bmibaby - Destinations: Geneva Ski

best for snowboarders:
Verbier
Verbier is the hub of some of the best off piste skiing and snowboarding in the Swiss Alps. Located in the canton of Valais, it's also where you can taste many of the country's best wines. It hosts international snowboarding championships and, as you’d expect, has a world-class boarders’ park and lots of wide pistes ideal for snowboarders. The Lac des Vaux ski field is the perfect place for beginners to practice their moves, and a range of ski schools run one-day lessons.
Where > Verbier, Switzerland is a little more than two hours’ drive from Geneva.
Website > www.verbier.ch

best for equipment rental:
Mountain Air
Mountain Air hire shop has been a permanent fixture on the winter scene since 1979 and is just 200m from the main lifts in Verbier, so you won’t have to haul your gear too far. Prices start at around 50CHF for one day’s rental. If you want to buy skis and/or boards, the after service care here is exceptional.
Where > 11 Rue de Medran, Verbier, Switzerland
Website > www.mountainair.verbier.com

best one-stop après ski:
King’s Parc Hotel
The four-star King’s Parc Hotel is a hub of activity once the sun sets on the slopes. Warm up in front of the open log fire in the King's Lounge and sample freshly made cream cakes. Take a cocktail at the King's Bar before sampling French Asian fusion cuisine in the King's restaurant. For in-your-face decadence and late night partying, there's nowhere better than the Farm Club – it’s a favourite with celebrities including former chalet girl, Fergie (Sarah Ferguson) and crooner James Blunt, who recently became a local resident.
Where > Off the Place Centrale, Verbier, Switzerland
Website > www.kingsverbier.ch

best local resort:
Les Contamines
Les Contamines is a popular choice among Genevans because it’s just over an hour away and is family friendly, with lots of beginner and baby slopes, as well as more challenging runs through the forests. From the top of the Col du Joly mountain pass you can take in the magnificent view of Mont Blanc and the French Alps as you sip a Génépy (a delicious plant-based liquer), before heading back down to the village.
Where > Les Contamines, France, is around an hour's drive from Geneva.
Website > www.lescontamines.com

best dining with altitude:
Auberge de Colombaz
Forget attitude, it’s all about the altitude at the Auberge de Colombaz tavern in Les Contamines. A horse-drawn sleigh will take you up to this Auberge d'altitude at 1,500m where you can sample Savoyard specialities such as croute au fromage (crusty bread covered in rich melted cheese) and tartiflette (a creamy potato dish with cheese and ham) on their sunny panoramic terrace. Thrill seekers can take a high octane trip back down via one of the three luges (bobsleigh runs), while those with weaker stomachs can return with the horse-drawn sleigh!
Where > Auberge de Colombaz, Les Contamines, France
Website > www.lescontsamines.com

best way to ski two countries in the same day:
Avoriaz
Avoriaz is in the sprawling ski area known as the Portes du Soleil, but despite all that sunshine, it still boasts of being the snowiest resort in France. It's also one of the most popular resorts thanks to its famous Portes du Soleil skipass, which allows you to ski in both Switzerland and France. There are 10 resorts interlinked and it's a challenge to get to them all in one day – so a weekend stay at least is recommended. Both Swiss francs and Euros are accepted at the resorts.
Where > Avoriaz, France, is between one-and-a-half and two hours’ drive from Geneva
Website > www.avoriaz.com

best for late season skiing and snowboarding:
Chamonix
Chamonix is in the Haute Savoie in France and located at the foot of the Mont Blanc (4808m). It has one of the world's highest cable car systems and is often referred to as the “rooftop of Europe”. The Mont Blanc is right here for skiers and snowboarders to tackle, along with the stunning Mer de Glace glacier and an enchanting ice grotto which make for spectacular scenery for tamer visitors. A side benefit is that the ski season here can extend until May, so be sure to check out Chamonix if you’re looking for a late winter break.
Where > Chamonix, France is about 90 minutes from Geneva.
Website > www.chamonix.com