Champéry

Switzerland · Valais · 600 km of pistes · 1,050m-2,200m

Summary

Champéry is an elegant mountain village in the canton of Valais, at 1,050m altitude, with views of the Dents du Midi. It is part of the Portes du Soleil area, the second largest ski zone in France with 600 km of connected pistes across 13 resorts (4 Swiss, 9 French). The Swiss side is characterised by more demanding skiing, forests and long descents.

It is not massive glacier skiing like Zermatt or Verbier; it is forest skiing, accessible freeride and long descents with views over the Chablais valley.

Technical Data

Location and Access

Champéry is in the Chablais valley, 80km from Geneva and 110km from Montreux. The village is accessible by train from Basel (~2h) or Geneva (~1h 30m). From Marbella or Madrid, the most practical option is to fly to Geneva and take a direct train.

The Portes du Soleil Area

Champéry is the Swiss gateway to Portes du Soleil. The 13 resorts are connected by ski-lifts with no additional charges:

• Swiss side (1,050-2,200m): Champéry, Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz
• French side (600-2,000m): Saint-Jean, La Chapelle, Lindarets, Nyon, Chevenez, Morgins, Torgon, Abondance, Montriond

The “Tour du Portes du Soleil” ski race is a 70km loop that crosses 5 countries in one day (a very popular circuit).

Type of Skiing and Level

Alpine: Well-groomed pistes, 70% blues and reds, easy access from the village.

Freeride: Dense forests in the Les Gets–Morzine zone. Accessible backcountry descents (no guide required).

Ski touring: Connections towards Morgins and Nyon with small accessible glaciers (intermediate level).

Families: Lower zone very safe (Champéry 1,050-1,400m). Black pistes are limited to high-altitude areas. Not as flat as lower Portes du Soleil.

Highlighted Areas

Dents du Midi (2,002m)

Cable car from Champéry to 1,800m, then lift to 2,002m. 360° views over Valais and Savoy. Red/black descents.

Barks Park

Modern snowpark with jibs, boxes, slopestyle. Accessible from central cable car.

Forclaz Descent (1,530m)

Red piste of 8km with views over Lake Geneva. Very photographed.

Forests of Morzine-Les Gets (French side)

Blue-red pistes between trees. Ideal in poor weather because the trees provide visibility.

Snow and Season

Snow reliability: 1,700m in Valais guarantees snow. Champéry is further east than the French Portes du Soleil, with slightly lower precipitation but colder at altitude.

Best period: January–March. February is colder.

Lift Pass and Tickets

Portes du Soleil Pass: 1 day access to all 13 resorts ~80 CHF. Ikon Pass: Champéry is NOT included in Ikon. See Zermatt or Verbier for Ikon in Switzerland.

Accommodation

Champéry is more expensive than Morzine (French side) but cheaper than Verbier.

Après-ski and Restaurants

Champéry has an elegant side but is not Verbier. There are good mountain bars and 2 Michelin-starred restaurants nearby.

Popular bars:

• Champéry Pub (local beer, young atmosphere)
• Spa & Wellness Centre (hot springs, post-ski relaxation)

Restaurants:

• Chez Lucienne (traditional fondue, ~35 CHF)
• Le Restaurant du Vieux Champéry (cheese and raclette)
• Col de Coux (mountain, red piste, fondue with views)

Michelin nearby (10km):

• Auberge de l’Abbaye (Morgins, 1 star, 80-120 CHF menu)

Sunsets: Bars in the ski zone (Barks, Lindarets) offer fondues/raclette with sunset views.

How to Get There

Geneva airport → Geneva SNCF station → Train to Champéry (direct every 2h). The train is very comfortable, no stress of mountain driving.

Skiing with Children and Families

Children’s zone: The lower zone (1,050-1,400m) is very safe, wide pistes, few falls. Excellent ski schools with Swiss instructors.

Age 6-8: Green pistes, mini-park, perhaps 3-4 hours daily.

Age 9-12: Blue pistes, some easy reds, connection to Morzine (for variety).

Age 13+: Access to reds/blacks, forest freeride. Portes du Soleil lite tour (60km instead of 70km).

Childcare: Champéry and Les Gets have childcare from 18 months, ~30 CHF/hour.

Scibasku Value Score (SVS)

• Guide quality: Excellent. Swiss guides with international certification.
• Resort age: 100+ years, but modern infrastructure (lift 2023).
• Customer reports: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (very good). Families praise safety; freeskiers praise forests and long descents.
• Reason for Scibasku: Not as crowded as Verbier nor as expensive. Portes du Soleil offers variety without leaving the pass.

Scibasku Advice

We have not skied here personally. This fact sheet is based on data from skiresort.info, reports from advanced skiers, and official Portes du Soleil configuration.

Recommendation: Champéry is ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers wanting 600km of pistes with good accommodation. If you seek “luxury without frills”, it is a better choice than Verbier (more expensive and touristy) and than Les Gets (younger, less luxury).

If you have children, consider Les Gets (flatter French side) or Morzine. If you want glaciers or altitude, go to Zermatt or Verbier.

Best season for Scibasku clients: February. Fresh snow, fast pistes, less bridge holiday tourism (unlike Easter in France).

Related Fact Sheets

• [[Verbier]] — opposite side of Valais (glacier, higher altitude)
• [[Les Gets]] — French side of Portes du Soleil (more family-friendly)
• [[Morzine]] — Portes du Soleil connection (forest skiing)
• [[Portes du Soleil]] — multinational area (600km)
• [[Zermatt]] — Swiss alternative if you want pure glacier