Private jets to the Alps for Christmas and New Year
The busiest fortnight of the ski season. London schools break up on 18 December 2026 and go back on 4 January 2027, and Alpine airports fill on the weekends either side.
- Dates
- 19 December 2026 – 3 January 2027
- Where
- Courchevel, Méribel, Verbier, St Moritz, Gstaad and Zermatt, The Alps
- Fly to
- Geneva (GVA)
- Book by
- Book now: call us for what's still available
Where to land
Transfer times are approximate and grow on event days, when roads around the venue are at their busiest.
Geneva (GVA)
About 1 hour 50 minutes by road to Verbier, about 2 hours to Courchevel, Méribel and Gstaad.
Chambéry (CMF)
About 1 hour 15 minutes by road to Courchevel, about an hour to Méribel.
Sion (SIR)
About 50 minutes by road to Verbier; about 1 hour 15 minutes to Täsch, then the shuttle train to Zermatt.
Engadin Airport, Samedan (SMV)
About 10 minutes by road to St Moritz.
Gstaad Saanen (LSGK)
About 10 minutes by road to Gstaad.
Zurich (ZRH)
About 3 hours by road or train to St Moritz.
Slots and permissions during the Alps for Christmas and New Year
During major events, airports often run special slot, parking and prior-permission (PPR) schemes, and each airport sets its own rules for each event. Every event quote is subject to the slots and permissions being granted. We apply for them as soon as you book, and if your first-choice airport is full we offer the nearest alternative.
What the airports have published
Chambéry, 1 December to 30 April: every flight needs prior permission, granted only when a slot and parking are free. Weekend arrivals are capped at five an hour, and requests it can't take may be moved to Grenoble or Lyon.
Geneva: every business aviation flight needs prior permission, which can be booked only five days ahead through the handler. Parking over three hours needs the airport's approval.
Sion, Samedan and Gstaad Saanen all need crews with the airport's own briefing or local qualification, and in winter Samedan and Saanen close at dusk.
Gstaad Saanen: every arrival and departure needs prior permission filed online, with customs details given hours ahead for international flights.
Good to know
- Courchevel opens on 4 December 2026 and Les 3 Vallées runs to 18 April 2027, as published by the resorts; dates depend on snow.
- Courchevel's altiport takes only small aircraft and helicopters flown by specially qualified pilots. Jets land at Chambéry or Geneva and transfer.
Request to book
Every event quote is subject to the slots and permissions being granted.
Questions
Which airport is closest to the Alps for Christmas and New Year?
Geneva (GVA) is the usual choice: About 1 hour 50 minutes by road to Verbier, about 2 hours to Courchevel, Méribel and Gstaad to Courchevel, Méribel, Verbier, St Moritz, Gstaad and Zermatt. The alternatives are Chambéry (CMF), Sion (SIR), Engadin Airport, Samedan (SMV), Gstaad Saanen (LSGK), Zurich (ZRH).
When should I book a private jet to the Alps for Christmas and New Year?
We suggest booking by 29 August 2026. The book-by date is our suggested latest date to confirm for the widest choice of aircraft. Aircraft and slots are committed early for big events, so booking sooner usually means more options and a better price. After it, flights are often still possible, with less choice.
Are airport slots guaranteed?
During major events, airports often run special slot, parking and prior-permission (PPR) schemes, and each airport sets its own rules for each event. Every event quote is subject to the slots and permissions being granted. We apply for them as soon as you book, and if your first-choice airport is full we offer the nearest alternative.
Sources
- Wandsworth Council: school term dates
- Chambéry Business Airport: winter operations
- Geneva Airport: PPR for business aviation
- Sion Airport: pilot information
- Gstaad Airport: pilots
Checked on 20 October 2026. Organisers and airports change their arrangements, so we confirm them again for your flight.
