Champoussin

Champoussin sits on a sunny, south-east-facing ridge at 1,580m in Switzerland's Val d'Illiez, a small alpine village of chalets and farmhouses with views across to the striking surrounding mountains. It's a quiet, intimate place with a handful of restaurants, a paragliding school (Switzerland's first), and Nordic baths at 38°C right in the village with mountain views. The atmosphere is warm and unhurried, and the rolling meadows and gentle topography that surround the village give it a soft, pastoral character that feels welcoming from the moment you arrive.

Locally, around 21km of runs spread between 1,580m and 2,150m, with the skiing entirely above the village altitude. Wide blues across the sunny plateau suit beginners and progressing skiers well, and flowing reds through the mid-mountain keep intermediates engaged. The north-facing Corbeau sector holds powder beautifully after fresh snowfall, with off-piste bowls rewarding strong skiers with steep, open terrain and long descents. A boardercross course and speed check add fun competitive elements on the local slopes. As part of the Portes du Soleil, Champoussin connects to Morgins in one direction and Les Crosets in the other, putting over 600km of cross-border terrain within reach, including the legendary Swiss Wall and the freeride terrain above Avoriaz for those wanting a serious challenge.

Away from the slopes, Champoussin's evening scene revolves around a handful of restaurants and bars where the focus is on good food and good company. The Nordic baths provide a memorable way to unwind after skiing, soaking in warm water with mountain views as the light fades. Snowshoeing, paragliding, and winter walking through the surrounding meadows add variety to rest days, and the cross-border position means you can ski in Switzerland and have lunch in France on the same day, which never quite loses its novelty.