Frequently Asked Questions

PRM and Adaptive Skiing

As a person with reduced mobility, can I practice adaptive skiing in La Clusaz?

Yes, adaptive skiing is absolutely possible. The La Clusaz ESF offers supervised lessons with an instructor who will act as the pilot of the sit-ski (also known as tandem ski), while you are comfortably seated as the passenger. If you are accompanied by a certified adaptive ski pilot, this is also possible. We offer special rates, available here.

Are there special rates for adaptive skiing?

Yes, but only for people holding a CMI Disability card, who benefit from a 50% discount on ski passes and priority access to ski lifts. Holders of a CMI Priority card do not receive a discount but do benefit from priority access to lifts. Holders of a CMI Parking card may park in blue PRM-designated spaces but do not receive a discount or priority access. All day and 4-hour rates are available here, and special PRM piste maps will soon be available at ticket offices when purchasing your pass.

MOBILITY OFFERS

If I come by bus from Annecy, are there any ski pass offers?

Absolutely! If you travel to La Clusaz by bus from Annecy, you benefit from a day ski pass at €35 instead of €54.50. Find all details here.

If I come by bus from Bonneville, are there any ski pass offers?

Of course! If you travel to La Clusaz by bus from Bonneville, Saint-Pierre-en-Faucigny or Le Petit-Bornand, you benefit from a day ski pass at €43 instead of €54.50, including round-trip bus transport. Find all details here.

Are there carpooling offers?

Yes! On the Balme side: from 3 people per car, your parking space can be booked free of charge and is guaranteed until 10 a.m. at the Balme parking lot. Info and booking here. At the village entrance: season pass, freedom pass holders and online day pass purchasers benefit from the Salon des Dames parking rate at €5. Info and booking here. Free shuttle buses then allow travel within La Clusaz village (“Tour du Village”) and between Thônes, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, Le Grand-Bornand, Manigod and La Clusaz. Shuttle information here.

SKI PASS SELECTION

Which ski areas are accessible?

The La Clusaz-Manigod ski pass includes 5 areas and 125 km of slopes: Balme, Aiguille, Etale, Beauregard and Manigod. Balme and Aiguille are strongly recommended for advanced and expert skiers. Etale is a little corner of paradise: sunny, peaceful, with great powder. Beauregard and Manigod are recommended for beginners and intermediate skiers—perfect for learning at your own pace.

Is there a ski pass for Balme only?

No, skiing in Balme requires the La Clusaz-Manigod ski pass.

Can I use my 4-hour ski pass over two days?

No. Even if you start late and do not use all 4 hours (e.g. starting at 2 p.m.), unused time cannot be carried over or refunded.

PURCHASING SKI PASSES

When can I buy a 4-hour ski pass?

The 4-hour pass can be purchased in the morning for afternoon skiing, or several days in advance online. However, it is dated, so you must select the desired date at purchase, which cannot be changed afterward.

Is my online-purchased ski pass valid on another date?

No. Ski passes purchased online are dated and cannot be used outside their selected validity period.

What should I do with the receipt provided at the ticket office?

Keep it! It is mandatory in case of loss or damage to your ski pass. Without it, we cannot assist you. Store it separately from your pass, preferably in a dry place such as a wallet.

Where can I buy ski passes at ticket offices in the resort?

Choose the closest sales point to your accommodation: Champ Giguet (busy) for the lower village, Central Ticket Office and Crêt du Merle in the village center, Bossonnet in the upper village. For greater convenience, order directly online via our official ticketing system or use automatic kiosks (Champ Giguet, Crêt du Merle, Bossonnet, Etale, Combe des Juments). Two additional kiosks are available for collecting online orders only: one at Champ Giguet and one at Bossonnet (no purchase or reload available).

I reloaded my ski pass—do I need to go to the ticket office to activate it?

No. When you reload your ski card using all the required numbers, the pass is automatically loaded. Simply present it at a lift gate during its validity period. Ticket offices do not have access to reload information, so your order confirmation serves as proof.

I already have photos on my old ski cards—are they sufficient for new passes?

No. For various reasons (storage, regulations, etc.), we do not keep old photos. Since photos are erased from card chips after the pass validity period, a new photo is required each time at the ticket office. Photos are taken quickly and free of charge via webcam, or we can scan ID photos you provide.

What does the single-ride price include for certain lifts?

Only the uphill ride is charged. Downhill use of gondolas or chairs (when permitted) is free.

As a resident, am I entitled to a preferential rate?

The French Court of Auditors strictly prohibits preferential pricing for ski passes. Offering discounted passes to permanent or secondary residents is illegal, as it violates the principle of equality in public services. However, members of the Maison des Habitants de La Clusaz may benefit from preferential season pass rates. Conditions and information are available at 23 route de l'Etale in La Clusaz or by email: vielocale@laclusaz.fr.

CHILD AND BEGINNER PASSES

Which lifts are included in my child’s Initiation pass?

Lifts included in the beginner Initiation pass are marked in green on the piste map: TC Beauregard; TS Aiglons, Etoile des Neiges, Ceutire, Riffroids; TMX Bossonnet; TS Grenêche and P’tit Loup; TS P’tit Bossonnet, Nant and Champ Bleu; TMX Etale, TS U’Fredy (free); TS Etrivaz.

Can this Initiation pass be used outside lesson hours?

Yes, the pass is valid all day on the same dates as the lessons.

Who is the Initiation pass for?

This beginner sector pass is exclusively for children under 12 enrolled in beginner group lessons at La Clusaz ski schools. It is issued directly by the schools and valid on lesson dates.

My child turns 15 during our ski week—what rate applies?

The applicable age is the age on the first day of pass validity. Example: a child turning 15 on February 23 with a weekly pass starting February 21 qualifies for the under-15 junior rate for the full duration. If the pass starts on or after the birthday, an adult pass is required.

Which ski pass should I choose for ski lessons?

With the La Clusaz-Manigod pass, you can ski across all five areas, making it ideal for lessons. However, beginners or short lessons may not require a pass. Your instructor, ski school or ticket office can advise between passes, lift books or single tickets.

What proof is required to collect a free under-5 pass?

Any official document (ID card, passport, family record book) or unofficial one (health insurance card, health booklet, Doctolib) is accepted. Without proof, ticket offices cannot issue a free pass—even if the child’s age seems obvious.

SKI PASS VALIDITY PERIOD

What is the validity period of ski passes?

Pass durations are always expressed in consecutive periods unless otherwise stated. A 6-day pass is valid for 6 consecutive days from the selected first ski day. Unused days cannot be carried over or refunded.

What is the validity of season passes?

Season passes are valid for the entire winter season, from opening to closing day. They may also be used during early-season openings, but are not valid during summer seasons.

HANDS-FREE SKI CARDS

Can I reload hands-free cards from other resorts?

It depends on the card system. Unfortunately, different systems are not compatible. Skidata cards with a 23-digit number starting with 01-1614 can be reloaded online or at ticket offices. Teamaxess cards cannot be used. In some cases, cards without writable space (e.g. photo-required passes) cannot be reloaded.

I don’t want to buy a €2 ski card—I’m skiing only once.

The card is mandatory as the pass medium. You must either purchase one or bring a compatible Skidata card to reload.

Can I get my €2 refunded at the end of my stay?

No. Like most resorts, we do not apply a deposit system. Cards can be reused during future stays in La Clusaz or other Skidata resorts. Remember to bring them next time!

I received a card for a Beauregard ascent and want to reload it with a day pass—how?

These cards cannot be reloaded. They are issued free for single ascents or multi-ride cards and cannot be used for day or multi-day passes. A ski card is required.

Where should I wear my ski pass, or can I attach it with an elastic?

The hands-free card should preferably be worn on the left side, as lift detectors are on your left. Place it alone in a closed pocket to avoid losing it. Do not punch holes or attach cords or elastics, as this may damage the chip or antenna.

GUARANTEES AND INSURANCE

My child is sick—can I get a refund?

No. Unused passes cannot be refunded or postponed. Illness is not covered by the Aravis Sécurité insurance.

What does the Aravis Sécurité insurance (€3.50/day) cover?

Aravis Sécurité covers on- and off-piste ski accidents: search and rescue, transport to medical facilities, and reimbursement of ski passes and lessons. No upfront payment is required. Ski passes are refunded from the day after the accident. Information available at the Club des Sports de La Clusaz: +33 4 50 32 69 50.

My friend says my credit card insurance is sufficient—can you confirm?

Credit card insurance policies vary by card and bank. You must check directly with your bank, as ticket office staff cannot provide this information. Experience shows bank insurance reimbursements are often slow and complex, requiring upfront payment—unlike Aravis Sécurité.

I booked a day pass online but can’t ski today—will I be refunded?

Online ski passes purchased under dynamic pricing are non-cancellable and non-refundable. Any started pass cannot be refunded, even partially.

Can I lend or sell my ski pass?

No. Ski passes are personal, non-transferable and cannot be lent or sold, even if unused. This constitutes fraud, and authorized controllers on the slopes will issue a €150 fine.

PAYMENT METHODS

Do you accept holiday vouchers?

Yes, all ticket offices accept ANCV holiday vouchers and e-connect vouchers, but no change can be given.

Do you accept ANCV sport vouchers?

No.

Do you accept American Express?

No.

MISCELLANEOUS

I am a pedestrian—which lifts can I use?

Pedestrians may use gondolas and detachable chairlifts. For example, pedestrians cannot access Col de Balme to admire Mont Blanc—sorry!

Can I take my dog on the lifts?

In theory, yes. In practice, boarding staff for gondolas or detachable chairlifts make the final decision based on the dog’s size and lift occupancy.

Is there a free lift in La Clusaz?

Yes. You can ski for free on the U’Fredy drag lift at the foot of the Etale area, next to the Télémix. A ski card is still required to load the free pass at the nearby ticket office.

I lost my ski pass—what should I do?

Don’t panic. If you kept the paper receipt or your online transaction number, present it at a ticket office and we can issue a duplicate pass for €10. The original pass will be blocked.

I lost my phone on the slopes—who should I contact?

First, ask the nearest ticket office if anything has been reported or handed in. They will also check with other offices and lifts. All lost items are centralized at the municipal police station. Tel: +33 4 50 32 65 22.

I have Ski Découverte Haute-Savoie days with another resort’s season pass—how can I use them in La Clusaz?

At a La Clusaz ticket office, present your season pass from another resort and your proof. Staff will check the central Ski Découverte database and, if applicable, use one authorization. Reminder: these days can be used in only 5 different Haute-Savoie resorts.

What are the access conditions for La Clusaz ski lifts?

Pedestrians, Yooner, paret, snowscoot, PRM… Access rules and authorizations for La Clusaz lifts are available by clicking this link.