La Clusaz, France – Four charming French ski resorts — La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and Saint-Jean de Sixt —  have joined to become “Lake Annecy Ski Resorts”.

The four resorts are in located the Aravis mountain range in the northern French Alps, touching the edge of Lake Annecy and just under an hour’s drive from Geneva.  These ski areas offer an escape from the bigger, more well known resorts and offer an authentic Alpine experience as well as great value for money.

Both La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand carry the “Famille Plus” French national label denoting resorts ideal for a family holiday on snow. From their program of weekly activities for children, to transport options and daycare facilities, this area is ideal for a beginner’s introduction to the sport. Manigod sits at the base of the 2,484-meter L’Etale and features wide open sunny slopes. It’s the antithesis of the busy purpose built Alpine resort.

Some 85 lifts provide access to over 220 km of uncrowded slopes, 1600 meters of vertical drop spread across five mountains that feature groomed runs, off-piste terrain, bumps, freeride, freestyle and more. As well as having one of France’s top 10 rated terrain parks, Le Grand Bornand also has the longest night skiing run in the Haute Savoie. La Clusaz will host a qualification event for the Freeride World Tour, Radikal Mountain on January 14-15, 2012.

The SnowparKGB at at Le Grand Bornand,offering four levels of jumps, rails for all abilities and a dedicated beginners area. Also featuring a half pipe and boarder cross areas, this 10,000 square meter park is also rated one of the top 10 in France.

Off the slopes, Le Grand Bornand has a new biathlon stadium hosting the first ever World Cup in France December 12-18. Mythical sleds with a single blade carry visitors down the mountain at Paret at Manigod. For cross country lovers, Saint-Jean de Sixt offers 7km of ski trails and both Beauregard and Les Confins are locations for World Cup cross country skiing. The plateau at Beauregard 1600m offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Aravis mountain range for walking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Guests can launch off a 28-meter ramp on skis, a bike, a sled or on foot at the bungee jump at Saint-Jean de Sixt.

For food lovers there’s “The 5”, a new gourmet restaurant located at the recently opened five-star Au Coeur du Village Hotel and Spa. At Manigod, French Chef Eric Guelpa, family of Marc Veyrat at the Chalet Hotel La Croix-Fry offers stunning modern local cuisine. Le Grand Bornand is the home of Reblochon cheese, and this area remains the most agricultural in the Haute Savoie where over 400 traditional chalets dating from 1664 sit alongside modern facilities.

Other luxury accommodations in the region include the new Chalet La Vigogne in Le Grand Bornand that comes complete with a private chef, 44 apartments at Les Grandes Alpes Residence accompanied by a wellness area, swimming pool and south facing balconies, and the four-star Chalet hotel La Croix Fry in Manigod with its cozy and charming Savoyard rooms.

Tour operator Crystal Ski  is offering a week’s self catering at the three-star La Residence Apartments in La Clusaz from £480 per person including flights from Gatwick and transfers along with a free lift pass for all customers all season. Peak Retreats  offers seven nights in the four-star Luxury residence Le Village de Lessy in Le Grand Bornand with pool, sauna, steamroom and Jacuzzi from £186 pp based on five people sharing two bedrooms and includes a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for a car and passengers.

For more information on the Lake Annecy ski resorts visit www.lakeannecy-skiresorts.com.