About Verchaix
A small village on the sunny side of the Giffre valley
Verchaix sits at 788 metres on the sunny, south-facing slope of the Haut-Giffre valley in Haute-Savoie, with a wide range of activities in both summer and winter. The village is 1 km from the Grand Massif ski area (Morillon, Samoëns, Flaine, Les Carroz and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval) and 20 km from the Portes du Soleil at Les Gets and Morzine.
At the gateway to the Grand Massif, it suits a peaceful holiday within easy reach of the bigger resorts. The commune climbs from the river Giffre, across the Loëx plateau, up to the Joux-Plane pastures.
The name comes from verchère, meaning well-exposed, cultivated land. Because the snow cleared quickly here, the slope was once used for vegetable gardens, wheat and vines.
Around 830 people live in Verchaix. Locals are known as Lhottis, after the lhotte, a sack once used to carry earth and grapes at harvest.
- Village altitude
- 788 m
- Chalet Ourson
- 950 m
- Chalet Ours
- In the valley
- Grand Massif ski area
- Under 1 km
- Portes du Soleil (Les Gets, Morzine)
- Under 20 km
- Geneva
- 50 km
- Annecy
- 60 km
Winter
The Grand Massif links five resorts: Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, with 265 km of pistes between them. Around 80% of the slopes face north, which helps the snow last.
Free ski buses run from Verchaix to the Grand Massif slopes in winter. The stop is 200 metres from Chalet Ours, and the Morillon cable car is about five minutes' drive from Chalet Ourson.
Look out for the Cascades run, a 14 km blue piste from the top of Flaine down to Sixt.
Summer
The Lac Bleu leisure centre in Morillon is a five-minute walk from Chalet Ours, and five minutes' drive from Chalet Ourson. As well as swimming there's a high-ropes course, an equestrian centre, tennis courts, a skate park, rafting and kayaking.
The Giffre valley is the starting point for walking and mountain-biking trails, and for rock climbing, via ferrata, canyoning, paragliding and caving.
From the village, the Lornaz trail is an easy family walk past local wildlife and old Savoyard buildings. Further up the valley at Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval are the Cirque du Fer à Cheval and the Cascade du Rouget waterfall.
Getting here
The villages of the Grand Massif are about an hour's drive from Geneva airport. Leave the A40 motorway at Cluses Scionzier and follow signs for Morillon and Samoëns.
The nearest railway station is Cluses, around 15 km from the nearest Grand Massif resort.
Chrystèle's tips
Guests often mention the walks Chrystèle recommends. Her favourite hikes, restaurants and places to visit will go here.
Stay in Verchaix
Chalet Ourson sits up the hillside at 950 metres. Chalet Ours is down in the valley, close to the lake.