Crest-Voland
Crest-Voland is 93 km from Geneva Airport, about 1 hour 30 minutes by road via the A40 to Sallanches, then Megève and Flumet in the Val d'Arly. The village is small and traditional, and its slopes link with Les Saisies to form the heart of the Espace Diamant. AirportsTransfers.ch offers private transfers from GVA directly to your Crest-Voland accommodation.
- Distance from GVA: 93 km
- Drive time: about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Border crossing: yes, the route crosses the border into France
- Ski area: Crest-Voland–Cohennoz, linked with Les Saisies in the Espace Diamant
- Best for: families, cross-country fans and skiers seeking an authentic village
The route from Geneva Airport
After crossing into France, the route follows the A40 motorway east and leaves it at Sallanches. From there it climbs to Combloux and Megève, then continues down the Val d'Arly past Praz-sur-Arly to Flumet. Just beyond Flumet a mountain road branches off and climbs to Crest-Voland, which sits on a sunny balcony above the valley. The final kilometres have bends and can be snowy, but they are well maintained and used daily by local traffic. The main time-consuming section is often Megève on busy Saturdays, when visitors to several resorts share the same road. On a quiet weekday, the drive is a scenic hour and a half with Mont Blanc views on the way up from Sallanches.
The ski area: Crest-Voland and Les Saisies
Crest-Voland and neighbouring Cohennoz share a ski sector that connects directly with Les Saisies, forming one of the core parts of the Espace Diamant. The local slopes are gentle to moderate, with tree-lined runs that work well in poor visibility and wide, sunny pistes higher up. Crossing to Les Saisies adds high, open terrain with a reputation for good snow, as well as an extensive cross-country network. The area is generally quiet, with few lift queues, and has a relaxed, family-friendly feel. Intermediate skiers will find the most to enjoy; experts may prefer to explore the more demanding sectors of the Espace Diamant or hire a guide for off-piste. Beginners have nursery slopes close to the village, making it easy for children to start lessons without long walks.
The village and where to stay
Crest-Voland is a compact, traditional village with chalets, a church and a handful of shops and restaurants. It has retained a strong rural character, and in the surrounding hamlets you will still find working farms. Accommodation is mostly in chalets and apartment residences, some of which offer direct access to the slopes. The atmosphere in the evening is quiet, which suits families and those who prefer to rest after a full day outdoors. Non-skiers can enjoy snowshoeing, walking trails, sledging and cross-country skiing, as well as visits to Megève or the cheese-making traditions of the neighbouring Beaufortain. For livelier evenings, Megève is around half an hour away.
When to go and practical tips
The season usually runs from mid-December to late March. Because the ski area links to the higher plateau of Les Saisies, snow is often reliable even when lower villages struggle. January is quiet and cold; March offers sunshine and longer days. February holiday weeks are the busiest, with Saturday traffic slowing the Megève stretch. Arriving on a Sunday or early in the day helps. Winter tyres and chains are required in French mountain areas, and the road up from Flumet can be icy early in the morning. List your ski equipment and any cross-country skis when booking so the vehicle has space.
Groups heading to several Espace Diamant villages in the same week, perhaps with friends staying in Les Saisies or Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe, can coordinate pick-ups so everyone travels together from Geneva. It is often simpler and better value per person to book one van or minibus with several drop-off points than separate cars, as long as everyone lands at a similar time.
The return journey
On a busy Saturday, leave Crest-Voland about three hours before your flight; otherwise two and a half hours is generally comfortable. Allow extra margin if snow is forecast. Ask your driver the evening before about road conditions and confirm the pick-up point outside your chalet.
Booking your transfer to Crest-Voland
Book online and see the fixed price for the vehicle before paying by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch follows your flight and meets you in arrivals with a name sign, and waiting time is included if your flight is late. Choose a Mercedes E-Class for small parties, a V-Class van for up to seven with skis, or a Sprinter minibus for groups. Child seats are available on request, and skis should be declared when booking. Contact the team 24/7 on +41 78 346 56 77 by phone or WhatsApp.
