Although only a small international airport, Chambery Airport has become a major ski hub and a gateway to the top luxury ski resorts in France. Come winter season, Chambery is bustling with British travellers and approximately 200,000 skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. From here, you can easily find ski transfers to some of the best ski resorts in the world. Ski domains such as Tignes-Val d'Isere, Portes du Soleil, Paradiski, and the famous Three Valleys are all within a one to a two and a half hour drive.
Chambery Skiing
Although there are no actual Chambery skiing areas, Chambery is a charming town that is well-known to passionate skiers. It’s perfectly nestled in the heart of French skiing territory and is the closest airport to the Tarentaise Valley. Here, you can find the quickest transfer times to some of France’s top ski villages - maximising your time on the slopes.
Where is Chambery airport?
Chambery Airport (or Chambery Savoie Airport) is located in the stunning Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of south-eastern France. The airport itself is located five miles north of the city centre, making transportation to and from the airport very easy.
Who flies to Chambery from the UK?
Chambery remains a top tourist destination although the airport facilities are much smaller than at other airports, such as Geneva. There are a good number of flights to Chambery from UK airports including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton, and more.
The main airlines that fly to Chambery include:
- British Airways
- TUI
- Jet2
- Titan Airways
Transport at Chambery airport
Once you arrive in Chambery, there are plenty of options to get you to the resort of choice- a car hire, train, or coach transfer. Contact a member of our team today to learn more about the transfer options we can arrange for you in Chambery.
- Car hire Chambery airport - You can expect major international brands operating from Chambery Airport, including Sixt, Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis. The offices are located in the car park and you can find the petrol station just outside the airport.
- Taxi - If you prefer a quick travel option, taxis are located just outside the airport exit and are available to take you to whatever destination.
- Bus - There are some scheduled shuttles that operate from Chambery to the nearby airports. You can book them online or at the Mobi’Savoie counter at the airport.
- Train - Although there is no train station at the airport, it is possible to take a taxi to a train station in Chamberly and ride on from there.
Ski Resorts Near Chambery
There are an astounding 200 ski resorts that are within three hours of Chambery Airport. Out of these 200, you will find some of the best ski resorts in the world, from Val d'Isère to La Plagne, Courchevel to Méribel. Read on for the best and nearest ski resorts to Chambery airport.
Chambery to Val d'Isère: 143 km - 2.3 hours
Perched high in the Tarentaise Valley and just a few kilometres from the French-Italian border, Val d'Isère is an iconic resort that can be reached from Chambery in a little over two hours through the N90.
- Ski domain: Tignes-Val d'IsèreVal d'Isere
- Resort height: 1850m
- Pistes: 300 km
- Best for: Historic village architecture, the 1992 Olympic Men's Downhill slope, and stunning surroundings.
Chambery ski transfer times: Without a car, you can take a train from Chambery to Landy and take a 40-minute taxi ride from there. This will take approximately two hours and 23 minutes. You can also take a bus to Tignes and a taxi from Tignes to Val d'Isère. The fastest transfer time from Chambery to Val d'Isère would be to drive, taking about two hours and 15 minutes from the airport.
Chambery to Val Thorens: 110 km- 1.5 hours
Famous for being the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens will not disappoint with guaranteed fresh powder and access to the largest interconnected ski area in the world - the Three Valleys. You can travel from Chambery to Val Thorens in just one and a half hours.
- Ski domain: The Three Valleys
- Resort height: 2300m
- Pistes: 150 km
- Best for: An astonishing high-altitude location and access to more than 600 km of interconnected slopes!
Chambery ski transfer times: There is no direct train from Chambery to Val Thorens. We would recommend instead travelling by private shuttle or car hire. By route of the D117, you can reach the resort in well-under two hours. Just keep in mind that the higher the resort is, the more time it’s going to take on mountain roads.
Chambery to Megève: 90 km -1 hour
Although known for its proximity to Geneva Airport, Chambery is only a little further out from Megéve, and you can drive there in about an hour. Here you will find the country's best mountain restaurants and excellent skiing.
- Ski domain: Evasion Mont Blanc
- Resort height: 1,100m
- Pistes: Over 400 km of pistes in the wider ski area
- Best for: Horse-drawn carriages, fashionable resort atmosphere, and more than 27 miles of alpine routes to explore.
Chambery ski transfer times: Without a car, the best way to get from Chambery to Megéve is by the weekly bus which will get you there in under three hours. The fastest ski transfer is by car via the A43. This journey will take you about an hour.
Chambery to Les Gets: 75 km - 1.2 hours
Les Gets is home to diverse trails, picturesque buildings, and access to the massive Portes du Soleil ski region. The ski transfers from Chambery to Les Gets are just over an hour, making it the perfect hassle-free option for families.
- Ski domain: Portes du Soleil
- Resort height: 1170m
- Pistes: 650 km
- Best for: Family skiing and a historic village.
Chambery ski transfer times: If you take the A41, you can arrive in Les Gets in about one hour and 22 minutes. There are buses that will take you directly to Les Gets from Chambery, but these may take well over three hours due to long stop-over times.
Chambery to Alpe d'Huez: 120 km - 1.5 hours
After an hour-and-a-half transfer from Chambery to Alpe d’Huez, you will be met with one of the country's most snow-sure slopes and famous pistes such as the Sarenne black run. Skiers of all abilities can enjoy the incredible snow and the varied terrain.
- Ski domain: Grand Domaine Ski
- Resort height: 1860m
- Pistes: 237 km
- Best for: Snow-sure slopes and skiing for all abilities.
Chambery ski transfer times: Alpe d'Huez is one of the nearest ski resorts to Chambery Airport, with a drive on the A41 and D1091 taking you straight to the slopes in a little over an hour and a half. If you would prefer to take a train, you can take a train to Lancey and a taxi from there. This journey would take a little under two hours.
Chambery to La Plagne: 110 km - 1.5 hours
Chambery is the closest airport to La Plagne - one of the most visited places on the planet. Many fly through Chambery to head to this collection of 10 picturesque ski villages, 239 ski runs, and an amazing 425 km of pistes.
- Ski domain: Paradiski
- Resort height: 1800-2100m
- Pistes: 225 km
- Best for: One of the most varied ski areas on the planet.
Chambery ski transfer times: A drive to La Plagne from Chambery by the N90 will take from one-and-a-half to two hours. If you would like to travel by train, there is a one-and-a-half-hour train that travels from Chambery to Aime La Plagne, and you can take a taxi from there.
Chambery to Méribel: 98 km - 1.2 hours
Méribel is known as the heart of the Three Valleys, with stunning mountain views, lively après ski, and traditional alpine charm. There’s no wonder it's one of the most popular resorts to travel to from Chambery.
- Ski domain: The Three Valleys
- Resort height: 1450-1700m
- Pistes: 600 km
- Best for: Varied Three Valleys skiing and unforgettable aprés ski.
Chambery ski transfer times: Maribel is a short trek from Chambery Airport, taking only a little over an hour if you go by the A43 and the N90. There are also buses available and a train that will take you as far as Moutiers. You can take a taxi from there that will take about 25 minutes.
Chambery to Courchevel 1850: 109 km - 1.2 hours
In under two hours, you can get from Chambery Airport to Courchevel - the perfect location to explore all the Three Valleys has to offer. You will find stunning tree-lined slopes, celebrity sightings, and the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any ski resort in Europe.
- Ski domain: The Three Valleys
- Resort height: 1260-1850m
- Pistes: 600 km
- Best for: Glamorous après ski and luxury dining.
Chambery ski transfer times: It will take you about one hour and 25 minutes to travel by car from Chambery to Courchevel 1850 on N90. Although there are train and bus transfers available, these will take close to three hours or more and are not recommended.
Chambery to Les Arcs: 160 km - 2 hours
With a little over a two-hour ride, you can reach one of the biggest ski resorts in France from Chambery. Les Arcs is a modern, high-altitude resort with excellent access to the fantastic Paradiski slopes.
- Ski domain: Paradiski
- Resort height: 1800-2100m
- Pistes: 200 km
- Best for: Family-friendly facilities and double-decker cable cars that provide easy access to La Plagne.
Chambery ski transfer times: Les Arcs is a lovely car-free resort, but you can easily find bus companies that will provide transfers from Chambery Airport to Les Arcs in about two hours.
Chambery to Tignes: 142 km - 2.3 hours
Tinges is a top skiing destination for skiers of all abilities with snow-sure slopes and glacier skiing that is available all year round. Ski transfers from Chambery to Tignes Le Lac are only about two hours, meaning you can spend less time travelling and more time exploring this vast ski area.
- Ski domain: Tignes-Val d'Isère
- Resort height: 2100 km
- Pistes: 300 km
- Best for: Glacier skiing and access to the famous ski area formerly known as Espace Killy.
Chambery ski transfer times: Ski transfers from Chambery to Tignes Le Lac are about two hours long if you drive through the N90. You may also take the train from Chambery to Landry and take a 35-minute taxi ride from there if you would like.
Chambery to Avoriaz: 130 km - 1.5 hours
Avoriaz offers the perfect winter ski holiday experience, with snow-covered roads and the ability to ski straight to the high street from your front door. With only an hour and a half transfer time from Chambery, this resort is not one to miss.
- Ski domain: Portes du Soleil
- Resort height: 1800m
- Pistes: 650 km
- Best for: A winter wonderland ski holiday and ski in, ski-out accommodation.
Chambery ski transfer times: By car, the ski transfer from Chambery to Avoriaz will take from one-and-a-half to two hours. This journey will take you through the A41.
To learn more about the skiing options available at Chambery Airport, see our guide on the best ski resorts in France. Feel free to contact a member of our team if you have any questions.