'This French beauty is home to some of the Portes du Soleil's finest slopes.'

Time Out Skiing & Snowboarding Guide 2004

PDS Piste Map

'Jem's ski tour is great. He really knows his way around.'

Jan & Agaath March 2004

'We have had a fantastic holiday. The resort is lovely and the skiing is fantastic.'

Geoff & Holly February 2004

Chatel Piste Map

The Skiing

Les Portes du Soleil; 650km of pistes, 275 lifts and 14 resorts in two countries, all on one lift pass!

From the gentle tree-lined runs in the Linderets valley to the famous 'Swiss Wall' (regarded as the steepest black run in Europe), with traditional alpine villages and the unique modern resort of Avoriaz, the Portes du Soleil really does have something for everyone. The area is so vast that even after many seasons skiing and boarding here I'm still finding new areas to explore.

The Chatel valley has some of the best runs in the whole area with the great reds and blues between 'Linga' and 'Pre La Joux' which hold the snow and remain relatively uncrowded all through the season.

Circuits

One of the best features of the area is the possibility to ski all day, taking in different areas of France and Switzerland, each with it's own characteristics, while stll not skiing the same piste twice! Different circuits are possible taking in as much of the area as you wish. Routes are well sign-posted and easy to follow on your own but I usually include a larger circuit of the whole area in our ski-guiding programme.

Snowboarding

The area is one of Europe's top snowboarding destinations. Boarders come from all over the Portes du Soleil to enjoy the natural funpark that is Chatel's 'Happy Valley' as well as the unlimitted back country potential. There are numerous well prepared snow parks to choose from including Chatel's own 'smooth park' and the famous 'Super Park' in Les Crossets which has been seen in countless videos and magazines.

Off Piste

With such a large area to explore the possibilities for off-piste skiing and boarding are enormous but it is also possible to make day-trips to the nearby Chamonix valley or to Switzerland for Heli-Skiing. We are able to put you in touch with recommended guides or to arrange any such trips for you in advance.

Ski guiding/social skiing

To help you get the most from this vast ski area I offer a ski guiding/social skiing service. Having spent many seasons skiing and boarding in the area I will do my best to help you find the best snow, least crowds and maybe a few secret spots. I normally try to include a days introduction for those new to the area and later in the week a whole day circuit, although we can include whatever you want.

Cross-Country

For those who want to get away from the crowds, the Abondance valley also boasts 50 Kms of cross-country skiing, much of which is accessible from Chatel and includes tree-lined tracks connecting villages along the valley floor.

Lift Passes ski school and ski hire.

To save you time when you arrive in the chalet we can arrange all your passes, equipment and lessons for you. Lift passes should be ordered at least one week in advance and for busy weeks we recommend that you reserve ski school several weeks before your arrival. We can drive you to the ski shop to collect your equipment and, while it is not necesary to reserve the actual equipment, it saves time if we have your details a week before so that we can set up your account for you. No deposit or paper work is then necesary.

More information
Lift passes
Ski Hire
Ski School
www.chatel.com
www.portesdusoleil.com