Hello,
I'm planning on traveling to Paris for New Years and continuing to the French or Swiss Alps for a few days in early January. I'm looking for some recommendations of towns to stay in in the Swiss Alps near the french border or in the French Alps that have winter activities but aren't too touristy. I'm flying out of the Geneva Airport, so something with a quick train ride to Geneva would be best.
Thanks!
I'd suggest Les Diabrelets or Champery in Switzerland. Both have hourly rail service in the morning to GVA, 2 1/2 hour travel time with a single change at Aigle. By "after New Years", I assume you know it may be difficult to find lodging anywhere in the Alps for just a few days. Most want a one week minimum until the New years holiday is over, which probably will be OK in 2015 with New Years Day falling on a Thursday.
"Winter activities"? I assume you mean downhill skiing or snowboarding. From Champery you can ski into France if there is enough snow for the connections to be open. There will also be sledding and cross country skiing available. "Not too touristy"? These are not big name Alpine destinations like Verbier, Zermatt or the Jungfrau region, but hey, skiers are tourists too and there is a level of services to handle them.
You may get some more ideas from the Swiss Tourist Board: http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/interests/winter-excursions.html.
