Ski hire Le Grand Bornand

Ski hire Le Grand Bornand

Halfway between Annecy, Geneva and Chamonix, Le Grand-Bornand embodies the authenticity of the Aravis. It’s a village alive all year round, with preserved hamlets and a ski area offering fine slopes facing glacier-carved combes. Come for the friendly atmosphere of a village resort and the variety of runs between the village (1000 m) and Chinaillon (1300 m). You can also explore nearby options: a day to stay in La Clusaz, a getaway to ski in Combloux, or even discover Megève on a grand tour.

Resort identity

Built around a strong farming heritage, the destination has kept its Savoyard village soul: covered market hall, central square, bulb-shaped bell tower, old chalets and still-active farms. The resort consists of two complementary hubs: Le Grand-Bornand Village (1000 m), lively and full of shops, and Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon (1300 m), the departure point for the main lifts. The peaks above rise to around 2100 m, offering wide-open panoramas of the Aravis. This “human-scale” identity appeals to families and to skiers seeking carefully curated mountain ambience alike.

Detailed ski area

The alpine area offers nearly 90 km of marked runs, served by around thirty lifts. Diverse slopes, snowmaking on key routes and well-designed trails ensure smooth laps and clear returns to the resort. From Chinaillon, string together wide pistes to warm up, more sustained sections to work on edging, and long returns to the hamlets. Internal connections make it easy to move from one sector to another, while numerous viewpoints over the Aravis range enhance your skiing experience. And if you feel like exploring, the proximity of other resorts makes it easy to schedule a break to ski in Manigod or head over to La Clusaz when the snow cover there is at its best.

Unmissable runs

Beginners and those getting back on skis will find progressive greens and blues around Chinaillon, perfect for building confidence. Intermediates will enjoy steady reds for linking clean turns and firm edge control, while advanced skiers will seek out the more sustained high-altitude lines, with break-over profiles or a more committed feel depending on conditions. On good cold-snow days, the combes often hold quality skiing. To start early, collecting your equipment the evening before at a well-placed shop can make all the difference; in the morning, you’ll catch the first lift before the crowds.

Off-slope activities

Le Grand-Bornand is more than just skiing: snowshoe walks to discover the pastures, an open-air ice rink, dog-sledding, sledging, and workshops showcasing local crafts. Wellness areas (spa, sauna, hammam, massages) offer a restorative interlude between days on the snow. Village events — markets, concerts, torchlight descents — create shared memories with family and friends. Late afternoon, the light settles on the chalets: the ideal time to wander, try a good table, then plan tomorrow’s route… perhaps a trip to enjoy Mont Blanc views in Combloux before returning to the village?

Family holidays

Renowned for its welcome and labels, the resort rolls out services designed for children: snow gardens, kids’ clubs, nurseries, fun zones and easy circuits. Getting around is simple, snow fronts are easy to read, and shops are close to accommodation. Ski schools offer group lessons and private tuition, with progressions tailored to every age. Breaks happen naturally: a hot chocolate in the village, a debrief of the morning, then back on skis for the keenest. Hiring gear close to your accommodation and the lift departures avoids most back-and-forth and makes days more relaxed.

Access & transport

From Annecy or Bonneville, access is via scenic valley roads before the final kilometres up to the village and Chinaillon. The Geneva–Annecy axis makes air arrivals easy, with regular transfers depending on the season. Once in Le Grand-Bornand, shuttle buses link neighbourhoods and lift bases, so the car quickly becomes superfluous. In cold spells, equip your vehicle (winter tyres, chains if needed) for a calm final climb; after that, just collect your equipment and head for the first rotation.

Ski hire with Snowrental

Booking ahead with Snowrental lets you arrive with peace of mind: choose your range (piste, all-mountain, freeride, freestyle, junior), enter your measurements and confirm your pickup shop. Options are easy to adjust (helmet, accessories, damage/theft cover) and, subject to availability, you can switch category mid-stay if conditions change. The goal: zero time wasted on the first morning and more skiing throughout the week. And if one day you fancy a change of scene, it’s easy to schedule a break to discover Megève or drop into La Clusaz.

Advantages

Choosing Snowrental means benefiting from preferential online rates, a network of selected local shops, and well-maintained equipment (tuning, waxing, adjustments). Early booking secures availability during peak periods, often offers evening-before pickup and streamlines family logistics. Product pages outline useful services (bootfitting, workshop, snowshoe hire, etc.) to help you plan ahead and choose the right ski setup for every profile.

Shops in Le Grand-Bornand

• Wild Evasion – ideal in Chinaillon for a quick start
• Active Mountain – convenient for families and continuous pickups

Events & local gastronomy

The calendar highlights competitions, torchlight descents and friendly gatherings in the village centre. At the table, the destination showcases Savoyard produce: farmhouse reblochon, tomme, cured meats, polenta, crozets… Alternate between country inns, slope-side eateries and chalet restaurants where evenings naturally linger. Lunch means a well-exposed terrace and a hearty dish; dinner brings a speciality to share before planning the next day’s outing — perhaps a day in Manigod if the weather looks fickle higher up?

FAQ

What period should I aim for to get great conditions?
From December to April depending on the winter. January–February often mean cold snow and immaculate grooming; March offers longer, often sunnier days. Book ahead and, if the shop offers it, collect your gear the evening before to enjoy the first lift. Where should I pick up my equipment if I’m staying in Chinaillon?
Choose a spot close to the lift bases. Wild Evasion and Active Mountain are well placed to minimise walking and optimise your warm-up. Can I plan a day in a neighbouring resort?
Yes, that’s one of the joys of the Aravis: you can head to La Clusaz for more alpine itineraries, ski in Combloux facing Mont Blanc, or go to Megève to combine skiing with a foodie detour. How do I choose the right ski category?
Base it on your favourite terrain and level: versatile piste skis for racking up kilometres, all-mountain to move from groomers to mixed snow, freeride (with safety kit and a guide) on powder days. Provide height, weight and shoe size for precise adjustment at pickup. Is a quick weekend feasible?
Absolutely: book online, collect your gear late afternoon, plan a gentle warm-up morning then a more ambitious loop. Fancy a change? A foray to La Clusaz or Combloux is easily arranged.

You look for ski rental in Le Grand Bornand, get more options around, in Les Aravis resorts : resort Combloux, resort La Clusaz. See you on the slopes !