The Semnoz ski resort is the closest to Annecy. This mid-mountain resort welcomes you to a family-friendly ski area, just a few minutes from the Annecy urban area. The resort is located at an altitude of 1,450 meters and allows you to ski from December to March, depending on snow conditions. This resort is not supplied with drinking water, which has helped limit its urbanization and preserve its natural setting.
Semnoz, a resort just steps from Annecy
The Semnoz ski resort is located very close to the city of Annecy. Very popular during the winter, it is best to go early in the morning if you want to find a parking spot.
The first hotel-restaurant was established in 1872. At that time, it was already possible to enjoy the slopes of Semnoz.
In 1963, the mayor of Annecy decided to create the Intercommunal Syndicate for the protection and development of Semnoz. The goal is simple: to preserve this massif. In this context, the SIPAS prevented the construction of a real estate project of 4,000 beds in 1976.
Little by little, the small resort developed. In 2000, the summer toboggan run was installed, and SPIAS joined the Bauges Regional Natural Park. In 2018, the Télémix was inaugurated, which significantly reduced the time to reach the top of the resort.
A ski area for all levels
Ski every day of the winter from 9 AM to 5 PM on the Semnoz ski area. Come whenever you like, even for a few hours. Passes are available starting from two hours, up to a full day. Enjoy yourself for as long as you want and pay only for what you need!
Alpine Skiing
- 18 slopes, including 7 green, 5 blue, and 6 red
- 10 ski lifts, including 7 drag lifts, 1 magic carpet (children’s area), and 2 chairlifts
Cross-Country Skiing (Nordic)
- Kilometers of cross-country ski trails: 46 km
- 9 trails, including 3 green, 3 blue, 2 red, 1 black
Snowpark
The Semnoz resort may not be the largest in the region, but it offers a beautiful slopestyle for freestyle practitioners, whether on snowboard or ski. A 900-meter slope is equipped with various synthetic or natural modules, for all enthusiasts of jumps, tricks, and rotations. This snowpark is accessible via the Le Belvédère chairlift and features 3 courses of different levels (Green, blue, and red).
- Snow modules: green, blue, red, black tables and 1 butter table
- JIB modules: 1 picnic table, 1 box, 2 rainbows of different sizes, 1 flat/downhill of 12m, 1 buoy, 1 double hand-rail, and 1 inclined plane
During the closure of the ski lifts due to the health crisis, a snowpark was set up at the bottom of the resort, with three levels of difficulty. It is open on Wednesdays and weekends.
Winter sports
Several sports can be practiced at Semnoz during the winter:
Equipment can be easily rented on-site or in specialized shops in Annecy.
Practicing paraski at the top of Semnoz
This winter sport is gaining popularity at the top of Semnoz. Indeed, the summit plateau is devoid of vegetation and the wind often blows strongly. These are ideal conditions for practicing paraski.
This sport allows skiers and snowboarders to be towed by a sail attached with a harness. Kitesurfing is the nautical derivative of this sport and is practiced on Lake Annecy in the summer. This sport, which is quite technical at first, requires an initiation conducted by practitioners or a professional.
Ski passes
Several types of ski passes are offered at the Semnoz resort. For alpine skiing, for example, it is possible to choose passes ranging from one hour to a full day. Multi-day passes are also available.
For cross-country skiing, there are three main options: the day pass, the weekly pass, or the seasonal pass. You will just need to determine which is the most cost-effective for you, especially if you live in the Annecy region.
Ski schools
Two ski schools accompany you, children and adults, in discovering skiing and snowboarding, as well as cross-country skiing. The lessons can be private or in groups. They are aimed at both beginners and those who already have the basics and wish to improve.
About fifty dynamic and passionate instructors are waiting for students from the age of three and will accompany you in skiing, snowboarding, as well as during your snowshoe walks.
Summer activity ideas
This resort offers numerous activities:
- Summer Tobogganing: the circuit measures 850 meters, with assisted ascent. The descent takes place among the fir trees, with raised turns. Two tunnels and a jump complete the sensations. From 3 to 8 years old, children must be accompanied by a person over 12 years old. The price is the same if there are two people in the toboggan.
- Electric Minikart: aimed at children aged 3 to 6, it is an opportunity to learn driving. The large electric kart allows children to ride with adults.
- Télémix: it takes you to the top of the resort at 1,702 m altitude to discover a beautiful panorama of the neighboring mountains. Free for children under five.
- Runix: this motorless all-terrain kart is equipped with suspensions. A drag lift takes you to the top of the slope. Children must be over 1.25 m tall.
- Blackmountain: this is an all-terrain scooter for slaloming in the Semnoz alpine pasture. Access is via the drag lift.
- Form’Athlon: located next to the summer toboggan run, it offers from 10 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 7 PM a cardio course followed by laser rifle shooting at biathlon targets, starting from seven years old.
- Themed hikes: alpine pastures, mountain activities, fauna, and flora from 10 AM to 6:45 PM.
All these activities require an activity card for 1, 5, 10, or 25 passages, to be purchased at the start of the summer toboggan run and the Runix.
Access and public transport
The Semnoz ski resort is accessible by car or bike from Annecy, or via the Leschaux pass or Quintal.
Summer bus lines
It is possible to reach Semnoz in the summer by shuttle from Annecy (bus station Quai n°11) and Duingt starting in June, every weekend and every day during July and August. Nine trips per day are offered from 8:40 AM to 7 PM with two stops at the resort. The summer line can carry 22 mountain bikes for 28 seats. Since 2021, it has been free.
Winter bus lines
Three bus lines serve the resort in winter with a bus every 30 minutes at the Annecy train station from December 16 to March 31, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and during holidays between 7:30 AM and 2 PM. Three stops are offered at the foot of the slopes: Nordic, alpine, and Bauges. Departures are from the Annecy bus station, the Vignières stop in Annecy-le-Vieux, and the Duingt stop at the church.
Note: for the 2024-2025 season, the connections between Annecy and Semnoz, as well as those between Annecy and Glières, have been suspended.
