Champéry's location in the Illiez valley puts it within range of several worthwhile day trips, both deeper into the Swiss Alps and across the border into France.
Montreux and Lake Geneva lie about 75 minutes away by car or just over an hour by train via Aigle and Montreux. The lakeside town, the Château de Chillon on the water's edge, and the terrace vineyards of the Lavaux make for an easy contrast to the mountains.
Morzine and Avoriaz (France) are reachable by ski in winter via the Portes du Soleil lifts, or by car in summer in about 40 minutes over the Col de la Croix or via the valley roads. Avoriaz is a car-free resort village perched dramatically above the valley; Morzine is a larger, livelier town with more choice of restaurants and nightlife.
Les Crosets and Morgins are Swiss villages in the same Portes du Soleil circuit, reached by lift or by road. Morgins in particular has a quieter, slightly old-fashioned character worth a look.
Martigny is about an hour by car or train and serves as the gateway to the Great St Bernard Pass and the Italian Valle d'Aosta. It also has a notable art foundation (Fondation Gianadda) with a strong programme of temporary exhibitions alongside a permanent collection of Roman artefacts found locally.
Sion, the cantonal capital of Valais, is about 50 minutes by car — a small city with two striking hilltop castles, a lively old town, and the wine culture of the Valais at its most accessible.