The Portes du Soleil ski area has so much to offer as it’s one of the biggest ski areas in the world with 650kms of marked pistes. There are 14 resorts which criss-cross between France and Switzerland. From the resort of les Gets at one end through Morzine, Avoriaz, Châtel, Morgins, Les Crosets and Torgon in Switzerland.
The area offers unique skiing opportunities whether you are a beginner or need gentle nursery slopes for the children through to the infamous Swiss Wall in le Croset and challenging off-piste for the more experienced. The pistes are beautifully tree lined with stunning views over the Alps.
For boarders there is a half pipe in Avoriaz and le Croset in Switzerland and a huge boarder park in les Gets which is not for the faint hearted!
The Portes du Soleil area has more to offer than just skiing and boarding! You can try most things from snow-shoeing, parapenting, snow-biking, ice skating, dog rides and hot-air balloon rides. If that’s not enough then you can take the plunge and go ice-diving in Lake Montriond. During January the area also hosts the “Great Odyssey” which is when dog-sleigh teams race over a 160km route.
The Portes du Soleil area has many different types of lift passes. If you decide that the best one for you is the “Area lift pass” this means that you can ski anywhere in the Portes du Soleil area whether the resorts are linked or not linked. The pass is electronic so you do not need a photo, or need to show the pass at each lift!
Some of the Portes du Soleil linked resorts:
Morzine: Morzine is a short drive from the Chalet and is a typical Savoyard village situated in a beautiful wooded valley. It has 4 main lifts that link Morzine with the les Gets ski area and also the Avoriaz ski area and into Switzerland. Ski school meets at the “Pleney” Telecabine lift and has car parks nearby.
Châtel: Châtel is a short drive from the Chalet and is a picturesque village which has grown over the years. It has 2 main telecabine lifts, the “Super Châtel” which links into Switzerland, and “Châtel/Linga” which links into Morzine and Avoriaz, and ski school meets here. Parking is close by.
Avoriaz:
Avoriaz is at the centre of the Portes du Soleil area. The closet lift to access
this area is via the “Ardent” lift at Montriond where there is a large car park. Ski school meets at the top of
the lift.
Some of the Portes du Soleil resorts not linked:
Abondance: Abondance is close by and is a pretty village and offers great skiing for beginners. Parking is available in the village.
St Jean-d’Aulps: St Jean-d’Aulps ski area is the “Grande Terche” and has great skiing for all levels and parking is available next to the lift.
Drouzin le Mont
Drouzin le Mont is not part of the Portes du Soleil ski area. It is a purpose built ski station with 12 ski runs and offers guests a good opportunity to find their “ski legs” on the first day and Ski school is available. The ski lifts are directly opposite the Chalet and within walking distance.
The ski area caters for a wide range of abilities, it rarely gets crowded and is suitable for family skiing.
In the village there is a ski hire shop, hotel/bar and restaurant which serves good local “Haute Savoie” food all year round.
Bread and croissants are available from the Hotel daily.
There are many small shops in the local villages nearby and there are two supermarkets with fuel stations within a 15 minute drive from the Chalet.
If you want to explore the Portes du Soleil ski area and have great skiing and accommodation then Chalet Soleil is the place for you.
3 day snow forecast for Morzine
3 day snow forecast for Avoriaz