The "Annecy Mountains"
Known as the Annecy Mountains, the Aravis resorts are the favorite ski areas of the inhabitants of the Annecy area but also of the surrounding regions. They are located half an hour from Annecy through the valley of Thônes. On vacation in Annecy, a detour to the Aravis mountains is a must for a day or two: serenity, change of scenery and a return to nature guaranteed. Reach the Aravis easily from Geneva via Petit-Bornand or from the Arve valley via the Colombière pass.
Geography of the Aravis
The Aravis mountain chain is 25 kilometers long and stretches from north to south from Cluses to Ugine, and borders the Val d’Arly on its eastern side. To the west it faces the massif des Bornes and the ski areas of Grand Bornand, La Clusaz and Manigod, from which one can admire the size and length of this chain. Its white limestone rocks and steep ridges give it the appearance of high Himalayan mountains. However, its summits only reach an average of 2500m, and the Pointe Percée, summit of the Aravis, culminates at 2752m. The Aravis are composed of 4 resorts that welcome you all year round: La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint Jean de Sixt.
La Clusaz
La Clusaz is the ski and mountain bike resort located 10 minutes from Grand Bornand. At the foot of the Aravis mountains, there is a typical old village with many shops, the small lake of Confins, exceptional hikes to the top of the Pointes des Aravis or a lively life with many bars and events.
Downhill Mountain Bike Paradise
The Bikepark des Aravis is in La Clusaz. In La Clusaz, all types of mountain biking are available: Enduro, CrossCountry, AllMountain but especially Downhill. The Bikepark of La Clusaz offers 125 km of trails worked on its 4 DH trails and 5 Enduro trails. The area is full of incredible singles where it is good to ride. The slopes are accessible with the ski lifts or by pedal power. A Downhill or E-bike Enduro day is possible in the area of La Clusaz, contact us to organize it.
From Grand Bornand to La Clusaz: the Tour des Aravis by electric mountain bike
How about a day of pure riding in the Aravis mountains, mixing challenging uphills, enduro and crazy downhill singletracks? We take you from Chinaillon to the Bikepark of La Clusaz along the Aravis mountainside during our e-Enduro & Bikepark day.
La Clusaz
La Clusaz is the ski and mountain bike resort located 10 minutes from Grand Bornand. At the foot of the Aravis mountains, there is a typical old village with many shops, the small lake of Confins, exceptional hikes to the top of the Pointes des Aravis or a lively life with many bars and events.
Downhill Mountain Bike Paradise
The Bikepark des Aravis is in La Clusaz. In La Clusaz, all types of mountain biking are available: Enduro, CrossCountry, AllMountain but especially Downhill. The Bikepark of La Clusaz offers 125 km of trails worked on its 4 DH trails and 5 Enduro trails. The area is full of incredible singles where it is good to ride. The slopes are accessible with the ski lifts or by pedal power. A Downhill or E-bike Enduro day is possible in the area of La Clusaz, contact us to organize it.
From Grand Bornand to La Clusaz: the Tour des Aravis by electric mountain bike
How about a day of pure riding in the Aravis mountains, mixing challenging uphills, enduro and crazy downhill singletracks? We take you from Chinaillon to the Bikepark of La Clusaz along the Aravis mountainside during our e-Enduro & Bikepark day.
Saint Jean de Sixt
In the heart of the Aravis mountains is the village of Saint Jean de Sixt. Formerly a hamlet of passage, now a small village in growth, this village is animated all year long. Numerous restaurants, asmall local producers’ market but also shops offering the best of our land and our know-how, are waiting for you at the door of Aravis. Located equidistant from Grand Bornand and La Clusaz.
Various activities
Saint Jean de Sixt is the starting point for a large number of hikes, both in summer and winter, but also by bike of course. TheTourist Office will advise you on the key points of visit not to be missed during your stay in the Aravis.
In the middle of nature
Jingle of the bells
The fauna of the Aravis is rich and varied. But the fame of our region was made thanks to a very particular species… The darling of our mountains, the one whose bell resounds through the Aravis mountains all day long: our dear Abondance, the cow of the Savoy region par excellence. Proudly carrying her bell, she wanders the pastures of our mountains, browsing each blade of grass which, a few hours later, during the milking, will perfume with flavours of mountain pastures the good reblochons and farm tommes. Such a tasty land, why deprive yourself?
Meeting at the bend of a path
Rich in fauna and flora, the Aravis are a marvel for the walker or the naturophile biker. During a hike or a mountain bike ride, it is not uncommon to come across the inevitable marmots on frequented itineraries. You can also admire the acrobatics of ibexes or the flight of bearded vultures. And if you are lucky enough and quiet enough you will be able to flush out some deer, foxes and badgers.
All these small (and large) animals live in a habitat as luxuriant as it is changing, whose colors change from white to green and from orange to red as the days and seasons go by. Have you ever had the chance to admire a field of bright red blueberries against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains?
In the middle of nature
Jingle of the bells
The fauna of the Aravis is rich and varied. But the fame of our region was made thanks to a very particular species… The darling of our mountains, the one whose bell resounds through the Aravis mountains all day long: our dear Abondance, the cow of the Savoy region par excellence. Proudly carrying her bell, she wanders the pastures of our mountains, browsing each blade of grass which, a few hours later, during the milking, will perfume with flavours of mountain pastures the good reblochons and farm tommes. Such a tasty land, why deprive yourself?
Meeting at the bend of a path
Rich in fauna and flora, the Aravis are a marvel for the walker or the naturophile biker. During a hike or a mountain bike ride, it is not uncommon to come across the inevitable marmots on frequented itineraries. You can also admire the acrobatics of ibexes or the flight of bearded vultures. And if you are lucky enough and quiet enough you will be able to flush out some deer, foxes and badgers.
All these small (and large) animals live in a habitat as luxuriant as it is changing, whose colors change from white to green and from orange to red as the days and seasons go by. Have you ever had the chance to admire a field of bright red blueberries against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains?
