A ski week in Courchevel followed by a few days on Lake Annecy is one of the easiest two-centre holidays to organise from Geneva. Courchevel is about 150 km from Geneva Airport, roughly 2 h 15 by road, and Annecy only 44 km, around 40 minutes, so the lake stay fits neatly on the way home. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you up to the resort, across to the lake and back to the airport.
- Courchevel from GVA: about 150 km, roughly 2 h 15
- Annecy from GVA: about 44 km, around 40 minutes
- Border: the route crosses the border into France
- Suggested split: six or seven nights skiing, two to three nights by the lake
- Best order: ski first, lake second, then a short final transfer to the airport
Why ski first and finish by the lake
Putting the ski week first has several advantages. You arrive fresh for the slopes, ski equipment only travels up and down once, and the last transfer to the airport from Annecy is short, which lowers the stress on departure day. Days by the lake also make a gentle landing after a week of skiing: tired legs appreciate a flat lakeside promenade and long lunches.
The reverse order can make sense if your flight arrives late in the evening: a night or two in Annecy breaks the journey and lets you reach Courchevel in daylight. It also avoids the busiest Saturday traffic on the way up, if you time the drive for Sunday instead.
The ski week: Courchevel and Les 3 Vallées
Courchevel is part of Les 3 Vallées, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, connecting with Méribel and Val Thorens among others. The resort itself is spread across several villages at different levels: Courchevel 1850 is the best known and most exclusive, Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel Village sit a little lower, and Le Praz, at the bottom, keeps a more traditional feel among the trees. The home slopes are wide and well groomed, with a reputation for good beginner areas near the villages, while the wider 3 Vallées offers plenty of challenging terrain for confident skiers.
Off the slopes, Courchevel has a lively village atmosphere, an aquatic and wellness centre, and plenty of space for walks on snow. A week gives enough time to explore beyond your own valley if you have a 3 Vallées pass, and to take a rest day mid-week.
The transfer from Courchevel to Annecy
The drive from Courchevel to Annecy descends to Moûtiers and Albertville, then follows the valley north. The most attractive approach is along the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, via Faverges and Doussard, where the road meets the lake at its southern tip and follows the water past Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard. Count roughly two hours depending on traffic and stops. It is worth leaving the resort mid-morning on a weekday to enjoy the lake views in good light.
A Mercedes V-Class Van, with room for up to seven passengers and ten bags plus skis, makes this changeover simple for a family or a group of friends: everything goes in one vehicle and nobody has to juggle ski bags on a train.
Lake Annecy: what to do in two or three days
Annecy's old town is built along canals fed by the lake, which is why it is often compared to Venice. The Palais de l'Isle, a former prison on a small island in the Thiou canal, is the emblem of the town, and the castle above the old quarter houses a museum. The lakefront gardens, the Pont des Amours and the long promenade towards the beach area are lovely at any time of year.
Around the lake, Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with its fairy-tale castle above the water, make easy outings. In winter the lake is calm and quiet, and the nearby Semnoz and La Clusaz offer a day of snow if anyone wants one more run. Savoyard cuisine, with reblochon cheese, tartiflette and fondue, carries over nicely from the ski week, and the markets in the old town showcase regional produce.
Practical tips for the two-centre trip
- Saturdays in the French Alps are busy; if you can, travel up on Sunday or very early on Saturday.
- Your chauffeur carries snow chains and drives mountain roads daily, but extra time is wise during snowfalls.
- Keep passports or identity cards to hand, as the route enters France.
- From Annecy, leave at least two hours before your flight; the drive itself is around 40 minutes.
Booking the transfers
Three transfers cover the whole trip: Geneva Airport to Courchevel, Courchevel to Annecy, and Annecy back to the airport. Each one is booked online with AirportsTransfers.ch at a fixed price per vehicle, confirmed before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. On arrival, your chauffeur meets you in the hall with a name sign, flight tracking adjusts the pickup if you land late, and child seats can be added on request. Remember to declare skis and snowboards when booking so the right vehicle is sent. You can also reach the team 24/7 by phone or WhatsApp at +41 78 346 56 77.
