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Where to stay - Le Grand Bornand - France

There is the standard sort of accommodation with many privately owned chalets and apartments. However, most are self-catering (apart from the two in Le Chinaillon). There are also some very individual and beautifully renovated places to stay.

Le Grand Bornand is not often covered by the standard UK ski holiday companies and for this reason is a lot quieter and more French than the better-known resorts. It is growing, with MGM currently building apartments in the area - whether this is a good or bad thing is up for debate. Personally we like it as it is, friendly with room on the piste!

Best for...

Location:
Le Ferme de Florent is in a perfect position, ski in, ski out and a five minute stroll to the shops, bars and restaurants in the charming village of Chinaillon.

Luxury:
Bleriot & Chiron are modern luxurious chalets on the piste with saunas.

Self-catering:
Local company Chinchal lets out apartments and chalets.

Ski in, ski out:
Ferme de Soleil is a chalet on piste, high above Le Chinaillon. You access it by skidoo from Le Chinaillon and can only get to the village in the evening if your hosts are willing to skidoo you there and back.

All-inclusive:
Thomson ski and snowboard is an excellent option if you want to tailor-make your holiday and book either flights, transfers, accommodation only or car hire. 

The villages

Le Grand Bornand

Staying here has the advantage of it being in a larger town - with more amenities as well as activities for skiers and non-skiers alike such as skating and husky rides. Whilst not having direct access to the slopes (only via a gondola or a free bus service to the slopes in Chinaillon), the town provides plenty of other things to do. (When there's plenty of snow, you can ski back via a blue run).

Chinaillon 

While Grand Bornand is a thriving town, further up the mountain, Chinaillon is a quiet and picturesque village offering slope-side accommodation but also a good choice of bars and restaurants - even a nightclub. 

A free bus service runs between the two places so whichever you choose, you can easily access both areas. Although maintaining a good nightlife scene with plenty of options in both areas, if you are looking for all-night raves and non-stop parties this probably isn’t the resort for you. But if you like good food, friendly bars and great skiing then Le Grand Bornand has it all.