Champery

• Champery
• Piste Map
• Webcams
• Champery Chalets
• Champery Links

Located in the huge skiing area of "Les Portes du Soleil", the resort of Champéry in the Val d'Illiez in the Lower Valais has still managed to preserve much its traditional charm.

The village is situated at 1050m in the Chablais region at the foot of the Dents-du-Midi and the Dents Blanches and is one of Switzerland's oldest tourist destinations.

Along the village street are numerous traditional chalets with their carved balconies and typical roofs, while visitors are delighted by the charming little shops, bars and restaurants. In the village is one of Switzerland's few bell-foundries still remaining in production.

Skiing in Champery

Cable-cars and chair-lifts lead from Champéry into the skiing area of "Portes du Soleil", one of the world's largest continuous skiing areas.

Within it, there are 14 different areas for skiers and snowboarders – 6 in Switzerland and 8 in France – with 209 lifts and 650 km of prepared slopes available to them.

There is also a snowpark to meet the needs of freestylers.

Not only that, but the adventurous can also try their hand at ice-climbing, snow-shoe walking or paragliding, or prove themselves on skiing tours or sledging runs.

The village also has an indoor ice rink and a curling hall which are open all year round.

The ski slope at Pas de Chavanette – often simply called "Le Mur Suisse" (the Swiss Wall) – is one of the steepest in the world.

Although it is only a kilometre long, the descent covers a difference in altitude of nearly 400 metres, with gradients of up to 50 degrees.

Summer in Champery

There are over 800 km of walks to choose from in Champery.

A brilliant 40 km long trekking circuit round the Dents-du-Midi - the wild limestone massif between the Val du Trient and Val d'Illiez - which takes three to four days to complete, well away from all roads and villages.

The mountain bike park has over 300 km of marked tracks to suit all abilities.

There is also a horse-riding centre, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools etc.

On the high plateau of Barme at 1500m, young and old can practise climbing.

In this enchanting place, which is also ideal for family outings, woodland walks or mushroom gathering, there is a 40m high limestone cliff with marked climbing routes of varying degrees of difficulty.

The via ferrata (fixed-cable climb) up from Tière, between Champéry and Val d'Illiez, offers an activity mid-way between hiking and mountaineering, enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Highlights of Champery

• Galerie Defago – in some places, this cliff path, over 600 m long, had to be hewn out of the rock, but the route is an easy walk with fantastic views.

• Thermal baths in Val d'Illiez – close to Champéry lies the mountain hamlet of Val d'Illiez with its mineral-rich spring water and beautiful thermal baths with an indoor and outdoor pool.

• Le Relais wildlife park – the wildlife park in Les Crosets is at 1800 m and is home to kangaroos!

• Point Sud adventure park – In the adventure park in Champoussin, young and old can test out their bravery and their head for heights on ladders and bridges while securely fastened to high wires in the trees.

• The Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champéry line – a narrow gauge railway line links Aigle in the valley floor of the Lower Valais with the resort of Champéry, lovely views of the alpine scenery from the train window.

Top Events in Champery

Flâneries musicales – classical music festival with mainly young musicians performing (August).

Check out our YodelZone where you can Yodel to hundreds of Chalet owners and find your perfect chalet.

Follow Find Chalets

Receive latest offers from Chalet Owners, top tips and more