Mont-Blanc (Aravis) - Le Grand Bornand

Le Grand Bornand ski resort is famous for its attractive chalets with more than 400 spread throughout the village, often up to 300 years old.  These share features such as the “pointe d’ane” master beam in each building,  the “solaret” - a light and airy loft  and the “credence“, a kitchen cupboard built into the wall, or a small barn right next to the main house. The chalets normally have covered balconies and wooden exteriors.

The Aravis Mountains, with their highest peak the distinctive Pointe Percée from where green, forested mountain slopes, curve down towards the valley, forming the main backdrop to Le Grand Bornand village.  This is divided in to two parts with an efficient ski bus circling between them and ski lifts and runs linking them above.  The original Grand Bornand village is a picture of old France with its shops, church, market square and “grenette” - a traditionally roofed market hall.  Six kilometres up the Aravis valley Le Grand-Bornand – Le Chinaillon is the other part of the resort, where most of the ski runs begin. Chinaillon itself is very well preserved with the older parts dating back to 17th century.  The splendid Bouchet valley stretches away behind… a favourite cross country ski area.

Le Grand Bornand inhabitants are out numbered by its cows, a fact of which it is proud.  It is the birthplace of the famous Reblochon, an AOC cheese (appellation d'origine contrôlée) which is made twice a day in the farms of the village during winter time and in pastures during summer time. The first Reblochon's market was created in 1795 in Le Grand Bornard, and remains the most important in the whole valley. The traditional Reblochon market is held on Wednesday mornings in Grand Bornard.  There are 65 farms in the area and the local cows, called Pie-Rouge Abondance, are almost a red colour, with white tails and hooves.

There are about 30 restaurants in Le Grand Bornand as well as a supermarket, boulangerie, laundrette, hairdresser, pharmacy, petrol station, bank and post office so all holiday needs are covered. If you’re looking for lively apres ski there are nearly 40 bars and pubs of which” Les 2 Guides” has a British pub atmosphere whilst Le Thovet" has a great selection of wine by the glass.  Later on the nightclub "Le Baron Noir" comes to life, located at Pont du Venay in Chinaillon.

Other activities in Le Grand Bornand include horse drawn sleigh or carriage rides, an ice rink, cinemas, snowshoeing, paragliding and hot air ballooning.

La Grand Bornand is a great choice for families and has acquired the Famille Plus label from the French government for the quality of its childcare facilities.  The Garderie "Les P'tits Maringouins" at le Chinaillon accepts children aged from eight months to five years.  Bring along your child’s vaccination certifications and book ahead as places are limited.

View here for a 360 degree view of Le Grand Bornand (hold down the left click of your mouse and drag left right up and down whilst still holding on the left click button to move 360 degree).

Grand Bornand Resort Opening Dates

Grand Bornand opens on 18/12/10 and closes on 27/03/11

Partial opening from 04/12/10 - 17/12/10 + 28/03/11 - 25/04/11

Follow links below

Why Le Grand Bornand?

·          Less than an hour from Geneva

·          Traditional villages with an authentic atmosphere

·          40 mins from Annecy & the ski resort of La Clusaz is just down the road

·          Part of Aravis ski area

Childrens facilities in Grand Bornand

Le Grand Bornand has acquired the Famille Plus & Top of the French Alps label for its childcare facilities. Please view here to view more information on the Famille Plus & Top of the French Alps label.

CHILDCARE ONLY  (NO SKI LESSONS)

GARDERIE "LES P'TITS MARINGOUINS" AU LE CHINAILLON

Convenient for ‘Le Village de Lessy’ in Chinaillon
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 09 60 80

Children from 8 months to 4 years.
Open in the winter season only
From Christmas to end of March: usually open everyday except Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm.
Level -4 of the Chinaillon Tourist Office

Indoor, manual and relating to game activities are proposed. Walks and games outside according to weather conditions, number and age of the children.

Approx prices 2009/2010 (+ subscription of approx: 2.75€):
- Morning 9.00 – 12.00 (without meal) (1): 17.30 €
- Afternoon 13.30 - 17:30 (without meal): 21.90 €
- Day 9.00 - 17:30 (meal included): 35.70 €

-Short day 11.00-5.30pm (meal included): 30.60€
- 6 mornings from Sunday to Friday (without meal) (1): 86.70 €
- 6 afternoons from Sunday to Friday (without meal) (1): 108 €
- 6 full days from Sunday to Friday (with meal): 178.50 €

- 6 short days from Sunday to Friday (meal included): 153€

(1) Meal in extra: 11 €/day (12-1.30pm)

Vaccination DT COQ Polio, BCG (or monovax test) and health record are required. The number of places is limited so booking is advisable as soon as you arrive in the resort. Booking on site before 9:30am according to places available.

GARDERIE "LES P'TITS MARINGOUINS" AU GRAND BORNAND VILLAGE

Convenient for ‘Les Saytels’ hotel in Grand Bornand Village

Tel: 33 (0)4 50 02 79 05

Children from 3 months to 4 years

Open everyday from 9am – 5.30pm

Ball pit, trampoline, games…

CHILDRENS SKI LESSONS IN GRAND BORNAND

For children requiring ski lessons with ESF Grand Bornand (Ecole du Ski Francais) these can be pre-booked through Peak Retreats. Piou Piou Club takes children from 3-5 years and other group children’s lessons start from 6yrs.

To see details please view our Ski School page

Eating out, Apres-ski, amenities in Le Grand Bornand

29 restaurants in village and Chinaillon, 13 altitude restaurants, 36 bars/pubs in village, chanaillon and surrounding villages, supermarket, boulangerie, laundrette, hairdresser, pharmacy, petrol station, bank, post office. The nightclub "Le Baron Noir" is located near the village at Pont du Venay, Chinaillon, France

Both the staff and directors recommend 'Le Chalet Venay' for its superb views and quality Alpine food.

Activities in Le Grand Bornand

HELISKI
From Christmas to Easter
Mountain Guide Centre
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 02 78 18 / +33 (0)6 73 48 47 72

ICE RINK

800 square meters covered.
A relaxing moment in an outstanding surrounding, facing Grand Bornand Village and the Aravis range.

LUGE

In Grand Bornand village and Chinaillon village – free access.

PARAPENTE

Aravis Parapente Concept

0033 680 57 08 03

Small flight 400m - €60

Discovery flight 1100m - €80

Prestige flight (45mins) - €130

HORSE RIDING

Ski-joering and luge-joering.

Horse rides 15mins - €8, 30mins - €15

Ski jeering 30m - €25

Tél. +33 (0)6 15 65 11 11

REBLOCHON MARKET
All year round in Grand Bornand

Every Wednesday mornings, the Reblochon Market, created in 1795, take place on the Village place, near the usual market. It is sold the cheese production of the week to wholesalers. A high place of the local life, not to be missed!

BALLOONING
Ski Vol: Tel: +33 (0)6 83 97 53 26
Take off from the Village in the morning and at the end of the day. Lasts for one hour.
Destination: only Aeolus, God of the winds, can decide!
Champagne and flight certificate on landing
Groups, seminars: on request, single flight or in several air-balloons
FLIGHT PRICE: 250 € per person. On booking.

CINEMAS
Only in season

In Grand Bornard Village: Cinema “Les Rhodos” (Espace Grand-Bo)
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 02 20 78
In Chinaillon village: Cinema "Le Charmieux" (Tourist House)
Tel. +33 (0)4 50 27 05 60.
In the 2 movie theaters, widescreen, EX digital sound system.
The films change every day, several showings per day.

ADVENTURE PARC IN FOREST

During the winter, opening of parc on request in afternoon and Thursday night.

All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website

Le Grand Bornand Tourist Office

74450 Le Grand Bornand

Contact: Tel 00 33 4 50 02 78 00, Email : infos@legrandbornand.com

http://www.legrandbornand.com

Chinaillon Tourist Office

Office du Tourisme du Chinaillon

Tel : 00 33 4 50 09 60 09

Access to Le Grand Bornand 

By Road: Driving distance from Calais to Le Grand Bornand: 536 miles (approx 7hr30).

The Massif des Aravis is easily reachable:
- Motorway A 40 (Autoroute Blanche) ; exit N° 16 Bonneville, direction Stations des Aravis at 20 km
- Motorway A 41 exit Annecy Nord direction Thônes / Stations des Aravis at 30 km

By Rail: SNCF station of Annecy at 30km.
Réservation : 08 92 35 35 35
Daily link by bus – Voyages Crolard : +33 (0)4 50 02 20 58
http://www.voyages-crolard.com/

Airports:

Annecy-Meythet airport at 33 km (30 mins)

www.annecy.aeroport.fr

Bus transfer Satobus Alpes: 00 33 4 37 255 255
Geneva airport at 65km from Grand Bornand (1 hour)

www.gva.ch

Chambery Airport is 75km from Grand Bornand (1 ¼ hours)

www.chambery-airport.com

Lyon - Saint Exupéry airport at 141km (1 ¾ hours)

www.lyon.aeroport.fr/

Grenoble Airport is 165km from Grand Bornand (1 ¾ hours)

www.grenoble-airport.com

Le Grand Bornand Transfers

Pre-book your taxi transfer with Peak Retreats

From Geneva to Le Grand Bornand – from £71 per person return based on 4 people sharing. 

For all other transfer prices click here

Getting around the resort

Ski buses serve the various hamlets in the resort to take you to the resort centre or bottom of the ski runs. In particular it links the Grand Bornand Village and Grand Bornand Chinaillon village.

Aravis ski bus connection service to the resorts of La Clusaz and Saint Jean de Sixt (10 mins). Departures every 30mins from Parking Télécabine du Rosay, Gare Routière, Route du Villaret. Inter-resort shuttle buses are free for holders of an Aravis pass. From Grand Bornand to La Clusaz takes 10 mins.

Ski lockers

For clients staying in Grand Bornand village at Les Saytels hotel, although there are ski lockers at the hotel, there are also payable ski lockers and heated boot option at the bottom of the Rosay gondola - €10 deposit.

2 pairs of skis for a week - €20

4 pairs of skis for a week - €30

Access Plan

Le Grand Bornand France

Click on maps to enlarge

Resort Map

Le Grand Bornand France

Beginners

The Joyere and Rosay sectors are ideal for beginners, with the latter located on gently wooded slopes above Le Grand Bornand ski area. 

Intermediates

The open spaces of Maroly above Le Grand Bornand – Chinaillon ski area contains numerous red and blue runs served by four and six seater chairs providing a great area for intermediates. 

Advanced skiers

Advanced skiers will be drawn to a third sector, around the highest slopes at Mont Lachat (2100m) which, looking out across the landscape, also provide some of the best views in the Alps. Here a Free-ride area accessed by the Le Lachat chairlift has been created.  It’s a place for expert skiers where the terrain is not marked or groomed and with no ski patrol, although there is of course mountain rescue!

Altogether you will find 90 kilometres of downhill ski runs (about a quarter of it with snow making cover – 100 snowcannons), serviced by 31 ski lifts, but if that’s still not enough the Aravis Pass covers the neighbouring resorts of St Jean de Sixt, Manigod and the biggest ski area in the region at La Clusaz which has 130km of piste. Le Grand Bornand is linked by regular (every half hour) ski bus – free to Aravis lift pass holders. Heliskiing over the border in to Italy is another possibility and there is night skiing once a week.

Le Grand Bornand snowboarding

If you are trying snowboarding for the first time then the area at the top of the Rosay lift is where there are wide flatish runs. Generally Le Grand Bornand ski area is suitable for beginner and low intermediates due to its wide runs.

Experts should stick to the two peaks, La Floria and Le Lachat. Most runs are ungroomed and quite steep.

Cross country

Cross country skiing is very popular in the area and there are about 60km of varied and well kept runs concentrated on the Bouchet valley, and running through the forest, passing small hamlets and farms.  The whole area is reserved for cross-country skiing with links to La Clusaz area by the Frasses trail.  From Chinaillon there are several beautiful itineraries starting from the old Village and there are runs for all ability level from beginners to expert skiing in the classic style or using the skating technique.  The Evo Nordic Park is also here, providing a circuit designed for anyone wishing to try out cross-country skiing with all the different terrain features you are likely to find located in one place and permanently supervised.

Since 2007 Le Grand Bornand has 300 000 cubic metre (66 million Gallons) water reservoirs dedicated to artificial snow making so there won't be a shortage if snowmaking is required at some point during the season! As a comparison the famous resort of Couchervel in the 3 Vallées has been building one of 150 000 cubic metres.

GRAND BORNAND PISTE MAP

To see the Grand Bornand piste map for 09/10 please see the resort guide panel on the top right hand side of the current page.

LE GRAND BORNAND SNOW REPORT

To see Le Grand Bornand snow report view the resort guide panel on the top right hand side of the current page.

Grand Bornand Lift Passes

Save time in resort and budget ahead by pre-booking your Grand Bornand ski pass. See below for prices.

PRE-BOOK* your 6 Day GRAND BORNAND/ARAVIS LIFT PASS

Grand Bornand Ski Schools

PRE-BOOK* your 6 Half-Day GROUP SKI/BOARD LESSONS

Please note that a booking fee of £9 per party will be charged

Group Ski Lessons

Times and Schedules (ALL TIMES TO BE CONFIRMED, SUBJECT TO CHANGES).

¹ SKI: Adults, Children (6-12):

² SKI: Piou Piou (3-5):

³ SKI: Competition - Adults, Children:

⁴ SNOWBOARD: Adults, Children (10-12):

Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (18/12-2/1, 13/2-13/3 & 9/4-24/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.

Grand Bornand Individual Tuitions

(10/11 prices, PRE-BOOKABLE)

Please note in this particular resort we can arrange private lessons.

*Easter is 09/04/11-24/04/11

Ski Hire Le Grand Bornand

Le Grand Bornand ski hire & Chinaillon ski hire prices start from £35 for children (skis and boots) & £49 for adults (skis and boots) for 7 days. View here for Grand Bornand ski hire prices.

Mountain restaurants in Aravis

13

Grand Bornand Cross-country

60 km of varied and well kept runs are yours.
Cross-country skiing in Le Grand Bornand, it's a second nature!
In the Bouchet valley, along torrent and forest, typical hamlets and farms, a whole area is reserved to cross-country skiing, linked with La Clusaz area by the Frasses run.
At Chinaillon, several beautiful itineraries also start from the Vieux Village.
A way to enjoy the local life style in the marvellous Grand-Bornand landscapes.

GRAND BORNAND VILLAGE CIRCUITS

From the Village in direction of the Bouchet valley, laid out for classic and skating:

2 green circuits, 9 km

1 blue circuit, 10 km

1 red circuit, 10 km

2 black circuits, 19 km (12 km + link circuit with La Clusaz (Confins area) of 7 km)

Biathlon stadium (cross country and shooting) in the Bouchet valley.

CHINAILLON CIRCUITS

2, 5, 8 and 12 km circuits from the Vieux Village, only for classic.

Grand Bornand Nordic park

The Evo Nordic Park: a circuit designed for cross-country skiing open to everybody, so that you can try it out, (descents, turns, bumps...) with somebody constantly standing on the site (with cross-country ski pass).

Grand Bornand Free-ride area

Access is by the Le Lachat chairlift – a place for expert skiers. Terrain is not marked, nor groomed, there is no ski patrol but of course there is mountain rescue!

Grand Bornand Snowpark

Le Grand Bornand snowpark - listed amongst the top five in France. With its boardercross, half pipe, rails, tables, quarters, hip and box, it’s got it all!

Thanks to its unparalleled and extensive choice of modules, it welcomed the nations finest when the resort played host to the French Snowboarding Championships in April 2007.

Night skiing

Every Tuesday nights from 8.00-10.30pm on the pistes of Cyclamens & l’Abondance in Grand Bornand Chinaillon. Accessed by chairlift.

€10.50 per adult & €6.80 per child

A new area for beginners

With jumps to suit all levels, from green to black, and taster sessions at the Kids Academy GB, the Grand Bornand SnowparkGB makes freestyle truly accessible to everyone. An exciting new area dedicated to beginners has been added this

year at the foot of the half pipe, meaning that anyone can have a go and progress to the higher coloured levels.

*ALL PRE-BOOKABLE EXTRAS ARE PAYABLE TO PEAK RETREATS IN STIRLING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. PRICES ARE IN £.

ANYTHING IN EUROS (€) WE ARE UNABLE TO PRE-BOOK AND

WILL BE PAYABLE LOCALLY.