{"id":31003,"date":"2022-02-08T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-08T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/?p=31003"},"modified":"2025-05-29T10:23:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T08:23:46","slug":"beginner-skiers-guide-aravis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovonetwork.com\/blog\/beginner-skiers-guide-aravis\/","title":{"rendered":"A beginner skier’s guide to the Aravis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Getting on skis for the first time is not always easy. However, your efforts will all be worthwhile with the great feeling you get skiing in an exceptional natural environment. The Aravis Massif is home to several ski stations with all the ingredients beginners need to make a start. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of our recommended pistes and top tips to get you started\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beginner\u2019s Skiing in La Clusaz<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This is the biggest ski station in the Aravis, with five mountains and a variety of descents. There is plenty of choice for skiers of all levels, from beginners to the more experienced. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reaching a height of 2600m, the area has 125km of pistes, with no less than 18 green runs and 30 blues. Beginners are well served!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to ski <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The <\/span>Beauregard Plateau<\/b>, overlooking La Clusaz, offers lots of possibilities. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The <\/span>Les Riffroids<\/b> ski lift will take you to a beginners\u2019 slope starting close to the village.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the top of the gondola, the beginners\u2019 area is served by the <\/span>Ceutire<\/b> and <\/span>Etoile des Neiges<\/b>, which will take you to the <\/span>Source and Plateau<\/b> green runs, ideal for practising in peace.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Etoile and Ceutire ski lifts, the blue runs of <\/span>Les Prises <\/b>and<\/span> Guy P\u00e9rillat<\/b> (La Clusaz\u2019s own ski champion) offer you a nice run with wide curves to the bottom of the station. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There you can take the <\/span>Cr\u00eat du Merle<\/b> chairlift to a choice of other good blue runs. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Beginner\u2019s deals<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a special package for beginners<\/strong><\/a> which works on a points card system. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is valid for one or more lifts (you can use one lift several times, and others at special rates).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Transport<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ski buses serve the Aravis stations (Grand-Bornand \u2013 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt \u2013 La Clusaz \u2013 Manigod \u2013 Th\u00f4nes). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s free with a ski pass or the carte d\u2019H\u00f4tes. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Useful contacts<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tourist Office<\/strong>:
La Clusaz resort website<\/strong><\/span><\/a>
161 Pl. de l\u2019\u00c9glise
Tel: 04 50 32 65 00<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESF La Clusaz<\/strong>:
ESF website<\/a>
9 Chemin de la Croix
Tel : +33 4 50 02 40 83<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n<\/svg>\n\n\n\n

Discover self-catered chalets in La Clusaz<\/h2>\n\n
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Beginner\u2019s Skiing in Le Grand-Bornand<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Nestled in the heart of the Aravis, Le Grand-Bornand is a traditional village combining authenticity and a prestigious ski area. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 90km of pistes, of which 16 are green and 13 blue, the station\u2019s highest point is Mont Lachat at 2100m. It\u2019s a paradise for beginners, but there are some really lovely pistes for the more experienced.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to ski<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the top of the <\/span>Rosay<\/b> gondola, you can get to the beginners\u2019 area via the <\/span>Les Ra\u00eeches <\/b>ski lift and the juniors rope tow, which serve the <\/span>Serpentine <\/b>and<\/span> Violette <\/b>green runs, which are ideal for gaining confidence and practising.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To measure your progress, take the <\/span>Langui\u00e8res<\/b> chairlift to the top of <\/span>Floria.<\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, two lovely blues, <\/span>Abondance <\/b>and<\/span> Glisse en C\u0153ur <\/b>offer a lovely long descent, from which you can admire the scenery<\/span>.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Beginner\u2019s deals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Mini Domaine pass<\/a><\/b> is ideal for beginners. With a limited area of 13 lifts in Le Grand-Bornand (Rosay and Joy\u00e8re gondolas, Castor rope tow, Les Ra\u00eeches ski lift). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spring, it\u2019s worth checking with ESF to see what deals they are offering on group lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase your lift pass here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Transport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ski buses serve the Aravis stations (Grand-Bornand \u2013 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt \u2013 La Clusaz \u2013 Manigod \u2013 Th\u00f4nes). It\u2019s free with a ski pass or the carte d\u2019H\u00f4tes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/a><\/strong> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Useful contacts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tourist Office:<\/strong>
Le Grand-Bornand website<\/strong><\/span><\/a>
62 Pl. de l\u2019Eglise
Tel: 04 50 02 78 00<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESF Le Grand-Bornand:<\/strong>
ESF website<\/strong><\/a><\/em>
62 Pl. de l\u2019Eglise
+33 (0)4 50 02 79 10<\/em>


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Book a chalet in Le Grand-Bornand<\/h2>\n\n
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Beginner\u2019s Skiing in Manigod<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The station of Manigod is part of the La Clusaz ski area. It offers a good variety of options for families and natural skiing experts. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The station is based around the Croix-Fry and Merdassier cols, allowing you to switch to La Clusaz. With a high point at the Tete du Cabeau (1810m), there are seven green runs and 12 blues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to ski <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take the <\/span>Rosi\u00e8re<\/b> ski lift on the Croix-Fry side to try out your turns on the green run of the same name. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The <\/span>Chevreuil<\/b> ski lift at Merdassier is a great place to start, as it serves lots of easy blue runs: <\/span>Framboises, Girolles, Gentiane, Myosotis<\/b>, which are ideal for learning the basics. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two Baby ski lifts (Baby-Chou and Perce Neige) are particularly designed for the smallest skiers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Croix Fry slope offers some lovely pistes, such as the blue <\/span>Cabeau. <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a La Clusaz \/Manigod pass, you can switch to La Clusaz via the <\/span>Envers<\/b> green run.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Beginner\u2019s deals<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Manigod have adaptable dynamic pricing for their passes. You can discover their lift pass options here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Transport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ski buses serve the Aravis stations (Grand-Bornand \u2013 Saint-Jean-de-Sixt \u2013 La Clusaz \u2013 Manigod \u2013 Th\u00f4nes). It\u2019s free with a ski pass or the carte d\u2019H\u00f4tes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check timetables here<\/strong><\/a>.
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Useful contacts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tourist Office:<\/strong>
Manigod website<\/strong><\/span><\/a>
Tel: 04 50 44 92 44<\/span>
3 Route de Th\u00f4nes<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ESF Manigod<\/strong>:
ESF website<\/strong><\/a><\/em>
Tel: 04 50 44 92 04<\/em>
CR de Manigod au Col de la Croix Fry<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n \n \n \n <\/symbol>\n<\/svg>\n\n\n\n

Book a self-catered property in Manigod<\/h2>\n\n
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More ski schools\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to explore some other ski schools in the Aravis, then check out our blog post about our top recommendations here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Useful resources for beginners\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heading to the mountains for your first skiing holiday can be daunting, but luckily we have some fantastic resources to help get you started. Check out other useful posts about beginner skiing\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n