Champéry Travel Guide
City Alpine ski village in Valais, Switzerland
Val d’Illiez’s wooden chalets and Dents du Midi views bring skiers and climbers to Champéry; cable cars join the Portes du Soleil network. Mountain guides run summer traverses and alpine dining huts serve raclette after long days.
Why Visit Champéry? #
Found in the Valais alpine belt, this mountain resort draws skiers and summer hikers alike with access to the Portes du Soleil network and Dents du Midi panoramas. Traditional chalets and lively lift systems make it a base for skiing, mountain biking and alpine cuisine such as fondue and raclette. The village atmosphere and mountain-accessible trails appeal to travelers who want active days followed by convivial evenings.
Top Things to Do in Champéry
All Attractions ›
- Champéry-Planachaux cable car - Cable car from Champéry to Planachaux for alpine hikes and Dents du Midi views.
- Champéry village centre - Charming village centre with wooden chalets, outdoor cafés and mountain guide services.
- Portes du Soleil slopes and trails - Access to Portes du Soleil slopes and summer trails for all ability levels.
- Local mountain huts - Small mountain huts serving simple alpine fare and espresso during summer hikes.
- Family-run guiding services - Local guides offering themed walks, geology tours and wildlife spotting in the valley.
- Quiet streamside walks - Undeveloped streamside tracks near the village ideal for gentle nature walks and relaxation.
- Montreux and Lake Geneva - Lake Geneva and Montreux for lakeside promenades, music festivals and castle visits.
- Champery to Portes du Soleil - Explore further into the Portes du Soleil ski and hiking network across the border.
Best Time to Visit Champéry #
Champéry shines in winter for skiing (December-March) and in summer (June-September) for high-alpine hiking and spectacular views. Shoulder months can be variable with late snow or early storms.
Best Time to Visit Champéry #
Champéry's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1271 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Champéry
Champéry is a valley village in Valais at the terminus of the regional rail link from Monthey/Martigny and is best reached by train to Martigny followed by the local regional connection. The SBB + regional rail/PostBus combination gives reliable access; driving is also straightforward though village parking can fill in peak periods.
Geneva Airport (GVA): The main international gateway for Champéry and the Chablais region. From Geneva Airport travel by train to Martigny (about 1.5-2 hours) and change to regional services or PostBus toward Champéry; total transfer time is roughly 2-3 hours. Typical Geneva-Martigny 2nd-class rail fares are CHF 25-CHF 45.
Sion Airport (SIR): Closer but with limited services; from Sion you can continue by train or bus toward Martigny and then onward to Champéry (total transfer typically 1-1.5 hours from Sion to Champéry by rail+bus or taxi).
Train: Champéry is served by regional rail and rack/adhesion lines (AOMC/Transports régionaux) connecting from Martigny via Monthey and Champéry station is the terminus of the local line. Take an SBB train to Martigny, then a regional connection toward Monthey/Champéry; journey times from Martigny to Champéry are around 40-50 minutes including the transfer.
Bus: PostBus services and local buses supplement the rail link from Monthey/Martigny to Champéry; short bus rides are typically inexpensive (CHF 2-CHF 8 depending on zones) and timed with train arrivals in peak season.
How to Get Around Champéry #
Champéry village is compact and easy to explore on foot; lifts and gondolas link the resort to the Portes du Soleil ski domain. Regular buses connect Champéry with Monthey and surrounding towns; driving gives flexibility for off-mountain excursions. Buy combined lift tickets in advance during winter for best value and confirm seasonal schedules for cable cars.
Where to Stay in Champéry #
Where to Eat in Champéry #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Champéry's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Champéry #
Champéry has an après-ski atmosphere in winter with hotel bars and a few small pubs; outside high season evenings quiet down considerably. For larger nightlife scenes consider Morzine or Monthey.
Shopping in Champéry #
Shopping centers on sports goods, ski hire and tourist souvenirs serve visitors; grocery and specialty shopping are available but limited. For a broader retail selection travel to Monthey or nearby valleys.
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