French ski resorts near Geneva
If you are heading off on a skiing holiday to France and Switzerland, you will most likely be on a flight to Geneva Airport. The best outcome is always minimum time spent travelling and maximum time skiing in the mountains. So, we have compiled a list of the best ski resorts close to Geneva airport. All transfers come in at 90 minutes or less, making these ski areas near Geneva perfect for a quick and easy weekend skiing escape. Enjoy a stress-free travelling experience with kids, or simply avoid clocking up too many hours in the car. Here’s our pick of the best French, Italian and Swiss ski resorts near Geneva.
La Clusaz – 60 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 220km
La Clusaz is top of our list of ski areas near Geneva. This pretty, traditional French village is a little less well-known than its neighbours of Avoriaz, Morzine and Chamonix. With 220km of slopes, La Clusaz is a brilliant option for beginner and intermediate skiers looking for a vast winter playground to explore. La Clusaz’s ski area reaches up to an impressive peak altitude of nearly 2,500m, offering snow-sure skiing conditions that can be enjoyed all season long.
The ski resort has plenty of powdery off-piste territory with the freeride area in La Balme serving up a choice of exhilarating descents. The town offers a range of cosy Alpine huts to while away an evening in. Dine on hearty local fare complete with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The town’s convenient location low within the valley also provides the option for non-skiers to take a bus to Lake Annecy. Enjoy a day excursion wandering around the scenic old town.
Stay At:
At just 50m from the ski lifts, you couldn’t ask for a more convenient location for your ski holiday. For those in need of a relax after a day on the mountains, head down to the hotel’s free sauna.
Les Gets – 70 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 650km
Another one of our ski areas near Geneva, this family-friendly ski resort welcomes its guests with Mont Blanc views and a charming town. The ski resort has access to the Portes du Soleil ski area with 650km of slopes across the neighbouring resorts of Morzine and Avoriaz. The traditional town was once an old mountain village where their first ever single-person chairlift opened back in 1938. Since then, it has developed to accommodate a wide range of accommodation and rustic eateries.
The traffic-free town is perfectly geared up for families. The ski slopes offer a good choice of skiing terrain for all skiers, all accessible within a mere 70 minutes from the airport. Perfect for skiing near Geneva and ideal for groups with younger children who want an easy travelling experience. The resort’s low position within the valley also gives access to the neighbouring areas of Lausanne and Montreux. Enjoy incredibly scenic towns overlooking Lake Geneva. A brilliant day excursion if you would like a break from the mountain.
Stay At:
Residence Annapurna is beautifully furnished and has amazing facilities that include a swimming pool, sauna and an exclusive tapas bar.
Samoens – 70 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 256km
Samoens ski resort combines historical architecture with fantastic skiing. The resort is one of the more traditional French ski resorts near Geneva, with its beautiful old buildings still prominent in the village. As for the skiing, there’s a good variety of runs suitable for all abilities, with 265km of pistes to explore in the Grand Massif ski area. There are great après options too with 30 restaurants, 15 bars, cinema and shops to choose from when you’re off the slopes. Skiing with an authentic French experience!
Stay At:
Les Chalets de Laÿssia is a self-catered accommodation with amazing views, excellent facilities and good access to the slopes.
Avoriaz – 90 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 650km
Avoriaz is very near the Swiss border, making it one of the most accessible French ski resorts near Geneva. As part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, there’s an insane amount of opportunities on and off the slopes to enjoy. The resort is one of the higher ones in the region meaning it’s got a snow record. Whether you’re looking to cruise down wide-open blues or take a ride in the various fun parks, there’s something for everybody in this ski resort. As for eating out and après there’s plenty of places to go, in particular, La Folie Douce has an electric atmosphere if you love a boogie.
Stay At:
Chalet Ossetra is a lovely open-plan modern chalet in a prime location near the slopes.
Megeve – 75 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 445km
Megeve is considered one of the most stylish ski resorts in the Alps, with its stunning scenery. A touch of class in the list of French ski resorts near Geneva with superb skiing. Explore sophisticated and up-market boutiques, as well as the many great bars and restaurants. The ski resort has a real charm to it with its cobbled streets and traditional alpine architecture. As for the skiing, there’s 445km of pistes to access that’s mostly geared up for intermediates with its shallow gradient. Queue times are pretty low due to most skiers heading over to busy neighbour Chamonix. A relaxing ski resort all around.
Stay At:
Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois is the perfect, luxurious mountain base for skiers looking to access Megève’s 445 kilometres of piste.
Flaine – 90 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 265km
Part of the Grand Massif ski area, Flaine is a must-visit for those who want to ski as many pistes as possible. The freeride pockets are also incredible if you’re with a guide to reach the perfect powder. Accommodation is mainly made up of big apartments but there are also chalet options too. There are few friendly gems to eat out too. Le Michet has delicious Savoyard specialities or Le Grain de Sel; is a popular spot with the locals. An under 2-hour transfer is a great plus for a French ski resort near Geneva.
Stay At:
Premium Residence Les Terrasses d’Eos has an amazing ski-in ski-out location and fantastic luxury facilities.
Morzine – 85 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 650km
This well-established ski resort has a prime location. Here you will find a mountain base with everything you could need. From a weekly market selling local produce to endless skiing in the Portes du Soleil. This is one of the best French ski areas near Geneva with access to 650km of slopes. Between all of Morzine’s neighbouring ski resorts, skiers can have their fill of almost every type of ski terrain. Whether that be freestyle skiing in the snow parks or the infamous black run nicknamed the ‘Wall’ in Avoriaz.
You can also enjoy a spot of lunch in Switzerland if you cross the border to Champéry. Despite Morzine’s low and accessible location at 1,000m, the available skiing reaches up to a high-altitude of 2,466m at its peak. This ski resort has snow-sure conditions that can be enjoyed all season long. The local runs closer to the town are often tree-lined, meaning that even in poor visibility conditions skiers are not limited.
Stay At:
Hotel Le Dahu in Morzine gives you the cosy comfort of a mountain chalet with lots of character, and a very high quality of service.
Chamonix – 90 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 150km
Chamonix is a great choice for a French ski resort near Geneva. The ski resort has acquired its international clientele thanks to its incredible freeride backcountry skiing and iconic landscape featuring Mont Blanc. This vibrant town is overflowing with eateries, galleries, mountaineering shops, spas and boutiques. Chamonix will offer everything you could need and is popular in both the summer and winter months. The town itself sits at 1,035m in the valley, whilst the ski area reaches an eye-watering 3,840m. The ski terrain is brimming with glacial runs, corduroy pistes, woodland forest routes and of course spectacular cruisey slopes. This ski resort is a firm-favourite amongst weekend skiers after the ultimate in variety. There is also the option to take a bus over to the south-facing side of Mont Blanc. Enjoy a day’s skiing in the glamorous Italian ski resort of Courmayeur – another of our favourite ski areas near Geneva.
Stay At:
The modern RockyPop Hotel in Chamonix breaks traditional hotel conventions in a playful style with lively decoration and rooms that sleep between two and twelve people.
Swiss ski resorts near Geneva
Champéry – 90 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 650km
This charming, rustic mountain village is tucked away beneath the dramatic ridge of the Dents du Midi mountain. It is a haven of typical Swiss mountain living, and one of the best Swiss ski resorts near Geneva. The streets are lined with chocolate box wooden chalets and cosy cafés, paired with a laid-back pace of life. This little pocket of idyllic Switzerland can be accessed in a mere 90 minutes from Geneva airport. Champéry is an ideal Swiss ski resort to escape to for a weekend skiing the slopes. Its 125 passenger Planachaux cable car whisks skiers up 1,000 vertical metres in just five minutes, emerging in the Portes du Soleil ski area where 650km of terrain awaits. After a day of adventure, hop back on the cable and return to tranquillity.
Stay At:
Hotel Suisse, Champery is an authentic chalet style hotel situated in the heart of the ‘les Portes du Soleil’ region, one of the largest ski areas in the world.
Nendaz – 100 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 412km
Another Swiss ski resort near Geneva is on our list. Overlooking the Rhone Valley, Nendaz is a delightfully picturesque ski resort. The close location to Geneva airport makes it great for short trip getaways too. Compared to the luxurious neighbour of Verbier, Nendaz is a more affordable option for many skiers. A cheaper option to explore the 4 Valleys ski area, but still with breath-taking views and fantastic skiing. The choice of bars, restaurants and off-snow activities are great too. Who doesn’t love a bit of Swiss bliss!
Stay At:
Chalet Ighzer is a lovely luxury 400 sq.m chalet featuring a private pool, spa, jacuzzi, sauna and fitness room.
Italian ski resorts near Geneva
Courmayeur – 90 minutes from Geneva
Ski area: 41.5km
Heading over to Italy, Courmayeur is a stunning medieval ski resort with a welcoming atmosphere. Thanks to its high altitude the Italian ski resort is renowned for its excellent snow conditions throughout the season. The skiing offers possibilities for any ability of skier or snowboarder, with its mix of slopes. If you hire a guide, advanced skiers will unlock some incredible off-piste on offer in the area. The village has breath-taking mountain walks between cosy bars and classy restaurants. A ski resort with real character, this is one of the best Italian ski resorts near Geneva.
Stay At:
Hotel Le Massif prides itself on five-star service by submerging guests into a totally luxurious and hassle-free environment.
To find out more about our French, Italian and Swiss ski areas near Geneva, speak to our experts on 0207 471 7700.
