Le Grand-Bornand Ski Transfers – Private Airport Transfers to the Aravis

Le Grand-Bornand is a farming village that became a ski resort without giving up the farming: some 400 chalets are scattered across the slopes, the Reblochon is still made in the valley, and the Thursday market has been running since the fifteenth century. It hosts a round of the biathlon World Cup most winters, which fills the village in December and empties it again by mid-January.

The skiing is above the village at Le Chinaillon, on the flank of the Aravis chain, with runs coming back down towards the valley. It is a family mountain with real terrain at the top — the sort of place where beginners and strong skiers can share a lift pass without either being bored.

Which airport for Le Grand-Bornand?

Geneva (GVA) — 56 km, about 1 h 10

The obvious choice: flights every day of the week, motorway towards Annecy, then the valley road through Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. An hour and ten minutes from the terminal to the chalet, on a good day.

Annecy (NCY) — 34 km, about 40 minutes

The nearest airport by far, and the shortest transfer — but its winter schedule carries very few scheduled flights. Worth a look, rarely worth planning around.

Chambéry Savoie (CMF) — 83 km, about 1 h 10

The same drive time as Geneva, with a winter timetable built around weekend charters from the UK.

Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS) — 160 km, about 2 h

Year-round flights, more airlines, motorway most of the way. The alternative when Geneva is full or expensive.

Village or Chinaillon? Tell us which

Le Grand-Bornand has two centres. The village, at 950 m, is where the shops, the market and most of the chalets are. Le Chinaillon, 6 km and 350 m higher, is the ski-in ski-out side at the foot of the lifts. A free bus links them in season, but at 11 p.m. with luggage and children it is not the same arrival — so give us the exact address at booking and the driver takes you there, not to the other one.

Le Grand-Bornand at a glance

• Village at 950 m, Le Chinaillon at 1,300 m, skiing to 2,100 m on the Aravis flank.
• Around 90 km of piste, with the Mont Lachat sector holding the steeper runs.
• Shares its valley with La Clusaz, 12 km away — the two are often booked as a single transfer.
• One of the last French resorts where working farms sit inside the ski area; the Reblochon cooperative is in the village.
• Hosts a biathlon World Cup round most seasons, in mid-December.

Arriving in winter

The approach follows valley roads at low altitude, cleared and gritted daily; the only climb is the 6 km up to Le Chinaillon, which is short and treated as a priority road. Winter tyres and chains are legally required in Haute-Savoie from 1 November to 31 March and our vehicles carry both. Saturday mornings in February are slow on the last stretch — allow half an hour more.

Skis, luggage, children — and when to book

Ski and board bags travel free, and the vehicle is sized to what you declare. Child and booster seats are free and fitted before departure, as French law requires under 10. Book as soon as your flights are set: with Geneva an hour away, this valley fills fast for the school holidays.