Skiing in Switzerland when you live in the South of France

Want to escape? You live in the South and you want to discover new ski areas and another mountain culture? The Switzerland awaits you with open arms. And skiing in Switzerland It's a bit of a religion.

When you live in the South of France, the gateway to go skiing in Switzerland is Geneva and Lake Geneva.

It is easily accessible from Lyon, or via Grenoble, Chambéry and Annecy. Ideal if you live in the southern half of France, but also the Centre and Burgundy Franche-Comté.

And once we arrive in Geneva, which resort will we ski in?

Two Swiss cantons are close to the French border: Canton of Vaud and Valais, at the end of Lake Geneva!

Skiing in Switzerland in the canton of Vaud

AlpAddict in Vaud — Leysin on a sunny plateau, from the Diablerets valley. In the background, Lake Geneva under the clouds.

In summer, or on sunny days, we like to stroll along the banks of Lake Geneva. Once past Lausanne, and its medieval quarter, we cross the vineyards of Lavaux which descend in terraces to the banks of the lake. You must continue your route to the end of the lake after having crossed, or gone around to go faster, the very Mediterranean towns of Vevey et Montreux, in order to enter the Rhone Valley, flat, flanked by high mountains where the ski resorts of the Vaud Alps.

We arrive at the same place if we follow the southern shore, the French shore of Lake Geneva, often less rapid, but more direct when crossing Thonon les Bains et Evian les bains.

The meeting point is around the city ofAigle. Aigle is located 1h30 from Geneva by road.

But we can get to Aigle also by train in 1h20 from Geneva. It's really close to the French border.

Just above Aigle, on the mountains overlooking the right bank of the Rhône, towards the East, you can go up to the station of Leysin, nestled in a panoramic position at an altitude of 1200m. You can practice at Leysin family skiing on around sixty km of slopes served by around fifteen ski lifts. You can also ski at Mosses pass, very snowy, perfect for Nordic skiing among other things, and connected to Leysin by shuttle.

Since Leysin, 20km away, or from Aigle 25km away, the more athletic will choose the resort of Diablerets, at the bottom of a vast valley at an altitude of 1200m, the highest slopes of which, in the Glacier 3000m area, are around 3000m above sea level. Here, 125 km of slopes of varying difficulty await skiers in a very friendly village atmosphere.

AlpAddict in the Vaudois mountains — We ski in Villars sur Ollon

Another family resort offering magnificent landscapes in the Valais Alps is Villars-sur-OllonAccessible by road 12km from Aigle, on a balcony facing south-west and allowing maximum sunshine, this small traditional village will charm you.

The ski area of Villars-sur-Ollon is connected to that of the Diablerets. The skiing will therefore be of quality.

Villars-sur-Ollon is located 3 hours from Lyon by road, as much as Val d'Isère or the other resorts of Haute Tarentaise.

Skiing in Valais when you live in the South of France

In Val d'Illiez with AlpAddict — The Dents du Midi seen from the heights of Champéry

At the gates of Valais, and just after the French-Swiss border, is the Dents du Midi region which represents the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil area. Yes! The one that is part of Châtel, Avoriaz, Morzine ou Les Gets !

Whether at Morgins, five kilometers from Châtel, or Champery, accessible by train, in a side valley on the left bank of the Rhone, west of Aigle, the skiing is of quality, the snow cover excellent and the sunshine maximum on the slopes. Certainly the interest of these resorts of Chablais Switzerland is above all the connection with the French part of the Portes du Soleil area, but one can also ski only on the area located in Switzerland and pay a cheaper ski pass.

These stations are also less than 3 hours from Lyon, just like the major stations in Savoie.

Champery is the largest of the resorts. It is also a pretty village with a real Alpine tradition. It is a little steep, at an altitude of 1000m, and the end of the day on the sunny snow front is rather rare, but the landscapes on the Dents du Midi, as soon as you gain height, are breathtaking.

AlpAddict offers you the Portes du Soleil, Swiss side — On the ski slopes of Champoussin

Morgins, more sporty, and sunnier, located at 1300m altitude has an incredible advantage. Located five kilometers from the pretty village of Châtel, in France, you can pay for your accommodation at the French price (and yes, in Switzerland, it is sometimes a little more expensive) and ski in Switzerland. Morgins is connected to Champery through the lifts of the Portes du Soleil area, crossing the resorts of Champoussin and Crosets, which are high-altitude resorts, and also options for your accommodation.

All these stations of the Val d'Iliez have a skiing tradition rooted in the region and will allow you to enjoy a sunny and very high-level ski area, with the famous Mur Suisse slope, in the Chavanette sector.

More information about this region by visiting the website of the Dents du Midi region.

Swiss resorts of Champery et Morgins are less than 3 hours from Lyon, as are the major resorts of Savoie.

The other resorts in Valais, between Martigny and Sion and even beyond, are outside the scope of the objective of presenting Swiss ski resorts close to the French border, and easily accessible to residents of the South of France.

An article will be dedicated to the major ski resorts in Valais, such as Verbier, Crans Montana, Les Quatre Vallées and many others!