After spending more hours than I dare to share on where to spend a family ski holiday in France, I’m happy to share that La Clusaz is, in fact, a great place to spend an entire week with kids. Even though I had my sites on dreamy Chamonix or Val d’Isere, the logistics of getting there with kids and insane flight costs simply doesn’t make sense for our family of four. And then I found La Clusaz…

Things To Do In La Clusaz & Why It’s So Great

Reported as one of the 10 best French ski resorts by the Telegraph, and only 1 hour’s drive from the Geneva airport, La Clusaz makes the perfect choice for an easy to reach ski holiday. Even though the Telegraph refers to La Clusaz as the Brit’s choice for a weekend of skiing, it offers plenty to do for an entire week and checks everything off the list for a hassle-free family ski getaway.

Why La Clusaz?

Within a 1 hour drive from Geneva airport
Picturesque French ski village
Easy ski access for the whole family (no bus to commute to different mountains )
Ski variety for all types of ski levels
Amazing restaurants to explore even if skiing isn’t on the list

Despite being warned that the resort would be completely full of Brits on holiday, it was a stretch to hear anything but French during our entire stay. Not overcrowded at all, La Clusaz is the perfect picturesque French village for a ski holiday.

La Clusaz Ski Resort at the base of the mountain

La Clusaz at the base on a sunny day

Is there enough ski variety to not get bored in La Clusaz?

Yes! From the beginner skier to the expert, there are three convenient peaks to enjoy skiing for an entire week.

While the little ones enjoy ESF ski school and the easy green or blue runs on Beauregard, the more advanced family members can try the red and black runs on the other peaks: Massif de l’Aiguille, Massif de Balme and Massif de L’Etale.

Massif de l’Aiguille is the most convenient to reach and get to, particularly with only a couple hours while the kids are in ski lessons.

Massif de Balme is more picturesque and open than L’Aiguille, but both are quite lovely.

There are a number of restaurants throughout the peaks making it easy to stop for a break, enjoy the Mont Blanc views and just take it all in. None of the restaurants require advanced bookings. And when you’re done for the day, enjoy apres ski and crepes at the base of Champ Giguet.

Restaurant to ourselves on Beauregard is bliss!

What else is there to do in La Clusaz?

Aside from skiing, there are a number of other things to do in La Clusaz that are all walking distance within the village.

Explore the food scene!

The food is absolutely incredible in La Clusaz. From crepe stands to Michelin-rated restaurants, you will not be disappointed. Restaurants for unforgettable foodie experiences include:

L’Ourson (order the cheese trolley)
La Scierie (pumpkin ravioli, truffle tagliatelle, and blueberry ice cream)
Bistro Les 2 Mules (scallops on dry ice!)
Le Grolle (raclette)
Le Bistro (salmon lasagna)

Make reservations in advance!

Of all the locations, La Scierie is our family favorite. In addition to the unique food offering (you can order truffles by the grams), they host live music events and have a bar area with foosball for the kids to play while you relax and listen to the music. Everyone wins!

Scallops on dry ice at Bistro Les 2 Mules, La Clusaz

For sweeter things, pop into Salon De The Sabaudia which boasts colorful cookies, cakes, and chocolates of the Savoyard region.

Try deserts from the Savoyard region at Salon De The Sabaudia

Descend the mountain on a sledge!

In addition to light sledging (which we call ‘sledding’ in the USA) at the base of Champ Giguet, there is a special luge event that takes place only 10 times a year. You start at the top of Beauregard and sledge 7kms down to the village. It takes about 1 hour. Plan accordingly to not miss out on this event. 25€ per person and you must be at least 7 years old.

Try to win at the Escape Game.

It sounds crazy but if you need a break from the snow, you can sign up your family for an escape game. The scene is set to imagine you’re at the top of La Clusaz but decide to take the gondola back to the village. As you enter the station, a storm is coming…You have to be at least 10 years old to play. The activity lasts an hour and costs 37.50€ per person for the first 2 people.

Go bowling.

There is a bowling venue in the village! It only has four lanes but it’s well done and perfect for a night out with kids or during the day when legs need a ski break.

Go shopping.

The La Clusaz Sunday market takes place in the town center and offers everything from local cheese to ski boots. The village boasts ski shops all throughout town. Big brands like Super Dry, North Face, Quiksilver, and Napapijri line the streets.

If boutique shopping is more what you’re looking for, try Bandidas on Col des Aravis Road. They carry everything from little black dresses to faux leather pants and Vogue t-shirts. Guaranteed to find something to take home with you here!

Love, love, love the La Clusaz architecture!

Indulge at the spa.

In addition to major spas like the Cristal Spa in Hotel Au Coeur du Village, or the new St-Alban Hotel and Spa that opened in 2018, there is also Jour De Spa. Situated on its own, this spa doesn’t have the overhead of a hotel but offers a lot of packages at reasonable prices.

Final Tips on A Family La Clusaz Ski Trip

Other convenient things to do in La Clusaz with the family include horse-drawn carriage rides which can be hired outside the church square at the center of town. Or if you prefer a little competition off the slopes, try the bumper hurricanes on ice located at the ice rink at the base of Beauregard. And for the extreme sports family, for 75€ you can tandem paraglide off the mountain!

Whether you’re seeking a picturesque French ski village in the Alps as a family (be sure to get your photo done by one of the many Art Photo photographers on the mountain!) or want to get away from it all, La Clusaz is the perfect easy-to-get-to resort for the whole family traveling from England.

More convenient places to travel with kids from London? Try these.

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Things To Do In La Clusaz & Why It’s Great For Families