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Backcountry (off-trail) skiing
Stunning views
Best amenitiesBackcountry (off-trail) skiingStunning viewsBest amenitiesBackcountry (off-trail) skiingStunning viewsBest amenitiesBackcountry (off-trail) skiingStunning viewsBest amenitiesLocated in the Swiss Valais, part of the vast Portes du Soleil, Les Crosets is a quiet Swiss village gateway to one of the world's largest ski areas. The resort sits between 1,670m-2,277m, with 17 (local) lifts serving over 600km (Portes du Soleil) across 22 local runs. The vertical drop of 607m provides pleasant descents, and the season typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. Swiss ski resorts continue to attract UK travellers seeking quality and character.
With reliable at altitude of snowfall and a well-maintained lift system, Les Crosets provides reliable skiing across varied terrain. The atmosphere is welcoming and genuine. Check out Les Crosets ski deals to start planning your trip.
Located in the Swiss Valais, part of the vast Portes du Soleil, Les Crosets is a quiet Swiss village gateway to one of the world's largest ski areas. The resort sits between 1,670m-2,277m, with 17 (local) lifts serving over 600km (Portes du Soleil) across 22 local runs. The vertical drop of 607m provides pleasant descents, and the season typically runs from mid-December to mid-April. Swiss ski resorts continue to attract UK travellers seeking quality and character.
With reliable at altitude of snowfall and a well-maintained lift system, Les Crosets provides reliable skiing across varied terrain. The atmosphere is welcoming and genuine. Check out Les Crosets ski deals to start planning your trip.
Les Crosets sits at the intersection of multiple ski sectors. The slopes around the village are wide and sunny, ideal for cruising, with lifts connecting to the Pointe des Mossettes (2,277m - the highest point of the Portes du Soleil), the Croix de Culet, and Grand Paradis. From the top of the Mossettes, you can drop into France and reach Avoriaz within 20 minutes. In the opposite direction, the terrain merges into Champoussin and onwards to Morgins and Châtel. The Portes du Soleil circuit links the entire area in a clockwise or anticlockwise loop.
The Ripaille-Grand Paradis run is the longest piste in the Portes du Soleil - a spectacular descent through varied terrain from wide groomed slopes to rolling bumps and a path through silent, snow-covered forest. The off-piste between the marked runs provides easy-access tree skiing, and the freeride terrain across the wider Portes du Soleil is vast. The snowpark in Les Crosets is redesigned every year with eight or more lines, and Avoriaz (one lift away) has a world-famous superpipe.
Les Crosets has gentle nursery slopes right in the village with a beginner area and practice lifts. The wide, sunny terrain around the plateau provides excellent progression. Ski schools offer group and private lessons. Children's lessons are run in small groups by ability level. The compact, traffic-free village means children can walk from their accommodation to the slopes. The local Swiss pass (Champéry-Les Crosets-Champoussin-Morgins, CHF 52) provides affordable beginner-level access without paying for the full Portes du Soleil.
WeSki insider tip: Start beginners on the gentle slopes right in Les Crosets village - the nursery area is sunny, uncrowded, and steps from most accommodation. The local Swiss pass covers Les Crosets, Champoussin, and Morgins without the cost of the full Portes du Soleil pass - save the bigger pass for when beginners are confident enough to explore further.
Intermediates have over 600km of Portes du Soleil terrain to explore. The Swiss-side red runs around Les Crosets provide engaging, scenic skiing beneath the Dents du Midi. The Ripaille-Grand Paradis (the longest piste in the Portes du Soleil) is an intermediate highlight. The Portes du Soleil circuit - skiing through multiple villages in two countries - provides a full-day adventure. Avoriaz (one lift from Les Crosets) opens up the vast French terrain. The runs towards Morgins and Châtel provide quieter skiing on the circuit's return leg.
WeSki insider tip: Ski the Portes du Soleil circuit clockwise from Les Crosets - cross into France at the Mossettes, ski through Avoriaz to Châtel, then return via Morgins and Champoussin. It takes a full day, crosses two countries, and passes through scenery that changes character with every valley. Start early and stop at mountain restaurants for coffee and raclette along the way.
The Swiss Wall (Le Mur de Chavanette) is the headline run - 1km of ungroomed moguls with a gradient exceeding 70%, connecting the Swiss and French sectors at the Pas de Chavanette. It's one of the most infamous pistes in the Alps, visible from the chairlift above, and a genuine test of nerve and technique. Four black runs on the Swiss side provide sustained challenge, and the off-piste through the forests between marked runs is easily accessible. The wider Portes du Soleil has extensive freeride terrain, and the north-facing slopes above Les Crosets hold powder well.
WeSki insider tip: The Swiss Wall is not groomed and develops enormous moguls - it's one of the most photographed runs in the Alps. If you're going to ski it, do it early in the morning when the moguls are firm and predictable. Late afternoon, when they've been softened by sun and traffic, is a recipe for tired legs and spectacular falls. Stand at the top and watch others for a few minutes first - it's steeper than it looks.
The snowpark in the heart of Les Crosets has eight or more lines redesigned annually, and Avoriaz (one lift away) has a world-famous superpipe and freestyle facilities. The wide Swiss-side slopes suit carving, and the forest terrain provides natural features. The Portes du Soleil circuit is rideable but some flat connecting sections require planning. The Swiss Wall is a legendary snowboard challenge.
Off-piste is easily accessible from Les Crosets, with tree skiing between the marked runs and freeride terrain on the north-facing slopes above the village. The wider Portes du Soleil provides vast off-piste potential across both the Swiss and French sectors. No marked freeride routes exist (unlike some Swiss resorts), so local knowledge or guiding is recommended. The Avoriaz freeride terrain is accessible within 20 minutes from Les Crosets.
Ski schools provide group and private lessons for all ages and abilities, including telemark instruction. Children's lessons are run in small groups by ability level, from age five. Private lessons from age three are available. English-speaking instructors are available. Equipment hire is at sport shops in Les Crosets and Champéry, with some hotels offering in-house rental.
The Les Crosets Snowpark, in the heart of the village, has eight or more lines redesigned annually, accessible within minutes of the Champéry cable car or the Crosets 8 chairlift. Avoriaz (one lift away) has a world-famous superpipe and extensive freestyle facilities. A half-pipe near Champéry adds further options.
Les Crosets is one of the best family bases in the Portes du Soleil. The compact, traffic-free village with ski-in/ski-out access from nearly every accommodation eliminates morning logistics. Nursery slopes are right in the village, ski schools run small children's groups, and the sunny plateau setting with Dents du Midi views creates a safe, scenic environment. The snowpark provides progression for older children. Point Sud - Switzerland's highest treetop adventure park at 1,690m - adds a non-skiing activity right on the doorstep.
Champéry (connected by cable car) has the Palladium sports centre with indoor climbing, curling, swimming, and an ice rink. The thermal baths at Val d'Illiez provide a rest-day spa excursion. The train from Geneva to Champéry takes around two hours, making weekend trips practical. Dining includes mountain restaurants with Dents du Midi views - Chez Coquoz at Croix de Culet and Chez Gaby above Champoussin are local favourites for rösti and raclette.
The local Swiss pass (Champéry-Les Crosets-Champoussin-Morgins) provides good-value family skiing without paying for the full Portes du Soleil, while the full pass opens up 600km+ for families wanting to explore further. Geneva airport is under two hours away, making Les Crosets one of the most accessible Swiss ski destinations for UK families.
Les Crosets and the surrounding Région Dents du Midi combine Swiss mountain culture, cross-border skiing, and the dramatic scenery of the Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches ranges.
Beyond skiing and snowboarding:
For rest days and non-skiers:
Dining from Les Crosets draws on Swiss Valais traditions - raclette, rösti, and fondue in mountain settings with Dents du Midi views. The French side of the Portes du Soleil adds Savoyard options accessible by ski.
WeSki insider tip: Have lunch at Chez Coquoz at the Croix de Culet - the views of the Dents du Midi are extraordinary and the raclette is authentic Valaisan. Then ski across the border to a French mountain restaurant for a completely different culinary style on the same day. The cross-border dining is one of the unique pleasures of skiing the Portes du Soleil from Les Crosets.
Après-ski in Les Crosets is quiet and village-scale - this is a micro-resort that's blissfully undeveloped in the evenings. A handful of hotel bars and the Mountain Lodge provide cosy post-ski drinks. For a livelier scene, Champéry has more evening variety with bars, pubs, and live music, and Avoriaz on the French side has a developed après-ski scene accessible during ski hours.
Après-ski spots to know:
Accommodation in Les Crosets is a compact collection of chalets, apartments, and small hotels - nearly all ski-in, ski-out. The Mountain Lodge is the standout property with modern alpine décor, a spa, and excellent cuisine. The micro-resort character means the selection is limited - book early for peak weeks. Champéry (connected by cable car) has a wider range of accommodation with more traditional Swiss charm. Morgins and Champoussin provide further options within the Swiss Portes du Soleil.
The local Swiss pass covers Champéry, Les Crosets, Champoussin, and Morgins (100km+). The full Portes du Soleil pass covers 600km+ across 12 resorts in Switzerland and France. The local pass is excellent value for families staying on the Swiss side. Multi-day, family, and season options are available. No passport is needed to ski between countries.
Check for family and multi-day pass options when booking your Les Crosets ski holiday package through WeSki to find the best fit for your trip.
Equipment hire is at sport shops in Les Crosets and Champéry. Some hotels (including the Mountain Lodge) have in-house rental shops that stay open late - ideal for arrivals wanting to collect equipment the same evening.
Les Crosets is compact and walkable - the entire village is ski-in, ski-out. The Champéry cable car connects to the village below. Lifts from Les Crosets connect directly to Champoussin, Morgins, and (via one lift) Avoriaz in France. Free ski buses connect the Swiss Portes du Soleil villages. A car is useful for reaching Les Crosets but not needed for daily skiing.
Les Crosets is in the Val d'Illiez in the Swiss canton of Valais, near the French border. Geneva airport is under 170km away (approximately 90 minutes by car). The train from Geneva to Champéry takes around two hours (via Aigle on the S36 line), with the cable car connecting to the slopes. By car from Geneva, take the motorway to Monthey and follow the valley road to Les Crosets via Val d'Illiez. The transfer is short by Swiss standards, making Les Crosets practical for weekend ski trips as well as full-week holidays.
WeSki offers car rentals from the airport as well as private transfers to Les Crosets. Add them to your Les Crosets ski holiday package for seamless door-to-door travel.
The Portes du Soleil ('Gateway to the Sun') is one of the world's largest interconnected ski areas, spanning 12 resorts across Switzerland and France between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. It covers over 600km of pistes with around 200 lifts. The Swiss side includes Champéry, Les Crosets, Champoussin, and Morgins. The French side includes Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets, and Châtel. You can ski the full circuit in a day, crossing the border without passport checks. Les Crosets is the most central and convenient Swiss base for exploring the entire network.
The Swiss Wall (Le Mur de Chavanette) is a 1km ungroomed mogul field with a gradient exceeding 70%, connecting the Swiss and French sides of the Portes du Soleil at the Pas de Chavanette. It's widely regarded as one of the most difficult and intimidating pistes in the Alps. The moguls can grow to enormous size, and the steepness makes it a genuine test of technique and nerve. It's one of the most photographed runs in skiing and a bucket-list challenge for expert skiers.
Les Crosets is excellent for families. The compact, traffic-free village with ski-in/ski-out access from nearly all accommodation makes daily logistics effortless. Nursery slopes in the village, small-group children's lessons, and the sunny plateau setting create a safe, welcoming environment. The Point Sud treetop adventure park, the Palladium sports centre in Champéry, and the thermal baths at Val d'Illiez add non-skiing variety. The local Swiss pass provides affordable family skiing without paying for the full Portes du Soleil.
Les Crosets (1,670m) is on the mountain - a small, ski-in/ski-out micro-resort with better snow reliability and direct lift access in all directions. Champéry (1,040m) is in the valley - a beautiful, traditional Swiss village with more accommodation, restaurants, nightlife, and a direct train from Geneva. Both access the same terrain (connected by cable car). Les Crosets suits those who prioritise on-slope convenience and snow. Champéry suits those who want a charming village with evening variety.
Les Crosets sits at 1,670m with skiing to 2,277m - the highest point of the Portes du Soleil. The altitude ensures good snow reliability from mid-December to mid-April. The north-east facing slopes above the village hold snow quality well. The Portes du Soleil circuit provides access to varied aspects and altitudes across the Swiss and French sectors, meaning you can always find good conditions somewhere in the network.
Geneva airport is under 90 minutes by car - one of the shortest Swiss ski transfers. Regular UK flights (including budget airlines) serve Geneva year-round. By train, Geneva to Champéry takes around two hours (with the cable car connecting to Les Crosets). The short transfer makes Les Crosets practical for weekend ski trips. WeSki can arrange private transfers from Geneva airport.
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