Le Grand Bornand
Why Le Grand Bornand?
- Situated less than an hour from Geneva
- The traditional villages have an authentic atmosphere
- 'Famille Plus' resort - good children’s facilities and great for families
- Only 40 minutes from Annecy and La Clusaz ski resort is just down the road
- Nordic area with 68km of Nordic skiing
Le Grand Bornand Resort Information
The local community has carefully worked to fulfil visitors’ needs for excellent skiing, whilst at the same time maintaining the area's traditional charm and respecting its Alpine heritage. Le Grand Bornand ski resort (in the Aravis mountains) is famous for its attractive chalets. More than 400 are spread throughout the village, many of them up to 300 years old.
The Grand Bornand is split into the main Grand Bornand village (1,000m) and Chinaillon village which is 6km away and 1,300m. There are bars and restaurants in Chinaillon as well as shops, but the majority of amenities are in the main village.
The Aravis Mountains’ highest peak is the distinctive Pointe Percée from where green, forested slopes meander down towards the valley, forming the main backdrop to Le Grand Bornand village. This is divided into two parts, with an efficient ski bus circling between them and ski lifts and runs linking them higher up. The original Grand Bornand village is a veritable picture of old France with its shops, church, market square and “grenette” - a traditional Savoyard covered market. Six kilometres up the valley is Le Chinaillon, the other part of the resort, where most of the ski runs begin. Chinaillon is very well preserved, with the older parts dating back to the 17th century. The splendid Bouchet Valley stretches away behind it…a favourite cross-country ski area.
Amusingly – and the locals are proud of this - Le Grand Bornand’s inhabitants are outnumbered by its cows! This is the birthplace of the famous Reblochon, an AOC cheese (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) which is made twice a day in village farms during the winter, and in pastures during summer. The first Reblochon market was created in 1795 in Le Grand Bornand, and remains the most important in the whole valley. The traditional Reblochon market is held on Wednesday mornings in Grand Bornand. 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 village as well as a supermarket, boulangerie, laundrette, hairdresser, pharmacy, petrol station, bank and post office - so all your holiday needs are covered! If you’re looking for a lively après ski scene there are nearly 40 bars and pubs. “Les 2 Guides” has a British pub atmosphere whilst “Le Thovet" has a great selection of wines by the glass. Later on the nightclub "Le Baron Noir" at Pont du Venay in Chinaillon (the other part to Le Grand Bornand) comes to life.
Other activities in Le Grand Bornand include horse-drawn sleigh or carriage rides, an ice rink, cinemas, snowshoeing, paragliding and hot air ballooning.
Peak Retreats features 4* apartments in Chinaillon village. This self-catered accommodation provides an ideal base for a Grand Bornand ski holiday.
Buying property in Le Grand Bornand
Are you interested in buying an apartment in Le Grand Bornand? Find out more on Buying in the Alps
Read about Le Grand Bornand in our blog - The Inside Track
Client review: a day in Le Grand Bornand
The Inside Track: March skiing in Aravis
Le Grand Bornand ski area
Le Grand Bornand offers excellent skiing in stunning scenery between forests of epicea firs and small mountain granaries. Local slopes are divided into three fully-linked sectors. The largely north and north-westerly facing slopes are of varying grades and suitable for skiers of all abilities.
All together you’ll find 90km of downhill ski runs (about a quarter of them with snowmaking cover). Heliskiing over the border in Italy is another exciting possibility and there’s night skiing once a week.
Le Grand Bornand skiing info
Beginners
There is a beginner's area on the 'Rosay' plateau, at the top of the Rosay telecabine. Over 1.5 hectares of easy skiing centred on a wide covered conveyor belt that is 1m20 wide and a record-breaking 201m long (longest indoor conveyor belt in the world). The site, which also features a 10% slope, has a 2600m2 sledding track and open access to the ski area, with reworked connections to the various slopes and ski lifts from the centre of Le Grand-Bornand.
Intermediates
The open spaces of 'Maroly' above the Le Grand Bornand-Chinaillon ski area include numerous red and blue runs served by four and six-seater chairs - a great area for intermediates!
Try out the 3km non-stop descent of 1,100m of altitude difference: these are the dream measurements of the famous Dénivel'Maxx, THE mythical track of the Grand-Bornand.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
Advanced skiers will be drawn to a third sector, around the highest slopes at 'Mont Lachat' (2,100m). Looking out across the landscape, these also provide some of the best views in the Alps. Here, a freeride area accessed by Le Lachat chairlift has been created – an exciting place for expert skiers where the terrain is not marked or groomed and with no ski patrol…although there is, of course, mountain rescue! Focused around the black Freeride slope, a whole unpacked but secure area open to the most experienced skiers.
In addition to its off-piste, it is possible to try out ski touring along the secure routes set up along the alpine ski slopes. Grand-Bornand offers three signposted routes offering a breathtaking view of the Aravis mountain range. With free access, only one of the routes - La Joyère / Le Chenu - requires the use of a transport ticket to access the upper area of the La Joyère cable car, the starting point of this tour.
Snowboarders
If you’re trying snowboarding for the first time, the area at the top of the 'Rosay' lift has some nice wide and flatish runs. Generally, thanks to its wide runs, the Le Grand Bornand ski area is suitable for beginners and low intermediates. Experts should stick to the two peaks of 'La Floria' and 'Le Lachat', where most of the runs are ungroomed and quite steep.
Regularly ranked in the top 10 of the most beautiful French equipment, the SnowparkGB (Snowpark Le Grand-Bornand) democratizes freestyle on nearly 5 hectares of fun and alternative slopes. At the height of everyone, it offers different lines adapted to beginners and freestylers alike.
Resort runs
Thanks to the recent improvement in the deployment of snow cannons, you can now ski back to Le Grand Bornand village via a red run under the 'Rosay' gondola as well as taking the gondola itself down. At Le Grand Bornand Chinaillon there are plenty of resort runs - choose from easy greens to reds.
Mountain fun zones
Snowpark
Crowned with a silver medal at the SNOMAD Ski Resort Awards 2025, the snowpark ranks among the best in Europe according to GoSnomad.
Nestling in the heart of the Grand-Bornand ski area, the SnowparkGB is a veritable playground for freestyle enthusiasts, from beginners to advanced riders. Designed and maintained by a team of enthusiastic shapers, it offers a variety of fun and technical features: kickers, rails, boxes, whoops and boardercross for a series of runs and safe progress.
Situated at the top of the 'Maroly' sector, with the longest opening in the ski area, the SnowparKGB boasts exceptional snow cover, maximum sunshine, a breathtaking view of the Aravis chain and quick, easy turns thanks to the two Prarian lifts.
– 1 XS line (independent beginners’ area), 1 S line (beginners’ area), 1 M line (advanced area) and L-XL-XXL lines (experts)
– 1 Big Air Bag
– 2 boardercrosses, one 700m long in the park and another more accessible at 'La Mulaterie' in the Chinaillon sector
– Other modules: bidon, pole jam, whoops, rainbow, rainbow kick, s-rails, spin, waterfall, boxes, rails and tubes
– 1 chillzone in front of the hut
The SnowparKGB is also :
– 700m length for the longest run
– 150m vertical drop
Freestylers can take advantage of the video system installed on the Big Air Bag® and film their best run.
Mom'Park - Freestyle area for children
A secluded snowpark for beginners, accessible with the Discovery Pass. Discover, progress and have fun in complete safety.
A series of fun modules to test your tricks!
A line of 3 snow modules to introduce children to the first sensations of sliding and jumping.
A line of 3 box modules with a dynamic sequence:
– 4 m Flat Box
– 4m Up & Down Box
– 4m Rainbow Box
A second line of 3 box modules with :
-2 Technical Boxes to vary the fun
-1 Rainbow Box for gentle curves
A snow tunnel at the end of the course: a final surprise that promises a fun and memorable passage!
Nordic skiing
Le Grand-Bornand has 68km of Nordic skiing slopes. In the Bouchet Valley and in the upper part of sunny Chinaillon near the old village, cross-country skiing is king.
The Nordic ski area usually opens from 1st snow until mid-April.
TRAILS IN LE GRAND-BORNAND VILLAGE AND IN THE BOUCHET VALLEY
This wild area, populated with snow-covered spruce trees and cozy chalets nestled beneath the snowflakes, offers 58km of perfectly groomed and maintained runs, with three main access points (Village, Les Plans, and Auberge Nordique) that will allow you to discover a wonderful setting that combines the great outdoors, sliding on snow, cultural sites, and local agricultural life.
Stats:
- 11 loops, ranging from 1km to 15.5km, from beginner to expert, including the Nordic trail that links with the Les Confins Nordic ski area
- 70.5 km of groomed trails for classic or skating technique starting in the Village and heading towards the Bouchet Valley
- New in Les Aravis: Tour du Danay black track (12 km)
- 2 biathlon stadiums (cross-country skiing and shooting) in Les Plans in the Bouchet Valley and in the Sylvie Becaert stadium in the heart of the Village
- 3 fun learning areas open to everyone, near the ice-skating rink in Le Grand-Bornand Village, in Les Poches, and at the Auberge Nordique in the Bouchet Valley
- 9km of artificially snow-covered slopes
NORDIC ITINERARIES IN LE GRAND-BORNAND CHINAILLON (Free access)
Stats:
- 4 loops for classic Nordic skiing ranging from 1.4km to 9.4km starting in the old village and through the pastures and forests facing the alpine ski area
- 1 groomed trail for pedestrians starting from Chinaillon's old village to discover and enjoy the Aravis Mountains
TIMED TRACK
Measure your performance thanks to the timed course on the Nordic area of Les Plans. The principle is simple: get a Timtoo Timing © chip and go skiing, then find your time on the internet.
Nordic skiing at night
The cross-country ski trails (from Les Plans to Lormay) are open at night. Come with a headlamp. Take this opportunity to try nordic-skiing with ESF instructors! Booking required. Subject to snow conditions. From Dec-end of March, usually every Wednesday between 6pm and 8.30pm.
Le Grand Bornand ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Le Grand Bornand ski hire and/or Le Grand Bornand lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
Le Grand Bornand group ski school (pre-bookable)
Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years in Le Grand Bornand with Peak Retreats. Children can learn to snowboard from 10 years+. We can also book cross country lessons and competition and freeride lessons. Please enquire about childrens ski lessons with nursery and lunch.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Le Grand Bornand private lessons (not pre-bookable)
Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.
Contact ESF Le Grand Bornand for private lessons - 0033 4 50 02 79 10
Le Grand Bornand childcare (not pre-bookable)
Childcare from 3 months-5 years (non-skiers)
Le Grand Bornand has acquired the Famille Plus label for its childcare facilities. Please view here to view more information on the Famille Plus label.
Childcare at Chinaillon:
In the new building at the bottom of the slopes, fun activities, as well as playtime on the secure, semi-snow-covered terrace, are offered. The crèche has moved to a brand new building directly at the bottom of the slopes for greater convenience for families. Open 9am-5pm.
Childcare in the village:
Children are welcomed in spacious, functional and colourful rooms in the heart of the village. Large outdoor area with varied games. Spacious indoor and outdoor playgrounds where your children can express themselves and relax with fun activities: games and playrooms, library, mini-climbing wall, ball pit, trampoline etc. Outdoor area fitted for snow games in winter. Open 9am-5pm, closed weekends.
For children from 3 months to 18 months, half-day care in the morning only. For children from 19 months to 5 years old, full or half day. For children from 3 to 5 years old, possibility (only in the morning) of all-inclusive lessons + Piou-Piou or Ourson skiing + childcare: Môm'en ski Chinaillon.
Please contact the nurseries direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 50 02 79 05
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Le Grand Bornand
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Night skiing
Ski at night on one of the longest lit up slopes in the Haute-Savoie area! Access by ski, yooner, skibike, "paret", snowscoot, snooc and also but only with a Mountain bike instructor by fatbike.
Extra night bus to Chinaillon: leaving Le Grand-Bornand Village (bus station) at 7.35pm, 8.45pm and 9.45pm. Return to Le Grand-Bornand village: leaving Le Charmieux at 7.54pm, 9.04pm and 10.04pm. Free of charge. Usually held every Saturday between 5pm and 9.30pm and then also during the school holidays on Thursdays (same time), until middle of March. Subject to snow conditions.
E-Biking on snow
The Grand-Bornand is launching the Noct’e-Bike for the 2021/22 season, where you can enjoy an hour and a half of descents on the empty slopes.
Ski joëring
La Clusaz Skijoring is a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse. It is derived from the Norwegian word skijoring meaning ski driving. From 7 years.
Ski bike, individual lesson
In Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon. Discover the new thrills of a sliding sport that's easy to learn, even for non-skiers. According to ski instructor availability, an English speaking instructor. From 10 years.
Fat bike on slopes
In Le Grand-Bornand Village and Chinaillon. The practice of fat bike (ATV equipped with wheels for snow) is freely available on the path racket/pedestrian No. 30 (in the village), 19 (Les Troncs to Potais) and 25 in the Chinaillon.
Speed riding
In Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon. Skis on the feet and sailing over your head: discover the Speed-Riding in all lightness. From 16 years.
Sledging
Sledging area at Borne (Grand Bornand Village):
The safe designated Le Borne sledging area is 55 meters long by 50 meters wide. This area for sliding on snow caters to all tastes, with a gradual slope. Helmet recommended for children. From 2 years.
Sledging areas at Dodes (Grand Bornand village):
The safe designated sledging area next to the ice rink. The slope is 70 meters long by 45 meters wide. Lighting for night sledging. Helmet recommended for children. From 2 years.
Snowshoeing
The most adventurous visitors are free to get off the beaten track and go up in the world along the 81km of snowshoe trails and 18km of marked-out hiking trails.
Top activities to experience in Le Grand Bornand
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable.
Horse-drawn sleigh ride
During your stay in Le Grand-Bornand Village, enjoy the snow-covered landscape, comfortably settled into a traditional horse-drawn sledge. Depending on snow conditions. From the end of December to the middle of March, subject to the snow cover of the track.
Ice skating rink
In Le Grand-Bornand Village. An 800 m2 covered ice skating rink. Spend a relaxing moment in beautiful surroundings, facing Le Grand-Bornand Village and the Aravis Mountains. Evacuation of the runway 15 min before closing. Depending on the animations on the ice, some sessions may end earlier (enquire in advance).
The ice garden
In Le Grand-Bornand Village. The ice skating rink is reserved for the young ones to enjoy ice pleasure safely with some adapted educational equipment. Reserved only for children. From 3 to 10 years.
Cinema
Cinema Le Charmieux (Grand Bornand Chinaillon):
Giant screen, digital sound EX. Different movies every day with several shows daily and programming exclusivity. Booster seats for young children available.
Cinema Les Rhodos Grand Bornand village:
Giant screen, digital sound EX. Different movies every day with several shows daily and on exclusive programmation. Booster seats for young children available.
Horse-drawn carriage
Horse-drawn carriage in Le Grand-Bornand Village and in la vallée du Bouchet.
Paragliding
Take off area at Le Lachat - the take-off is located at the summit of 'Mont Lachat', at an altitude of 2,100 meters. All year-round. The landing area during the winter is located 200m from the bottom of the gondola, at a place called "Le Terret".
Le Grand Bornand après-ski, restaurants & bars
Over 30 restaurants in village and Chinaillon, 15 altitude restaurants, 40 bars/pubs in village, chinaillon and surrounding villages.
Amenities
Le Grand Bornand is served by a range of amenities including: supermarket, boulangerie, laundrette, hairdresser, pharmacy, petrol station, bank, post office.
Self service internet terminals or WIFI at the tourist offices.
Getting to Le Grand Bornand, France
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 20km
- Motorway A 41 exit Annecy Nord direction Thônes / Stations des Aravis at 30km
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras (or Ashford, Kent). See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Le Grand Bornand is roughly 30km away in Annecy.
4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Le Grand Bornand is roughly 65km, approx. 1hr
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Le Grand Bornand is roughly 75km, approx. 1hr 15 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Le Grand Bornand is roughly 165km, approx. 1hr 45 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Le Grand Bornand is roughly 141km, approx. 1hr 45 mins
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.
Resort shuttle bus:
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 Le Grand Bornand Village and Grand Bornand Chinaillon village. This runs to about 8pm in the evening.
