Surrounded by a beautiful lake and just a few minutes from Geneva and Switzerland, Annecy is also close to a multitude of Alps ski resorts, offering alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and a wide range of other winter activities.
But how do you choose among all the ski areas nearby? It depends on the type of holiday you’re looking for, as well as proximity. Here are some great options for resorts near Annecy, so you can enjoy the mountains as quickly as possible!
La Clusaz – a village and five mountain ranges
The 125 kilometers of slopes in the La Clusaz ski area, along with its snowpark and fun zone, delight skiers of all levels. Spread across five mountain ranges, the area offers varied panoramas and peaks at 2,600 meters above sea level. Let’s not forget the Nordic area, particularly the Confins site with cross-country trails, a Nordic Ski Park, child-friendly facilities, and more.
It is also a great resort for après-ski, with several high-quality wellness spaces and excellent restaurants.
La Clusaz is a great summer destination too, perfect for family outings to discover alpine pastures, forests, and lakes, or to enjoy outdoor sports like tennis, archery, or paragliding.
With many events throughout the year and numerous activities for children, this ski resort near Annecy is a favorite among visitors.
Chamonix – a small mountain town 1h15 from Annecy
A venerable ski resort with admirable Savoyard architecture (including the Sénat de Savoie), located at the gateway to Italy, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is full of attractions. Its exceptional ski area delights alpine skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The Vallée Blanche offers off-piste lovers unforgettable scenery and memories.
The breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and surrounding peaks, opportunities to explore the Mer de Glace or Bossons Glacier, ride the Aiguille du Midi cable car, or experience the thrilling "Step into the Void" attraction are just a few of the many highlights of this ski resort near Annecy. Whether you want a sporty or more relaxed holiday, it’s a perfect destination.
In summer, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc also offers countless outdoor activities and excursions, including the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve and its famous Lac Blanc.
Samoëns – a charming Haute-Savoie village
With the 265 kilometers of slopes in the Grand Massif ski area it is connected to, 5 snowparks, and 2 cross-country skiing zones, Samoëns fully caters to winter sports enthusiasts. You can choose a pass suited to your level and the distances you plan to cover (beginner pass, Vill4ges pass, or Grand Massif pass).
Visitors who prefer snowshoeing can explore trails such as La Rosière, the Cirque du Fer à Cheval, or Les Allamands. Other winter activities are also available during your stay in Samoëns, including Nordic skiing, ice climbing, pony sledding, ice swimming, and family activities.
With its village of stone-built houses, in a region usually dominated by traditional wooden constructions (chalets or farmhouses), this ski resort near Annecy stands out even more.
Featuring a remarkable botanical garden and many activities, even in summer (fishing, rafting, caving, airboating, the Samoëns American Festival celebrating American music…), this Haute-Savoie mountain destination deserves wider recognition.
Avoriaz – a pedestrian village at 1,800 meters
Avoriaz is famous for its vast ski area (part of the Portes du Soleil, the largest ski domain in the world with 600 km of slopes and 209 lifts) and its snowshoeing routes (notably in Morzine, offering spectacular valley views).
Sleigh rides are also popular because Avoriaz is entirely pedestrian. You can even access Switzerland via ski lifts from this ski resort near Annecy and ski in resorts such as Morgins, Champéry, Torgon, or Val d'Illiez-Champoussin & Les Crosets.
Ice skating, sledding, ice diving, paragliding, snowmobiling, indoor swimming, or night sledding are just some of the many activities available in Avoriaz.
In summer, sports enthusiasts will also find plenty of ways to stay active, with via ferrata, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rafting.
Megève – an exceptional winter holiday destination
A village with magnificent architecture, luxury hotels and chalets, starred restaurants, and renowned gastronomy, Megève is a family-friendly resort with a huge ski area (235 slopes) in a breathtaking setting. But it’s not just for alpine skiing and snowboarding. The resort also has a Nordic area, sled zones, snowshoeing trails, mountain biking, snow scootering, and more.
In summer, this ski resort near Annecy transforms and remains a popular destination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, especially mountain bikers.
Le Grand-Bornand – a sporty, family-friendly resort in Haute-Savoie
Less than an hour from Annecy lies the champions’ resort at 1,300 meters: Le Grand-Bornand. Known as the pearl of the Aravis, it offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere for an unforgettable stay. The Savoie region welcomes tourists with its ski rental shops in Le Grand-Bornand, perfect for skiing or snowboarding.
Le Grand-Bornand allows skiing in nearby communes like La Clusaz, Manigod, and Saint-Jean-De-Sixt, giving access to more than 220 kilometers of marked slopes. It’s easy to see why skiing at Le Grand-Bornand is a habit for many locals of Annecy.
Other resorts near Annecy
Have you already explored these resorts and want to discover other destinations near Annecy? Or are you simply looking for a resort that meets all your criteria for a perfect snow holiday? Many more traditional villages and modern resorts in France are within easy reach of Annecy, by car or train.
By driving a bit further, you could explore other Alpine destinations, for example in Isère or the Alpes-Maritimes. The Jura mountains are also nearby (1h20 to reach Les Rousses, just under 2 hours to ski at Métabief). You could even ski outside France, as Switzerland and its beautiful ski areas are also close to Annecy.
Departing from Annecy, it’s therefore easy to find a resort and ski area that suit you! All that remains is to choose your destination and book your holiday accommodation and ski equipment!