Named as 'Best Airport' by World Snow Awards, there's no doubt that Geneva Airport is a popular choice for skiers. With many French Alps ski resorts within driving distance of the airport, flying to Geneva means short transfer times and more time on the slopes!
You can fly to Geneva from many UK airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton and London airports. Compared to flying to other airports in France, flights to Geneva tend to be better value for money. You can also fly to Geneva direct from many other destinations including Tel Aviv. Once there, there is an excellent range of car rental options such as Avis, Enterprise and Hertz; as well as airport transfer companies.
Ski Resorts Near Geneva
To save you time researching (which could be better spent packing) we’ve created a list of the best ski resorts close to Geneva Airport. Head to the bottom of the page for an interactive map of the different journeys!
All of the resorts listed have easy transfer times.
CLOSEST SKI RESORTS TO GENEVA: Aravis - Annecy Mountains
1. La Clusaz: A 68km from Geneva in approximately 65 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 85 slopes (16 green, 31 blue, 30 red, 8 black)
- 49 lifts
- 125km piste
- Top resort height of 2600m
Journalist Rob Freeman gave 'A Perfect Ten for La Clusaz' in his review on MadDogSki. La Clusaz is great for beginners, intermediates and families (Aravis has been awarded the Famille Plus label and the Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA)). For après-ski, La Clusaz has 10 bars and restaurants, a nightclub, a cinema and 200 shops and services.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Bonneville, turn on to the Avenue du Mont-Blanc/D1203, turn on to D12, turn on to D4, take 3rd exit to D909 and continue to La Clusaz.
2. Le Grand Bornand: A 65km journey in approximately 62 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 48 slopes (15 green, 13 blue, 15 red, 5 black)
- 84km pistes
- 24 lifts
- Top resort height of 2100m
Rob Freeman also visited Le Grand Bornand, where he was 'totally charmed'. Le Grand Bornand is good for intermediates, snowboarders and families (Le Grand Bornand has the Famille Plus label and the Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA)). Le Grand Bornand's après-ski options include 30 restaurants and bars in the village plus 15 altitude restaurants.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Bonneville, turn on to the Avenue du Mont-Blanc/D1203, turn on to D12, turn on to the D224 which turns into the D4 and continue on to Le Grand Bornand.
THE LARGEST SKI AREA NEAR GENEVA: Portes du Soleil
3. Les Gets: A 72km journey in approximately 79 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 68 slopes (5 green, 26 blue, 28 red, 9 black)
- 120km pistes
- 45 lifts
- Top resort height of 2350m
Les Gets is great for beginners, intermediates and families (Les Gets has the Famille Plus label and the Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA)). For après-ski Les Gets has restaurants, shops, cinema, several bars, a nightclub and bowling.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. This turns into the A40/E25/E712, exit towards La Vallee Vert and turn on to the D903. Turn on to the D907 and continue. Turn on to the D307 before turning on to the D902, continue to Les Gets.
4. Morzine: A 78km journey in 86 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 68 slopes (5 green, 26 blue, 28 red, 9 black)
- 120km pistes
- 45 lifts
- Top resort height of 2350m
Morzine is good for beginners, intermediates and families (Morzine has the Famille Plus label and the Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA)). The après-ski options at Morzine are the 10 altitude restaurants, lots of bars, 2 cinemas, clubs, shops, etc.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. This turns into the A40/E25/E712, exit towards La Vallee Vert and turn on to the D903. Exit at Contamine-sur-Arve and follow the D9 which turns into the D20. Turn on to the D907, turn on to the D902, turn on to the D28, D128, D354, and continue on the D228 to Morzine.
5. Avoriaz: A 101km journey in 95 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 307 slopes (39 green, 130 blue, 105 red, 33 black)
- 600km pistes
- 208 lifts
- Top resort height of 2460m
Avoriaz is great for beginners and families, 'Village des Enfants' is a 25-acre learning area has been designed for children to have fun and learn in complete safety. For après-ski, Avoriaz has numerous restaurants and altitude restaurants, include a Folie Douce bar.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l'Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. This turns into the A40/E25/E712, exit towards La Vallee Vert and turn on to the D903. Exit at Contamine-sur-Arve and follow the D9 which turns into the D20. Turn on to the D907, turn on to the D902, turn on to the D338, turn on to the Route d'Avoriaz and continue until you reach the village.
THE BEST RESORTS FOR APRES-SKI NEAR GENEVA: Grand Massif
6. Samoëns: A 74km journey in 71 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 75 slopes (14 green, 33 blue, 22 red, 6 black)
- 145km pistes
- Top resort height of 2480m
Journalist Jane Knight described Samoëns as, "both a ski resort and a typical French village. This is the real France, full ofcolourfullocals...as French villages go, it is one of the prettiest, listed as a historic monument, and nestling at the base of seven mountains" in The Guardian. Samoëns is best for beginners, intermediates and free riders. The resort has many great options for après-ski with 30 restaurants, 15 bars, cinema, shops and a tearoom.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn onto Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Bonneville and turn on to the D19. Turn on to the D26, D6, D902. Turn on to D4 and continue to the D907 to Samoens.
7. Les Carroz d’Araches: A 72km journey in 56 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 75 slopes (14 green, 33 blue, 22 red, 6 black)
- 145km pistes
- Top resort height of 2480m
Les Carroz d'Araches is good for intermediates, snowboarders and families (Les Carroz has the Famille Plus label). For après-ski, the resort has 27 restaurants and bars, 1 nightclub, 1 cinema and their own DJ on the floodlit Timalet slope on selected dates.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn onto Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Cluses-Centre. Take D1205 until close to Magland turn on to D6. Then: Chemin de Creve-Coeur, Chemin du Grand Clos, Route de la Mairie, then follow the D106 to Araches.
7. Flaine: A 88km journey in 80 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 139 slopes (23 green, 61 blue, 44 red, 11 black)
- 265km pistes
- Top resort height of 2480m
Flaine is a family-friendly car-free resort, perfect for families and low-level skiers and snowboarders. For après-ski, the resort has a number of mountain restaurants, bars and resort-level restaurants, as well as a nightclub.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn onto Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Cluses-Centre. Take D1205 until close to Magland turn on to D6. Then: Chemin de Creve-Coeur, Chemin du Grand Clos, Route de la Mairie, then follow the D106 to Araches. From here follow the Route de Flaine (D106) until you reach the resort.
FAMILY SKI RESORTS NEAR GENEVA: Mont Blanc and Chamonix Valley
9. Les Houches: A 92km journey in 62 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 31 slopes (3 green, 10 blue, 14 red, 4 black)
- 55km pistes
- Top resort height of 3842m
Les Houches is best for intermediates, non-skiers and families (Les Houches has the Famille Plus label). Les Houches many activities include paragliding, climbing, tree-adventure park, tours of the Saint Bernard breeding centre, walking with donkeys, ice rink and sledging.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Les Houches-Centre, turn left D213 to Les Houches.
11. Chamonix: A 99km journey in 70 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 440 slopes (62 green, 134 blue, 179 red, 65 black)
- 1003km pistes
- Top resort height of 3842m
Chamonix has 5 areas of skiing, all easily linked by an efficient bus service (free with lift pass). Great for beginners but also excellent for challenging skiing; its high-altitude skiing has a good snow record. For après-ski options, Chamonix itself has over 100 restaurants, many bars and 7 nightclubs.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Les Houches-Centre, turn left D213 to Les Houches. Carry on through Les Houches on the N205, turn off onto the D1506 into Chamonix centre.
11. Saint Gervais: A 85km journey in 60 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 121 slopes (25 green, 36 blue, 43 red, 17 black)
- 445km pistes
- 57 lifts
- Top resort height of 2350m
Saint Gervais is great for beginners, intermediates, snowboarders, non-skiers and families (Saint Gervais has the Famille Plus label). Tramway du Mont-Blanc, showshoe hiking, climbing, ice skating, paragliding, ski jeering, hot air ballooning, swimming pool, thermal spa and the Mont Blanc baths, are just some of the activities offered in Saint Gervais.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit towards Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains.
12. Combloux: A 83km journey in 62 minutes*
Quick Ski Facts:
- 69 slopes (13 green, 18 blue, 30 red, 8 black)
- 100km piste
- Resort top height of 2350m
Combloux is a well-suited resort for beginners, intermediates and families, catering for all levels with scenic piste amid pine forests and panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Combloux offers a multitude of activities including snowshoeing, sledding, paragliding, fat-biking and snowmobiling.
Journey Summary: Leave Cointrin on the Route de l’Aéroport until it turns into the Route de Pré-Bois, turn on to Route de Vernier, turn on to A1/E25/E62 *enter France* and turn right. Stay on the A40/E25 until exit 20 towards Albertville/Megève/Sallanches.
Directions from Geneva Airport to the French Alps
Here's our helpful map of directions from Geneva Airport to La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Les Gets, Morzine, Samoens, Les Carroz d'Araches, Les Houches, and St Gervais
Click the icon in the top left-hand corner for more options.
Click the top left button to see driving directions from Geneva Airport to the top 12 ski resorts.
For more information on the Famille Plus label and the Top of the French Alps label (TOTFA) please see here.
*Transfer times and journey summaries have been calculated using 'Google Maps', these are only approximate and are subject to change.
~ Lucy Aspden-Kean, Commissioning Editor for the Telegraph Ski writing on Telegraph.co.uk
Which ski resorts are within an hour of Geneva Airport?
The Aravis-Annecy mountain ski area is within an hour of Geneva Airport - this gives you access to resorts such as La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand and Manigod!
What is the best time to ski around Geneva?
You can find great skiing all winter long around Geneva, due to it's proximity to some incredible resorts. From traditional French villages, to high-altitude resorts, there is a vast choice of destination for all times of the ski season. January is a great time for good snow conditions - this is resort dependant, with previous seasons having had great snow well into March and April.
What is the closest ski resort to Geneva?
Transfer-time wise, It's a close call between Le Grand Bornand, Samoëns and Les Gets (dependant on traffic). Distance wise, the closest ski resort is Le Grand Bornand.
What transport is there to get from Geneva Airport to the French Alps?
There are a few ways to travel to and from resort to Geneva Airport.
- Shuttle bus to resort
- Hire a car from the airport
- Private transfer to resort
