Annecy is one of the best-placed cities in the Alps for skiing. With Le Semnoz just 25 minutes away and over 150 ski resorts accessible within 2 hours, the options range from small family slopes to some of the largest ski domains in the world. This guide covers the closest resorts for a quick day out, the best village resorts for a weekend, the finest cross-country terrain, and the major domains for serious skiing — all within reach of Annecy.
⛷️ Key facts:
- Le Semnoz is the closest ski resort to Annecy — 25 minutes, managed by the Grand Annecy agglomeration.
- La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand are the two large village resorts closest to Annecy — 40 minutes, with 84–125 km of pistes each.
- For cross-country skiing, Le Semnoz (25 min), the Glières plateau (40 min) and Les Confins at La Clusaz are the most accessible.
- For large domains: the Three Valleys (600 km via Orelle, 1h30), the Portes du Soleil (600 km via Les Gets, 1h10) and Évasion Mont-Blanc (400 km via Saint-Gervais, 1h).
- See our complete summary table of ski resorts near Annecy.
The closest ski resorts to Annecy
Le Semnoz, just 25 minutes from the city centre, is the closest ski resort to Annecy — managed by the Grand Annecy metropolitan authority. At 1,600 m altitude, it offers 20 km of downhill pistes on a sunny plateau and a good cross-country domain. Ideal for families and beginners. Day pass: from €18.50. Bus from Annecy: €1.50 — the Sibra urban network serves Le Semnoz and the Glières plateau, with a discount on the cross-country pass when you present your bus ticket.
Around 40 minutes away, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Manigod and Saint-Jean-de-Sixt are all accessible on fairly quiet roads through the Aravis valley. For a truly local and affordable option, Montmin — just behind the Col de la Forclaz, 30 minutes from Annecy — is a volunteer-run community resort with 5 runs and a €10 day pass. Note it only opens when snow conditions allow (average 34 days per season).
Getting to the slopes by bus from Annecy
The Sibra urban bus network serves Le Semnoz and the Glières Nordic plateau from Annecy at standard urban fare (€1.50 per journey) — one of the best-value ski connections of any city in the Alps. Other lines serve the Aravis resorts, making car-free skiing genuinely viable for several destinations near Annecy. Cross-country skiers get a reduction on their trail pass when presenting the bus ticket at the resort.
Cross-country skiing near Annecy
Annecy has excellent cross-country options within easy reach:
- Le Semnoz (25 min) — open, sunny plateau with a good Nordic domain. Bus from Annecy for €1.50.
- Plateau des Glières (40 min) — a historic French Resistance site and a Tour de France climb, with 30 km of groomed cross-country trails at 1,370–1,550 m. Also accessible by Sibra bus with a pass discount.
- Les Confins, La Clusaz (45 min) — one of the finest Nordic settings in Haute-Savoie, in the Aravis mountains.
- Le Grand-Bornand (40 min) — 82 km of Nordic trails, host of Biathlon World Cup events.
- Savoie Grand Revard / La Féclaz (45 min) — France’s largest Nordic domain by visitor numbers, 150 km of groomed trails above Chambéry.
The most beautiful ski villages near Annecy
La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand (40 minutes) are the two most complete village resorts near Annecy — combining genuine Aravis mountain character with large ski domains and good hotels. A little further, around 1h10–1h15, Samoëns, Megève, Saint-Gervais and Chamonix are among the most beautiful villages in Haute-Savoie — each with access to large domains and a distinctive atmosphere. See our guide to the most beautiful villages in the French Alps.
Large ski domains near Annecy
- Évasion Mont-Blanc (400 km) via Saint-Gervais — 1h from Annecy. Also includes Megève, Combloux and Les Contamines.
- Portes du Soleil (600 km Franco-Swiss) via Les Gets or Morzine — 1h10.
- Grand Massif (265 km) via Les Carroz or Samoëns — 1h.
- Three Valleys (600 km) via Orelle — 1h30. The world’s largest linked ski area, accessible via a gondola from 900 m to 3,150 m in 20 minutes.
The most prestigious resort near Annecy
Megève (1h15) is the most prestigious resort in the area — created by the Rothschild family in the early 20th century, with luxury chalets, five-star hotels and a three-Michelin-star restaurant (Flocons de Sel). Day pass: €63.50. For those who want the luxury atmosphere at lower cost, La Clusaz (40 min) has several high-end hotels and chalets, including a 5-star hotel.
Ski resorts near Annecy — the full selection
Le Semnoz — 25 min from Annecy
The closest skiing to Annecy — a sunny plateau at 1,600 m managed by the Grand Annecy agglomeration. 20 km of downhill pistes, a good Nordic domain, affordable day pass (from €18.50). Bus from the city for €1.50. Snow is at this altitude generally reliable, but worth checking webcams before setting out.
Montmin — 30 min from Annecy
Behind the Col de la Forclaz — a tiny volunteer-run resort with 2 tows, 5 east-facing runs between 1,100 and 1,200 m. Day pass: €10 — one of the cheapest in the Alps. Opens on weekends and school holidays when snow allows (average 34 days per season). A genuine community resort with a very local feel.
Le Grand-Bornand — 40 min from Annecy ⭐
One of the two best all-round resorts near Annecy — 84 km of downhill pistes and 82 km of Nordic trails in the Aravis mountains. A genuinely beautiful village with handsome timber chalets, good hotels and a lively atmosphere. Host of the Biathlon World Cup. Day pass: €33–49.
Plateau des Glières — 40 min from Annecy
A Nordic-only destination on a historic plateau — 30 km of groomed cross-country trails at 1,370–1,550 m. The Glières plateau was a major French Resistance site in 1944 and is now a place of national memory as well as a popular Tour de France climb. Day pass: ~€9.50. Bus from Annecy for €1.50 with a Nordic pass discount.
La Clusaz / Manigod — 40 min from Annecy
The other great resort within 40 minutes of Annecy — a chic Aravis village with 125 km of downhill pistes linked to Manigod, plus two Nordic domains (Beauregard and Les Confins). The full La Clusaz pass costs €54.50; a Manigod-only pass (higher altitude, quieter) is €34. Several luxury hotels and a 5-star hotel in the village. Online discounts often available for day passes.
Saint-Gervais — 1h from Annecy
An elegant Belle Époque thermal resort at the foot of Mont Blanc — connected to the Évasion Mont-Blanc domain (400 km with Megève) and the Houches domain. Le Fayet is now directly connected to the ski area. Thermal baths, good restaurants, alpine bookshop and the QC Terme spa (one of the finest wellness centres in the Alps). Day pass: ~€63.50.
Les Carroz / Grand Massif — 1h from Annecy
A village resort on the sunny balcony above the Arve valley — gateway to the Grand Massif (265 km of pistes including Flaine, Morillon and Samoëns). Between 700 and 2,470 m, one of the largest vertical drops in the Alps. A “4 villages” pass (without Flaine) is also available at a lower price. Day pass: ~€61.
Les Gets / Portes du Soleil — 1h10 from Annecy
A lively village resort with excellent infrastructure — including one of the best-organised free beginner zones in the French Alps. Gateway to the Portes du Soleil (600 km of Franco-Swiss pistes). A Morzine-Les Gets only pass (120 km, 71 runs) is available at a lower price. Via the A40 motorway. Day pass: ~€72.
Praz-de-Lys — 1h10 from Annecy
A sunny plateau resort with 55 km of progressive downhill pistes and 60 km of Nordic trails — good value for families (€36/day, €29.50 on Saturdays). Outstanding views of the Mont Blanc massif from the summit. Via A40, exit Bonneville.
Combloux — 1h05 from Annecy
A postcard village on the balcony above the Arve valley — one of the finest direct views of the Mont Blanc massif. Linked to Megève and La Giettaz. Chic and quiet, with good residences and hotels. Day pass: ~€51.50.
Megève — 1h15 from Annecy
France’s most prestigious ski resort — created by the Rothschild family, with luxury chalets, five-star hotels and Flocons de Sel (3 Michelin stars). Two ski domains linked to Combloux and Saint-Gervais. Day pass: ~€63.50.
Chamonix — 1h10 from Annecy
The world capital of alpinism — at the foot of the Mont Blanc glaciers. Multiple separate ski domains, the Aiguille du Midi cable car (3,842 m), the Mer de Glace glacier and a cosmopolitan mountain town with excellent restaurants and the QC Terme spa. Day pass: €47–74 depending on domain. See our guide to things to do around Chamonix.
Samoëns / Grand Massif — 1h15 from Annecy
One of the most beautiful villages in the French Alps — a stone-built pedestrian centre connected by gondola to the Grand Massif (265 km). High-end chalets and hotels, good snowshoe terrain in the Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval direction. See our guide to the most beautiful villages in the French Alps. Day pass: ~€61.
Les Contamines — 1h15 from Annecy
Above Saint-Gervais, facing Mont Blanc — 120 km of downhill pistes and a good Nordic domain, accessed via the Col du Joly. If coming from the south of Lake Annecy (Saint-Jorioz), the route via Hauteluce in the Beaufortain is faster (1h, no motorway) and very scenic. The view of Mont Blanc from the slopes is face-on and extraordinary. Day pass: ~€54.50.
Orelle / Three Valleys — 1h30 from Annecy
The fastest access from Annecy to the Three Valleys — the world’s largest linked ski area (600 km, Courchevel to Val Thorens). A gondola climbs from 900 m to 3,150 m in 20 minutes, with access to Val Thorens and the full Three Valleys traverse. Orelle itself is a small village with affordable, unpretentious accommodation — the budget entry point to a prestige domain. Day pass: ~€81.80.
Summary table — ski resorts near Annecy
| Resort | Pistes | Day pass (2026) | From Annecy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Semnoz | 20 km downhill / 35 km Nordic | ~€18.50 | 25 min |
| Montmin | 2 km downhill | ~€10 | 30 min |
| Le Grand-Bornand | 84 km downhill / 82 km Nordic | €33–49 | 40 min |
| La Clusaz / Manigod | 125 km downhill / 100 km Nordic | ~€54.50 | 40 min |
| Glières | 30 km Nordic | ~€9.50 | 40 min |
| Saint-Gervais | 400 km downhill / 25 km Nordic | ~€63.50 | 1h |
| Les Carroz (Grand Massif) | 265 km downhill | ~€61 | 1h |
| Combloux | 100 km downhill | ~€51.50 | 1h05 |
| Les Gets (Portes du Soleil) | 600 km downhill | ~€72 | 1h10 |
| Praz-de-Lys | 55 km downhill / 60 km Nordic | ~€36 | 1h10 |
| Chamonix | 155 km downhill / 50 km Nordic | €47–74 | 1h10 |
| Megève | 400 km downhill / 40 km Nordic | ~€63.50 | 1h15 |
| Samoëns (Grand Massif) | 265 km downhill / 42 km Nordic | ~€61 | 1h15 |
| Les Contamines | 120 km downhill / 25 km Nordic | ~€54.50 | 1h15 |
| Orelle (Three Valleys) | 600 km downhill | ~€81.80 | 1h30 |
Drive times from Annecy city centre in normal winter conditions. Lift pass prices for the 2025–26 season.
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