Chatel is a major ski resort offering visitors more than 45 miles of pistes, However, it has got together with 12 neighbouring ski resorts in France and Switzerland to form the Portes du Soleil Ski area. It's an amazing area which will provide challenges for all standard of skiers.
As you can see we can get a lot of snow!
On your doorstep is the SuperChatel ski station which offers a great base for all standards of skiers. There are regular free buses which run to other nearby ski stations in Chatel and the Abondance valley. The buses start from the Church Square which is a short walk from the apartment - so you can enjoy a good lunch and not need to drive during your stay. Non-skiers can join their friends for lunch at the restaurant at the top of the SuperChatel Gondola. Take a seat on the sun terrace overlooking the slopes safe in the knowledge that if the weather turns you can always retreat indoors where you'll find a wood burning fire to keep you warm.
Skiers have the option of buying a lift pass valid for the local Châtel system or the full Portes du Soleil pass. Most first timers will find the Châtel pass offers more than enough challenges for their first week on snow. However, more experienced skiers should opt for the greatest range of circuits possible with the Portes du Soleil pass. This pass covers a vast area, the pistes alone are equivalent to skiing from London to Glasgow, and this ignores the miles of off piste routes which the excellent local guides will be happy to explore with you. There are several special pass deals available, and the staff at the lift stations will be pleased to advise on the best pass for your needs. For first time visitors the Chatel 5 day non-consecutive pass is very popular, allowing the option to purchase a full portes du soleil pass if you want to try the further reaches of this vast resort, or to simply put your feet up and chill out for a day. For a small premium, you can upgrade your lift pass to a "hands free" smart lift pass. This credit card size smart card, resplendent with a scanned barely recognisable image of your photo, should be kept zipped up in your pocket, and is detected automatically as you approach the entry turnstile, opening the gate as you approach, removing the hassle of taking your gloves off at every lift entrance. The Châtel pass covers 39 lifts, which extend from a base level of 3,900 feet up to 7,200 feet. There is a good mix of slopes suiting all standards of skier - 6 green, 12 blue, 17 red and 5 black runs most of which are decidedly serious. There are beginner's slopes for the kids right in the heart of town with learning slopes and several easy green slopes at the top of the Super Chatel lift and at Pre La Joux beside the excellent toboggan run - which along with the floodlight piste at Le Linga - every body should try. Close to the toboggan run you will find "La Perdrix Blanche" - a very popular watering hole and end of day rendezvous, as its directly opposite the bus stop for the free bus link to Chatel. Nearby the Pierre Longue Express lift provides swift access to Avoriaz and the higher parts of the system, and home to the infamous Swiss mogul "wall" running directly below the Chavanettes chairlift. This precipitous run really deserves respect, particularly in anything but ideal conditions. The run is very steep at the top and then gets a whole lot steeper. The challenge is all the greater avoiding petrified intermediate skiers who having set off realise too late that this was not a good idea. Anyway try it if you dare, but don't say you were not warned! The round trip can take several hours, so choose a day when the weather is good, and set out early, as a taxi home can be extortionate. On your doorstep the Super Châtel lifts in the centre of town provide easy access to the neighbouring Swiss resort of Morgins, whilst the Morclan Chairlift links through to Torgon in Switzerland, and on to the Braitaz sector of La Chapelle d'Abondance. In good snow conditions you must check out the Torgon village chairlift which offers a Kodak moment view across Lake Geneva and then, if your are up for it, try the precipitous off-piste route between the two offical pistes from the chair lift ridge down to Torgon village. Just down the valley the Cret Beni sector of La Chapelle d'Abondance provide access to some splendid, but little used, tree lined pistes, which are a great choice if the weather closes in and you encounter heavy snow. Châtel is a great base for several immense all day ski circuits. You may wish to head via the Super Morzine cable car down to the picturesque villages of Morzine and Les Gets returning via Pointe de Nyon and the cable car into Avoriaz centre. If time permits try out the stunning black run at the far side of Les Gets down to Pointe de Chalune. The restaurant at the bottom offers real value and a welcome break to an extremely long trek. Even more challenging, is the circuit from Super Châtel to Chatel - Pre la Joux passing en-route via the Swiss resorts of Morgins, Champoussin, and Les Crosets before crossing back into France at the Point de Mossette (2,277metres) and returning to Châtel via Avoriaz and the Lindarets valley. If you have time don't overlook the often unspoilt slopes in the more remote parts of the Portes du Soleil circuit such as St Jean d'Aulps - La Grand Terche which has one of the longest continuous downhill runs in the Alps.Don't forget to carry your passport at all times when skiing in the Portes du Soleil as many routes criss-cross the French Swiss Border. [Switzerland is of course outside the European Union, hence customs officers have been known to carry out spot checks.] Although restaurants throughout the Portes du Soleil are happy to accept both Swiss and French currency you should carry both as you are unlikely to be offered a generous exchange rate!
Apres Ski/The nightlife.
For those of you with energy to burn after a day on the hills, you will find plenty to do out and about in Châtel, La Chapelle d'Abondance and Abondance. In Châtel Center there is a 10 pin bowling alley and games arcade just yards from the Apartment. There are also 2 cinemas, an ice rink and loads of friendly bars and restaurants. If you are interested in extreme ski videos, then you'll probably enjoy Bar L'Avalanche, where the sawn-off front of a pistebasher has been reused as an InternetCafe. The Tunnel Bar is worth a visit - indeed several. The bar is a strange mix owned by Alan Cameron - a Scot who made Châtel his home. It is bedecked in railway memorabilia much of it borrowed from the LMS. There is a heavy duty sound system installed in a cable car cabin possibly liberated from the neighbouring slopes, and this is topped off with an American style miniature railroad precariously suspended from the ceiling above the bar. Suffice to say the place is well liked and normally packed 'til the early hours, and totally manic when they have a live band. Even closer, Bar Godille proves very popular with younger visitors, who can often be found in fancy dress dancing on the tables on Friday nights - its run by Popeye whose knickname confirms he often joins in with the raucous party spirit. You'll find Le Sloopys Disco located below the SuperChatel Cable car station in the town centre. Its within easy staggering distance of Armoises and offers ample ear-splitting music and by 1.00am the bar can often be heaving. If thats not enough there's another disco at the top of the village in Le Sequoia by Lac Vonnes and another over the pass in Morgins village. In La Chapelle d'Abondance you will also find several excellent restaurants. The foremost is the Hotel Les Cornettes du Bis, where you'll need to book and take a Platinum Card! The food is however amazing, and their set meals offer great value and are more than enough for most ravenous skiers. Visitors must check out the wildlife display cabinets in the reception and lower ground floor.What Else?
To help you enjoy your holiday in the Alps we have prepared a list of things to pack.
Finally, we very much welcome your comments, particularly if you discover an excellent restaurant of watering hole. You can send your comments by email see the Contact Us page.Full directions on how to get to the Chalet are on our Travel page.