Chateaux-d’Oex ski resort is located in the canton of Vaud, to the east of Geneva, and appeals to skiers looking for relaxed charm and not searching too hard for challenging slopes, though tougher runs are not far away. Snow cover is excellent for a fairly low-lying resort and there is summer skiing on Les Diablerets Glacier.

The town boasts a dynamite location as part of both the Alpes Vaudoise and the White Highland ski pass which amounts to hundreds of kilometres of superb slopes. Accommodation-wise, Chateaux-d’Oex boasts 4,000 beds in hotels, pensions, chalets and apartments, including slope-side establishments.

Chateaux d’Oex’s 50kms of runs have a ratio of 40 per cent of beginner slopes; 40 per cent, intermediate; and 20 percent for advanced skiers. The longest run is eight kilometres and there are 16 lifts with a capacity for 9,350 people per hour. Snowboarding is available, with a fun park and a halfpipe and there are 23kms of cross-country trails.

Other winter activities and facilities include: 50kms of winter walking trails; mono-skiing; heliskiing; ice skating (artificial); curling; horse-drawn sleigh riding; ballooning; bowling; a sauna; and a sports centre. Après-ski is fairly sedate with folklore evenings, concerts, a cinema, and a handful of bars and discos.

The best snow of the December to April ski season can be had from early February and into March, while cheaper weeks are available up to the Christmas holidays, and after the high season to early April.

The most practical way to get to Chateaux-d’Oex ski resort is to fly to Geneva airport, take a train into the city and on to the resort. The most convenient way would be to hire a car at the airport.