Geneva to Verchaix- Car Hire or Public Transport?

I am joining a group of friends on their skiing trip to Verchaix (small village near Samoens). They are driving from the South of England, but as I live 'up north', am thinking of flying to geneva and meeting them at the chalet.
Has anyone got any experience of public transport from Geneva to Verchaix (or near by resorts)? Or would it be easier to hire a car and drive from Geneva Airport?
I've never driven in france- is it fairly easy, as i'd be on my own?! :?
Thanks for your help!

you've surely considered it already, but would it not be easier meeting your friends in the south of england? Hiring a foreign car and driving on foreign roads in a foreign country on your own could put you at quite a high level of risk. (no prizes for guessing my full time occupation, crikey i'm sad :roll: - Safety goes out of the window come the 6th of jan though!!) Plus, if your all together you can play eye spy!! It can get really interesting if you look for things that you can see but are not physically there, R for reflection for example. (Yep, definately sad!)

Hope it all goes well!

Enjoy the ski!!