Suggestions for day ski trip near Geneve for three year old

Sports and Hobbies
1
Please bear with me - I am looking for suggestions for currently open ski areas near Geneva (obviously due to Covid it has to be in CH...) where I could go for a day ski trip with three year old who never skied before. I looked at some places like Leysin but can't find anywhere full information what is required for skiing with a three year old - obviously we will stay in the baby area or similar; understand there is a ski school but it is 4+; can he (and normally myself) use their ski-track lift/facilities?

Do we need to buy full day pass if we would use just the area around the ski-school/baby area?

Finally, is it easy to rent on the spot a full gear for three year old + adult (i.e. boots, skis, helmet...).

I am really looking for suggestions from people who have recently been in a similar situation - where it would be easiest to go (I used Leysin only as an example) and reachable from Geneva (and back) within a day? Obviously 3-4 hours max on the slope is what I am looking for.

thanks.

2
No need for overkill for a three year old. Go up to the Jura, there's 2 or 3 baby slopes that are perfect for the little ones, check current weather conditions but very cold at the moment, so understand they are open. La Trelasse, Basse Ruche, and St Cergue are open as they are totally on the Swiss side. If France opens up, or gives access to la Dole more will be available too. La Trelasse would be my recommendation. Be aware that usual restaurants and places to warm up are closed or converted to take out. Dress warm and plan accordingly. St George is also a possibility if they are open this year.

Milena sport in St Cergue does rentals. Sometimes there is a satellite place open at la Givrine.

3
Like RunningDeer said .. St Cergue has the hire shop right there by the tourist office and parking and you can just walk over use the hill without the lifts for the little one.. Just walk up and down..

However if you want to use the lifts there and pay, it's two ancient button lifts and pretty steep back down, not really for the 3 year old.

Leysin on the other hand has hire shop again right by the parking and they have a proper beginner slope with a magic carpet and an ESS office if you wanted a lesson for the kid .. I'm 99.9% sure you don't need to pay for the beginner slope and magic carpet, we certainly used it before without paying, many times .. It's a little bit hidden, you can either walk 200m back up the end of the piste or up behind the ski school office but it's really good for beginners. When my kids where younger i got them private lessons from LeysinSki .. Super nice couple.

St George is open, two button lifts and easy slopes but no facilities to hire equipment.

4
Just one watch out - with the Sunday closing rule, also ski hire shops are closed.

If you intend to take your child a few times, it may be easier to rent equipment for season so you do not have to worry about fit and finding shop etc each time. Typically for that age group it is not very expensive.

5
Last I knew at St Cergue there is still the third drag lift (rope tow) for the real beginners to the far right of the other two main lifts. That is the place for the three year old, not the other two. Lift prices in St Cergue are miniscule compared to all the big resorts, Leysin included.

6
Ok .. I've never seen that rope tow.. but never looked.

Basse Ruche is pretty nice though, I'd prefer that over the area behind the tourist office.

I've only ever paid for St Cergue for the night time ski.

7
You can get stuff for the rental prices in the thrift/charity stores now.

St. Cergue baby slope would be nice and uncomplicated for a 3yr old. That age can tire out and demotivate fast.

8
You probably passed it but thought it a small x-country area, it's that flat. So much so I think I skated up it faster than a kid was pulled up it.

9
PiouPiou classes are running at MeĢtabief-Mt d'Or. 1 hour from Geneva

https://www.espacenordiquejurassien....21557afc3.html

10
Thanks so much to all for your very constructive comments. I will surely visit some of the places mentioned next time.

Happy to report that on friend's advice visited Villars. It seems a perfect area - exactly what I was looking for.

https://www.villars-diablerets.ch/en...run-at-villars

https://www.parking.ch/fr/parkings/v...-du-centenaire

Parking Centenaire is next to the railway station and the baby area is right behind it (a rail track to cross but no major hassle, followed by some 50m walk to the slopes). Ski rental place - well supplied - right across the railway station. So total walk from the parking to the slopes passing rental place is less than 100m, so despite crossing the main road and rail tracks no major hassle even for three year old beginner.

On the slopes, there is a moving track for the baby area (another one on top of the baby area that seems to be reserved for sleds); plus a button lift that takes you to a somewhat more serious slope (around 100m length, my best guess; it was a no go zone for us). the best part - all these lifts are absolutely free. Such a great way to popularize skiing amongst youngsters.

Will look at some of other suggestions mentioned here, and if end up going there will also report.

11
The Hotel du Lac at Bretaye is open for guests, at the top of Villars. They do take away drinks and snacks, burgers, hotdogs, etc. English owned, English run.