If you live in Annecy, the snowshoe outing La Clusaz offers is one of the simplest winter plans. It is easy to reach, it has routes for every level, and you can adapt your day to the weather, the timing and how your legs feel. You might want a short hour in the sun or a proper hike. The terrain works for both.
The best snowshoe outing La Clusaz has to offer depends on your mood. You will find waymarked paths, wilder corners around the Confins and wide views over the whole Aravis range. That is probably why I come back every winter. There is always an easy option when you just want to walk, and always a more sporty one when you want to push a little.
In this article, I share the routes I recommend most often. Some start from the village, others from the Confins. You get distances, ascents, levels, access details and the conditions worth knowing, so you can choose your next snowshoe hike in La Clusaz according to your mood.
➡️ Find more snowshoe routes near Annecy.
La Clusaz in winter: a village built around the snow
La Clusaz is one of the best-known resorts in the Aravis, and for good reason. In winter, everything revolves around the snow. The village sits at around 1,100 m. Several sectors climb quickly from there: Beauregard, the Étale and above all the Confins, right at the foot of the combes (the steep-sided mountain valleys). You will find almost every winter activity here: downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, walks, mountain restaurants and, of course, snowshoeing.
Why I go outside the school holidays
I go quite often, mostly outside the school holidays. It is a popular resort and the road can quickly turn into a traffic jam. Once you are there, though, the atmosphere is really pleasant. You can wander through the centre and drink a hot chocolate. You can also set off on a snowshoe outing in La Clusaz itself, or towards the Confins, without planning a big day. I like that about it. Everything is easy to reach, whether you have an hour or a longer outing in mind.
Beauregard and the Confins: two different moods
The village and the Beauregard plateau suit relaxed walks. It is open and sunny, with plenty of small loops. The Confins feel different: quieter, more “mountain”, surrounded by the big combes of the Aravis. I particularly like this sector in winter, for cross-country skiing and for walks with Rhéa. You are quickly in something more natural and silent, and you forget that a very busy resort is a few minutes away.
That is probably why I return every year: you can choose the mood of the day. A bright plateau, a quiet forest, a valley floor ringed by summits. The routes are varied and flexible, so you can decide at the last minute. I describe them below, including the one towards the Bombardellaz refuge, which remains one of my favourites.
Snowshoe outing La Clusaz: my ideas for every level
Before the routes themselves, it helps to separate two starting points: the village of La Clusaz and the Confins plateau. They differ in atmosphere and in what you come looking for.
Starting from the village: the Beauregard gondola
From the village, you can easily go up to Beauregard by gondola. It is handy if you do not have a car or want to avoid adding pointless ascent. It gives you access to an open, bright plateau with gentle routes and plenty of small variations. I have used the gondola several times and it works well: you step out, put your snowshoes on and off you go.
Starting from the car parks higher up
In reality, I usually skip the village. When I head to Beauregard or to the Col de la Croix Fry, I often go straight to the car parks higher up. It is quicker, it avoids driving through the resort, and you are in the snow straight away. When I want somewhere calmer, I clearly prefer the Confins. This sector stands apart, at the foot of the Aravis combes, with a much more natural feel. The routes are lovely, the views are wide, and even in high season you often feel slightly away from the crowd.
Getting to the Confins without a car
If you do not have a car, there is good news. In winter, the Skibus shuttle runs from La Clusaz to the Confins. You can enjoy this sector without any hassle. In my opinion, this is where you find the most beautiful snowshoe hikes in the area. In the sections below, I detail the outings I recommend most often, by starting point, duration, level and mood.
The six routes at a glance
Here is a quick recap of the routes described below. The figures are approximate, as in the details that follow.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Col de la Croix Fry via Beauregard | ≈ 5 to 6 km (return, depending on the variant) | ≈ 200 m | 1h30 to 2h | Beauregard gondola, La Clusaz |
| Beauregard plateau loop | ≈ 4 to 7 km (several variants) | 150 to 250 m | 1h30 to 2h30 | Beauregard gondola, La Clusaz |
| Les Frêtes du Danay | ≈ 4.3 km | ≈ 230 m | 1h45 to 2h | Chapelle des Confins |
| Paccaly to the Bombardellaz refuge | ≈ 6.8 km (return) | ≈ 205 m | 2h to 2h30 | Confins car park |
| Tête du Danay loop | ≈ 11 km | ≈ 610 m | 4h30 to 6h | Confins car park |
| Lac des Confins | ≈ 2.5 to 3.5 km (depending on the variant) | ≈ 50 to 100 m | 1h to 1h30 | Lake car park |
From La Clusaz: up to the Col de la Croix Fry via Beauregard
- Total distance: ≈ 5 to 6 km (return, depending on the variant)
- Ascent: ≈ 200 m
- Duration: 1h30 to 2h
- Start: Beauregard gondola (La Clusaz)
- Why choose it: very accessible, perfect for beginners, open views over the Aravis
- Good to know: easy access even without a car (gondola from the centre)
If you want to discover snowshoeing in La Clusaz without overthinking it, this is the simplest route. You take the gondola straight up, which avoids a long approach, and within minutes you are on the Beauregard plateau. The mood is gentle: big clearings, sun from the morning and a direct view of the Aravis range.
The walk to the Col de la Croix Fry is short and slightly rolling, but very accessible. It is a good option if you are a beginner, if you have children, or if you want to walk calmly without spending three hours worrying where to put your feet. And honestly, when you do not feel like taking the car, being able to start straight from the village is a real plus. I think it is one of the best snowshoe outings in La Clusaz for testing the area before moving on to something wilder.
From La Clusaz: panoramic loop on the Beauregard plateau
- Total distance: ≈ 4 to 7 km (several variants)
- Ascent: between 150 and 250 m
- Duration: 1h30 to 2h30
- Start: Beauregard gondola (La Clusaz)
- Why choose it: very open landscapes, easy terrain, ideal in average weather
- Good to know: several loops are possible (winter waymarking)
The Beauregard plateau is the great classic, in the good sense of the word. It is wide, bright and not technical: the perfect walk when you want to snowshoe in La Clusaz without scaring yourself. I also recommend it to anyone doing their first winter outings. You are quickly in the snow, with a very calm atmosphere despite the resort being close.
It is also a very good plan after a snowfall. The fir trees look lovely, the paths are tracked quickly, and you can adapt the loop to the time you have. Some variants follow the clearings, while others open stronger views towards the Étale and the Aravis.
I prefer the Confins for wilder outings, but Beauregard remains a very practical and pleasant spot. You can go practically any time: early in the season, in changeable weather, or on a day when you just want some fresh air. It is simple, pretty and efficient.
Snowshoe outing La Clusaz from the Confins: my favourite routes
In my view, the Confins is the most beautiful sector for snowshoeing in La Clusaz. The atmosphere is completely different from the Beauregard plateau. You are right at the foot of the Aravis combes, in a wilder setting, with a silence that does wonders in winter. The routes range from very accessible to more sporty, and the views are superb. It is clearly the sector I recommend first.
Les Frêtes du Danay
- Total distance: ≈ 4.3 km
- Ascent: ≈ 230 m
- Duration: 1h45 to 2h
- Start: Chapelle des Confins
- Why choose it: short, pretty, perfect when you want to walk without spending the whole day
- Good to know: a loop is possible via Les Frasses
This is one of the most pleasant routes for a snowshoe outing in La Clusaz that is neither long nor technical. The start is a little steep (it warms you up fast), then the terrain softens. You reach a sort of shoulder with a superb view over the whole Aravis range. You pass two farms, then you can come back down via Les Frasses to make a loop.
I often do it when I want a small effort but not a “real” summit. It is also a good option for quiet walking: even on busy days, you quickly find yourself away from the main flow.
Paccaly to the Bombardellaz refuge
- Total distance: ≈ 6.8 km (return)
- Ascent: ≈ 205 m
- Duration: 2h to 2h30
- Start: Confins car park
- Why choose it: incredible scenery at the foot of the combes, very calm atmosphere
- Good to know: only when the avalanche risk is low (downstream of the combes)
This is probably the most beautiful snowshoe hike on the Confins side, as long as snow conditions are stable. The route goes up the valley in a really magnificent setting: big slopes above you, total silence, and the feeling of being far from everything. Yet you are only ten minutes from the car park.
The Bombardellaz refuge is a charming place for a break if it is open. Even as a return trip rather than a loop, you never get bored, because the view keeps changing with the light. It is one of my favourite hikes in the area, and certainly the one I recommend most often.
Tête du Danay loop
- Total distance: ≈ 11 km
- Ascent: ≈ 610 m
- Duration: 4h30 to 6h
- Start: Confins car park
- Why choose it: superb full-day loop, 360° panoramas
- Good to know: sporty route, better for confident walkers
This is a real winter day out, with ascent, a summit and several different moods. You start by following the mountain to the Col des Mouilles. Then you climb towards the lower Danay mountain pasture (alpage du Danay d’en bas) and the Danay farm. The final climb to the summit is a little steep, but the view at 1,731 m is well worth the effort: Mont Lachat, the Aravis, the Thônes valley. It is a real viewpoint.
You then come down via the Frêtes, which makes a coherent and varied loop. I like it a lot, but I keep it for the days when my legs are good. It is long, yet never monotonous.
Confins to the Lac des Confins
- Total distance: ≈ 2.5 to 3.5 km (depending on the variant)
- Ascent: ≈ 50 to 100 m
- Duration: 1h to 1h30
- Start: Lake car park
- Why choose it: very accessible, perfect late in the afternoon
- Good to know: depends on snow cover; you share the terrain with the cross-country area (watch your dog)
When you want a really simple snowshoe walk in La Clusaz, this little family loop is ideal. The lake is surrounded by the combes, which makes a lovely setting, especially at the end of the day when the light drops. It is a short outing, perfect if you just want some fresh air or you are with someone discovering snowshoeing.
I have done it several times with Rhéa: it is fairly flat and wide, and you can stay away from the cross-country ski tracks. It is also a good plan when you arrive at the Confins a bit late and no longer have time for a longer route.
Snowshoe hire in La Clusaz: where to rent easily
If you do not have your own equipment, hiring snowshoes in La Clusaz is simple. Most shops in the village centre offer hire by the day or half day: Skiset, Intersport, Sport 2000, and a few independent shops around the main square. It is handy if you start from the village or take the gondola up to Beauregard.
You can also hire directly at the Confins, in the shops near the cross-country area. This is a good option when you already know you want to hike in that sector and want to avoid carrying snowshoes through the village. At Beauregard, there are also hire points just as you arrive from the gondola. You can put your snowshoes on almost as you step out of the cabin.
Hire prices and how to choose
As for prices, expect roughly €8 to €12 for a half day and €12 to €18 for a full day, depending on the model and where you hire. Choosing is not complicated:
- pick snowshoes suited to your weight plus your bag (it really changes the grip);
- ask for easy-to-adjust bindings if you are a beginner;
- check that the heel lifts work properly if your route has some ascent.
In quiet periods, you can hire without booking. During the school holidays, though, it is better to book online or call the shop. Between ski lessons, families and groups, equipment goes fast, especially the simplest models. In the end, it is not complicated: from the village, from the Col de la Croix Fry or straight from the Confins, you will always find somewhere to hire snowshoes without wasting time.
Practical tips for preparing a snowshoe outing
Access, times and equipment: the useful basics
From Annecy, getting to La Clusaz is usually simple, except on Saturdays during the school holidays, when the road can become endless. On those days I either leave early (really early, not 10 am) or go late in the afternoon to avoid the traffic. Once there, it depends on where you want to start. Beauregard is reachable by the gondola in the centre or directly from the Col de la Croix Fry. The Confins have a large car park at the foot of the cross-country area. It is practical, but often full as soon as the sun shows up.
For equipment, you do not need a bag full of unlikely things. Simple but warm layers, a windproof jacket, good gloves and waterproof shoes are plenty. I always carry a small flask and a spare pair of gloves, because a day with wet hands is a long one.
For timing, I find the morning is still the best moment: the snow is more pleasant, there are fewer people and the light is softer. The afternoon works well too, especially towards the Confins when the sun drops behind the combes. The snow can be heavier, though.
Getting to La Clusaz from Geneva airport
If you fly in, Geneva airport is 50 km from La Clusaz, and the tourist office gives about one hour by car from Geneva and 45 minutes from Annecy. By road, take the A40 (exit 16, Bonneville) towards the Aravis resorts, or the A41 (exit Annecy Nord) towards Thônes. Shared shuttles also run directly from Geneva airport to La Clusaz, with online booking only. Check the dates and times before you travel. You will find the details on the La Clusaz tourist office website.
Dog, safety and navigation
With Rhéa, I have learnt two or three useful things. Cross-country ski tracks are not made for dogs, so I always stay on the edge to avoid remarks or an unlucky collision with a skier at speed. When the snow is very hard, I watch her paw pads: ice can be abrasive and it is not always visible. As soon as we approach flat areas covered with snow, such as a stream or a frozen marsh, I keep her close. You cannot always spot thin ice.
For navigation, I use either the resort’s official routes or an IGN map. Visorando does the job when fog comes down too fast. There is also a map dedicated to snowshoe routes around La Clusaz, which you can often find at the tourist office.
If you are new to winter hiking, my guide on what to wear hiking in winter can complement all this and help you avoid a few classic traps. If you are staying in Annecy, my guide to the best hikes around the lake gives you ideas for the days without snow. You will also find more snowshoe routes on the Semnoz and on the Parmelan.
Snowshoe outing La Clusaz: your questions answered
Can I go snowshoeing in La Clusaz without a car?
Yes. You can take the gondola from the centre of La Clusaz up to Beauregard, which gives access to the Col de la Croix Fry route and the panoramic loop. In winter, the Skibus shuttle also serves the Confins from La Clusaz.
Which route is best for a first snowshoe outing?
The climb to the Col de la Croix Fry via Beauregard is my easiest suggestion, perfect for beginners. The Beauregard plateau is also ideal for first winter outings. For someone discovering snowshoeing, the short walk to the Lac des Confins works well too.
What is the longest snowshoe route in this guide?
The Tête du Danay loop. It covers about 11 km with roughly 610 m of ascent and takes 4h30 to 6h. It is a sporty route that I keep for days when my legs are good.
How much does it cost to hire snowshoes in La Clusaz?
Expect roughly €8 to €12 for a half day and €12 to €18 for a full day, depending on the model and where you hire. During the school holidays, book online or call the shop, because equipment goes fast.
Can I take my dog snowshoeing in La Clusaz?
With Rhéa, I stay on the edge of the cross-country ski tracks, which are not made for dogs. I keep her close near streams or frozen marshes, where thin ice is hard to spot. The Lac des Confins walk shares the terrain with the cross-country area, so keep an eye on your dog there.