Châtel and the Portes du Soleil: 600km of cross-border skiing from the French Chablais

600km of pistes, 12 resorts, two countries

The Portes du Soleil were established in 1964 with the aim of connecting 12 villages around the Mont de Grange, straddling France (Haute-Savoie) and Switzerland (Valais). The twelve resorts are:

On the French side: Abondance, Avoriaz, Châtel, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Les Gets, Montriond, Morzine, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps.

On the Swiss side: Champéry, Morgins, Torgon, Les Crosets-Champoussin.

The total domain comprises 300 pistes, served by 197 mechanical lifts, totalling more than 600km of skiing. By comparison, this is larger than Paradiski (425km) or the 3 Vallées (600km).

Châtel: its own 83km domain

Châtel itself covers 83km of pistes across 45 routes, served by 43 mechanical lifts. Altitude ranges from 1100 to 2200m, with two distinct sectors:

Super-Châtel, directly accessible from the village by cable car. It is the most family-oriented sector and faces south.

Linga, more technical and north-facing, which opens the link to Avoriaz and Les Crosets on the Swiss side. This is the sector for experienced skiers.

The cross-border link: what it offers

The defining feature of the Portes du Soleil is the ability to ski into Switzerland without border checks or formalities, on a single pass. The crossing from Châtel → Les Crosets → Champéry is made via the Linga-Lac link, then by the Mossettes pass.

The benefits are twofold:

Cultural variety: lunch can be taken in Switzerland (rösti, fendant) rather than France (tartiflette, Savoyard wine).

Variety of scenery: the Swiss-facing slopes offer distinctive panoramas, with the Dents du Midi in the background.

Allow a full day for the round trip Châtel, Champéry by ski, bearing in mind the last lift times (typically 15h30-16h depending on season) to avoid becoming stranded on the Swiss side.

Châtel for whom

Châtel is less well known internationally than its neighbouring Avoriaz, yet has several advantages:

Village architecture: Châtel has retained a traditional urban layout, unlike the purpose-built resorts of the 1960s, 70s. It is one of the few Portes du Soleil villages to retain an authentic feel.

Intermediate to advanced skiers: 83km of local terrain plus straightforward access to the rest of the Portes du Soleil.

Families: the Super-Châtel sector is particularly well suited to children learning to ski.

Cross-border residents and Swiss visitors: Geneva is 1h30 by car away, Lausanne is 2 hours away.

Passes: Châtel alone or Portes du Soleil?

Two levels of pass:

The Châtel-only pass, approximately £200-250 for 6 days (adult), covers the 83km of local terrain and the link to La Chapelle d’Abondance. Sufficient for 3-4 days of skiing.

The Portes du Soleil pass, approximately £300-330 for 6 days (adult), gives access to all 600km. Essential for stays of 5 days or more, and for those wishing to ski into Switzerland.

When to visit

Ski season: early December to mid-April. Peak season runs from January to mid-March.

The Linga sector (north-facing) retains snow longer than Super-Châtel (south-facing), which can be an advantage in difficult seasons.

February school holidays see peak traffic; January (outside school holidays) and the first half of March offer the best compromise of snow and manageable conditions.

Planning a stay in Châtel

AEC Collection curates and represents quality chalets and apartments in Châtel and the French Chablais. Access to the domain is via cable car from Super-Châtel or by lifts in the Linga sector, and the Portes du Soleil pass is the option to favour in order to make the most of the full domain.