The Skiers' Guide to Le Grand Bornand

Le Grand Bornand is a charming Alpine resort nestled in the Aravis mountain range in the Haute-Savoie region of France, about an hour's drive from Geneva airport. This picturesque village has maintained its traditional character while offering excellent skiing opportunities for families and intermediate skiers.

The resort operates across two main areas – the original village at 1000m and the higher Chinaillon sector at 1300m – with slopes reaching up to 2100m. With 46 runs spread across 90km of pistes and a vertical drop of 1100m, it offers plenty of variety despite its relatively compact size.

Our Snomad users have awarded Le Grand Bornand an overall rating of 4.14/5, with particularly high scores for family friendliness (4.52/5) and snowboarders (4.50/5). One Snomad community member liked that it's "a beautiful, quiet, unspoilt resort, great for a quieter ski, people super friendly."

The ski area features a well-balanced mix of 14 beginner runs, 13 intermediate runs, and 14 advanced runs, serviced by a network of 2 gondolas, 10 chairlifts, and 12 drag lifts. The terrain is particularly well-suited to improvers and intermediates, with wide, sweeping pistes perfect for building confidence.

Oliver, an expert skier, shares: "There is some great off-piste terrain and the groomed runs are fantastic, with big sweeping pistes great for carving, some technical steep areas to challenge high level skiers, and great beginner level slopes as well."

The resort scores highly for groomed runs (4.29/5) and intermediates (4.27/5). Snowboarders will appreciate the terrain parks (4.11/5), which Ash, an advanced snowboarder, describes as "one of the best bits with options for everyone from small beginner ramps and rails to huge ones for amazing skiers and boarders." The park even features a free airbag – a rarity in many resorts.

While not the highest resort, when conditions are good, there are some decent off-piste opportunities (3.72/5). James, an advanced skier, notes there's "quick access to the Arivis for freeride and touring."

Le Grand Bornand receives a solid score for eating out (3.76/5). The mountain restaurants offer a good range of options, with Oliver noting "a range of self-service and table service options" on the slopes.

In the village, dining options are plentiful but not overwhelming. Ian, an intermediate skier, comments that "eating out is pretty decent and reasonably priced for a French ski resort." The focus is primarily on traditional Savoyard cuisine, with plenty of cheese-based dishes typical of the region, though you'll find other options for those seeking variety.

Most restaurants maintain the authentic Alpine atmosphere that characterises the resort, making for pleasant dining experiences without the hefty price tags of more fashionable resorts.

Le Grand Bornand scores modestly for après-ski (2.95/5), with our users consistently describing it as quiet but pleasant. As Oliver explains: "There is very limited organised après ski venues. But a few nice bars with sun decks for a relaxed drink at the end of the day. This is more of a family oriented resort, than somewhere with a party atmosphere."

Ian confirms this assessment: "Nightlife is centered around bars." If you're after wild parties and late-night dancing, you might find Le Grand Bornand lacking, but for those preferring a more relaxed evening atmosphere, it hits the mark. As Daniel, an intermediate skier, puts it: "If you aren't after a wild time then look no further than le grand bornand! It's so pretty and peaceful."

Le Grand Bornand truly shines when it comes to family friendliness (4.52/5), with our users consistently praising this aspect of the resort. The combination of quiet slopes, excellent beginner areas, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it ideal for family skiing holidays.

Niamh, an intermediate snowboarder, states that "Le Grand Bornand is a great resort for families and offers lots of accessibility. Locals are very friendly and not too busy."

The ski school quality (4.20/5) is highly regarded, making it an excellent place for children to learn. Hettie, an intermediate skier, shares her experience: "The slopes were perfect for myself (someone who has only skied a few times) lots of different tracks with beautiful views and it was super easy to get around the resort... There was also lots of opportunities for us to ski together even though we are at different abilities."

The compact nature of the resort means families can easily meet up throughout the day, making it convenient for parents with children of varying abilities.

The resort scores well for accommodation options (4.30/5), with a good range of choices spread across both the main village and the higher Chinaillon area. Most accommodation maintains the traditional Savoyard style, with wooden chalets predominating.

The setup is convenient for skiers, with good access to lifts from most accommodation areas. Ian notes that "because this is a traditional village, there is a charm to the place and there is enough for the non-skier to do."

Le Grand Bornand offers excellent value for money (4.23/5) compared to some of the more famous French resorts, with accommodation generally more affordable while still providing good quality and comfort.

Le Grand Bornand has taken steps towards environmental responsibility, though not yet at the forefront of Alpine eco-innovation. The resort has invested in efficient snowmaking systems to reduce water usage and energy consumption. Their piste-grooming fleet has seen upgrades to more fuel-efficient models, helping to reduce emissions on the mountain.

The village promotes use of the free shuttle bus between the main village and Chinaillon to reduce private vehicle usage, and many accommodations have implemented energy-saving measures. The resort has also supported local agriculture, helping maintain traditional farming practices that preserve the Alpine landscape and local culture.