Champex-Lac
Champex-Lac is about 155 km from Geneva Airport, a drive of roughly 1 h 50 via the Lake Geneva motorway, Martigny and a short mountain climb, all within Switzerland. It is a tiny village set around an alpine lake, with a small ski area and a slow pace that suits young children and first-time skiers; AirportsTransfers.ch can take your family straight there from the arrivals hall.
- Distance from GVA: about 155 km
- Drive time: around 1 h 50
- Border crossing: none
- Best for: young children, beginners and families who prefer peace to a big ski circuit
- Getting there: motorway to Martigny, then the road towards the Great St Bernard and up to the lake
The journey with children
The first part of the drive is motorway: along the north shore of Lake Geneva, past Lausanne and Montreux and into the Rhône valley as far as Martigny. From there the road heads south towards the Great St Bernard, and the last section leaves the main valley to climb through forest to Champex, which sits on a shelf above the Val d'Entremont. There is no border on the way; Italy is further along the pass road, not on your route.
The closing climb is narrow and twisting in places, so allow time and keep a bag handy if a child is sensitive to bends. A break at the motorway services near Martigny is a natural pause before the mountain section. Child seats and boosters can be fitted on request, which spares you from carrying your own on the plane.
Is Champex-Lac right for your family?
Champex-Lac is one of those places families either love or find too quiet, so it is worth being clear. The ski area is small, served by a chairlift and a few drag lifts on the slopes of La Breya above the village, with terrain that suits beginners and steady intermediates. There are no long lift queues, no busy après-ski strip and very little traffic in the village itself, which makes it easy to let older children walk from the chalet to the lake on their own.
For keen teenagers or parents who want a different valley every day, the limited mileage may feel restrictive after a few days. Bigger ski areas are within driving distance in neighbouring valleys, so a family could base itself here and plan the odd day out. A ski school operates locally for children's lessons; as in any small resort, places are limited, so reserve before you travel.
Lake, snow and slow days
The lake that gives the village its name freezes in winter and becomes the centre of village life, with a walking path around its shore. Cross-country trails, snowshoe routes in the larch woods and sledging slopes give non-skiers and small children as much to do as the skiers. The setting, with the Grand Combin massif in view, is the kind of scenery that keeps adults happy on a gentle stroll.
On a cloudy day, the town of Martigny in the valley has museums and indoor activities, and the old village of Orsières is close by. In summer, Champex is a well-known stop on the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking trail, which tells you something about its character: this is a place for fresh air, walking and quiet evenings rather than nightlife.
Packing and timing the arrival
Because the village is small, it is sensible to bring essentials with you: children's medicines, spare gloves, sun cream and any particular snacks. Accommodation is mainly chalets and apartments, so check whether a cot or high chair is provided. If you are bringing your own skis, declare them when booking the transfer so the vehicle has room for them alongside suitcases.
Winter Saturdays are busy throughout the Valais, especially on the motorway near Martigny. An early pick-up after a morning flight usually brings you to the lake in good time to collect equipment, find the ski school meeting point and walk the children around the village before dark. The last climb may need snow chains after a fresh fall; your chauffeur handles that.
Reserving your transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
Booking takes a few minutes online, and the price is fixed per vehicle and shown before payment by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. A family of four with skis is comfortable in a Mercedes V-Class van with space for up to 10 bags, while a Business Sedan suits a couple travelling light. State the children's ages for the right seats and list skis or snowboards at the time of booking.
The chauffeur follows your flight, meets you with a name sign and waits if the plane is late. You can reserve the return trip in the same booking. For anything specific, such as an extra stop on the way or an unusual luggage item, call or send a WhatsApp message to +41 78 346 56 77, day or night.
