Apres-ski
La Clusaz is one of the livelier French resorts thanks to its long-standing status, year-round operation and international clientele.
La Pressoir (tel: +33 450 026 410) video bar, which has a selection of nearly 100 beers – is one of several bars regularly open to 0200. Those who want to party later still should try L'Écluse (tel: +33 450 026 441), which is the coolest nightclub in town and open until 0500 each morning.
Come nightfall, there's weekly floodlit skiing, and the resort has built a reputation for its 'Full Moon Evenings' where guests ski by moonlight on the Crêt du Loup and Crêt du Merle areas from 2100 to 0100 once a month.
Eating out
There are more than 70 restaurants to enjoy in La Clusaz, the vast majority of which serve traditional local Savoyard dishes, including ever-popular fondue and raclettes dishes made with the local Reblochon cheese.
La Ferme (tel: +33 450 025 050; www.lesfermiers.com) is one of the most popular restaurants in town, serving large traditional dishes with ingredients supplied by the region's farmers.
The family-run L'ourson (tel: +33 450 686 489; www.resto-ourson-laclusaz.fr) is another good choice for traditional fare, providing high-quality cuisine and a tasty house digestif - making sure the evening finishes on the right note
For high-end gastronomic specialities, the best options are Le Cinq (tel: +33 450 015 001; www.hotel-aucoeurduvillage.fr) in the 5-star Hôtel Spa Au Coeur du Village and La Scierie (tel: +33 4 5063 3468).
However, it doesn't all have to be about cheese in la Clusaz, with a number of international options too. Chez Khean Saveurs D'Ailleurs (33 chem Pre de Foire) is an affordable Thai restaurant and L'Outa (tel: +33 450 024 535) serves superb pizza.
Resort Information
Beyond the slopes
As one of the largest year-round resorts in the French Alps, there is plenty to do besides ski and board in La Clusaz. Visitors will find several indoor spa and fitness centres, including Espace Aquatique des Aravis (tel: +33 4 5002 4301) with its indoor pools and state-of-the-art spa facilities. There's also a cinema, library and games room. Outdoors, the ice rink is a popular attraction, while the resort touches on its agricultural origins with farm visits and village heritage tours several times a week.
Back on the snow, options include snowshoeing, snowmobiling (tel: +33 4 5032 3537) sleigh rides, winter hiking, dog-sledding and paragliding. Many of these activities are provided at the nearby Confins Lake.
There's also an ice driving circuit on the edge of the resort (tel: +33 634 127 571; www.circuit-glace-laclusaz.fr), offering visitors the chance to gleefully slide round a course in a small electric vehicle designed specifically for the slippery conditions.
Family fun
Childcare facilities are well-organised in La Clusaz. A nursery service is available for full or part days for babies aged from eight months. A ski school run by L'Ecole du Ski Français (tel: +33 450 024 083; www.esf-laclusaz.com) helps to keep children aged four and up entertained in a specially created and protected 'snow garden' at the base of the slopes. There's also an increasing range of family attractions off the slopes, particularly the swimming pool complex.
The Club des Mouffets (tel: +33 4 5032 4891), which offers indoor play, music and arts and crafts, is located above the tourist office. It's wise to book early and remember to bring along the child's NHS booklet documenting vaccinations, as this is required by the facility.
Retail therapy
La Clusaz has around 150 shops for visitors to browse, most of which line the bustling main street running through the village centre.
Those who love fresh, local products and handmade crafts shouldn't miss the weekly market each Monday morning, offering many local delicacies including the famous Reblochon cheese. Among the stores to look out for in town is the Morand Chocolaterie (tel: +33 450 034 126; www.chocolats-morand.com), which sells a mind-boggling array of delicious confectionary items.
Splashing out
The Espace Aquatique des Aravis (tel: +33 450 024 301; www.espaceaquatique-laclusaz.com), a swimming pool, spa and leisure complex, is open year-round. Spend a few hours or a full day here being pampered by body treatments in the spa, or explore the indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centre, saunas, steam room, hammam and various hot tubs.
Hotels
As a traditional resort, La Clusaz has always offered a wider choice of hotel accommodation options than most of its competitors in the French Alps, which generally consist of a majority of apartment-style accommodation. In fact, the resort has more than 20 hotels in all categories, as well as a large choice of apartments.
Luxury
Le Vieux Chalet
An intimate 4-star chalet hotel with four rooms and two suites, one of which is specially equipped for people with reduced mobility. Le Vieux Chalet is located on the slopes, a 10 minute walk from the centre.
Address: , 309 Route du Crêt du Merle, La Clusaz, 74220Telephone: +33 450 024 153
Website: http://www.levieuxchalet.fr
Au Cœur du Village
This 5-star hotel boasts a restaurant serving local and regional cuisine, as well as an old English-style 'smoking lounge'. Spa facilities are also available, with treatment cabins and access to a hammam.
Address: , 26 Montée du Château, La Clusaz, 74220Telephone: +33 450 015 001
Website: http://www.hotel-aucoeurduvillage.fr
Moderate
Hôtel Alpen Roc
A modern 3-star hotel close to the resort centre, Hôtel Alpen Roc has a small swimming pool and houses a popular bar/restaurant.
Address: , 388 Route des Grandes Alpes, La Clusaz, 74220Telephone: +33 450 025 896
Website: http://www.hotel-alpenroc.fr
Hotel Beauregard
One of the larger and better-located hotels in Las Clusaz, Hotel Beauregard offers accommodation right by the slopes, just above the resort centre. The hotel provides friendly service and good facilities, including an indoor pool.
Address: , 90 Sentier du Bossonnet, La Clusaz, 74220Telephone: +33 450 326 800
Website: http://www.hotel-beauregard.fr
Cheap
L’ Étale
The only 1-star hotel in town, L' Étale provides affordable and simple lodgings that are also suitable for families.
Address: , 359 Route du Col des Aravis, La Clusaz, 74220Telephone: +33 450 024 183
Website: http://www.laclusaz.com
Altitude 1647
A good choice for those who want to stay up on the slopes, Altitude 1647 has a dozen simple and affordable rooms to rent in addition to a restaurant and games room.
Address: , Pointe de Beauregard, La Clusaz, 74220Telephone: +33 450 024 400
Website: http://www.altitude1647.eu
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