Somewhere like Les Arcs 1950, but closer to airport(s)

[maranella]

Les Arcs 1950 is a purpose-built, modern resort, pedestrianised and with all accommodation ski-in, ski-out. We love everything about it except how hard it is to get there. We did the ski train in 2020 (10 grim hours, with a delay on top), and this year we flew (expensive, Chambéry closed due to weather so flight moved to Grenoble at the last minute, so 3-hour transfer). Neither were experiences we're eager to repeat.

Next year I'm wondering where to go and whether there is somewhere like Les Arcs, but closer to an airport. It doesn't have to be France, we love Austria too and would happily go to Italy, but would prefer not somewhere super expensive like Switzerland or Norway. We are all decent skiers, so we'd like a good mixture of terrain and a decent-sized ski area. Any ideas gratefully received.

There are a huge number of ski resorts close to Geneva but geographically in France. Many with around one hour transfer, like Les Portes du Soleil. Not as expensive as Les 3 Vallées but great accommodation and activity choices.

Saalbach hinterglem Austria, 1 hour from Salzburg €200 in a cab

Drive to Les Arcs.

Maribel is closer than Les Arcs and quite nice?

We've driven to both and Ive given up flying now, it's much more pleasant.

Flaine. It’s about an hour from Geneva. Not pretty like Les Arcs 1950 but lots of ski in ski out accommodation and the skiing is amazing and very large ski area/ varied terrain. The ski area is very pretty it’s just the actual Flaine resort which was built in the 1960s.

Avoriaz would fit the bill.

Nothing to add but following with interest. We're booked to go to Austria this year, but I've looked at France before and have always been put off by the long transfers. There's no way I'd get DH on a coach for more than an hour. He won't drive either. Will happily drive 6 hours in France in the spring and summer but absolutely not in winter and snow.

We've been to Flaine and liked it, although it's very samey - lots of fast reds, but not a lot else, and the 3 Vallées are no closer to the airports than Les Arcs. So after a lot of deliberation, googling and comparing prices we've ended up booking Les Arcs again.

We looked at Ischgl, Obergurgl and Cervinia, but none had the combination of traffic free/ski-through village, all accommodation ski-in, ski-out + high altitude. So Les Arcs it is.

We've saved ourselves £1500 though by booking flights to Geneva and going a week later than originally planned. We could've saved a bit more by driving, but DH didn't want to drive for 12 hours and I'm not sure I did either really.