Ski resorts close to Geneva or Salzburg?

[Tommorrowsanewday]

I’m hoping for some advice regarding ski resorts with shortish transfer times.
Background is DH and DS have just returned from an organised ski trip. It was a faff as we don’t have a lot of options to fly from our local airport.
Their journey involved travelling 2 hours to airport. Spending a few hours in a hotel for a 5 am check in. A 3 hour flight and then a 3 hour 40 minute transfer to the ski resort.
Next year they are hoping to go independently. They can get flights from our local airport to Geneva or Salzburg and would hope to get a resort 1-2 hrs transfer using public transport/shared bus, as DH doesn’t want to hire a car.
Could you please share your experience and possible transport options?

[rookiemere]

If they want to do a long weekend or a short week and they aren't looking for top level blacks, then I'd highly recommend www.skiweekender.co.uk . They are based in between Le Grand Bornand and La Clusaz and include transfers only about an hour from Geneva airport.

[Tommorrowsanewday]

Thanks rookie. Forgot to mention it will be for a week at February half term but your suggestion gives good resorts which are close to the airport to consider.

[Serenschintte]

Les Gets is nice. Not so far from Geneva, possible to get a transfer mini bus.

[LIZS]

Chamonix, Morzine, Zell am see/Kaprun, Wagrain?

[rookiemere]

If they are planning to go Feb half term, they'll need to get flights as soon as they come out - install the Easyjet app and check when they are being released and then 5am start to get them at an affordable price.

[Drunkensnog]

We've been several times to the Grand Massif ski area, stayed in Flaine, Morillon and Samoen. It's about 1hr from Geneva and we booked a private transfer although there were 13 of us so two minibuses.

[Tommorrowsanewday]

You are a woman after my own heart rookie. Easyjet flights are going to be released around 12th April which is why I’m trying to get some resort alternatives. I’ve told DH it will be a 5 am alarm to get a good price. I will be busy booking my flights to Lanzarote 😬

[Chocaholics]

Have just come back from Waidring on the Austrian/German boarder. Flew to Salzburg than 50 minutes drive, we just got a taxi and was fine, place was great, but is a small resort so if you are good you may get bored. But is only another 20 mins to Kitzbuhel.

[sandycloud]

We went to morzine for a few days before Christmas. We got the 7am flight from Liverpool and were skiing by 1.30. We stayed at a chalet which isn't cheap but they arrange transfers and have their own ski hire. We left the chalet at 6pm a few days later and were back home by 11. It's maybe a bit more but I think it's worth it for the skiing we got in for 3 days away.

[rookiemere]

Or if they fly to Salzburg then you have quite a few resorts nearby www.flexiski.com/skiing-advice/skiing-blog/the-6-closest-ski-resorts-to-salzburg-airport/ or we were at Ellmau at half term - super resort and great accommodation, think you can get a train from the airport but not sure how exactly- or it can be reached from Munich airport ( often cheaper as not as much or a "ski" airport)

[GivenchyDahhling]

Chamonix is about an hour from Geneva. If you’re not getting a car then you can get the Easy Bus quite inexpensively from Geneva airport to the town centre, and that gives you the options of half a dozen large ski resorts within a relatively small area.

[GivenchyDahhling]

Oh and if you get the Mont Blanc pass you can ski all the mountains and that includes the really easy to use shuttle bus around the town and to the resorts.

[JosephineDeBeauharnais]

Cham, St Gervais les Bains, Les Contamines, Megeve all easy transfers by Alpybus and others from Geneva. Those resorts offer something for everyone and are covered by the same lift pass.

[Anise7438]

Do you want Alps? Look at Pyrenees! Fly into Lourdes, 40 minute max to Cauterets

[TeetotalKoala]

We went to Rauris, which is about an hours drive from Salzburg.

We chose to use public transport. We got a bus from the airport (right outside arrivals) to the train station, which took about 15 minutes. Then we got a train for just over an hour to Taxenbach Rauris. Then a taxi for the last 11km.

It was really simple, and the most inexpensive way of doing it.

The bus was €8 for a family of 4 (single) and €42 (single). Taxi was €30 (pre-booked local firm). The same again in reverse.

[TeetotalKoala]

Sorry, missed a bit. The train was €42.

[Tommorrowsanewday]

Thank you all for your help. I feel more confident they will be able to do it independently. I have had a look at your link rookie and see they also cover Geneva. They’ll be spoiled for choice.
This will be DH and DS 4th ski trip DS would be classed as an intermediate skier, DH more beginner and they’ve always gone with organised packages but I’m sure they’ll find something suitable from these suggestions.

[TeetotalKoala]

Rauris is predominantly reds and blues. Some pretty big blues that allow you to get some practice in before a nice gentle meander through the forest. Sounds like it would be a good shout for your DH and DS.

I highly recommend Adventure Rauris ski school for hire/tuition.

[TeetotalKoala]

A blue run.

[Abzs]

As said above, Grand Massif or Evasion Mont Blanc areas. 1hr or 1hr30 from Geneva.
I've found if you fly into the Swiss side of the airport it's a bit quicker. A Swiss hire car will probably come with a vignette for the motorway. If you get a French car it probably won't and you either drive through Geneva city centre (kind of pretty) or pay 40CHF for one at at the border.

[Rainbows8117]

Another vote for Les Gets.

Love 'the bowl' area of skiing, then the other side of the village is Mont Chery with absolutely stunning views over to Mont Blanc.

Les Gets is also connected to Morzine and Avoriaz (portes du soleil area) so huge amount of options.

About an hour from Geneva I think.

[Drunkensnog]

Chamonix isn't great for kids or beginners. Too much faffing about with bus trips to get to the various areas and not as much for beginners as other areas mentioned. I wouldn't take my kids there.

[EdinaMonsoon]

Belle Plagne is a great ski village and very accessible by public transport/ski bus etc from Geneva. It's a huge ski area with lots of very cruise-y easy-going blue runs so would be a good place for your DH and son to be able to ski together (given son is intermediate/DH beginner) but also lots of reds & blacks & mogul fields if your son wants to go to the next level. Lots of relatively cheap accommodation there too. The last time we went we stayed in a ski in/ski out apartment that was right in the centre of the village (village is car-free).