Châtel, Portes du Soleil (Alt. 1200 - 2432m)
Now recognised as one of the best alpine village ski destinations in Europe, it continues to get better and better for novices and discerning skiers alike. Châtel is situated on the French / Swiss border between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. In the heart of the huge Portes du Soleil ski area, Châtel has retained it's traditional charm whilst becoming a well known haunt for wintersports ethusiasts.
Châtel Skiing Information
- Altitude: 1200 - 2432 metres
- 2 telecabines. 13 chairlifts. 25 drag lifts. 4 rope tows.
- Runs: Blacks 5. Reds 16. Blues 13. Greens 15.
- 1 boardercross. 1 halfpipe & 1 snow park.
- 173 snow cannons
Portes du Soleil Information
- 4 cable cars, 10 telecabines, 83 chairlifts, 111 button lifts, 91 piste machines, 694 snow canons, 266 Pistes
- Black runs 25. Red 100. Blue 106. Green 35. 650kms of piste and endless off piste opportunities.
- 89 mountain restaurants
- 10 Snow parks. 4 half pipes. 4 boarder cross.
- International Ski School
- 90 mins from Geneva
- 8 hours drive from Calais
Ski a different area every day and not ski the same piste twice !
Perhaps ski the Swiss side in the morning and stop for lunch in France, waiter or self service, there is a huge choice of quality good value mountain restaurants. The area also has a superb snow record from mid December till late April, combined with extensive artificial snow making all over the Portes du Soleil there is rarely a problem with insufficient snow cover ( if there was would we still be here after 20 years ?).
If skiing is not enough, the village has an ice rink, a 650 metre artificial luge run, 2 cinemas, many lively bars some with live music, 3 creperies and 5 pizzerias and a ten pin bowling alley. The village market takes place on Wednesday mornings, and there a lots of shops for purchasing local products such as Abondance cheese, honey and Savoie wine. There are 3 banks all with ATMs.