France

Resort height:

 1100m

 

Slopes:

 1100-2470m

 

Pistes:

 132km

 

 

General snow cover

 

3/5

 

Snow quality (upper)

 

3.5/5

 

Snow quality (lower)

 

2/5

 

Resort level snow

 

2/5

 

Powder potential

 

3/5

Right on the north-western edge of the Alps, La Clusaz bears the full brunt of weather systems coming in off the Atlantic. This means it gets lots of snow at altitude, but also has a higher than average risk of rain lower down.

 

La Clusaz’s snowmaking is extensive, but lower slopes can quickly deteriorate in milder weather.

 

The best snow is usually found in the higher, north-facing La Balme sector which often stays open until the end of April.

Where to ski in bad weather:

In poor visibility, head for the Beauregard sector, which has lots of thickly wooded terrain.

Where to head in poor snow conditions:

The best snow is nearly always on the La Balme sector, which is the highest and faces due north. The upper half of the mountain here is actually one of the most snow-sure ski areas in the entire Haute Savoie.