Perched on a sunny, south-east facing ridge at 1,580m in Switzerland's Val d'Illiez, Champoussin has the kind of unhurried charm that's increasingly hard to find. It's a small, genuinely unspoilt alpine village - chalets, farmhouses, resident livestock - that happens to sit right in the middle of one of the world's great ski areas. The Dents du Midi mountains frame the view from almost everywhere in the village, and the whole place moves at a pace that feels like a deliberate counterpoint to the busier resorts nearby.

As part of the Portes du Soleil - the vast Franco-Swiss ski circuit spanning 12 resorts and over 600km of connected pistes - Champoussin sits midway along the Swiss sector, connecting Morgins to the north and Les Crosets to the south. The resort's own terrain is compact but well positioned: all skiing is above 1,600m, the slopes catch plenty of winter sun, and broad alpine bowls above the village hold powder long after a snowfall. With 17 lifts and 22 marked runs on the local ski pass area, there's enough on the doorstep to satisfy most skiers for several days before you've even reached for the wider circuit.

Away from the slopes, Champoussin keeps things simple - a handful of excellent restaurants, a relaxed après-ski atmosphere, and the kind of village evenings where the highlight is a long dinner rather than a late bar. It suits families particularly well, and those looking for a ski holiday that feels properly connected to the mountains rather than a commercial resort product. Check out our Champoussin ski deals to start planning your trip.