In winter, La Clusaz is a ski resort. In summer, it returns to what it has always been: an alpine village in the Aravis valley, at 1040m altitude, gathered around its onion-domed bell tower. Its name comes from the cluse, the narrow passage carved between the cliff faces that guards the entrance to the village. Here, farms still produce reblochon, herds still climb to the alpine pastures in June, and the village’s most celebrated champion, Candide Thovex, learned to ski on the slopes now walked or mountain-biked from the moment the snow melts. It is this double life that makes summer in the Aravis so compelling: genuine mountains, a genuine village, and far fewer crowds than on the shores of nearby Lake Annecy.
La Clusaz in summer: practical information
- Altitude: village at 1040m, at the foot of the Aravis chain.
- Lifts open in summer: Beauregard, Patinoire, Crêt du Merle and Crêt du Loup, weekends from mid-June then daily from 1 July to 30 August.
- Summer passes: walker-hiker pass from €11 per day, mountain bike pass €23 per day.
- Access: Annecy approximately 30 minutes’ drive, Geneva airport approximately 1 hour.
The Aravis on foot, from plateau to ridge
The finest introduction requires no effort: the Beauregard cable car, departing from the village centre near the ice rink, reaches in minutes the Beauregard plateau, a balcony of alpine pastures designated Natura 2000 where paths wind between alpine chalets, wooden fences and herds of Abondance cattle. Ahead of you, the entire Aravis chain. You can walk for an hour or half a day, and the return can be made on foot to the village.
The other valley worth knowing is the Confins, a few minutes from the centre. Its small lake nestled beneath the cliff faces, its chapel and ridge-path trails make it the favourite destination of locals, and the starting point for more serious itineraries towards the ridge. The lake circuit, flat and accessible, is the subject of a dedicated trail guide. Long-distance walkers will aim for the marked Bélier trails, 13km or 24km across the massif, marked for the end-of-August event and accessible throughout the summer.
AEC tip. Go to Confins lake late in the day, when the tour buses have gone: the low light rakes across the Aravis cliff faces and the water recovers its calm. For Beauregard, it’s the opposite, go early, the pastures are yours alone.
Mountain biking and road cycling: the Aravis playground
La Clusaz has become one of the Alps’ leading mountain bike destinations. Its bike park, served by 3 lifts, has 6 descent trails and 5 enduro routes, from green to black, within a domain of 125km of marked trails spanning the entire valley. Beginners have their learning zone at Crêt du Merle, experienced riders their forest-carved trails beneath Crêt du Loup.
On tarmac, the Aravis Pass remains the local monument: 1487m, the border between Haute-Savoie and Savoie, a chapel at the summit and Mont-Blanc as backdrop. Regularly featured on the Tour de France route, it climbs from the village on a steady gradient that cyclists often combine with Croix-Fry or the Manigod valley. And for those who prefer to fly, two paragliding launch sites await at the summit of the Crêt du Merle and Crêt du Loup ski lifts.
What to do in La Clusaz this summer
Our selection of experiences worth the journey, from the alpine pastures of the plateau to the village terraces.
EssentialThe Beauregard plateau
Natura 2000 alpine pastures and ridge-path trails facing the Aravis.
Quiet
Thrills
Road cycling
Airborne
Local fare
CultureLe Hameau des Alpes
The story of reblochon and skiing, in an interactive chalet-museum.
Family
EventLe Bélier, trail and fell
The 40th edition of Haute-Savoie’s oldest trail race, from 7km to 84km.
Way of lifeReblochon country
The Aravis are the birthplace of farmhouse reblochon AOP, and summer is the best season to understand it: herds are at the alpine pastures, farms produce morning and evening, and several open their doors to visitors. In the heart of the village, Le Hameau des Alpes tells this story from the 13th century in an interactive chalet-museum, open daily from 2pm to 6pm from 4 July to 20 September, with workshops designed for children. The highlight is the Reblochon and Crafts Festival, Sunday 9 August 2026: manufacturing demonstrations, craftspeople, processions and dancing, from 10am to midnight in the heart of the village.
With family
La Clusaz in summer works perfectly at child height. Confins lake and its flat surroundings are suited to first walks and picnics, the Beauregard cable car puts alpine pastures, cows and marmots within reach of an all-terrain pushchair, and Le Hameau des Alpes intelligently fills a late afternoon. The village itself, compact and lively, can be walked through between ice cream shops, boutiques and the church square. And for teenagers, the bike park has provided learning zones before releasing onto forest trails.
Summer highlights
Two dates structure the season. On 9 August, the Reblochon and Crafts Festival transforms the village into a grand farmhouse party. From 21 to 23 August, Le Bélier celebrates its 40th edition: three days of races and fell walks on the Aravis trails, from children’s courses to 84km for the most enduring, with fell formats of 13km and 24km open to all. The atmosphere is that of a village that has been running for forty years, and you should book accommodation early that weekend.
When to come, how to get there
Lifts run daily from 1 July to 30 August, and weekends from mid-June: this is the ideal window to enjoy the plateau and bike park. June offers alpine pastures in bloom and absolute calm, July and August peak season activities, early September golden mountains and empty trails. Detailed opening hours are published each season by La Clusaz tourist office.
| From | Distance | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Annecy | ~32km | ~35 min |
| Geneva airport | ~60km | ~1 hour |
| Annecy station | ~32km | then bus or taxi |
| Lyon | ~150km | ~2 hours |
Where to stay
Three atmospheres share the valley. The village centre puts terraces, shops and the Beauregard cable car within walking distance. The Confins valley offers the calm of alpine pastures, the lake on the horizon and hiking departures at the end of the lane. The Crêt du Merle slope, finally, positions chalets facing the Aravis chain, closest to the bike park and ski lifts. A summer stay in the Aravis is best savoured from a chalet, with mornings facing the cliff faces and evenings on the terrace: our selection of chalets and apartments in La Clusaz has been designed with this in mind.
Frequently asked questions
When are the mechanical lifts open in summer at La Clusaz?
Four lifts operate in summer (Beauregard, Patinoire, Crêt du Merle and Crêt du Loup): weekends from mid-June, then daily from 1 July to 30 August. The walker-hiker pass starts at €11 per day, the mountain bike pass at €23.
What to do in La Clusaz when it rains?
Le Hameau des Alpes, a living museum of reblochon and skiing in the village centre, pleasantly fills an afternoon. Farm direct sales and village shops take over, and Annecy, its old town and lake are half an hour’s drive away.
La Clusaz in summer, what kind of stay is it?
An authentic mountain stay: hiking from the Beauregard plateau to the Aravis ridges, mountain biking on one of the Alps’ best bike parks, road cycling at the Aravis Pass, reblochon terroir and village pace. It’s also an ideal base for families, 30 minutes from Lake Annecy.
How do I get to La Clusaz?
Geneva airport is approximately 1 hour’s drive away, Annecy 35 minutes. By train, reach Annecy station then the resort by bus or taxi. Locally, everything is on foot.
What are the major summer events in 2026?
The Reblochon and Crafts Festival on Sunday 9 August 2026, from 10am to midnight in the village centre, and Le Bélier from 21 to 23 August 2026, 40th edition of Haute-Savoie’s oldest trail race, with race formats from 7km to 84km and fell walks of 13km and 24km.
Can you drive up Aravis Pass?
Yes, the Aravis Pass road (1487m) is open in summer and links La Clusaz to La Giettaz, on the Savoie side. At the summit: a chapel, alpine restaurants and one of the finest views of Mont-Blanc in the valley.
And when the first snows return, La Clusaz simply changes clothes: the Beauregard pastures become cross-country trails, and the 125km ski domain takes over from the paths.
La Clusaz right now
The latest images shared by the tourist office.
