Champéry

Champéry is a picture-book Swiss village in the Val d'Illiez, set beneath the jagged silhouette of the Dents du Midi. It's one of the original Swiss mountain resorts, with over a century of skiing history and a handsome main street lined with traditional chalets. From its beautifully traditional base at 1040m, Champéry is the gateway to the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, spanning 600km of pistes across Switzerland and France. The altitude keeps snow conditions reliable, with the season typically running from early December through to mid-April.

Is a resort for anyone who likes to cover ground. A cable car from the village centre whisks you up to Croix de Culet and Planachaux, where 75km of local pistes open out beneath dramatic peaks. Terrain here climbs to 2,277m, with a good spread of blues, reds, and some genuinely steep descents, including the famous Swiss Wall, one of the most notorious slopes in the Alps. From Planachaux, you can ski into the French resorts of Avoriaz, Morzine, and Les Gets on the French side.

The village itself is a joy. There's a refined, understated elegance to Champéry that sets it apart from more commercial resorts. Its excellent restaurants, peaceful atmosphere, and breathtaking mountain panorama make it a rewarding place to return to each evening.