The Best Ski Resorts Near Geneva

An international airport based outside of Switzerland’s second-most populated city, Geneva airport becomes a hive of ski holiday activity each winter thanks to its proximity to the northern French Alps. With plenty of resorts being easily accessible within 90 minutes, Geneva is a great choice for those looking to maximise their time on the slopes and minimise the time they have to spend climbing winding roads with hairpin bends.

We’ve compiled a list of (some of) the very best resorts near Geneva, including the transfer times and providing a brief overview on the ski area and resort vibes. While there are plenty of public transport options thanks to the handy train station based inside Geneva airport, the times we’ve included here are estimated driving times, not train or bus. We must also insist that the obvious caveat here is that the mountains are snowy, popular places and so traffic is always subject to weather and peak season conditions. However, these things are a small price to pay when it means you get to glide down a mountain atop one or two planks.

So, if you’re looking for a stress-free short break or are just that frothed about getting on the hill, here are some of the best ski resorts near Geneva.

Chamonix

Sitting in the foothills of Mont Blanc, the French town of Chamonix needs no introduction. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons, it’s a sizeable resort with a traffic-free centre framed by pretty historic buildings and sliced in two by a river. It sits at 1035m in the Mont Blanc Massif, and offers skiing that is both accessible from the village and via a short drive up the valley. Arguably the most well-known is Les Grand Montets, which is a few km away and has north-facing slopes that climb up to 3300m. It offers a relatively snow-sure ski season which runs from December to May. From the resort centre though, you can take the impressive two-stage cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi at 3840m, where Mont Blanc can be admired up close.

**Transfer time from Geneva: 1 hour **

Courmayeur

Our only Italian entry on this list, Courmayeur is an upmarket ski resort in a sun-soaked spot of the Aosta Valley. The village itself sits at 1224m, but slopes will take you as high as 2755m with stunning views (and some insane skiing) of Mont Blanc. Despite the high-end feel and range of expensive shops, the resort has an inviting, big mountain spirit with great food and enjoyable après.

The skiing, which is just the local Mont Blanc Courmayeur area, has 100km of groomed pistes and several freeride trails that are all accessed by lifts. The southern and western area is entirely beginner to intermediates, while you’ll find the six black runs mostly based on the eastern slopes. There are plenty of mountain restaurants to choose from and the panoramic views of Mont Blanc, or Monte Bianco, are unlike anything else - head to Super G if it’s a lively après experience you’re after.

**Transfer time from Geneva: 1 hour 30 mins **

Megève

With a ski area that ranges from 1113m to 2350m, Megève is one of France’s classy, quaint resorts that has been considered a must-visit since it was established in the 1920s. Located in the Pays de Mont Blanc, it boasts impressive views and close proximity to the steeper terrain of Chamonix nearby. There are 400km of slopes spread over 4 massifs, 7 fun areas, 110 ski lifts and a whole range of restaurants both on the hill and in resort.

As to be expected from a member of the ‘Best of the Alps’ group, Megève is an expensive choice, but what it charges in price it delivers in views, charm and varied ski terrain with some good tree-lined options in St Gervais and Rochebrune if the weather demands it.

**Transfer time from Geneva: 1 hour 30 mins **

Flaine

A great option for those looking to combine their ski trip with the arts, the French resort of Flaine is known as the home of huge outdoor structures by Picasso and the brutalist, Bauhaus-inspired concrete buildings of the 1960s. With a base elevation of 1600m, the highest resort centre in this list, it gives guests access to the Grand Massif ski area, which covers the five villages of Flaine, Samoens, Morillon, Les Carroz and Sixt. You’ll enjoy 265km of slopes that cater to a range of abilities - although the majority is beginner & intermediate.

There’s not a huge après ski scene in Flaine, but the food and drink scene has plenty to offer and at reasonable prices.

Transfer time from Geneva: 1 hour 30 mins

Morzine

A pretty village in the heart of the considerable Portes du Soleil ski area, Morzine sits at 1000m up just a short distance from the Swiss border. It’s got all the staple classics of a French ski resort including quaint wooden buildings, stone churches and traditional restaurants offering classic Savoyard cuisine - think delicious cheese fondue and molten raclette. It’s based just over an hour from the airport, which makes it one of the closest ski resorts to Geneva; it’s also popular with brits, and has a strong British seasonnaire feel throughout resort.

The Portes du Soleil ski area ranges from 1800 to 2300 in altitude and offers over 600km of slopes. It’s very beginner-to-intermediate-friendly, connecting a total of twelve Swiss and French resorts and boasting 30 fun areas and snowparks. There’s also some mega off-piste throughout the ski area, with lines dropping down from the Nyon and Chamossière lifts closer to home. Avoriaz, Morzine’s next-door neighbour, is also known for its great slopes and freestyle terrain, including a large superpipe. In terms of après, you’ll be spoilt for choice however things tend to start in Le Tremplin and end in the iconic Tibetan Cafe, which recently changed its name from Buddha Cafe.

**Transfer time from Geneva: 1 hour 15 mins **