_Ski weekenders: The commutable Alpine ski resorts with the quickest transfer times
These easily 'commutable' ski resorts make 'popping in' for a long weekend a very real possibility for the time-savvy. Catch an early flight, and it's entirely possible to be sashaying down the pistes by lunchtime in one of these resorts that proudly tick the accessibility box.
Or why not stay a while longer and work from home to the backdrop of Mont Blanc in one of these alpine chalets on the market through Knight Frank.
The upcoming ski season and the growing allure of year-round alpine living are celebrated in our latest Ski Property Report. The report also provides insights into the French and Swiss Alps Alpine property market, including advice for those considering renting out their Alpine property.
Read the Ski Property Report 2023 here
French ski resorts with the shortest transfer times
Megève
Geneva airport to Megeve: 65 minutes
Altitude: 1,113 m
This bijou, chocolate-box Alpine ski resort is a serious contender in the mountain style stakes, attracting those that want to be seen in the latest Alpine fashion alongside serious skiiers and snowboarders showcasing top-of-the-range gear.
There are beautiful views of Mont Blanc to enjoy from the slopes before heading back to a gentle apres-ski scene in the upscale boutiques, cafes and restaurants peppering the cobbled streets of the resort’s medieval centre.
Serious pistes are generally a short drive away, but there are good family runs through woods closer to hand, and the late-season skiing here is particularly good. The extensive ski area is suitable for all levels, with plenty of miles of easy cruising on well-groomed pistes.
The local Evasion Mont Blanc ski pass covers the immediate vicinity of Megève skiing as well as the neighbouring resort of Les Contamines, Saint Gervais and Saint Nicolas de Véroce. Experts with a car might want to consider the Mont Blanc ski pass, which stretches to the nearby Chamonix valley.
Megève is truly a year-round destination, beautifully positioned, with a diverse range of activities on offer. Golf, in particular, is favourite during the summer months, along with ice skating, tennis, climbing, polo, swimming and bowling.
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Les Houches
Geneva airport to Les Houches: 65 minutes
Altitude: 1,008 m
Within earshot of Geneva airport is one of the largest towns in the Chamonix Valley, spread over 8km. It's a popular place to ski for families with younger children as well as beginners thanks to its sunny, lower altitude slopes, which are wider and less steep than in nearby Chamonix.
The higher slopes are bathed in sunshine and offer a 360-degree panorama over the entire Mont-Blanc massif. There are plenty of piste-side mountain restaurants for a warming vin-chaud for non-skiier to while away a few hours while soaking in the cinematic views.
For the advanced, no trip to Les Houches would be complete without a ride down the World Cup black run 'Verte des Houches', also known as 'the Kandahar', which takes you straight back down to the village if you're feeling brave enough.
Les Houches offers welcoming shelter on bad weather days - its lower altitude means that it doesn't get as cold or windy as some of the higher resorts. Many skiiers and snowboarders descend down to the 'umbrella' of tree-lined runs for protection from the elements and better visibility.
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Chamonix
Geneva airport to Chamonix: 75 minutes
Altitude: 1,035 m
A perennial favourite and a zip down the motorway from Geneva airport, nestled at the foot of Mount Blanc, Chamonix makes an excellent 'dual season' destination.
A vibrant and exciting town with just the right mix of 'something for everyone', Chamonix is the spiritual heartland of the Winter Olympics (the first ever Winter Games were held here in 1924) and as such, it is dearly loved by skiers and mountain enthusiasts across the globe.
In particular, it has long held a great affinity with UK snowsports enthusiasts. An established and mature resort, it serves as a base for almost all types of outdoor activity, yet the region retains a delightfully traditional Savoyard feel.
When the snow melts in spring, the Alps become a paradise for walkers and nature lovers. Summers are short and warm, with temperatures often reaching 30 degrees. Autumn, meanwhile, offers crystal clear skies and warm weather stretching well into October.
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Morzine
Geneva airport to Morzine: 75 minutes
Altitude: 1,000 m
A popular mountain resort since Edwardian times, this lively village offers year-round activities with a pleasingly short commute from Geneva airport, making it a top destination for the UK ski weekend crowd.
It is the capital of the huge 600 km cross-border Portes du Soleil ski area and, at a comparatively low altitude to neighbouring French year-round resorts, it's a good base for families that value the short drive time and the gentle dynamism of the wide, tree-lined pistes.
Intermediates and freestylers migrate to nearby Avoriaz, which is one of the best resorts for terrain parks with some challenging runs for adrenalin junkies.
Off the slopes, Morzine has a vibrant après ski scene that caters to both families and 3-am'ers, with plenty of bars and lots of off and on-snow activities once the sun goes down.
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Swiss ski resorts with the shortest transfer times
Villars
Geneva airport to Villars: 90 minutes
Altitude: 1,260 m
A convenient 90-minute drive from Geneva airport alongside 225 km of skiable pistes, this upmarket, traditionally Swiss resort is a popular dual-season spot for those eager to max out on time gliding down the slopes.
It's for these reasons that Villars attracts second homeowners after a turnkey chalet to enjoy a full two days of skiing and be back to their permanent base in time for dinner.
There is a good selection of intermediate runs, with some challenging off-piste runs for experts, and a nearby glacier with a variety of runs accessed by cable car that all levels of experience can enjoy.
The village sits on a ledge with great views of the Rhone Valley and Mont Blanc beyond. It's also home to two of the world's most exclusive boarding schools, Beau Soleil and Aiglon College, which means that it's busy all year round.
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Verbier
Geneva airport to Villars: 120 minutes
Altitude: 1,258 m
A winter favourite, Verbier is the largest, and often sunniest location, offering a full suite of winter activities. It's also a resort favoured by the Swiss, making this mountain resort exceptionally popular.
Verbier has slopes to suit all levels, but it really comes into its own if you're confident and have a nose for adventure. The 80 lifts access more than 410km of runs, including some of the best lift-served off-piste in the Alps.
The beating heart of apres-ski Verbier is the Place Centrale and the Rue de Médran, which is bookended by a clutch of upscale bars, shops and restaurants. The W Verbier hotel is the weekend bolthole of choice for those who like to be seen in all the right places, on an off-piste.
The scenery is, of course, spectacular, and from the upper parts of the ski area – Mont Fort, at 3,330m – the views reach as far as the Matterhorn and even Mont Blanc.
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