Ski resorts close to airports
From airport to resort in no time, be on the slopes or relaxing before you can say "where is baggage reclaim" with this guide to ski resorts close to airports.
Some of your favourite resorts tucked up away in a distant valley are a pain to get to- but we are here to tell you, it doesn’t have to be that hard! There are plenty of awesome resorts close to your regular airports, such as Geneva and Innsbruck that don’t require sitting on a transfer coach for 4 hours.
We’re here to share with you some of the closest ski resorts from airports, so that when you next book your epic snow adventure you can spend more time on the mountain than in traffic.
Packing for the peaks
Your journey to the snowy peaks begins not just at the airport but in your wardrobe too. Remember to pack appropriately: a ladies ski jacket for her, a men's ski jacket for him. Prepared and decked out, you're now ready to embark on your flight to the slopes!
Getting to resort from the airport
Getting to the beautiful Alpine mountains from the surrounding airports is can be very easy, as they are all ready for the influx of keen, enthusiastic winter sports lovers each season. Here are the 3 main way we recommend you get to and from.
Prebooked transfer
As a very simple and stress-free way of getting around the Alps, you can prebook transfers which take you from any of the main airports straight to resort. You can get shuttles which will be with fellow mountain revellers or ride in style in a private transfer straight to your accommodation. Although fuss-free and a reliable way of heading to and from your destination, it is not always the most cost-efficient.
Train
The Alps do not have the best train connections, but it can be a quick and cost-effective way to get close to the resort. All of the airports will either have train stations at the airport or in the city centre, which you can then often then get direct trains to mountain cities such as Bourg St Maurice in France or Aosta in Italy. Then from the train stations, you can get cheap taxis rides to resort. This may take a little longer than by road, but can be a fun way of getting around.
Self-drive
Hiring a car is probably the quickest and most flexible way of getting to and from the Alps. All airports will have plenty of car hire companies, so you can head straight from the airport to your destination with ease. The long open stretches of road are simple to navigate and are truly spectacular. This is definitely the most scenic way of getting around, as you drive through the valleys the snowy mountains will surround you and get the excitement building. Plus, the steep winding final ascent to resort is always a sketchy but fun part that tests any motorists driving skills.
Quick find navigation
Praz De Lys- Sommand
Megeve
La Clusaz
Spitzingsee - Tegernsee
Rosshütte-Seefeld
Mayrhofen
Fieberbrunn
Champoluc
Chamrousse
Sattel-Hochstuckli
Ski resorts close to Geneva airport
Praz de Lys- Sommand
Where: Faucigny, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie Mont Blanc, France
Distance from Airport: 50 minutes (65km) from Geneva
Ski-Able Terrain: 50km
Elevation: 1,230 and 2,064 m
Geneva airport is the gateway to the Alps for most people flying around Europe and Praz De Lys- Sommand is lucky enough to be one of its closest resorts. Praz de Lys and Sommand are cute little sister villages nestled away very close to the mighty Mont Blanc, and surprisingly kept relatively secret to the bulk of tourists visiting France. They are perfect to get away from the crowds and enjoy a classic French village for a fraction of the price. The skiing itself is mainly above the tree line, so you can expect good snow and beautifully varied terrain ideal for beginners. Praz de Lys-Sommand is good for a long weekend in the mountains, with minimal travel and easy access to the slopes, so you can make the most of a short trip.
Ridestore recommends:
The villages offer plenty of activities such as dog sledging, snowmobiling and snowshoe tours.
Megeve
Where: Pays Du Mont Blanc, Haute- Savoie, France
Distance from airport: 1 hour 10 minutes (52.4km) from Geneva
Ski-Able Terrain: 263km
Elevation: 850 and 2,353 m
It always comes as a surprise that the beautiful resort of Megeve is so close to Geneva, but yet still remains a relatively hidden secret from foreign tourists. Megeve is frequented mainly by the French, so it maintains its authentic but classy French Alpine village charm remains intact. The expense of the village may be what puts some tourists off, but it is well worth the cost for an indulge. Megeve is ideal for couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway, where they can wine and dine in one of the 8 Michelin starred restaurants and walk down the charming cobbled streets. That’s not to say the skiing isn’t worthy of a mention, as there is 263km to go after, so it will be hard to find the time to do much else.
Ridestore recommends:
Save your shopping trip for when you visit Megeve, as there is an abundance of designer and French boutiques to test the bank balance.
Ski resorts close to Chambéry airport
La Clusaz
Where: Bornes Aravis, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Savoie Mont Blanc, France
Distance from Chambery: 1 hour 4 mins (82.6km) from Chambery airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 125km
Elevation: 1040 m – 2477 m
La Clusaz is a secret people are reluctant to share because within just one hour from Chambery airport and just over an hour from Geneva airport, you will have access to 125km of well-groomed and quiet slopes. La Clusaz is a small, quaint and traditional French ski resort that oozes rustic Alpine culture and much like Megeve, it is mainly French tourists visiting. On the mountain, there are long and wide runs that will keep both the thrill-seekers or fair-weather skiers entertained. The best part of course, is that although you’re skiing in France, you don’t have the typical queues and crowds that usually come with it, so don’t expect big apres parties, but instead, a laid back and ski focused break (of course with a beer or two to be enjoyed at the end of a big day).
Ridestore recommends:
For fresh powder days and for those who love deep off-piste head to the La Balme area and explore the snowy playground!
Ski resorts close to Munich airport
Spitzingsee - Tegernsee
Where: Upper Bavaria, Bavarian Alps, Germany
Distance from Airport: 1 hr 11 mins (93.6km) from Munich airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 20km
Elevation: 980 m – 1580 m
Germany doesn’t attract the crowds of the Alps, but that’s not to say the skiing is to be forgotten. Going away from the masses, just over an hour from Munich, you get to the rustic Bavarian Alps. The Alpine Region of Tegernsee- Schliersee is the closest ski area and really does tick all the boxes, as it is a traditional Bavarian wonderland great for the family. There is plenty of slopes for the little ones and the learners, but the intermediates and experts will enjoy the modern snowmaking facilities and the park. If you fancy trying your luck in cross country skiing, then there is a ‘discontinued resort’ across from the lake, that is designated for the uphill sport.
Ridestore recommends:
There is a great snowpark for the adrenaline junkies and freestyle riders.
Ski resorts close to Innsbruck airport
Rosshütte-Seefeld
Where: In the Olympiaregion Seefeld in the Austrian state of Tyrol
Distance from Airport: 24 minutes (22km) from Innsbruck Airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 18.3km
Elevation: 1,230 and 2,064 m
When you fly over Innsbruck and shoot down the runway, it is pretty spectacular as it feels like you are landing on the mountain. In Under 30 minutes from Innsbruck airport, you can be in the charming medieval town of Seefeld in the Tyrolean Alps; land, get your bags, grab a cab and be on the slopes within the hour! Seefeld is perfect for a weekend getaway because of its convenience from the airport, but also because it is not a large resort, so can easily be tackled in a couple of days.
All you need is 2 days on the slopes and you could cover all the ground it has to offer and be back at work for Monday. This efficiency runs throughout the resort as the facilities are modern, so getting around is easy. You won’t waste your precious weekend in queues and can instead make the most of blitzing down award-winning pistes that are groomed to perfection.
Ridestore recommends:
They recently built the Sportis Children Area which is a large section dedicated to magic carpets and pommel lifts, perfect location for beginners.
Mayrhofen
Where: Mayrhofen- Hippach Holiday Region, Zillertal Valley, Tyrol, Austria
Distance from airport: 1 hour (73km) from Innsbruck Airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 142km
Elevation: 630 and 2,500 m.
Mayrhofen is a very popular and top-class ski resort in the Zillertal ski region of Austria. It is probably one of Austria’s most famous resorts, not just because of its proximity to the airport. Mayrhofen offers some of the best apres-ski in the Alps, with an endless amount of bars to dance on tables in your ski boots and clink your steins of beer. Head to Mayrhofen for a big weekend of riding and dancing (you can sleep after the holiday, not during!). Make sure to dedicate your mornings to the mountain, as there is 142km of epic terrain to go after. There are also many snowparks, that cater to the newbies and the daredevils. There is great energy on and off the slopes in Mayrhofen, you can’t help but be suckered in!
Ridestore recommends:
Switch the dancing on tables one afternoon and try the snow tubing on offer.
Ski resorts close to Salzburg airport
Fieberbrunn
Where: Tyrol in the Kitzbuhel district
Distance from Airport: 1 hour (64.6km) from Salzburg airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 270km
Elevation: 830 and 2,096 m.
Just one hour outside of Salzburg, you have access to one of the largest combined ski areas in Austria, the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn. This area of skiing stems from Tyrol over to the province of Salzburg and has become world-renowned skiing for its varied terrain. Fieberbrunn, in particular, is known for its freeride, so is ideal for those wanting to head to the slopes quickly after a good dump of snow. But don’t fear that the crowds will follow you, as Fieberbrunn is a laid back and cosy resort that has remained relatively quiet, despite its amazing location and terrain.
Ridestore recommends:
There is an awesome freeride park for you to practice your freestyle.
Ski resorts close to Turin airport
Champoluc
Where: Aosta Valley, Italy
Distance from Airport: 1 hour 20 mins (107.6km) from Turin airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 132km
Elevation: 1212 m – 3275 m
Champoluc is a small resort tucked away in the Aosta Valley, part of the great Monterosa ski area, which surprisingly still remains a secret. This hidden gem is authentically Italian without the glitz and glamour, but instead rustic, wholesome and fuss-free. By those in the know, Champoluc is enjoyed by many Freeride World Tour riders because of its amazing off-piste potential. As part of the Monterosa ski area, there are 3 main resorts, that you can easily access and drop down into for a day. With it being a stones throw from Turin and not far from Milan or Geneva, you would think the word would get out, but we are happy to keep this our (and the Italians) little secret.
Ridestore recommends:
Hire a car and easily explore the many resorts in the Aosta Valley, all unique and incredible in their own right.
Ski resorts close to Grenoble airport
Chamrousse
Where: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Isère, Grenoble, France
Distance from Airport: 1 hour 5 mins (79.5km) from Grenoble airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 90km
Elevation: 1,400 and 2,250 m.
Chamrousse is another hidden gem, which is few and far between when in skiing in the French Alps, as the tourists will sniff out a good deal from anywhere. But Chamrousse remains an exception, said to be one of the last French resorts that can be done on a budget. It is so close to Grenoble and the airport, that from the top of the mountain you look over the city, which is beautifully light up an evening. The resort is set in two villages connected by slopes, both romantically nestled into the forest. This is a charming unknown French resort that has quiet slopes and a laid back atmosphere.
Ridestore recommends:
Fly over the valley and see the spectacular views of the mountains and nearby Grenoble on a thrilling paragliding trip.
Ski resorts near Zurich airport
Sattel-Hochstuckli
Where: Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland
Distance from Airport: 43 minutes (46.8km) from Zurich airport
Ski-Able Terrain: 12km
Elevation: 800 and 1,491 m
If you are wanting to ski in Switzerland but to avoid the hefty prices, then Sattel-Hochstuckli is your one. It is a small resort in central Switzerland that doesn’t follow the typical Swiss extravagance, instead, it is cute, rustic and reasonably priced. Just 45 minutes from Zurich you can access some lovely slopes, that will keep you entertained for a long weekend. The resort caters well to the beginners and intermediates, so this could be a great place to develop your skills on easy, uncrowded slopes and modern facilities. It is also worth to note, there is the first revolving cable car in the world, that rotates 360 degrees whilst you ascend up the mountain, so you get the best panoramic views of the area.
Ridestore recommends:
There is a night floodlit toboggan run on certain nights of the season.
FAQs
What makes Megeve a popular skiing destination?
Megeve is known for its beautiful views, extensive ski terrain, and diverse range of activities. Plus, it maintains a classic French village atmosphere, adding to its unique charm.
Are there additional benefits to choosing ski resorts close to airports?
Definitely. Choosing such resorts can significantly reduce your travel time, allowing you to spend more time exploring the slopes than being stuck in traffic. Plus, the convenience these resorts offer makes them an ideal choice, especially for shorter trips.
Wrapping up
So there we have it, 10 epic ski resorts closest to the popular winter airports. You will be surprised that you don’t have to travel for what seems like a lifetime to get to your favourite resorts like Mayrhofen. Or you may be surprised that there are some incredible hidden gems for you to discover with low prices and quiet pistes. Whichever you choose, you now know you can rest easy in the fact that you can make the most of your trip and not have to waste precious mountain time travelling. Make your favourite part of the year stress-free, simple and snowy.
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