Geneva – Gateway to Ski Heaven

The Swiss destination acts as a portal to some of Europe’s best ski resorts, but is great for a city-break itself.

With the winter sports season underway, many UK enthusiasts are booking their cheap flights to Geneva to access some of Europe’s finest ski resorts.

Although there has been much talk this year about the incredibly cheap holidays available for skiers and snowboarders in eastern Europe, Switzerland and France’s resorts, such as those in the Haute Savoie region, still have a great resonance with aficionados – and best of all they are all within a 90-minute drive of Geneva. Resorts in this region, which borders both Switzerland and Italy, include:

• • Chamonix: Surrounded by spectacular views, this valley resort is overseen by the highest mountain in Europe, Mont Blanc.
  • Morzine: All levels of skiing ability are catered for at this resort, as is snowboarding.
  • Avoriaz: At a much higher altitude than Morzine, this resort attracts visitors with its quirky futuristic architecture and its car free policy, which means that visitors are ferried about in horse-drawn sledges.

However, one should not mistake Geneva for simply a staging post. This historic city is a great destination for a city-break in its own right, with beautiful buildings and picturesque streets, plus exciting shops, restaurants and cafés around every corner.

This month, Geneva’s streets have been transformed into a winter wonderland for the Christmas season, with fairy lights strung across street poles, ribbons and bunting lining the streets, in preparation for the “Geneva Christmas Walk.” on Friday 2 December. Organised by the local council and chamber of commerce, this 40-year-old tradition starts at 6pm and kicks off a weekend of celebration, with carol singing, nativity plays, a Christmas fair with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, plus the ceremonial lighting of the Great Tree and a visit from Santa Claus himself, with elves in attendance.

Seeking cheap holidays in Geneva this Christmas? Track down those bargains online.