In the heart of the Aravis Massif between Annecy and Chamonix, Le Grand Bornand is a traditional Savoyard village. Most of its development as a ski resort has gone on up the road in neighbouring Le Grand Bornand Chinaillon while it has retained its character as a mountain farming community, however a Le Grand Bornard snowboarding holiday gives access to 4 ski areas via 2 gonals in the village.
The skiing is spread over 4 linked sectors: La Joyère, Le Chinaillon-Lachat, Le Maroly and La Duche-Les Annes which can all be accessed from the Village or from Chinaillon. La Joyère ski area is just a short gondola ride from the village and its gentle south-facing slopes are the perfect place to start.
Chinaillon’s north and north-westerly facing slopes are of varying grades and suitable for snowboarders of all abilities while further along the valley the Maroly area is vast and undulating with long blue and red runs – ideal for families.
Le Lachat, the high point of the ski resort at 2100m has exposed north and south-west facing slopes. Reserved for good to better skiers it has two reds and a black run.
A first generation ski resort, Le Grand Bornand has been developed using typical architecture. The locals favoured accommodation corresponding to a strict building code based on integration into the existing and local heritage; roofs and frontages must all be wooden and should be no more than 3 storeys high. Life revolves around the traditional mid-week farmers market, alongside the Reblochon Market, first held in 1795.
Le Grand-Bornand is one of the resorts of the Alps most easily accessible from a road and motorway network of quality, to 20 km from A40 and 32 km from A41 and from the proximity of the airports of Lyon- St Exupéry to 180 km (150 km of motorway), Geneva-Cointrin to 50 km (30 km of motorway), Annecy-Meythet to 34 km as well as SNCF railway station of Annecy to 32 km, from Paris to 580 km (560 km of motorway).
