Ski chalet near La Clusaz slopes, great views, sleeps 11

“We were first introduced to the ski resort of La Clusaz twenty years ago. We were charmed with the quintessentially Savoyard atmosphere; the heart of the village built around a large church with a good range of traditional restaurants not normally apparent in a larger resort. No concrete jungles here.  I am delighted to say the resort still retains the very essence that first attracted us. In the madness of The French Revolution, La Clusaz attained fame similar to that of Gretna Green; marriages were declared legal if the happy couple walked three times around the tree of liberty in the village square. Divorce was as easily accommodated - in reverse.

The Aravis mountains captured our imagination, and we were fortunate enough to secure a plot of land in the much coveted Manigod Valley.  The chalet was built to our specifications, as a family home. It is rewarding to hear our children, 18 years on, to refer to l'Homme de la Lune as 'home'. Indeed, they have grown up spending all their holidays here, summer and winter; and have enjoyed to the full everything the region has to offer.

We have made many friends in the valley. Manigod rather uniquely manages to combine a rural farming community with successful tourism, we have found everyone so warm and welcoming, with some memorable New Year parties!  Unforgettable highlights would certainly include watching the tour de France go through the Valley, and para punting over the tips of the pine forests and across the beautiful Lake Annecy.
We never tire of the views from our chalet, from every window - breathtaking. Mont Charvin rears up majestically overlooking the rural vista of the valley below, tiny chapels and hamlets of ancient chalets undisturbed with time.  We enjoy the many routed walks that start from close by us, sometimes lucky enough to bring back some chanterelle or myrtilles. The children have always enjoyed a short climb up the hill to the local cheese farm to collect the local Reblochon.  Perhaps the most valued treasure of our chalet is the peace - it is a friendly little hamlet with barely any through traffic to disturb the tranquillity.  In summer we often visited the local trout fishery to fish for our supper in the lake near Thônes. The fun of BBQ- the 'plat de jour' and sitting on the deck with a bottle of wine watching the mountains turn pink as the sun goes down. Equally, in the winter, there are many gatherings of friends around our generous dining table with a raclette meal and the log fire crackling away.

The design of the chalet seems to absorb quite a lot of people with comfort. The open plan living/dining area is sociable, and there is another room offset from this  set up as a T.V. room or quiet reading area. The ground floor is useful for a 2nd family to enjoy their own privacy with a shower room, kitchenette, studio living room and double bedroom. We find the heated utility area specifically designed to dry off ski boots and outdoor wear really practical.  There is plenty of room for all to spill out and do their own thing, and yet it seems to have a special intimacy. We always seem to have a chalet full of people - it's easy to feel at home here. Local provisions are easy to pick up from Manigod Village just 5 minutes drive down the road. A great boulangerie and convenience supermarket are open into the early evening. We often meet up with friends and the local bar and restaurant, which serves good regional dishes. Manigod Village also boasts it's own weekly market where one can try the delicious local honey, cheese and sausages. For a bigger shop, the local town of Thônes has several large supermarkets. Saturday morning is the time to browse the popular weekly market, bump into friends and stop for a coffee to watch the world go by.

The user friendly family ski resort at Croix Fry is just 15 mins drive from us. The guys at the local ski hire shops there are really helpful and the boots and equipment 1st Class.  The local restaurant, Fon Fon conveniently situated on the lower slopes is a popular meeting place for lunch or a drink at the end of the day. You can sit on their outdoor decks and wave to the kids as they build confidence on the learner lifts. There is a base here for Ecole de Ski Francais. Skiing within the tree line is so pleasant and often a great advantage in poor visibility.  La Clusaz has five ski areas spread around the sides of neighbouring valleys facing north, east and west;  making up a really extensive and accessible ski area and conveniently buy a linking Aravis pass which share the ports of La Clusaz, and  le Grand Bornand. Plenty of challenging off piste too, in the deep snow beneath the Cret du Loup chair lifts on L'Aiguille, as well as in the bowl above them. The north west facing slopes of Massif de Balme offer the highest and most challenging piste with some exhilarating long runs and plenty of scope for off piste variation. There are some scenic cross country tracks around Lac des Confins where you literally breathe the still beauty - awesome.

Perhaps the best tribute I can pay to the Aravis region is how seamlessly our holidays have evolved as our children have grown up, with changing expectations of what really makes a great holiday.  In early years, in summer, the La Clusaz Sports Campus has been a great attraction with family fun on the 'luge' and a range of activities to suit toddlers upwards.  We have trekked through the lower hills on horseback, and tackled the high wire adventure zones at Annecy and Thônes. We are all keen mountain bikers and regularly use the dedicated VTT tracks at La Clusaz. We take our own bikes but hire is available. The lifts are open for bike users right through the summer until the first week of September. We are also spoilt for choice with several excellent outdoor pools, at Thônes, Grand Bornand and La Clusaz. La Clusaz has an indoor/ outdoor pool. It is fabulous to swim in 30-degree water temperature and marvel at the panorama of the snow slopes beyond. Then a nice sauna afterwards to ease those tired limbs!

Always special to us has been the Lake at Annecy, in particular at Talloires. In effortless French style, you will find a shady lawned picnic area, beach coves, beach bar and restaurant, safe family swimming with water slides and life guard patrol. The lake is a water sports playground, but far from elitist. You can hire catamarans, dinghies, windsurfers and canoes as well as water skiing. We have spent many a chilled out evening at the terraced restaurant over looking the lake and watching the sun go down while many still dive into the water - still inviting at 8 p.m.!  We have also enjoyed the regular spectacular firework displays and open air concerts at the lakeside.

What ever your pleasure, what ever your budget, whatever your age, there is something for everyone. History and culture; adrenalin challenges, gourmet food and regional dishes, and perhaps most importantly - time out on your own terms - in your own time.

We hope you enjoy that time, as we continue to do so.”

Kim and Paddy

The Aravis mountains captured our imagination, and we were fortunate enough to secure a plot of land in the much coveted Manigod Valley. The chalet was built t...

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