La Clusaz produces champions. It lives and breathes snow sport and also hosts world cup races - and yet it still remains relatively unknown with the British public and very popular with the French.
La Clusaz comes from the word “cluse”, a narrow pass between two mountains. Old parchments call it “Clusa Locus Dei”, God’s Narrow Place, which became La Clusa Lieu Dieu, used until May 1772. This name was given by the Abbots of Talloires on whom La Clusaz depended. La Clusaz was a particularly poor village. The climate of the area only allowed the cultivation of barley and rye for bread, oats for the animals, linen and hemp for clothes and potatoes for domestic food. The two main occupations were agriculture, including the making of reblochon, and forestry..... and then came tourism.
The first skiers arrived in 1907. In 1926 the first sport's club in the resort was created. In 1928, villagers built the ice-rink and in 1935, the first ski lift came in to operation. La Clusaz celebrated 100 years of snow sports in 2007 – it now has 2050 inhabitants and 20,000 tourist beds.
La Clusaz aims itself at the family market but don’t be fooled this is a active and young resort, it supports all types of winter sport including boarding, freestyle and pretty much anything goes here. They very much cater for the new style of skier and boarder who not only want to ride the mountain but do tricks and jumps as well – it’s all here.
La Clusaz – Manigod is part of the Massif des Aravis with 220kms of pistes – 132kms of which are La Clusaz. To enjoy the full area you will need to catch free navettes as you link between St Jean de Sixt to La Grande Bornand. The small amount of effort is worth it but there is plenty on offer in the La Clusaz area anyway.
Excellent snow record even on the lower slopes and in total 84 pistes. La Clusaz is considered to be the most important ski resort of the group .... but best not tell the other resorts that! They have all the typical resort activities here; ski flying, huski sledging, sledging, Snow shoeing, snowmobiles and the list goes on, something for everyone.
In resort you have a typical village atmosphere quiet and tranquil, but open the right door and you’ll hit nightclubs and dancing into the wee small hours. There is a swimming pool – midnight swimming is available I’ve heard! Nightclubs, cosy bars and a variety of restaurants. Whilst La Clusaz aims itself at the family market it is also aiming at the quality market – those who want a little more luxury in their skiing may like it here.
