Manigod

Manigod ski area

A genuine mountain village with more than 125km of pistes in the La Clusaz/Manigod domain (and 25km in the local Manigod area) - and a ski bus link to neighbouring Grand Bornand (the Aravis ski area combines both Grand Bornand and La Clusaz) provides further skiing opportunities. The region is suited to all levels of skiers from beginners to experts.

The La Clusaz domain has some of the best snow conditions in France, the Aravis massif forming the first ‘natural barrier’ to the Alps and so capturing much of the precipitation.

The skiing is divided into five sections – Beauregard, l’Aiguille, Balme, l’Etale and Crioux-Fry/Merdassier. Most of the runs are west or north-west facing, so the snow is generally relatively good. The best snow can perhaps be found on the west-facing slopes of La Balme.

Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (23/24):

The Aravis lift pass links Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz/Manigod by shuttle bus. The resorts of Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz are not lift-linked but the resort of La Clusaz and Manigod are lift linked.

You can also use a smaller lift pass covering just La Clusaz/Manigod.

La Clusaz-Manigod local area - 125km of pistes, 49 lifts, 85 slopes:

Green slopes: 16
Blue slopes: 31
Red slopes: 30
Black slopes: 8

Manigod local area - 25km of piste, 15 lifts, 29 slopes:

Green slopes: 3
Blue slopes: 11
Red slopes: 13
Black slopes: 1

Manigod skiing info

Beginners

Manigod itself has beginner pistes and plenty of blues to progress on at the Col de la Croix Fry.

For gentle blues try Beauregard in La Clusaz (there’s a long blue run at 1650m down to La Clusaz called Guy Perillat) – you can then move onto the Cret du Merle for a few more challenges.

Intermediates

Manigod itself has intermediate pistes to start and progress on at the Col de la Croix Fry. There are various blue runs and quite a few red runs locally.

La Clusaz has some ideal terrain for intermediates and there are plenty of runs to choose from. The majority of red runs are above 1650m. Again try Beauregard for some great blue pistes. For more challenging and wider blue runs head for L’Etale and L’Aiguille. More advanced skiers should head for La Balme.

Advanced, off-piste & ski touring

Manigod itself has 1 black run but you will find other black runs in La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand.

The snow-covered fir trees on the side of Manigod’s groomed slopes will allow you to escape a little off-piste. A guide is always recommended.

La Clusaz is well-known for its spectacular off-piste skiing. Over the years, it has become a Mecca for off-piste skiing/freeriding with its untamed and extraordinary mountains. So it’s not surprising that it’s become a hotbed for freeriding champions of all ages. Some good expert runs can be found at La Balme – particularly the black Vraille run which is very steep. There’s also an off-piste sector called Combe de Bellachat on the opposite side of this sector. A long black run, La Noire, runs from Beauregard to La Clusaz.

We recommend taking a guide for ski touring also. A new marked ski touring route allows seal skin enthusiasts to reach the summit of Crête Blanche. More than a km of ascent in the forest for 150m of vertical drop, ideal for learning about this discipline. Departure from 'Col de la Croix Fry', at the foot of the Grand Crêt ski lift.

Manigod mountain fun zones

Boardercross
Ski down the boardercross and its banked turns of the Piste du Blanchot (Merdassier side), but also to slide on a course strewn with natural obstacles, springboards, whoops, while having fun with family or between friends on the fun Waouland and Loopland slopes (next to La Croix Fry).

Manigod nordic skiing

The Nordic area of Beauregard is an area known for the beauty of its panorama with its breathtaking view of Mont Blanc and the Aravis range. It has 25km of slopes, skating and alternative, beginner or advanced. All the Nordic passes are valid on Manigod, Les Confins and Le Grand-Bornand.

Manigod ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)

Pre-book your 6 day+ Manigod ski hire and/or Manigod lift pass with Peak Retreats.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.

Manigod beginner's lift pass grants access to the below ski lifts (payable in resort):

• Chevrette,
• Petit Choucas,
• Baby,
• Rhodos,
• Rosières.

Manigod group ski school (pre-bookable)

Group lessons tbc

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Manigod private lessons (not pre-bookable)

Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.

Contact ESF Manigod for private lessons - 0033 4 50 44 92 04

Manigod childcare (not pre-bookable)

Childcare from 3 months-3 years (non-skiers)

If you are after non-skiing childcare for 3 months-3 years, “La Farandole de Manigod” will cater for your needs. It is located in the centre of the village, offering indoor and outdoor activities and games, short walks etc.

Please contact La Farandole de Manigod direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 04 50 44 99 76.

It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed. 

Babysitters (not pre-bookable)

A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.

Top snow activities to experience in Manigod

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website

Night skiing
Manigod is the largest night skiing ski area in Savoie Mont Blanc! There are 8 lighted slopes and 4 open ski lifts (Chevreuil, Crête Blanche and Cabeau drag lifts plus Chevrette chairlift), which is pretty impressive! Meet on the slopes from 4.30pm (closes 9pm), Monday to Saturday during French school holidays and every Friday and Saturday outside of French school holidays until mid-March.

Snowshoeing
Go on an outing with a guide and discover breathtaking places and scenery. Half days, full days or at night followed by a Savoyard meal in an authentic Manigodin chalet.

Sled dogs
Sitting in the sledge, let yourself be guided by the mushers and enjoy an outdoor hike as in the Far North. A 30-minute ride in a sled with a presentation on the dogs and the musher’s job.

Paret
Small wooden sled equipped with a board allowing you to sit with one foot on each side of the sled, a vertical handle allowing you to steer everything, this ecological sled, emblematic of the village, was once used by children to get to school down the snowy roads.
Paret is practiced on the groomed toboggan runs of the Manigod area at Col de la Croix Fry. Introductions are offered to you, with free loan of equipment by the Manigod Tourist Office.

Sledding
Two secure toboggan runs are accessible free of charge in Manigod. At Col de la Croix Fry, there is a wide and long track. At the Col de Merdassier, the track will be narrower, but its steeper slope will give you great sliding sensations. The track is located near the Ferme de l'Étale. After dark, you have the alpine ski slopes just for you at the end of the day. Take the ski lifts with your toboggan, paret or yooner and treat yourself to an evening of fun.

Snowtubing
Thanks to the Loopland area, discover snowtubing (or buoy on snow). The little ones can enjoy quieter descents thanks to an area dedicated to young children.
The purchase of ski passes dedicated to snowtubing can only be done in the resort at the Loopland point of sale, near the tipi at Col de Merdassier during the opening hours of the activity. Helmet recommended. It is compulsory if people are wearing ski boots. Activity from 3 years old.

Top activities to experience in Manigod

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website

Cheese maturing cellars Paccard
Discover the cheese fabrication and the ripening. Finish with a tasting of different local cheese! Visit must be booked in advance. 

Manigod news & events

What's new:

Events taking place in the 2023/24 season:

• Disco Party: Saturday 13th January 2024
• Far West: Saturday 3rd February 2024
• Musical concert: 16th March 2024

Manigod après-ski, restaurants & bars

Manigod has a quiet apres-ski vibe. There are a handful of restaurants.

Altitude restaurant - La Piste Bleu
Open December to end of March, located at an altitude of 1650m on the Plateau de Beauregard. 13km of cross-country ski trails of all levels start in front of the restaurant. After a lovely meal, bask in the sun on the restaurant terrace, and then you can easily descend to the Col de la Croix Fry by slopes (slopes of all levels).

Manigod amenities

Manigod has a range of amenities including grocery shops like Sherpa (usually open from 8am-8pm) in Col de Merdassier including rotisserie, bread, pastries, roast chickens. Open December to April.

Other shops include bakeries, sport shops, doctors, post office.

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Getting to Manigod, France

By road
Distance from Calais to Manigod is 535 miles (8h) roughly.

Access by the A40 named Autoroute Blanche, take exit 16 Bonneville, then direction La Clusaz, Stations des Aravis at 20km.

Access by the A41, which connects Grenoble to Geneva, take exit Annecy Nord N ° 17, then direction Thônes, Stations des Aravis at 30km.

Access to Col de la Croix Fry: 15 minutes by car from the village centre of Manigod.

Access to Col de Merdassier (resort centre): 5 min by car from Col de la Croix Fry.

By rail & air
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras (or Ashford, Kent). See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Manigod is roughly 30 mins away in Annecy.

4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.

Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Manigod is approximately 1hr
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Manigod is approximately 2hr
Geneva Airport to Manigod is approximately 1hr 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Manigod is approximately 1hr 30 mins

Private taxi transfers
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

Bus transfers
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.

Resort shuttle bus
The shuttle only operates during French school holidays between the resort centre and the top of the resort at Col de Merdassier.

Manigod opening dates

See resort opening information