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Destination:

Geneva


Ski Resorts

topSki Villages


While it’s possible to make Geneva your winter base and make day visits to the surrounding ski areas, we recommend choosing one of the region’s many famous ski villages, and spending a full week there. You’ll find plenty to do in these quiet, charming, car-free towns, from winter sports to fine dining and shopping. When I was last in Geneva, I asked our very knowledgeable driver about the ski villages. He broke them into two categories, “sport” and “fancy.” The “sport” villages are about the sporting activities – world-class skiing and climbing. The “fancy” villages are about glamour – fashionable people seeing and being seen at high-end shops, hotels and restaurants. Fancy resorts might have great skiing or hiking as well, but the real story is the après-ski.

topSport

Courchevel
Located in France, about 2 hrs south of Geneva

Part of Les 3 Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world, Courchevel offers what may be the best skiing in the Alps, with 50% beginner/intermediate and 50% advanced runs, and high elevations ensuring optimal snow. The resorts are very popular, especially with Russian tourists, and book up very early for Christmas and New Year’s. The area encompasses several villages, named for their elevations. 1850 offers a number of chic luxury hotels and resorts; Le Praz village (1300) is the most traditional, with a lively social scene.

Chamonix
Located in France, about 1 hr southeast of Geneva

Site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, this resort town is a mecca for mountain sports enthusiasts of all types. The skiing covers three main areas (Brévant/Flégère, the Grands Montets and the Balme area) as well as three low-valley ski areas, ideal for children and beginners. There’s also plenty to do in summer, from hiking and climbing to toboggan rides and pony treks. The historic village is lively and picturesque, with a pedestrian-friendly town center.

Zermatt
Located in the Valais region of Switzerland, about 3 hrs from Geneva

Nestled at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, Zermatt is the highest ski area in the Alps, and a famed mountaineering destination. The village is small but dense, and very walkable. Skiing on the Theodul glacier is available in summer.

topFancy

Megève
Located in France, 1 hr southeast of Geneva

Though it’s in the “fancy” category due to its upscale shopping, luxury hotels, and glamorous après-ski, this charmingly traditional alpine village is also our #2 destination for skiing, with miles of intermediate slopes. The medieval village center is pedestrian-friendly, with horse-drawn carriages carrying visitors around. A Polo Masters event is held here each January. Megève is part of the vast Espace Mont Blanc domain – a range of ski pass options are available.

Gstaad
Located in southwestern Switzerland, about 1.75 hrs from Geneva

Despite the nearby “Super Ski Region” (one of the largest ski resorts in Europe), this is the ultimate “fancy” resort, known for its luxury hotels and shopping and its VIP clientele. A picturesque castle dominates the car-free village center. Gstaad is also a prime hiking destination, with over 180 miles of signposted trails.

Interlaken
Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, about 2 hrs northeast of Geneva, 45 min southeast of Bern

Tucked between two mountain lakes, this resort town is popular year-round. Skiers can enjoy the Jungfrau Top Ski Region or family-oriented Beatenberg. In summer, visitors can hike, paraglide, take a boat excursion on the lakes, or stroll the town’s main promenade, lined with upscale boutiques and luxury hotels. There are a number of funiculars, railways and cableways for taking in the views, as well as Mystery World at Jungfrau Park, which explores the great unsolved mysteries of the planet.

Grindelwald
Located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, about 2.5 hrs northeast of Geneva, 1 hr southeast of Bern

This lively, charming resort village draws visitors with good skiing in winter and excellent hiking in summer. Walk to the impressive Oberer glacier, visit Schilthorn (home to the world’s longest aerial cable-car system and the famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant), or take the railway to Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. The renowned International Snow Festival is held in Grindelwald each January.

St. Moritz
Located in eastern Switzerland; 5 hrs from Geneva, 2.5 hrs from Zurich

This exclusive resort town is known for its “champagne atmosphere” of glamour and sparkle. It’s especially popular with Italians and Germans. Aside from sports, there are a number of winter events and festivals, including the Polo World Cup on Snow in Jan and the spectacular Graubünden Festival in Mar-Apr. Summertime here is much like Aspen, with a wide range of cultural activities. Getting to St. Moritz by car requires a lot of switchbacks – it might be more enjoyable by train.

topLift Pass Options (Chamonix Valley)

The Ski Pass Mont Blanc Lift Pass allows unlimited skiing or snowboarding in any of these resorts: Chamonix Valley, Les Houches, St Gervais, Megeve, Les Contamines, Praz sur Arly, Combloux, Cordon, Passy, Courmayeur. The Mont Blanc Unlimited pass gives unlimited access to Brevent-Flegere, Le Tour and Grand Montets and the valley floor beginner areas, plus top station Grand Montets, Aiguille du Midi, Montenvers train, Tramway du Mont Blanc, Courmayeur  and Verbier. Click here for these options and more.

topSki Areas

Moléson
1.25 hrs from Geneva

The Moléson resort near Gruyères is the largest ski area in the Fribourg region, with eight lifts and 22 miles of pistes.

Les Diablerets
1.5 hrs from Geneva

Located between Lake Geneva and Gstaad, the Glacier 3000 ski region offers skiing and snowboarding from early November to late May. Three ski regions offer 77 miles of runs (pistes) along with cross-country trails, tobogganing, and snowshoeing.