An old village, La Clusaz has been hosting winter sports since 1907. It is the birthplace of famous French skier Vincent Vittoz and sailor Philippe Monnet. Based in the Aravis mountain range La Clusaz (originally from the word cluse - meaning a narrow path between two mountains) was once called Clusa Locus Dei meaning God's narrow place.

In 1902, the opening of the road connecting Annecy and the valley of Thônes with the Aravis Valley which allowed La Clusaz to become a tourist center for summer and winter sports.

In 1956 (...)

An old village, La Clusaz has been hosting winter sports since 1907. It is the birthplace of famous French skier Vincent Vittoz and sailor Philippe Monnet. Based in the Aravis mountain range La Clusaz (originally from the word cluse - meaning a narrow path between two mountains) was once called Clusa Locus Dei meaning God's narrow place.

In 1902, the opening of the road connecting Annecy and the valley of Thônes with the Aravis Valley which allowed La Clusaz to become a tourist center for summer and winter sports.

In 1956 the first cable car was introduced. The commune of La Clusazis classified winter sports resort and of alpinism per decree of June 18 1969. The first luge was added in 1985. The first snow cannon added in 1994.

La Clusaz's main tourist draw is skiing, mostly downhill and cross country and as such La Clusaz has produced a number of different skiing celebrities including:
Candide Thovex, Vincent Vittoz, Mirabelle Thovex, Guy Perillat, Alain Pessey, Catherine Lombard, Raphaelle Monod, Edgar Grospiron, Regine Cavangnoud, Loic Collomb-Patton, Laurent Favre.

The Candide Invitational is an annual ski contest/demonstration hosted on La Balme Mountain, La Clusaz. Organized by Candide Thovex and consisting of a number of top international skiers.

Shopping in La Clusaz is very much like many other small alpine villages - centred around local shops specialising mostly in either local delicacies such as cheese, meats and wines as well as the obligatory ski shops which are essential for ill prepared tourists.