The ski resort of Abondance is characterised by its small size and authentic character. It is ideal for beginners or those who want to improve their skiing skills. You will discover remarkable natural landscapes typical of the Haute-Savoie.
The resort of Abondance
The village is made up of 6 hamlets with 1,400 inhabitants all year round. The pastoral activity is still very present, with cattle breeding and the production of Abondance PDO cheese. You can taste this cheese in the restaurants, either on a platter or as a hot dish with the Berthoud culinary speciality. A visit to the cheese house allows you to discover how the cheese is made. This resort is classified as a Pays d’Art et d’Histoire, a recognised cultural label. The Abbey of Abondance built in the XIIᵉ century is one of the visits not to be missed.
The Lac des Plagnes is a natural site classified as a Unesco Geopark. It is 6 hectares in size and lies below the Mont de Grange massif (Natura 2000 nature reserve). A Nordic ski loop, snowshoeing and ski touring are available near the lake. It is accessible by car and is 5 km from the village of Abondance.
The Abondance ski area
The Abondance ski area offers a sublime panorama, with 17 km of runs between 950 m and 1730 m altitude. It is linked to the Portes du Soleil, which offers more than 650 km of runs. The Ludoffaz snow front, located in the centre of the village, provides direct access to the slopes. The Essert ski area is recommended for beginners.
The resort of Abondance offers a beginners’ area, a snowpark and a boardercross. The boardercross is a timed obstacle course, with banked turns, gates and numerous bumps. A friendly restaurant welcomes you at the foot of the slopes. The car parks in the village and at the Essert gondola are free.
The Abondance cross-country skiing area is linked with La Chapelle d’Abondance and Châtel. It is made up of 7 trails, including one for beginners.
A biathlon initiation stage is available with laser rifle shooting on electronic targets.
The best rated hotels
As Abondance is not a large resort, we recommend that you book your stay well in advance of your holiday. This will give you more choice in tourist accommodation.
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels near Abondance that offer excellent value for money. They have very good reviews from guests.
Hotel Le Mont Jorat
An establishment offering good value for money. The rooms all have a balcony from which you can enjoy the view of the Alps. The restaurant features local specialities such as diots with white wine or tartiflette with Reblochon AOP.
From €60 per night.
Hotel Macchi Restaurant & Spa
A beautiful establishment offering large and spacious rooms with a view of the Val d’Abondance. The hotel has a spa with jacuzzi, a sauna, a gym and a heated indoor pool. The restaurant “Le Cerf” serves fine cuisine.
From € 145 per night.
Hotel Mil8
This hotel is located at the bottom of the ski slopes in the resort of Avoriaz, not far from Abondance. The hotel offers great facilities such as family rooms, a playground, a gym, evening entertainment and a sauna. An address highly rated by guests.
From 220 € per night.
Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium L’Amara
A beautiful hotel in Avoriaz with a heated indoor swimming pool. The flats with balcony offer a magnificent panorama on the massif. Private parking and hiking from the hotel.
From 110 € per night.
L’Edelweiss
The hotel is located 200 m from the church of Châtel. You can easily take the shuttle to the ski slopes of Linga-Pré la Joux. The rooms are spacious and the restaurant offers traditional dishes such as tartiflette and raclette.
From 87 € per night.
The most beautiful chalets
For an unforgettable holiday in the mountains, we offer three chalets near Abondance that have received excellent reviews from guests:
L’Étoile de Savoie
A large traditional chalet of 180 m² with a fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, oven and wood-burning stove is at your disposal for a pleasant holiday. Parking and garage are free. You have a magnificent view of the Alps.
Chalet Fleur de Lys
A large chalet of 200 m² in Abondance, only 47 km from Geneva and 20 km from Montreux. The decoration is in the Savoyard wooden style, with spacious rooms. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, fridge, kettle and coffee machine.
La Case
This beautiful 150 m² chalet offers 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, satellite TV, as well as a terrace and a barbecue. The view over the valley is remarkable. Hiking and skiing are available nearby. There is also a ski room.
Winter sports
Ice driving
In Abondance you can learn to drive on ice in your own vehicle or in a sports car. The aim of these driving courses is to have fun while learning to drive on snow and ice. Useful tips are given on how to adapt to winter conditions. The cars on offer are a Porsche and an Alpine A110. Price: from €60 to €399. Address: Circuit Glace Expertpilot, Les Carrés, 74360 Abondance.
The Yooner
The Yooner is an activity similar to sledging. Sitting on your sled, you can race down the 5 kilometres of marked out tracks designed for this purpose. A handlebar will help you to steer and the handling is simple. The activity is supervised by a professional.
The Vallée d’Abondance athlete: Violaine Grau
La Grande Odyssée
Ski passes
If you decide to stay in Abondance, you should know that several types of ski passes can be proposed to you. You will find in particular the classic day or three-day passes.
For those who are part of the Portes du Soleil club, a pass is offered to you from 200 accumulated suns. This is a way of building customer loyalty and encouraging them to return to Abondance.
Snowshoeing itineraries
Snowshoeing enthusiasts will be delighted in Abondance. 5 marked circuits for families allow you to discover magnificent winter landscapes on more than 100 km of itineraries:
The “Chapels and Oratories” hike
This beautiful loop begins at the Plagnes lakes car park. It allows you to discover the built heritage which makes the beauty of the village of Abondance.
Duration: 2 h 30, open from 14/12 to 14/03.
The “Chalets d’Autigny” hike
This outing offers a magnificent view of the Mont Chauffé ridge and the Cornettes de Bise. The passages in the forest allow you to read the animal tracks in the snow.
Distance: 8 km, open from 14/12 to 14/03.
The “Fremoux” hike
The start is at the Auffaz sledge run. The itinerary then winds through meadows, forest and small hamlets.
The duration is 1 hour 45 minutes.
The “Versant forestier” hike
Three circuits are possible: from Le Pré by the Nordic route of Richebourg, from the hamlet of “Chez les Ogay” or from “Les Carres”.
The distance is 7 km.
The “Plan des feux – Les Ravières” hike
This beautiful circuit is located in the Crêt-Béni sector. It offers a beautiful panorama of the village and the surrounding mountains.
Open from 01/12 to 30/04.
Ideas for activities in summer
Family walks
To enjoy nature, here are some walks to discover:
- The tour of the village: it allows you to take in the centre and the hamlets with a beautiful view of the abbey and the village. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
- The chapels and oratories: this walk allows you to understand the attachment of the inhabitants to the patron saints. The difference in altitude is 159 metres.
- The path along the banks of the Dranse: this walk follows the banks of the river to discover its heritage. The difference in altitude is 300 metres. A shuttle bus costs 1.50 € and allows you to avoid having to retrace your steps.
Good plans for children
The playground is located at the entrance to the village near the tennis courts. The tourist office offers themed walks, visits to the farm, educational workshops with the abbey and the cheese house. Fishing and archery lessons are also available during the summer. The Multi Pass of the Portes du Soleil domain gives access to over 60 activities. It is free for children under 5 years old.
The Abondance cheese house
A playful and sensory journey is proposed to discover the making of Abondance cheese and its history. Tastings of Savoy cheeses allow you to understand the nuances and characteristics of these regional products.
Access and public transport
To reach the Abondance valley, you have the choice according to your means of transport:By car, you must follow the direction of Thonon-les-Bains, then the Bioge road towards the Abondance valley.By train, you must get off at the Thonon-les-Bains stop and then take the bus or taxi to the resort.By plane, from Geneva-Cointrin airport, take the Léman Express to reach Thonon-les-Bains.
There are several means of public transport to get around the resort and the valley:
- The Colombus shuttle runs between Châtel and Abondance in the valley, serving the villages of Chevenoz, Vacheresse, Bonnevaux, Abondance, La Chapelle d’Abondance and Châtel.
- The Trans’Abondance is a free shuttle for groups of children on holiday. It runs from the Christmas holidays until the end of March and serves the ice rink, the cable car, the Maison du Fromage d’Abondance and the abbey.
