Le Grand Bornand is an ancient mountain village with a central square, a belfry dome, age-old chalets, history and traditions. The name of the city was given by the river Borne, which flows through it. The indigenous inhabitants of Le Grand Bornan, the Bornandin people, are few – only 1,800 people. They carefully preserve their past.
Le Grand-Bornand has preserved the spirit of the mountains to this day, which makes people return here year after year. The Grand Bornand ski resort consists of two villages located at different altitudes:
- At an altitude of 1,000 meters, there is a typical Savoyard village of Grand-Bornand with a main square, a church and many small shops.
- At an altitude of 1300m and 6 km higher along the route in the Col de la Colombiere, le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon is located – the main departure point for the ski slopes.
Local farmers still make the famous Reblochon cheese exactly as they did hundreds of years ago. The village itself also literally breathes history: the still preserved church, built in 1546. Connoisseurs of history and architecture will definitely pay attention to the bell tower of the church and baroque elements in its decor.
The traditional way of life and the amazing friendliness of local residents can be felt from the first minutes of your stay at the resort. However, the ski industry in Le Grand Bornan is also well developed.
The first lift, Les Outalays, was built here in the winter of 1953-1954. Now the resort is among the top 15 best ski resorts in France . Le Grand Bornan, together with La Cluise , Manigault and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, form the combined ski area of the Aravi Massif, where a single ski pass operates.
Le Grand Bornan is labeled as a “Famille Plus” resort and offers various family activities and educational and childcare services. The kindergarten at Le Chinaillon accepts children from eight months to five years of age.
How to get there
Nearest airports: Annecy (35 km), Lyon – Saint-Exupéry (150 km), Geneva (50 km).
Nearest railway station: Annecy (30 km).
Bus from Annecy or Lyon, in winter – from Geneva.
By car, take Autoroute 40 (Autoroute Blanche), exit No. 16 Bonneville, twenty kilometers in the direction of Aravi station, or take Autobahn 41 to Annecy Nord, then thirty kilometers in the direction of Thônes / Annecy station. When traveling by car in winter, remember about special equipment, chains or winter tires.
The most convenient way to get to the airport is to order a taxi transfer.
Tracks and lifts
Wide, snow-covered fields like the ‘col des Annes’ make up most of the Grand Bornard ski area. In turn, the steep slopes of Aravis Mountains and le Mont Lachat are designed for more experienced riders. On 90 km of prepared trails, everyone will find a suitable one for themselves, whether they are an experienced rider or a beginner. There are even footpaths for those who don’t want to ride. The 90 km of pistes, whether from Grand-Bornand Village or from Grand-Bornand Chinaillon, are built in a north-south format, guaranteeing you sun and plenty of snow, as is often the case in the Aravis mountain range.
The highest point reached by the Le Lachat ski lift is 2100 m. Despite the low altitude, there is usually a lot of natural snow. Red and blue tracks predominate.
Local slopes are divided into three interconnected zones. The Joyere and Rosay tracks are ideal for beginners and children. The slopes of La Floria and the area around Mont Lachat (2100 m) will be interesting for the advanced. Le Grand Bornan is famous for its cross-country skiing trails. The Biathlon World Cup was held here.
83 kilometers of tracks, 3 black, 14 red, 15 blue, 12 green.
32 lifts (including 2 gondolas, 13 chairlifts, 14 rope lifts).
146 guns for artificial snow.
The snow park, located in the upper part of the Maroly sector at an altitude of 1,800 m, is among the top ten in France. Its territory is 5 hectares.
bordercross tracks (700 m)
half pipe
lines of springboards and jibbing of three levels of difficulty.
The Aravis Pass connects Le Grand Bornand with La Cluise, Manigoi and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. The region offers 210 kilometers of trails. A free shuttle bus runs from Le Grand Bornan to nearby resorts.
Vacation with children
Compared to La Cluza, Le Grand Bornan is considered a calmer and quieter place, which is preferred by families with children. The infrastructure of the resort is marked with the status of Famille Plus, which in France is considered a “sign of the quality of family recreation”, and it can be obtained only with the approval of the Ministry of Tourism. The resort’s kindergarten takes under its temporary care children from eight months to five years, and the resort itself offers other services for supervising children and organizing their rest. In particular, there are safe tracks for small skiers and snowboarders.
Where to stay
L’Alpage 3-star hotel
Hotel l’Alpage is located in the village of Le Quinayon, just a 10-minute drive from the center of Le Grand Bornan . It has an outdoor heated pool with views of the mountains and fields. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Each guest room at Hotel l’Alpage is equipped with a private balcony, telephone, TV and private bathroom.
The l’Alpage restaurant has a south-facing terrace and serves traditional French cuisine. Guests can also relax with a drink in the TV lounge.
Hotel l’Alpage has a games room and storage facilities for bicycles and motorbikes. The A40 / E25 motorway is a 45-minute drive away, and guests can visit Lake Annecy, 32 km away.
Chalet Meringue – OVO Network 5 star hotel
Located 1 km from the ski slopes, Chalet Meringue offers pet-friendly accommodation in Le Grand-Bornand. The hotel offers a view of the mountains. There is a large wooden terrace with a hot tub. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, oven and microwave, as well as a coffee machine. A flat screen TV and Blu-ray player are available. Free private parking is available at the chalet.
Guests can also enjoy a hammam and a dance floor.
The ski bus stops 100 meters from Chalet Merengu, while the village center is 300 meters away. An array of activities can be enjoyed in the surroundings, including skiing and cycling. The nearest airport is Geneva Airport, 70 km from Chalet Merengue.
Chalet La Vigogne et Spa 5 star hotel
Chalet La Vigogne offers a holiday in chalet rooms and apartments. Typical chalet-style accommodation is located in the ski resort of Le Grand Bornan , 30 km from Annecy.
The rooms have a cozy and chic decor and a balcony with a view of the mountains.
Some rooms are self-catering; otherwise, guests can order meals subject to availability and at an additional cost.
Chalet La Vigogne et Spa is conveniently located, ideal for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter, less than 2 km from the ski slopes. Other types of active recreation in the area are golf – the course is only 2 km away.
Chalet Macaron – OVO Network 5 star hotel
Chalet Macaron offers pet-friendly accommodation in Le Grand-Bornan, 700 meters from the ski slopes. This hotel features an outdoor heated hot tub and free private parking. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
The four-bedroom chalet features a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and oven, and 4 bathrooms, 1 including a spa bath. Each room has a flat screen TV in the living room. A furnished wooden terrace is at guests’ disposal.
The ski bus stops 100 meters from Chalet Macaron, while the village center is 300 meters away. An array of activities are offered in the area, such as skiing, cycling and fishing.
Best Western Chalet les Saytels 4-star hotel
Located 350 meters from the ski slopes in Le Grand Bornan , this hotel features an outdoor pool, a lounge with a fireplace and a spa with hot tub and sauna. It also has a year-round indoor pool and electric bikes can be rented on site.
All elegant rooms with wooden walls and mountain-style decor are equipped with LCD TV, telephone and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom has a hairdryer and free toiletries.
A buffet breakfast is served every morning, and one of the two restaurants offers regional dishes made with local cheese. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy a hot drink at the bar.
At Hotel les Saytels you can sunbathe in the solarium or play billiards. Upon request, the staff organizes tours of the cheese factories, as well as lunches and exhibitions in the alpine chalets.
Annecy is 32 km away and Annecy Haute-Savoie-Mont Blanc Airport is a 40-minute drive from Hotel Les Saytels.
APRES-SKI and nightlife
Restaurants (traditional or modern cuisine, savory or sweet pancakes, formal setting or self-service), pubs and discos. Reblochon cheese with a crust washed in brine after pressing is considered a local gastronomic “chip”. It can be purchased, including at the agricultural fair, which is held every Wednesday and where local farmers bring their goods.
Creative natures will be able to take part in training courses – watercolor drawings, making ceramics, painting on wood. Cinema, theater productions, library.
The ideal end to the day can be a visit to the Espace Aquatique spa in nearby La Cluise, with a pool for adults and children, a jacuzzi, an outdoor pool, a sauna and a hammam.
Recreation
Ideally located between Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc, Le Grand Bornan offers 150 kilometers of marked trails for hiking, archery, mini golf, paragliding or hot air ballooning, rafting and canyoning, bike tours, pétanque and ping pong, horseback riding, ski bike
A traditional local pastime in Le Grand Bornan is tobogganing, a device that resembles a sled mounted on a single wide ski. Village children used to ride such sledges from the mountains.
In the upper part of Maroly, one of the best snow parks in France is located – le Grand-Bo. Everyone will find an activity to their liking here, whether you are an experienced rider or just a beginner. From the valley of Bouchet and up to the top of Chinaillon next to the old village, a cross-country ski trail stretches. Huge snow-covered fir trees cover small chalets, creating an indescribable picture of the winter wilderness. 60 km of perfectly groomed pistes lead to La Clusaz, which is the “home” of black difficult descents. For those who do not ski, Grand Bornand offers other types of outdoor activities:
- Mountain hikes, paragliding, hot air balloon flights. Ice climbing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, ice skating are all available throughout the season.
- For those who need time to relax, there is a library and a cinema.
- Culture lovers can learn how the locals make their famous Reblochon cheese, enjoy a tour of the village streets and discover the local heritage center.
- – After a great day of skiing or walking, go with the children to the “Espace P’tits Montagnards”, which is specially prepared for families with children and is located in the very center of the village.