Le Grand Bornand ski resort guide Aravis ski area, apres-ski, things to see & do in Le Grand Bornand
Overview
Le Grand Bornand is a beautiful ski resortjust under an hour from Geneva sitting at 1000m in the middle of the Aravis mountains. The village is surrounded by mighty peaks and pine forests where there is extensive skiing in winter and relaxing walks in the summer.
Similar to the other traditional villages, the emphasis is definitely on the family, with a laid back atmosphere and lots of facilities for the children. Since the first lift was built in 1954 at Chinaillon, the resort has come a long way and is now ranked as one of the top ski resorts in France.
Children
Le Grand Bornand carries the "Famille Plus Montage" label in recognition of the wide range of activities and play areas for the children such as 3 sledging zones, a forest adventure course plus children under 5 years old ski for free. There are several day care centres that provide a mixture of ski tuition (from 3 years old ) and various non skiing activities.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1100m |
| Top lift | 2600m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Piste (km) | 211 |
| Longest run | 2 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 45 km |
| Season | Dec - April |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✘ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✘ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Relaxed |
Le Grand Bornand ski area guide
Ski holidays in Le Grand Bornand are ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers with a handful of blacks over in La Clusaz. The whole Aravis ski area is made up of:
- Le Grand-Bornand
- La Clusaz
- Manigod, and
- Saint-Jean-de-Sixt
If you buy the Aravis lift pass, you can ski in each resort giving a total of 220 km of pistes to explore for all levels of skier or boarder. However, the ski resorts are not lift connected but there is a free ski bus (with the Aravis lift pass) to shuttle you around the various villages which are just a few minutes away from one another. And, just in case there is not sufficient snow cover, Le Grand Bornand sector has 146 snow cannons that cover 22 km out of the 90km of local pistes.
Beginners
Le Grand Bornand is a super ski resort if you are starting out for the first time. Lots of wide greens and blues will get you touring around in no time.
Intermediate
Intermediate skiing is what the Aravis massif pistes are really geared up for with lots of long cruising blues and reds.
Advanced
Le Grand Bornand is not known as a mecca for the expert skier although the slopes of the Aravis Mountains at La Clusaz have several blacks which are more challenging and steeper.
Cross-country
There are 33km of groomed trails around the village and a further 12km up at Chinaillon. The village has 11 circuits that range in length from 1.5km to 14.5km. For some seriously challenging cross country, you can explore the 60km of trails that wind through the forest to La Clusaz which is home to the black rated Frasses circuit.
Snowboard
At the top of the Maroly area of the ski resort, the Grand-Bo snow park has something for everyone and is ranked among the top 10 in France, with a half-pipe, boardercross, and 4 jump lines.
Things to see & do
If you want a break from skiing or the weather isn't that great, Le Grand Bornand has lots of other activities to try...
- Ice climbing
- Ice skating
- Snowmobiling
- Sledging
- Trekking & snowshoeing
- Parapenting
- Hot air ballooning
Après-ski
In Le Grand Bornand, there are several very good restaurants serving up rich local dishes and the local Reblochon cheese. The nightlife is probably best described as relaxed and not a resort to head for if you are looking for all night parties. Gourmet food accompanied by quality wine is certainly on the menu.
Spa wellbeing
There are several wellness centres in the village offering a range of treatments including body wraps, hot stone and massages.
Our views on Le Grand Bornand
Skiing Le Grand Bornand - whilst not that well known outside of France, Le Grand Bornand ski resort is getting increasingly popular as a family friendly ski resort. In fact, its not just for families, there is some superb skiing in Le Grand Bornand and the surrounding villages that is ideal for intermediates. A traditional alpine village, authentic and great value and one to try at least once for your ski holidays.
