The Alps are one of the busiest private jet markets in Europe each winter. The flight is often the short part. The big choices are which airport to land at, how you get up the mountain, and which day you fly. Get those right and a door-to-chalet trip from London can take about four hours.
Short answer
Geneva is the main gateway for the French and Swiss resorts. It is also the busiest, so on peak winter weekends it can be hard to get a slot. Smaller airports such as Sion, Chambéry, Samedan and Innsbruck can put you much closer to your resort. A helicopter transfer can turn a two to three hour drive into a flight of about 10 to 30 minutes.
Which airport for which resort
| Resort | Nearest airport for jets | Road transfer | Helicopter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbier | Sion (SIR) | about 50 to 60 minutes | about 10 minutes |
| Courchevel and Méribel | Chambéry (CMF) or Geneva (GVA) | about 2h15 to 3h from Geneva | about 30 to 35 minutes from Geneva |
| Chamonix | Geneva (GVA) | about 1 hour | about 15 minutes |
| St Moritz | Samedan (SMV) | about 10 minutes | not needed |
| Kitzbühel | Innsbruck (INN) | about 1h15 | about 25 minutes |
| Gstaad | Saanen (light aircraft such as the PC-12 and PC-24) or Bern | about 1 hour from Bern | about 30 minutes |
| Courmayeur | Aosta Valley | about 30 minutes | not needed |
Times are typical in good conditions. Snow, traffic and weather change them. Source: published operator and transfer guides, checked November 2026.
Geneva: the busy gateway
Geneva is the closest big airport to many of the top French and Swiss resorts. That makes it the default choice, and that is the problem. Saturdays in peak ski season are its busiest days, and airlines take much of the capacity. Private flights need a slot, and the good times go early. If you must fly on a peak Saturday, book weeks ahead. If you can, fly on a Thursday, Friday or Sunday instead.
The smaller airports worth knowing
- Sion (SIR): in the Rhône valley, close to Verbier, Crans-Montana and Zermatt. Not slot controlled, so it is a common choice for Verbier.
- Chambéry (CMF): the nearest airport to the Three Valleys (Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens). It is busy in winter and has time limits, so book early.
- Samedan (SMV): the airport for St Moritz. At 1,707 m it is one of the highest airports in Europe, with a 1,800 m runway in a narrow valley. It is known as one of the most challenging airports to fly into, so the operator must confirm the aircraft and crew are suitable.
- Innsbruck (INN): the gateway to the Tyrol resorts, including Kitzbühel and St Anton.
- Lyon Bron: further away, but a fallback when the closer airports are full.
The Courchevel altiport
Courchevel has its own mountain airstrip at 2,008 m. The runway is only 537 m long with a slope of about 18.5%. There is no instrument approach and no lighting, so it is only usable in good weather. Small turboprops such as the Pilatus PC-12, and helicopters, use it. Business jets do not. A common plan is to fly a jet to Geneva or Chambéry, then take a helicopter or a small turboprop up to the altiport.
Getting up the mountain
- Helicopter: the fastest option. Most resorts have a helipad or altiport. Flights depend on weather and daylight.
- Chauffeured car: reliable and good for luggage and ski bags. Allow extra time in snow.
- Turboprop connection: useful for altiports and short, high runways.
Tips for a smooth ski trip
- Book early for Christmas, New Year and the February half-term weeks.
- Avoid peak Saturdays at Geneva if you can.
- Tell the operator about ski bags and boot bags when you ask for a quote. They take up a lot of hold space, and a light jet can fill up fast.
- Check the aircraft can de-ice at your departure and arrival airports.
- Look for empty legs. Many aircraft fly back empty after dropping skiers, especially on Sundays.
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