Frequently Asked Questions

General

• Which ski lifts are open in summer?

  In summer, four ski lifts are open in La Clusaz: the Beauregard cable car, the Crêt du Merle chairlift, the Crêt du Loup chairlift, and the Patinoire cable car (exclusively reserved for summer sledding). To check the opening hours of each ski lift, you can click here.

• What activities can I do with the ski lifts?

  The ski lifts give you access to a multitude of activities. You can bring your mountain bike and enjoy the marked trails, go hiking, or simply take a walk in the mountains. Two summer sledding tracks are also waiting for you, accessible via the Patinoire cable car. And discover the new features: The Bascule, our giant swing open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, more information here. The Immersive Space, with a new film for this summer 2025, open during the operating hours of the Beauregard cable car.

• How can I use the ski lifts?

  Several options are available to you to access the ski lifts, depending on your activity: For summer sledding, you just need to buy one or more rides, then go to the start of the Patinoire cable car to begin the adventure. For hiking or mountain biking, you can choose a pass that gives you unlimited access to the ski lifts (excluding summer sledding), valid for 3 hours, one day, or several days. You also have the option to buy a single trip on the ski lift of your choice - the descent is free!

• Where can I buy my pass / single ride / sled ride?

  You can buy your passes at the Central Cash Desk of Crêt du Merle (from July 2 to August 31: 9:30 AM - 5:15 PM) and at the Champ Giguet Cash Desk, opposite the ice rink (from July 2 to August 31: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM). For the opening weekends in June and September, the Champ Giguet Cash Desk is open from 1:45 PM to 5:30 PM.

• How much does a pass cost?

  The day pass is €22.50 for an adult (15 years and older) and €18.00 for a junior (5 to 14 years old). It is free for children under 5 years old (with proof of age). To view all the rates, click here.

• Are there group rates?

  Group rates are available upon request at the email address [email protected].

• Where can we eat in the summer at high altitude in La Clusaz?

  At the arrival of the Crêt du Merle chairlift, the Chez Arthur restaurant will welcome you. On the Beauregard plateau with its impressive 360° view, you will have the choice: At the arrival of the Beauregard cable car, the Le 1647 restaurant and its beautiful sunny terrace will welcome you. A little further down, you will find Le Grizzly, a typical restaurant. On your walk, La Ferme des Corbassières will welcome you for a snack or a meal (by reservation) with cheeses from the farm. Little extra: its panoramic view of the Aravis range.

Terms and Conditions

• I bought a 10-ride sled card or a single ride on the Beauregard cable car, is there a time limit to use them?

  Single rides are valid throughout the current summer season, from the opening to the closing of the ski lifts. Warning: a ride bought during the summer of 2025 will not be valid for the summer of 2026.

• What is the validity of the season passes?

  The season pass is valid throughout the summer season, from the first to the last day of the ski lifts' operation. Warning: like other passes, it does not give access to summer sledding.

Age Categories

• My child is under 5 years old, do I need to buy a pass for them?

  Passes are free for children under 5 years old, with proof of age. However, a pass is required to access the ski lifts. Therefore, it is essential to get a pass for your child under 5 years old. Warning: although the pass is free, you will need to use a card. If you have a hands-free card, you can recharge it. Otherwise, you will need to buy a rechargeable hands-free card for €2.

• My son will turn 8 years old / 15 years old during our stay, which rate applies to the pass?

  The age considered for the choice of the rate is that of the first day of validity of the pass. For example, a 15-year-old child on July 23 who buys a weekly pass starting on July 21 will benefit from the junior rate (-15 years) for the entire duration of their pass. On the other hand, if their pass starts on July 23 (their birthday) or later, they will have to opt for an adult pass.

Hands-Free Card

• Is it mandatory to buy a €2 card?

  No, if you already have a hands-free card, you can simply recharge it via our website or at one of the automatic terminals available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at the Crêt du Merle or Champ Giguet cash desks. To promote the second life of the cards, we have chosen to sell them for €2, rather than giving them away. Once purchased, you can recharge your card as many times as you wish, online or at the terminals, without going through the cash desk. For single rides bought at the cash desk, they are provided on a free recyclable flexible card.

• I already have a hands-free card, can I use it for this summer?

  Yes, of course! By using our website or one of the automatic terminals available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at the Crêt du Merle or Champ Giguet cash desks, you can directly recharge your cards with the desired product on your hands-free card (number in 01-1614).

Summer Sledding

• How does summer sledding work?

  There are two sledding tracks, each 800 meters long: one is reserved for beginners, and the other for experienced sledders. To enjoy your sled ride, you will need to take the Patinoire cable car.

• Do I need to book for summer sledding?

  No, there is no need to book for summer sledding. To fully enjoy the activity, we advise you to come in the morning to avoid the crowds.

• What are the regulations for summer sledding?

  Here are the safety rules for summer sledding: Below 80 cm, the use of summer sledding is prohibited. Between 80 cm and 1.25 m, sledding is allowed, but only accompanied by an adult. From 1.25 m, sledding is allowed independently. It is forbidden for two adults to use the same sled. Double sleds are reserved for transporting a child under 1.45 m and the accompanying adult. Summer sledding is free for children under 5 years old, but it is essential to get a card at the cash desk (proof of age required). For accompanying adults, summer sledding is charged at the same rate as for single adults.

Payment and Refund

• What are the authorized payment methods online and at the cash desk?

  At the cash desk: Cash, VISA and MASTERCARD bank cards, checks, ANCV holiday vouchers, and ANCV e-connect. Online: VISA and MASTERCARD bank cards, and ANCV e-connect holiday vouchers.

• Can I get a refund for my card at the end of my stay?

  No, like the majority of resorts, we do not apply a deposit on the cards, as they can be reused during your next stays in our resort or in other resorts using the Skidata system (the most widespread). Remember to take them with you on your next stay!

• I bought a 10-ride sled card but only used 6, can I get a refund for the 4 unused rides?

  No, any started card cannot be refunded.

• Do you accept holiday vouchers?

  Yes, all cash desks accept ANCV and e-connect holiday vouchers, but cannot give change on them.

• Do you accept ANCV sports coupons?

  No.

• Do you accept American Express cards, as I do not leave without it?

  No.

Sharing the Mountain

• Hiking Tips

  Before you leave, check the weather conditions, inform your surroundings, and do not hesitate to contact the Tourist Office for advice. Make sure you are properly equipped: hiking shoes, water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cap, and a light sweater. Respect the marked trails and avoid shortcuts that damage the vegetation and disturb the animals. Be discreet on the trails to preserve the tranquility of nature and other hikers. Admire the natural beauty without picking the flowers and take your waste back with you.

• How to protect the mountain?

  At the sea as well as in the mountains and whatever the season, make sure that nothing has fallen from your pocket or backpack after your passage. Therefore, be sure to stay on the marked paths and picnic areas, and take all your waste with you until you find a dedicated trash can. In summer, you risk stepping on the food of the alpine pastures or contaminating the water of the troughs by cleaning your shoes in them. To avoid this and have a sense of sharing - even at 1,500 meters above sea level - it is essential to respect community life by remembering that, in the mountains in summer, there are: farmers, farms, alpine pastures, operators, protected species, hikers, mountain bikers... And that cows do not come to trample in your plates and do not pick up your waste either.

• How to react when encountering a Patou?

  The Patou is that big white dog that you would want to cuddle... but do not let yourself be softened, because it is above all a guard dog that takes its role very seriously. So, when it senses danger, like the approach of a hiker or a mountain biker, it will bark, run towards you, and stand in your way, then identify you. If you adopt the right behavior, it will calm down and return to its flock. Announce yourself so as not to surprise the dogs ("hello dogs!"), whistle or hum. If possible, go around the flock widely without putting yourself in danger. If the dogs approach, stop, do not look them in the eyes, and speak to them calmly. If you have a backpack or even a cap, you can take it off to hold it in front of you, between the dogs and you. If you are on a mountain bike, get off the bike as soon as possible and walk pushing your bike. To reassure yourself, you can put the bike between you and the dog. And in case of an encounter with my companion dog? Let go of your dog's leash to allow them to interact and establish a dominant to dominated relationship. If you have a small dog, do not pick it up as you could put yourself in danger by intervening.

Mountain Weather Conditions

• Wind and its consequences

  Regarding our facilities, we calculate it in meters per second. When it reaches 20 m/s, i.e., 72 km/h, we must stop most of our facilities to avoid endangering your safety. From 10 to 15 m/s, i.e., 36 to 54 km/h, the speed of the facility is greatly reduced, or even stopped for La Bascule. Wind is a phenomenon that varies greatly in the mountains, and just because there is no wind in the village does not mean it is not blowing higher up. In fact, the higher you go, the stronger the wind can be! Why? Wind in the mountains is often related to topography (the shape of the mountains) and local weather phenomena. For example, when warm air rises from the valleys and meets mountains, it can create upward or downward currents that generate very strong winds. And as you gain altitude, there are no more obstacles like houses or trees to stop the wind. Advice: before taking a ski lift, make sure the weather conditions are good. If the wind is blowing hard, it can affect the safety of your descents or make some activities more difficult.

• Temperature variations with altitude

  We explain everything: In the mountains, the higher you go, the lower the temperature. It is a natural rule of the atmosphere: on average, the temperature decreases by about 0.6 to 1°C every 100 meters of elevation. For example, if it is 25°C in the valley at 1000 meters above sea level, it can be around 19°C at 2000 meters, which is 6 degrees less! Why? It is because the air at high altitude is less dense and retains less heat. The sun first heats the ground, which then heats the air around it. The further you move away from the ground (i.e., the higher you go), the cooler the air becomes. Result: Even in summer, it can be cool or even cold at high altitude, especially in the morning or in the shade, and the temperature differences between the valley and the summit can be significant. Always remember to bring a light warm layer and a windbreaker before going hiking or doing activities in the mountains! Are you going for a walk or planning to take the ski lifts? A little advice for your safety: swap your flip-flops and sandals for a good pair of sneakers!

• Summer storms

  Sometimes, the days start sunny, then gradually, the sky becomes overcast and gives way to dark clouds. We have a procedure in case of a storm that must be followed to the letter. For your safety and to prevent lightning from striking the cable, we stop the facility when there is a risk of a storm. Even if we do not hear thunder and do not see lightning in the sky, our radars are more precise than the human eye, and we take no risks that could harm your safety.

• Showers + conclusion

  When it rains, especially on the summer sledding track, our agents test, wipe, and sponge the track with sleds equipped with special runners. If the sled slides too much and becomes uncontrollable, we close the track for your safety. Do not let your frustration take over; the cloud will pass, and it is time to go to the Immersive Space! The openings of the ski lifts are therefore likely to change due to weather conditions. So, do not panic if you find one or more ski lifts temporarily closed; you can simply ask the agents present near the ski lifts and the cash desk hosts and hostesses for the reason. Your safety is our priority!

Miscellaneous

• Faithful four-legged companions

  Dogs are allowed on: TC Beauregard, TC Patinoire, TSD Crêt du Merle, TSD Crêt du Loup. They must be kept on a leash. Watch over your dog during the ascent/descent on the ski lift.

• Can I take my baby / child under 2 years old on the ski lifts?

  Yes, babies can use the ski lifts. On the chairlift, they must be in a front baby carrier attached to their parent. If the child can sit alone and no longer fits in a front baby carrier, they can sit next to their parent. To protect their sensitive little ears, think about giving them a pacifier or breastfeeding them during the ascent (only possible in the cable car). Avoid high altitude if your child has a cold or sinusitis. Protect them well from the sun with protective glasses and sunscreen, even when it is cloudy. Hydrate them frequently, as the air is drier at high altitude. Check the weather before leaving and bring warm and waterproof clothing. Finally, ask your doctor for advice before leaving to make sure everything is okay.