The Bornes massif are a mountainous massif in the north French Prealps in the department of Haute-Savoie. It has 20 peaks higher than 2000 m and is a popular destination for winter sports. The Massif is the source of the celebrated cheese Reblochon.
The massif is bounded on the east by the Thônes depression and the Aravis Range, where the highest peaks of the Northern Prealps are to be found, to the south-west by Lake Annecy and the Bauges Massif, and to the north by the valley of Arve and Chablais. The name "Aravis Massif" is also used to refer to the whole massif, possibly an effect of tourist marketing.
The massif can be accessed though numerous open valleys which separate the massif's peaks:
Two important rivers traverse the massif:
Main summits of the massif, outside those from the Aravis range:
Summits visible from Annecy (and the massif de la Tournette):
As well as its peaks, it has plateaus which are slightly elevated but difficult to access, such as the plateau des Glières tragically famous from the time of the Second World War.
As with all the prealpine massifs, the Aravis chain is primarily formed of limestone and its derivatives.
The massif benefits from exceptional snow considering its moderate altitude. It hosts two stations for the winter sports Alpine skiing and cross-country skiing, with pistes from 900m up to 2000m:
Tourist activities are also very popular in summer. The stations are first and foremost mountain villages where there remains significant farming activity.
The Glières Plateau is likewise a well-known site for cross-country skiing.
The massif is the source of reblochon, the famous cheese. Reblochon was first made in Le Grand-Bornand, and is now produced in large quantities using traditional methods in the massif's valleys. Two important markets are held weekly at Thônes and at Le Grand-Bornand. There is also a notable wood industry.