In the Aravis Massif, near Annecy, Manigod and La Clusaz make the hearts of winter sports fans beat faster. While visitors to the ski resort of Manigod can indulge in skiing activities and good gastronomy in a family atmosphere, La Clusaz awaits at the foot of its large chalets with a winter festival program. How lucky that both places are connected. Head to an authentic holiday in the snowy mountains.
Find a traditional recipe here.
Text and photos by Philippe Bourget
Manigod: family-friendly and homely. La Clusaz: popular and lively. At first glance, these two ski resorts have nothing in common. And yet both are located in the Aravis Massif, whose snow-capped peaks rise more than 2500 meters into the sky. Just under 15 kilometers separate the two neighboring high-Savoyard winter sports resorts, which can be reached from Annecy in just 45 minutes. Their slopes are connected by ski lifts and shared ski passes. They also advocate a common identity and nurture the same culinary, cultural, and sporting traditions.
In winter, Manigod immerses its visitors in the true Haute-Savoie. From the venerable village with its rustic church, to hillside hamlets and wooden chalets: the area entices with authentic charm. The mountain pass Col de La Croix Fry above the village is the starting point of the ski area. The cross-country skiing panoramic trail leads to the Beauregard Plateau and the slopes of La Clusaz. In good weather, you can even catch a glimpse of Mont Blanc.
Chalets in the village of Manigod, with the Aravis mountain range in the background.
Manigod, Home of the Paret Sled!
In Manigod, you can experience not only dog sledding but also the Paret sled. Let yourself be pulled for half an hour by fast, friendly huskies along a snowy circular path or test your sense of balance on a descent with the Paret, a wooden sled with only one runner. In 2023, the ski area celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Paret Speed World Championship. The device was invented in the early 20th century in Manigod and originally served children to reach the village school faster.
But traditions in Manigod are primarily of a culinary nature. It is no coincidence that the village is the stronghold of Marc Veyrat, the famous chef who has made a name for himself with his love for wild herbs. On the Col de la Croix Fry, the Maison des Bois, the former restaurant of the Michelin-starred chef, has become Le Hameau de mon Père. It is run by his daughter Élise. But as all good things come in pairs, the hotel-restaurant Les Sapins on the Col is also run by the Veyrat family — specifically by 74-year-old Renée, her husband Joseph, and their sons Christophe and Emmanuel. A warm place where you can taste Manigodine, a cheese similar to Reblochon wrapped in fir bark, among other delicacies. A glass of Aprement or Chignin-Bergeron completes this taste experience.
