Best Ski Resorts Near Geneva

If you know that you want to spend your holiday within reasonable distance of the airport, and you want to be certain of snow, Geneva is a good place to stick the pin into the map. The following are a few family-friendly resorts within skiing distance of the airport.

Picturesque and with everything to hand

Just under an hour’s transfer from the airport will get you to Le Grand-Bornand, Aravis, one of those picturesque resorts that will earn a place in your heart.  There are pistes for all the family, whether beginners or seasoned skiers, and you can trust that your children will be in safe hands as they learn to set their feet in skis at the kids’ ski school.  With evening entertainment, a toboggan run and a skating rink, there is plenty to do that does not involve skiing; Le Grand-Bornand definitely makes for a relaxing family holiday during the winter months.

Extra piste space in case you run out

La Clusaz is just as close to the airport and is linked with Le Grand-Bornand.  Together the resorts amount to a total piste area of around 220km, plenty to keep you going.  Some ski passes cover both resorts depending on who you book with, so, if you pick well, you could have a large area of the Alps at your disposal.

Quieter than Chamonix

A little further from the airport, Argentière in the Chamonix valley can provide you with slopes that exceed 3000m.  It is quieter than Chamonix itself, and provides you with access to slopes at either Flégère or Le Tour.  Of the two, Flégère has a little more variety for the family; everything from gentle nursery slopes to black and scary pistes.  Le Tour offers blues and reds, so you always know where you are, but it may not be enough for some.  Argentière itself is a lively village with lots of places to eat and drink; there will not be any fussy eaters that cannot be accommodated.

Super-reliable for snow

The resort of Flaine should take no more than one hour 15 minutes to reach from Geneva.  It is renowned as a family-friendly resort, and has reliable snowfall every year.  In fact, it has a micro climate that allows it to get more snowfall than some more lofty resorts; the summit of Grandes Platières has an annual snowfall of 15m.  The resort is set within a natural bowl cupped by the mountains, meaning that the snow remains for much longer than expected.  The resort caters well for children, with lessons for three to five year-olds and plenty of play areas.

A little-known gem

Les Contamines is a great little village that is very close to Mont Blanc.  There are lots of pistes for intermediate skiers, but there are some black runs and off-piste wonders that will satisfy the diehards in the family.  It is unspoiled and attractive, with wooden chalets and a well-cared-for appearance.  There are good childcare facilities if you have a tot or two, and because the crowds are virtually non-existent, everything feels a lot safer for your family than in a busy, frantic resort.

By Will Smith