Le Grand-Bornand is one of those villages where the cows still count as much as the residents. At the heart of the Aravis, next to La Clusaz, it has kept a strong farming identity: hundreds of wooden chalets scattered across the valley, a Baroque onion-domed church, and reblochon everywhere, from the pastures to the plates. It’s one of the most authentic villages in the Northern Alps, a ski resort that never stopped being cattle country.
An hour from Geneva and close to Annecy, Le Grand-Bornand lives both seasons fully. In winter, a family area at the foot of the Aravis, extended by the high hamlet of Le Chinaillon. In summer, a magnificent ground for hiking and mountain biking, from the Roc des Tours to the Glières plateau, and a village life set to the rhythm of markets and festivals.
Here is how to enjoy it, season by season.
In brief
- Altitude: 1,000 m in the village, 1,300 m at Le Chinaillon, up to over 2,100 m on the area.
- Area: around 90 km of pistes at the foot of the Aravis, shared between the village and Le Chinaillon.
- Access: ≈ 1 hr from Geneva airport; ≈ 45 min from Annecy; Annecy or Cluses stations, then bus.
- Best season: December–April for skiing, June–September for hiking, biking and the pastures.
- Don’t miss: the village and its chalets, the Roc des Tours, a farm visit, the Wednesday market.
The village and the terroir
Here, mountain farming isn’t a backdrop, it’s daily life. Le Grand-Bornand sits at the heart of reblochon country, and farms are many, right into the village. The dark-wood traditional chalets dot the valley and the pastures, giving the resort its distinctive face. The Baroque church, the Wednesday market (one of the most renowned in the Aravis) and the festivals (the children’s festival Au Bonheur des Mômes, in August) make it a village alive year-round.
Discovering reblochon on a farm is one of the finest ways to understand Le Grand-Bornand: you see the milking, the making, and taste the cheese where it’s born.
Skiing
Le Grand-Bornand’s area spreads at the foot of the Aravis, over around 90 km of pistes, from the village up to the high hamlet of Le Chinaillon. It’s a human-scale area, sunny and family-friendly, with fine pistes for all levels and a spectacular face-off with the Aravis range. The Bouchet valley also offers one of the finest cross-country skiing areas in the massif.
The moderate altitude calls for good snow cover, backed by snowmaking, and the high sectors of Le Chinaillon secure snow in the heart of the season. The sectors and passes are detailed on the skiing in Le Grand-Bornand page.
What to do in Le Grand-Bornand
Winter
- Skiing and snowboarding: a family area facing the Aravis, from the village to Le Chinaillon.
- Cross-country skiing: the Bouchet valley, a great Nordic area in peace and quiet.
- Snowshoeing, dog-sledding, ice rink: the valley’s gentle activities.
Summer
- Hiking: the Roc des Tours, Le Chinaillon, Lake Lessy and the Glières plateau.
- Mountain biking: a bike park and e-bike outings in the Aravis and the Annecy Mountains.
- Reblochon and terroir: farm visits and the market.
- Paragliding, via ferrata, water-leisure centre: the classics of the summer mountain, and a pool in the heart of the village.
The signature experiences
Each major experience has its own page, with practical info and, where possible, booking:
- Skiing: the family area and cross-country skiing.
- Hiking: the Roc des Tours and guided nature outings.
- Mountain biking: bike park and family e-biking.
- Reblochon and terroir: the cheese culture of the Aravis.
Where to stay
Le Grand-Bornand has lodging for every budget, from traditional chalets to family hotels and rentals. The village puts everything on foot, market and shops included; Le Chinaillon brings you closer to the slopes; the hamlets and the Bouchet valley offer quiet and nature. The resort is popular in winter and summer alike: book early. We compare available stays at the best rates below.
Where to eat
Terroir is a point of pride here. Reblochon is tasted by the slice, as tartiflette or croziflette, and the farms sell their cheeses directly. The village and altitude restaurants serve Savoyard cooking in all its generosity, and the Wednesday market showcases the Aravis producers. A farm visit with tasting rounds off the experience.
Getting there
- By car: ≈ 1 hr from Geneva, ≈ 45 min from Annecy, up the Bornand valley.
- By train + bus: Annecy or Cluses stations, then regular bus to Le Grand-Bornand.
- By plane: Geneva airport ≈ 1 hr, then car or shuttle.
When to come
- December–April: ski season. Best snow in January–February, festive atmosphere in December.
- June–September: the green mountain. Hiking, biking, pastures, terraces, and the Au Bonheur des Mômes festival in August. Gentler rates than in winter.
- May and October: the quiet shoulder season, but many lifts and shops close.
Good to know
Le Grand-Bornand or La Clusaz? Two neighbouring Aravis villages, close in character. Le Grand-Bornand is a touch more rural and family-friendly, with a fine Nordic area; La Clusaz has a slightly larger alpine area and a freeride reputation. Minutes apart, they combine very well.
Do you need a car? Useful to get there and range out (Glières, Lake Lessy), but on site shuttles serve the village and Le Chinaillon.
Le Grand-Bornand without skiing? Yes, especially in summer: hiking, biking, terroir, the pool. Winter also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog-sledding.
How long to stay? A long weekend to discover; a week to enjoy the area and the Aravis, summer and winter.
Nearby
Le Grand-Bornand is at the heart of the Aravis. La Clusaz and Manigod share the same valley and spirit; the town of Thônes, capital of reblochon, is close by. The Glières plateau, a major memorial site, overlooks the valley, and Annecy and its lake are about 45 minutes away.