The Semnoz ski resort is the closest to Annecy. This mid-mountain resort welcomes you to a family ski area, just a few minutes from the Annecy urban area. The resort is at an altitude of 1,450 metres and allows you to ski from December to March, depending on the snow conditions. This resort is not supplied with drinking water, which has enabled it to limit its urbanisation and preserve its natural setting.
Le Semnoz, a resort close to Annecy
The first hotel-restaurant was built in 1872. At that time, it was already possible to enjoy the slopes of the Semnoz.
In 1963, the mayor of Annecy decided to create the Syndicat Intercommunal d’étude pour la protection et l’aménagement du Semnoz. The objective was simple: to preserve this massif. With this in mind, the SIPAS prevented the construction of a 4,000-bed housing project in 1976.
Little by little, the small resort developed. In 2000, the summer toboggan was installed and SPIAS joined the Parc Naturel Régional des Bauges. In 2018, the Télémix was inaugurated, which considerably reduced the time needed to climb to the top of the resort.
A ski area for all levels
Alpine skiing
- 18 runs, including 7 green, 5 blue and 6 red
- 10 lifts, including 7 ski lifts, 1 gondola (kindergarten) and 2 chairlifts
Cross-country skiing (Nordic)
- Kilometres of cross-country skiing trails: 46 km
- 9 trails , including 3 green, 3 blue, 2 red, 1 black
Snowpark
- 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/descent 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 has been set up at the bottom of the resort, with three levels of difficulty. It is open on Wednesdays and weekends.
Top rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels close to the Semnoz which offer excellent value for money and have very good customer reviews:
Hôtel des Marquisats
From 110 € per night.
Les Trésoms Lake and Spa Resort
From 233 € per night.
Le Pélican
From 152 € per room.
Best Western Plus Hotel Carlton
From 107 € per night.
Hotel Les Rochers Blancs
From 110 € per night.
Winter sports
Several sports can be practised in Semnoz during the winter:
Equipment can easily be hired on site or in specialist shops in Annecy.
Paraskiing at the top of the Semnoz
This sport allows skiers and snowboarders to be pulled by a sail attached with a harness. Kitesurfing is the nautical derivative of this sport and is practiced on Lake Annecy in summer. This sport is quite technical at the beginning and requires an introduction by experienced kitesurfers or by a professional.
Ski passes
Several types of ski passes are available at the Semnoz resort. For alpine skiing, it is possible to opt for passes ranging from one hour to a full day. Multi-day passes are also available.
For cross-country skiing, there are three main solutions: the day pass, the weekly pass or the season pass. All you have to do is decide which one is most profitable for you, especially if you live in the Annecy area.
Ski schools
About fifty dynamic and passionate instructors are waiting for students from the age of 3 and will accompany you on skis, snowboards, but also during your snowshoeing trips.
Ideas for summer activities
This resort offers many activities:
- The summer Lugé: the circuit is 850 metres long, with an assisted lift. The descent takes place between the fir trees, with steep 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 2 people in the sled.
- The electric Minikart: intended for children aged 3 to 6, it is an opportunity to learn how to drive. The large electric go-kart allows children to ride with adults.
- The Télémix: it takes you to the top of the resort at an altitude of 1,702 m to discover a beautiful panorama of the neighbouring mountains. Free for children under 5 years old.
- The Runix: this all-terrain kart without engine is equipped with suspensions. A ski lift takes you to the top of the track. Children must be over 1.25 m tall.
- The Blackmountain: this is an all-terrain scooter for slaloming in the Semnoz mountain pasture. Access is via the ski lift.
- The Form’Athlon: located next to the summer snow park, it offers from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 7pm a cardio course followed by laser rifle shooting on biathlon targets, from 7 years old.
- Themed walks: mountain pastures, mountain activities, fauna and flora from 10 am to 6.45 pm.
All these activities require an activity card of 1, 5, 10 or 25 passages, to be bought at the departure of the summer luge and the Runix.
Access and public transport
The Semnoz ski resort can be reached by car or by bike from Annecy, or via the Col de Leschaux or Quintal.
Summer bus routes
Winter bus routes