Champéry 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.
72°F
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.
Best Things to Do in Champéry#
Champéry Bucket List#
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.
December - February
-12°C to -2°C (10°F to 28°F)
Reliable, snowy winters make Champéry a top spot for skiing and après-ski; mountain access is excellent but expect cold, windy days.
March - May
0°C to 12°C (32°F to 54°F)
High-mountain springs are unpredictable with snowmelt; quiet trails open slowly, but lower-altitude walks reward with early wildflowers and fewer crowds.
June - August
8°C to 22°C (46°F to 72°F)
Cool, clear summers perfect for alpine hiking and panoramas; afternoons can warm, but nights stay crisp-pack layers for altitude.
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#
Reach Champéry via SBB to Martigny then the regional rail/bus link to Monthey/Champéry; this is the simplest and most scenic public-transport route. For door-to-door flexibility rent a car, and use lifts/cable cars to access higher alpine terrain.
- SBB + regional rail (AOMC) (CHF 25-CHF 50 (typical Geneva-Champéry)) - Take Swiss Federal Railways to Martigny, then transfer to the regional line that serves Monthey and Champéry (regional operators). The last leg is scenic with mountain railway operation; total travel from Geneva is roughly 2-3 hours. Buy combined tickets via SBB or at stations.
- PostBus / local bus (CHF 2-CHF 8) - PostBus provides short valley connections from Martigny and Monthey to Champéry; buses coordinate with train arrivals in peak season. Single fares are modest (typically CHF 2-CHF 8) and useful for short last-mile connections.
- Car / driving (CHF 50+/day (rental)) - Driving to Champéry via the Rhone valley and mountain roads gives freedom to explore the wider Chablais region; allow extra time for mountain roads in winter. Parking in the village is available but limited during festivals and ski season.
- Cable car / lifts (Varies (seasonal lift fares)) - Champéry is linked to the Portes du Soleil ski area by lifts and cable cars; these are essential for accessing high-mountain trails and slopes. Lift passes and single-ride prices vary by season; they are the fastest way to reach alpine terrain.
- Bicycle / e-bike (CHF 20-CHF 60/day (rental)) - The valley provides good cycling routes in summer; e-bikes make the climbs to nearby passes more accessible and can often be rented in Monthey or Champéry. Cycling is pleasant but mountainous terrain means fitness or e-assist is helpful.
- Walking - Champéry’s village and local trailheads are compact and designed for walking; use your feet to explore the village, nearby lakes and lower mountain trails. Comfortable footwear is recommended for uneven mountain paths.
Where to Eat in Champéry#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Champéry’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
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.
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.
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