Skiing and snowboarding from Champéry feels like stepping into the quieter, more refined side of Portes du Soleil. From the top of the cable car, terrain opens up with sweeping views of the Dents du Midi, and runs roll out across a varied mountain with a mix of wide cruisers, technical reds, and steep black descents. There's a real sense of space and altitude up here that the village's relatively low base elevation belies.

The lift infrastructure includes modern six-seater chairs and a gondola, keeping the mountain moving efficiently throughout the day. Champéry itself has 21 runs within the local sector, but the true scale becomes apparent when you cross into the wider Portes du Soleil. Its connection to Avoriaz and beyond is smooth, and in a single day you can ski through Swiss and French terrain without repeating a run.

Skiing for beginners in Champéry

Beginners should be aware that Champéry's terrain leans towards intermediate and above. The village's own slopes don't have an extensive nursery area at base level. However, there are learner zones up at Planachaux (accessed by cable car) with gentle, wide pistes that work well for first-timers. Once there, you'll find a good environment to learn, with patient ski school instructors and modern lifts.

Your key consideration should be getting to and from the learning area, which involves the cable car and adds a step to the daily routine. For complete beginners who want a more self-contained experience, the Les Crosets sector next door provides a slightly more convenient nursery setup. That said, many families successfully base in Champéry for the village character and simply ride up each morning.

WeSki insider tip: Book a couple of early lessons at the Planachaux nursery area. By midweek, most beginners are confident enough to start exploring the easier blue runs with those Dents du Midi views.

Intermediate skiing in Champéry

Intermediates will thrive here at Champéry. Red runs throughout the Planachaux sector are well-groomed, varied, and consistently satisfying, with terrain that rewards confident carving. Beyond Champéry's own slopes, the entire Portes du Soleil opens up, and the variety is extraordinary. You can spend a day cruising the wide pistes above Avoriaz, another exploring the tree-lined runs of Morzine, and another tackling the rolling reds of Les Gets.

The Portes du Soleil circuit, full loop of the linked resorts, is itself a classic intermediate adventure. It takes a full day and covers an impressive amount of terrain, crossing between Switzerland and France with spectacular scenery throughout.

WeSki insider tip: Start the Portes du Soleil circuit heading towards Avoriaz early in the morning. You'll catch the best groomed conditions on the Swiss side before the French slopes get their morning sun.

Advanced and expert skiing in Champéry

Champéry is home to the Swiss Wall (Pas de Chavanette), a legendary mogul field that drops sharply into Avoriaz with a gradient that catches out even strong skiers. Beyond this headline act, the sector has serious blacks and excellent off-piste between the marked runs, particularly on the north-facing aspects above Planachaux where the snow holds well.

The wider Portes du Soleil adds further expert terrain, with technical descents scattered across several resorts. Between Champéry and Les Crosets, you have some of the best challenges in the network, with couloirs and steep tree skiing that reward confident, exploratory skiers. A guide opens up even more options in the backcountry.

WeSki insider tip: The Swiss Wall looks its most intimidating from the top, but pick a line down the skier's right where the moguls are more regular. Go early before the bumps get chewed up.

Snowboarding in Champéry

The Portes du Soleil is generally snowboard-friendly, with wide pistes and varied natural terrain. Champéry's own slopes suit experienced boarders well, though the flat traverses between some sectors can require unstrapping. The SuperPark at Avoriaz, easily reached from Champéry, is one of the best terrain parks in Europe with features for all levels. The area has a terrain park and halfpipe within the Champéry sector as well.

Off-piste skiing

Off-piste opportunities around Champéry are excellent for those who know where to look. The terrain between the marked runs holds good powder after snowfall, and the couloirs on the Dents du Midi massif provide serious mountaineering-grade descents for expert skiers with a guide. The north-facing slopes above Planachaux are reliable for snow quality, and the forest runs provide sheltered skiing when visibility drops higher up.

Champéry ski school and lessons

Champéry has well-established ski schools providing group and private lessons in French, English, and German. The instructors are experienced across all levels, from first-timers to off-piste guiding. Children's programmes include snow gardens and structured progression courses.

Champéry terrain parks

The Champéry sector has a terrain park with jumps and rails, plus a halfpipe. For serious freestyle, the SuperPark at neighbouring Avoriaz is one of the top parks in Europe, with lines for every level from beginner to pro. Both are accessible on the same lift pass.

Champéry piste map

1. Champéry Family ski holiday
2. Things to do in Champéry
3. Planning your trip to Champéry
4. How to get to Champéry
5. Champéry FAQs

Champéry family ski holiday

Champéry appeals to families who value a genuine village atmosphere over purpose-built convenience. The main street is largely traffic-free, the village is safe and walkable, and the overall feeling is of a real community rather than a tourist resort. Peaceful evenings at Champéry provide an atmosphere where families can enjoy dinner out without the noise and bustle of busier resort villages.

Children's ski schools operate up at Planachaux, with snow gardens and structured lessons that keep young ones engaged while building skills in a beautiful setting. Older children and teenagers will appreciate the vast terrain accessible through the Portes du Soleil. There's enough on the slope terrain to keep even the most ambitious teens busy for a week, and the terrain park and halfpipe add freestyle options,

The adventure of skiing into France for the day creates a memorable experience for families with capable skiers. Off the slopes, activities like swimming, ice skating, and winter hiking provide good alternatives on rest days. Dining out is a pleasure, too. Champéry's restaurants are welcoming to families, and the quality of food is high without being stuffy. Mountain lunches at Planachaux are a highlight, and the village has enough variety for a week's worth of different meals.

Things to do in Champéry

With its traditional village setting, dramatic mountain backdrop, and well-maintained infrastructure, Champéry is a satisfying destination even when you're not skiing. The Dents du Midi provide a stunning setting for everything from gentle walks to cultural exploration, and the village's quiet charm makes rest days feel genuinely restorative.

Snow activities

Beyond the pistes, Champéry and the Val d'Illiez provide a range of snow-based activities:

• Snowshoeing: Guided excursions through the forests and high meadows below the Dents du Midi.
• Cross-country skiing: Around 35km of groomed Nordic trails in the valley which are scenic and well-maintained.
• Tobogganing: Dedicated sledging runs accessible from the mountain, popular with families.
• Ice climbing: Guided frozen waterfall climbing in the surrounding valleys for adventurous visitors.
• Winter hiking: Cleared paths with views of the Dents du Midi and across to Mont Blanc.
• Paragliding: Tandem flights from the mountain for a bird's-eye view of the valley.
• Ski touring: Guided backcountry routes around the Dents du Midi for experienced skiers.

Non-snow activities

For rest days and non-skiers, Champéry and the surrounding area provide a calm, satisfying range of activities:

• Palladium de Champéry: Sport and leisure centre with a swimming pool, ice rink, climbing wall, and fitness facilities.
• Spa and wellness: Several hotels and spas in the village provide massage, sauna, and relaxation treatments.
• Village heritage walk: Self-guided tour through Champéry's historic centre, past traditional chalets and the 12th-century church.
• Scenic cable car ride: Non-skiers can ride up to Planachaux for mountain restaurant lunches and panoramic views.
• Montreux day trip: The lakeside town is about an hour away, where you can explore Château de Chillon, the jazz heritage, and the promenade.
• Les Bains de Lavey: Switzerland's hottest thermal springs, about 45 minutes from Champéry.
• Chocolate and cheese tastings: Visit local producers in the Val d'Illiez for Swiss speciality tastings.
• Art galleries: Small galleries and craft workshops in the village for browsing and buying local art.

Champéry restaurants

Champéry's dining scene is excellent for a village of its size, blending traditional Swiss mountain cooking with more refined options. The quality is high throughout, from slope-side lunches to intimate evening dining. You'll eat well here every night of the week without repeating yourself.

• Le Farinet: Fine dining with creative Swiss-French cuisine and an excellent wine list.
• Restaurant des Alpes: Traditional Swiss dishes including fondue and raclette in a warm, classic setting.
• Le Nord: Contemporary bistro with seasonal menus and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
• Café du Centre: The village's social hub is good for coffee, light lunches, and people-watching.
• Mitchell's: Scottish-themed café-bar with hearty food and a convivial atmosphere.
• Restaurant de Planachaux: Mountain restaurant at altitude with sun terrace and classic Swiss dishes.
• Le Refuge: Cosy mountain hut atmosphere with fondue, rösti, and warming soups.
• Chez Coquoz: Local favourite for traditional Valaisan specialities and generous portions.

WeSki insider tip: Try a proper Swiss fondue moitié-moitié (half Gruyère, half Vacherin) with a glass of local Fendant white wine. Champéry does this classic as well as anywhere in Switzerland. Pair it with dried meat from the Valais region.

Champéry après-ski

Après-ski in Champéry is refined, with a village nightlife scene that's made for lingering over a glass of wine. The atmosphere is sociable and warm, centred around a handful of charming bars and restaurants where locals and visitors can easily interact. There's a polished quality to the evenings that reflects the village's heritage as a traditional Swiss mountain retreat.

For those who want livelier nightlife, the wider Portes du Soleil has more energetic options - particularly in Avoriaz and Les Gets. Most visitors choosing Champéry appreciate the quieter pace, and there's a real satisfaction in ending the day with good food, good wine, and the mountain silence outside.

Après-ski spots to know:

• Bar des Guides: The village's main après gathering point. It's friendly, relaxed, and full of character.
• Mitchell's: Popular with British visitors for post-ski beers and a warm welcome.
• Le Farinet bar: Cocktails and wine in a more refined setting before or after dinner.
• Café du Centre: Classic Swiss café atmosphere for a vin chaud or coffee as the lifts close.
• Pub Le Gueullhi: Laid-back pub with craft beers and board games, a good spot for a relaxed evening.
• Hotel terraces: Several hotels open their terraces for sunset drinks with Dents du Midi views.

Champéry map

Planning your trip to Champéry

Champéry accommodation

Accommodation in Champéry is a mix of traditional Swiss hotels, self-catering chalets, and apartments. Hotels range from comfortable three-star options to more upmarket properties with spa facilities. Chalets provide more space for families and groups, though they tend to be slightly further from the village centre. Overall, Champéry's standard is high, and Swiss quality applies even to the simpler options.

The village is compact, with most properties within a five to ten minute walk of the cable car station and the main street. Staying near the cable car gives you the quickest access to the slopes, while the upper village is quieter with beautiful views of the Dents du Midi.

Champéry ski pass

The Portes du Soleil ski pass covers the entire 600km network across Switzerland and France, including Champéry, Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets, and more. A more local pass covering just the Champéry-Les Crosets sector is also available for those who prefer to stay closer to home.

Check for family and multi-day pass options when booking your Champéry ski holiday through WeSki to find the best fit for your trip.

Equipment hire

Equipment shops in the village carry a full range of ski and snowboard equipment, with expert fitting services. Booking ahead ensures your preferred gear is ready on arrival.

WeSki partners with SkiSet shops in Champéry, letting you add equipment to your package and collect on arrival. Browse Champéry ski deals to build your perfect trip.

Getting around Champéry

Champéry is a walkable village, with the cable car, main street, restaurants, and most accommodation all within easy reach on foot. A shuttle bus connects Champéry with Les Crosets and the wider Val d'Illiez during ski hours, making it easy to access different sectors without a car. In the evening, the village is compact enough that you can stroll between dinner and your hotel without needing transport.

Taxis are available for trips to the neighbouring villages or the train station. The Swiss rail system connects Champéry to the wider Valais region, making day trips to Montreux or other Swiss towns straightforward.

How to get to Champéry

The nearest major airport is Geneva, around 110km away and well-connected to the UK with frequent direct flights. From Geneva, the drive to Champéry takes you through the Rhône valley and up into the Val d'Illiez. The Swiss rail network also provides a scenic train option from Geneva via Aigle, with a charming mountain railway for the final stretch into the village.

WeSki offers car rentals from the airport as well as shared and private transfers. Add one to your Champéry ski holiday package for flexibility on the ground.

Champéry FAQs

What is the Swiss Wall?

The Swiss Wall (Pas de Chavanette) is one of the steepest marked pistes in the Alps - a near-vertical mogul field that drops from the Swiss-French border into Avoriaz. It's a black run with a fearsome reputation, though strong skiers tackle it regularly. It's not compulsory - you can bypass it via easier routes - but it's a memorable challenge if you're up for it.

Is Champéry good for intermediates?

Excellent. The Portes du Soleil is one of the best intermediate ski areas in the world, with 600km of linked pistes across Switzerland and France. From Champéry, you can explore a different valley every day without repeating yourself. The red and blue runs are well-groomed, varied, and set against spectacular mountain scenery.

How does Champéry compare to Morzine?

Both are Portes du Soleil resorts with access to the same ski area, but they have very different characters. Champéry is a quiet, traditional Swiss village with a refined atmosphere and higher prices. Morzine is a larger, livelier French town with more nightlife and a broader range of accommodation. Champéry suits those seeking tranquility, while Morzine suits those wanting more buzz.

Is Champéry expensive?

It's Switzerland, so prices are higher than equivalent French or Austrian resorts. Ski passes, dining, and accommodation cost more than the French side of the Portes du Soleil. However, the quality is consistently high, and the village's character and setting justify the premium for many visitors. Booking your ski pass and equipment through WeSki with a full Champéry ski holiday package can help manage costs.

Can I ski to France from Champéry?

Yes, the Portes du Soleil is a cross-border ski area, and you can ski from Champéry into Avoriaz and the French resorts on the same lift pass. The connection is smooth and well-signposted. You can have lunch in France and ski back to Switzerland in the afternoon, and it's one of the great pleasures of the area.

Is the village suitable for non-skiers?

Very much so. Champéry's traditional charm, the Palladium leisure centre (swimming, skating, climbing), scenic cable car rides for mountain lunches, and the beautiful Dents du Midi setting make it a rewarding destination for non-skiers. The village's restaurants, cafés, and peaceful atmosphere provide plenty of enjoyment without ever putting on ski boots.

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