Le Grand Bornand Ski Resort France

Just an hour by road from central Geneva, we have driven past Le Grand Bornand ski resort for many years now without ever visiting, mainly because we had bigger/better 'fish to fry'. Its larger neighbour, La Clusaz, draws most of the attention, but Le Grand Bornand is now on the cusp of greater exposure to the world having joined the Magic Pass for season 25/26. We will drop by this coming season for a closer look.

Before we visit, check out its ample 90km of pistes, 24 lifts and 1,100m of skiable vertical on a mainly north to west aspect via the Le Grand Bornand Ski Trail Map below.

Le Grand Bornand Ski Trail Map

With the vast majority of on piste terrain designated as either 'easy' or 'intermediate', Le Grand Bornand can be enjoyed by families and those new to the sport. Advanced riders will find a handful of short steep piste trails off La Flora & the summit, and good off-piste freeriding from Mont Lachet and off the ridge into La Duche.

Where is Le Grand Bornand France?

Le Grand Bornand is in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps, only 37km south-east of Geneva as the pigeon flies! The closest major city is Annecy, 32km by road (40min drive) to the west. The most convenient airport is Geneva (GVA) (64km by road/1hr drive). The alternative airport that can be easily utilised is Lyon St Exupéry (LYS) (156km/2hr drive)

If staying at Le Grand Bornand for multiple days, one can take public transport (train/bus), but for such a short journey, we recommend looking at a private transfer, particularly if in a group of 3 or more people, direct from the airport or TGV station at Annecy.

Search & book here for all airport transfers to Le Grand Bornand.

Public transport to Le Grand Bornand is best via the train station at Annecy. TGV fast trains run to Annecy direct from Gare de Lyon in Paris in a little over 3hr! Alternatively, trains from central Geneva take around 1.5hr, with departures every 2hr through the day. From the Annecy train station, buses on the Y62/63 route leave every 30min to 1hr for the journey to Le Grand Bornand via Thônes & La Clusaz. The bus journey takes just over an hour.

Once in the resort, a complex suite of local bus routes cover all possibilities. A regular bus runs through the day on the IS (Interstation) route between La Clusaz & Le Grand Bornand via St Jean de Sixt.

If seeking just to day-trip to either Le Grand Bornand or La Clusaz on a powder day (recommended), renting a car from the airport is the best means of travel to the area.

For hints, tips & warnings about travel to French ski resorts in winter, see our Travel in France page.

Le Grand Bornand Accommodation

If contemplating staying close to the ski lifts at Le Grand Bornand, there are two options - the Village & Chinaillon. Separated by about 6km, both have lifts connecting directly into the ski resort, but there is no ski trail directly linking the two villages. Bus shuttles connect them regularly through the day.

The original, and traditionally pretty, Le Grand Bornand Village is set along a sunny valley at 1,000m elevation (quite low for reliable snow in France!). It has all the requisite services one could hope for on a snow holiday and a plethora of apartments & several hotels. The ski lifts are situated at the far end of town, but most lodgings are all less than 1km from the main Le Rosay gondola base. The closest hotel to the lift base is the Le Rookie Mountain Hotel just a few metres away. Also nearby is the Hôtel et Spa Le Vermont. In the centre of town about 600m from the lifts try the Hotel la Pointe Percee, Hotel La Croix-Saint-Maurice. Just off the main road, but still near the centre of town, have a look at Hôtel et Spa Le Delta.

The resort village of Le Grand Bornand Chinaillon is at an altitude of 1,300m and is at the end of the road in winter. Due to its location ‘behind’ Mont Lachat, Chinaillon gets less sun than the Village in winter, but will have more natural snow! Basic services, restaurants and bars are present, plus a typically French plethora of holiday rental apartments plus a few hotels. Most are not ski-in/ski-out and require a walk or bus to get to the lift base.

On the sunny side of the hill above Chinaillon, a large complex of 1, 2 & 3-bedroom apartments managed as CGH Le Village De Lessy dominates. Overlooking the ski terrain, the apartments get the first sun of the day. Down in town on the main road, closer to the ski lifts, Hotel L'Alpage is a good bet.

Search & book here for all Le Grand Bornand ski accommodation.

Ski Rentals

Ski equipment rentals are available at Le Grand Bornand in numerous convenient locations in both villages via our local partners. Receive a discount when you search & book via our Le Grand Bornand Ski & Snowboard Rental page.

Nearby Ski Resorts

Le grand Bornand is within a massive ski region, the Haute Savoie & next to another- the Savoie. Ski resorts close by include some French Alps classics like Megève - St Gervais & Chamonix, plus some lesser known ones like Les Contamines. All are just 45min & 1½hr drive away, and of course neighbouring La Clusaz is just 6km away.

Review & More Info

The Powderhounds will review Le Grand Bornand in season 2025/26. More information about this French ski resort will come after our visit. Stay tuned for our sparkling repartee, new photos & insights.

See how Le Grand Bornand compares to the rest of the French ski resorts on the France ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe on the European ski resort ratings page.

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If you have a question about skiing & snowboarding in Le Grand Bornand, France, or Europe, CONTACT US.