With its ideal location in the centre of Europe, Geneva is perfectly situated to offer skiing in the Alps during the winter months. Many of the country’s renowned ski resorts are within a ninety-minute drive and all are accessible by road or rail and are therefore ideal for a day-trip. Gstaad, Zermatt-Matterhorn, Val d’Isère and Chamonix are just some of the choices available to you.
Remember to travel with your passport, as Geneva’s unique geographic location, just a few kilometers from both the French and Italian borders offers you the opportunity to choose a different ski destination daily. The short travel time means that you can enjoy your “après-ski” in the comfort of your luxurious hotel or by discovering Geneva and all that this city has to offer.
We think of everything
We would be happy to arrange a picnic hamper or packed lunch - complete with local specialties and energy boosters - to take on the slopes with you.
Prefer to travel light? Our concierge will be delighted to assist with ski equipment rental either in Geneva or at the ski resort of your choice. Hats, gloves, scarves or full ski sets may be purchased in numerous stores just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel or alternatively at the ski stations where stores are open 7 days a week.
Additionally, private or group ski lessons for skiers of all levels can be pre-arranged for your day out on the snow. And, for those traveling with young fans, Snow Camp is a great way to discover the slopes.
Weekly and Daily Ski Passes may be purchased through the hotel and start at approximately CHF 40 per person. In most Swiss resorts, children below 6 or 8 years of age receive a free ski-pass.
Best way to Travel
Our concierge can assist in arranging transportation to and from ski resorts via private chauffeur-driven limousines, rental car, or helicopter. There is also public transportation available.
Distance from Geneva: 50 km
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 1,100 to 2,600 m
This beautiful village, located in the heart of the Haut-Savoie in France, combines exceptional ski facilities in a charming and scenic backdrop. Discover its 132 km of slopes for skiers of all levels or its many foot trails for those wishing to enjoy the scenery at a more leisurely pace. Many activities take place in this resort throughout the winter including the FIS World Cup Downhill Skiing competition as well as the amateur Cross-Country night race, which commences from the village centre.
Megève
Distance from Geneva: 70 km
Travel Time: 45 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge or helicopter from CHF 2900 one-way
Mountain Peak: 1,113 to 2,525 m
Discover this charming Alpine village in the “Haut-Savoie” of France with its wonderful scenery and un-spoilt surroundings. Experience the 420 km of slopes for beginners and experts or get to grips with its 68 km of cross-country tracks in natural and pristine surroundings – an ideal day out for all! Enjoy the wonderful scenery on foot or on snowshoes, or take a romantic break with a ride on a dog sledge. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, try the paragliding or a hot-air balloon ride. Snow-camp for younger guests is also available.
Villars-Gryon (Lake Geneva Region)
Distance from Geneva: 125 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Best Way to Travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 1,200 to 3,000 m
This charming resort lies on a natural and sun-drenched south-facing terrace with wonderful views of the Dents du Midi. Easily accessed, Villars-Gryon offers a wide range of sporting activities plus a wide choice for families, skiers and non-skiers alike. With a friendly and traditional atmosphere, wide-ranging cuisine, Villars- Gryon plays host to many public events including the Villars Grand Prix 24 Heures (mid-January) where the stars and jetset of Formula 1 raise money for charity.
Lift off in one of the 4 snow parks with 3 quarter-pipes or test out the 3 sledge runs. For children, there is a sledge lift and 4 snow kindergartens. Indulge yourself in the mountain restaurants with panoramic terraces. Cross-country skiers can choose from 44 km of trails, walkers from 7 snowshoe trails and marked paths, 3 km of which are suitable for prams.
Leysin / Les Mosses - La Lécherette (Lake Geneva Region)
Distance from Geneva: 125 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 1,260 to 2,200 m
The wide landscapes of Leysin/Les Mosses - La Lécherette provide the perfect setting for cross-country skiing and snowshoe trekking, whilst the skiing is excellent for all abilities. Europe's largest snow-tube run, located in the Tobogganing Park, guarantees a wild and unforgettable experience. For those who prefer to watch from the sidelines, the FIS World Cup Snowboard Championships in Leysin in January/February and the Original Black Race in Les Mosses in March are not to be missed. Leysin/Les Mosses’ slopes are perfect for families,for a challenging day out, and for witnessing international cross-country competitions. Plus, while you’re in Leysin's snow park, you can follow in the tracks of some of the world's best snowboarders.
Les Diablerets (Lake Geneva Region)
Distance from Geneva: 130 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 1,200 to 3,000 m
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and surrounded by undisturbed nature, at the foot of an awe-inspiring massif crowned by an awe-inspiringglacier, the holiday destination of Les Diablerets is both a traditional mountain village and the perfect holiday destination for sports enthusiasts and families alike.
The majestic Diablerets Glacier, one of the most beautiful in Switzerland, begins high up at 3,000 m. Year-round snow and a panorama to delight nature lovers and sports enthusiasts alike create a lasting impression of immeasurable distance and power. The slopes of Les Diablerets and its glacier are perfect for both skiers and snowboarders and as a starting point for winter walkers and snowshoe trekkers, too, while the 7 km long sledge run, floodlit at night, guarantees great fun for all ages! Children under 9 ski free in Les Diablerets.
Château-d'Oex / Rougemont (Lake Geneva Region)
Distance from Geneva: 140 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 1,000 to 2,200 m
A change of scenery is guaranteed in the Pays d'Enhaut - a charming combination of wild nature and ski paradise. Action sports enthusiasts and winter walkers can enjoy their favourite pastimes surrounded by spectacular panoramic views. The Pays d'Enhaut is also home to the Château-d'OEx International Hot Air Balloon Week, during which hot air balloons and zeppelins compete in elegance and originality, adding a lively and unique touch to the region. The variety of the winter landscapes and activities around Château-d'OEx are utterly delightful. Discover the countryside from an unusual angle - from a hot air balloon or on a paragliding flight. The 250 km of slopes for skiers of all abilities can be accessed directly from the villages. Ski schools, snow kindergartens, cross-country trails, sledge runs and many more winter sports are perfect for families and sports enthusiasts alike. Nature lovers can try out the 60 km of marked snowshoe trails in the region, while the newly added "Nordic skiing in the Alpes Vaudoises" meeting point, on the Les Mosses-La Lécherette plateau, is the ideal starting point for a range of Nordic sports.
Verbier Verbier/4 Valleys
Distance from Geneva: 160 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge or helicopter from CHF 2900 one-way
Mountain Peak: 1,500 to 3,330 m
Verbier is in an ideal location on a sun-drenched southwest-facing plateau, and comes complete with chalet-style architecture, lending it the original charm of a large mountain village. Furthermore, Verbier is connected to the 4 Valleys ski area - a true paradise for winter sports fans. Verbier has a slope for everyone - from beginner to experienced skier. 410 km of slopes with good snow conditions bring you almost right to the village. Mont Fort and Mont Gelé will delight all skiing aficionados, but rest assured that there are slopes ideal for skiers of any skill, whether beginner or experienced. Freestyle fans will find their very own paradise in the "1936 Neipark". The season begins with the first fall of snow and continues until the end of April.
Portes du Soleil - Chablais Region
Distance from Geneva: 175 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 400 to 2,500 m
At the entrance to Canton Valais, tucked between Lake Geneva and the Dents du Midi, the Portes du Soleil - Chablais Region and its wide range of sporting and cultural activities is just waiting to be explored. Plateaus, lakes and mountains provide an idyllic setting for the 650 km of slopes of the largest international ski area around. Straddling the Swiss-French border 209 lifts, 3 halfpipes, 7 snow parks, 4 boardercross and 4 skiercross slopes are all accessible with a single ski pass. If that is not enough, you can always try the 243 km of cross-country trails!
Gstaad Saanenland (Bernese Oberland)
Distance from Geneva: 160 km
Travel Time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge or helicopter from CHF 2900 one-way
Mountain Peak: 1,050 to 3,000 m
Saanenland, an incredibly beautiful part of Switzerland right in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, has something for everybody, both on and off the pistes. If skiing or snowboarding are not really your cup of tea, then try your hand at our sledge runs or explore the 160km of fairytale winter walking trails. There are 213 kilometres of prepared trails for cross-country skiers to glide along, too. 62 ski-lifts, cable and mountain railways connect 250 km of slopes, while one of the hottest meeting points for snowboarders is the snowpark in Saanenmöser.
Chamonix
Distance from Geneva: 200 km
Travel Time: 2 hours
Best way to travel: Rental car arranged through the hotel concierge
Mountain Peak: 1,035 – 3,840m
One of the world's most visited natural sites, the Chamonix Valley is located at the foot of the Mont Blanc, Europe's highest summit at 4810m. Registered on the world heritage list, Chamonix, the birthplace of mountaineering, is considered the Grand Old Lady of Alpine resorts. Thanks to its geographical location, Chamonix Mont Blanc is a genuine European crossroad; less than 15 km from Switzerland and only 20 minutes from Italy via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Despite its low altitude, 90% of the ski areas are located above 2000 m, making Chamonix a “guaranteed-snow” resort. The ski terrain is divided into three areas, all linked by an efficient shuttle bus service and a panoramic sightseeing train. The world famous Grands Montets is considered a mecca for skiers, snowboarders and freeriders but there are many options available for skiers of all levels throughout the resort. The winter season begins around mid-December and lasts until the beginning of May with excellent spring skiing in April.
