After a good skiing session, you're comfortably installed in a deckchair. With a glass of mulled wine in hand, you contemplate the slopes. It's a beautiful day and your life is sweet, but in this pretty white paradise, there's not a cloud in sight. How are you going to make the most of this week? What activity should you choose? It's never really been your thing to spend hours planning your holidays, and rightly so! To make it easier for you, the Petit Futé reveals the 11 must-do activities not to be missed in La Clusaz.
1. Snowshoeing, tobogganing and fondue: discover the Tipi du Trappeur experience
Experiencing something different from your everyday life is what you love to do on holiday. At the Trapper's Tipi, you'll be delighted to be welcomed by Jack Digger, the last trapper in La Clusaz. In his tipi, perched at an altitude of 1500 metres, you'll spend an unforgettable evening. On the menu: a supper of local cheeses, mulled wine, sausage and potatoes with coarse salt. In addition to a generous and delicious meal, the atmosphere will be festive. Guitar music and song: all the ingredients for a great time will be present. After dinner, at around 9pm, it's time to leave... Have you heard the expression "arrive with pomp and circumstance"? Well, that's the case here, but for the start! On snowshoes or sledges, with your bellies full, you'll slide (or roll) down to the village of La Clusaz.
Good to know if your little ones are over 7 years old, they too can go sledging down the slopes.
La Clusaz is part of the Haute Savoie region. An emblematic region of high Alpine peaks and renowned ski resorts, it is a real treasure trove for nature and winter sports enthusiasts. Discover What to do and see in Haute-Savoie? Our top 16 must-sees.
2. The Paret and Yooner nocturne, one of the not-to-be-missed activities in La Clusaz
In winter, the sun gives way to the moon very early on, but that doesn't mean the day is over - quite the opposite! In Paret and Yooner, you can take part in the nocturnes organised by the resort on Thursdays. Don't know what Paret and Yooner are? Don't panic, we'll explain. The Paret is a traditional toboggan fitted with an iron runner, and the Yooner is the modern version.
At night, you'll discover La Clusaz, quieter and more enchanting: a truly privileged moment with nature.
Good to know for our dear night owls, there are also ski nights.
Do you like to be organised and plan ahead? Check out the top 10 destinations for your next winter holiday.
3. La Clusaz, a skier's and snowboarder's paradise
When you think of the mountains, you also think of the traditional days spent on the slopes, skiing or snowboarding. There's no better feeling than gliding across the snow, admiring the scenery, feeling the sun at your back and savouring that feeling of solitude in front of the piste! All the more so when you realise that La Clusaz offers a wide variety of slopes, 85 in all, for all levels of skier, so you can vary the scenery and take full advantage of the mountain's magnificent panoramas.
And when you think of skiing, you think of Christmas. Discover the 10 French ski resorts where you can spend Christmas! The 5ᵉ will surprise you..
4. Tasting Reblochon means tasting the flavours of La Clusaz
If we had to choose one cheese to represent La Clusaz, it would undoubtedly be Reblochon! Local pride and emblem of the region, it's the taste of La Clusaz, a creamy texture with grassy notes that we spread on bread to enjoy. In La Clusaz, you can find it at the Monday market and in the village shops. In fact, it's everywhere and in all its forms! Cheese lovers, you know what you have to do.
Did you know that ? The name reblochon comes from the Savoyard word "reblocher", meaning to milk a second time. In the Middle Ages, farmers were taxed on the amount of milk they produced, so they did a partial first milking and a second in secret, from which the milk for Reblochon comes.
We love the charm of the mountains, especially the small villages... Discover our top 15 of the most beautiful mountain villages in the Alps.
5. Snowshoe trekking, one of the must-do activities for discovering La Clusaz
Snowshoe trekking in La Clusaz means discovering the less-frequented, quieter and more relaxing corners of the Alps. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to be accompanied by a guide or not, to follow marked trails or, for the more sporty, to follow a forest circuit. For those who like to lose themselves in their thoughts while walking in nature, this is one of the must-do activities you'll love at La Clusaz!
Don't ski and want to do something other than snowshoeing this week? Check out what to do in Les Deux Alpes when you don't ski.
6. Le Hameau des Alpes: discover the history and traditions of the region
Asking questions and getting information are fundamental to understanding your environment and the world around you. Perhaps you'll satisfy your curiosity by visiting the hamlet of the Alps... From the making of Reblochon cheese to the history and development of the resort, there's plenty to amaze you. Located just a stone's throw from the centre of La Clusaz, it's the perfect place for our most curious readers.
Good to know : In summer, you can book a 1h15 slot for your children to explore nature and heritage with games and activities.
Read this articlewhere to go on holiday in the mountains
7. Sled dogs in La Clusaz, one of the resort's must-do activities
Admiring the snow-covered landscape is all well and good, but being able to do so without the leg pain and fatigue of winter sports is even better! To make the most of the moment and the mountains, you can book a dog-sleigh ride. Pulled by adorable huskies, you'll be the closest you'll ever get (and you can't do the impossible either) to one of your childhood dreams: to be like Father Christmas, flying in a sledge.
This year, you're taking off with your little ones, and the least we can say is that it's quite an organisation. Check out our top 15 family ski resorts where you can ski with children.
Good to know before the race, don't be surprised if you see the dogs waving, jumping and howling - it's excitement. They love to run and, once the start is over, they become silent.
8. Recharge your batteries in the aquatic areas
After a long, exciting day, there's only one thing you've been dreaming of: a spa. There are several in the resort, offering a magnificent setting with views of the peaks, as well as a variety of facilities including swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, showers and whirlpool baths. Just the thing to recharge your batteries and get back into the swing of things!
Packing a swimming costume, ski boots and gloves is no easy task. We'll help you with our article What should you pack for skiing?
9. Tasting Génépi at the Aravis distillery, one of the must-do activities in La Clusaz
Are you keen to discover the local specialities, and more specifically genepi? Then you must visit the Distillerie des Aravis! Taken over in 2020 by a brother and sister from the Ardèche, it produces aperitifs and digestifs by hand, as well as gentian, sapinette and brandies. The guided tour will take you behind the scenes of the production process and allow you to sample some of the products in the shop. This is an address you won't want to miss.
Read this article the right thing to do when hiking to protect the mountains
10. La Bascule, a swing perched at an altitude of 1,820 metres
Swinging into the void, admiring the white landscape and having the sensation of plunging into it: that's the experience offered by La Bascule. Perched at an altitude of 1820 metres, this large swing offers a breathtaking view for around 6 minutes. If you want to admire the beauty of nature in a sensational way, there's no better place!
Good to know the mountain is not only accessible in winter, but all year round.
Don't have a car and planning to go skiing by train? It's perfectly possible! Discover the 12 best ski resorts accessible by train.
11. Try your hand at ski joëringing, an unusual activity at La Clusaz
After a dog-sleigh ride, let's try ski joëring! You don't know this activity? It's a combination of skiing and horse riding. Wearing your skis and pulled by a horse, this unusual experience offers you a marvellous ride through landscapes covered in a white blanket of Aravis. Whether you're a rider or a beginner skier, the door is open to you, and there's no need to be a beginner. So, are you ready for the most unforgettable ride you've ever taken?
Even if you love winter, the mountains in summer are different, but just as beautiful! Discover the top 5 mountain resorts to go on holiday to this summer.
Good to know ski joëring is an excellent way to introduce your little ones to skiing.
Where to stay in La Clusaz?
- The best view
La Montagne is a typical chalet with traditional La Clusaz architecture. It offers magnificent views of the mountains and the start of the ski runs. Comfortable and friendly, you can book now by clicking here.
- The most charming
Chalet Alpage is a renovated former farmhouse, which you can book here. It has an enclosed swimming pool, outdoor spa and sauna. Its wood panelling gives it a cosy feel.
- The most authentic
Le Vieux Chalet, bookable here, is a farmhouse dating back to 1789, converted into a restaurant in 1936 and a hotel in 1948. Renovated in 2007, the original setting has been well preserved thanks to the exceptional work of Savoyard craftsmen.
