Crest-Voland
Crest-Voland is 93 km from Geneva Airport and the drive takes about 1 h 30, through the Arve valley, over Megève and up from Flumet. It is a small, traditional Savoyard village linked by lifts to Les Saisies, so families get a quiet base with access to a larger ski area. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you door to door, with child seats and ski space arranged when you book.
- Distance from GVA: 93 km
- Drive time: about 1 h 30
- Border crossing: yes, into France shortly after the airport
- Ski area: Espace Diamant, with a direct link to Les Saisies
- Best for: families seeking calm, village life and gentle terrain
The journey from Geneva
The route crosses into France and follows the motorway along the Arve valley to Sallanches. From there the road climbs to Megève, continues through Praz-sur-Arly to Flumet, and then turns up the valley road towards Crest-Voland. The last section is a mountain road with bends; it is well maintained but can be snowy after a fresh fall, so the chauffeur sets a careful pace.
For families, the advantage is that the whole trip is under two hours in normal traffic, short enough to manage without a break, yet a quick stop is always possible. Child seats and boosters are provided on request: just give the ages of the children at booking.
What Crest-Voland offers children
Crest-Voland has kept the scale and feel of a mountain village. There are no high-rise residences, and life revolves around the church, a handful of shops and chalets set among meadows and forest. That simplicity is part of the appeal: children can find their bearings quickly and parents spend less time on logistics.
The home slopes are mostly easy and intermediate, with wide runs through open terrain and sheltered wooded sections. Once children are steady, the lift connection to Les Saisies opens up a much bigger playground, including long, rolling runs on the Les Saisies plateau. Families with mixed abilities can split up for the morning and meet again at a chosen restaurant, which keeps everyone happy.
The village is also a good size for parents who want a sense of independence for older children. Distances are short, the atmosphere is calm in the evenings, and teenagers can walk to the lifts or a café without needing to be driven around. For younger children, a residence close to the beginner slope removes the daily struggle of carrying skis.
Crest-Voland also borders some of the best-known cross-country terrain in the French Alps around Les Saisies, so families who enjoy Nordic skiing have plenty to explore.
As for timing, the Espace Diamant sits at moderate altitude, and the most dependable snow is usually from early January to mid-March. February is the busiest stretch because of French school holidays, with fuller lessons and more traffic on the roads. Families who can travel in January or in March generally enjoy quieter slopes and more space on the beginner areas. Late-season sunshine is pleasant for small children, though lower runs may soften in the afternoon, so ski in the morning and play in the snow later.
Ski lessons and the youngest skiers
Ski schools in the village teach children of different ages, with beginner areas close to the base and small groups for first-timers. For very young children, a short daily lesson combined with snow play is usually more rewarding than long sessions. As always in France, book lessons ahead for February school holidays, when demand peaks.
Days off the slopes
- Snowshoeing through forests and across open pasture.
- Cross-country skiing on the trails towards Les Saisies.
- Sledging on gentle slopes near the chalets.
- Beaufort cheese: the neighbouring Beaufortain produces this famous cheese, and a visit to a dairy is a good outing for curious children.
Megève and Flumet are both within easy reach for a short change of scene, whether for shopping, a skate or a walk.
Packing and planning the arrival
Pack warm, waterproof clothing, spare gloves and socks, sun cream and goggles for each child. Equipment hire in the village is straightforward, which is convenient for small children whose skis need changing each season. If you bring skis, a snowboard or a sledge, mention it at booking so a van with sufficient space is assigned.
Try to arrive with daylight left to settle in and pick up equipment. In high season, Saturday traffic between Sallanches and Megève can add time, so a midweek or Sunday arrival is often easier with children.
How to book
With AirportsTransfers.ch you book and pay online, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, after seeing a fixed price for the whole vehicle. Your chauffeur keeps track of your flight, meets you in arrivals with a name sign and waits at no extra cost if you are delayed. Child seats are supplied on request and skis are declared when you book. A V-Class van takes up to seven passengers with skis and luggage. For any question, contact +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp, and book your return at the same time.
