Chatel Ski Holidays

Why choose Châtel

Châtel is located on the French side of the Swiss/French boarder within the popular Portes du Soleil ski area with covers 650km of linked pistes and includes other popular villages such as Les Gets, Morzine, and Avoriaz and is a perfect base for all wanting to ski or snow board this huge ski area.

Châtel has expanded over recent years but the village centre still retains the charm of an alpine village where cattle are still housed in sheds over the winter months. Modern chalet style buildings sit comfortably side by side with more traditional farm buildings, many now converted to chalet style buildings. Nearly 40 working farms are still operational today which for many of our clients gives the resort a real mountain feel and charm not found in higher purpose built resorts.

The local slopes are some of the quietest in the whole ski area and even on the peak dates queues are rare, although some of the local village lifts can experience delays on peak weekends, but with planning and use of the local buses these can be avoided.

Châtel is one of the first ski resorts reached from the channel crossing points and is therefore a popular choice with our clients who prefer to drive. A word of warning, parking spaces are limited unless you pay for covered parking that is available.

Skiing in Châtel

Beginners skiing

Châtel is a great choice for beginners, the village has a good nursery slope and progression slopes are available at both Super Chatel which is reached via gondola, or at Pre-la-joux which is connected via a free bus.

Intermediate skiing

For intermediate skiers and boarders Châtel is a perfect choice, the local runs around Châtel are some of the best in the whole ski area but the whole 650km of pistes are considered ideal for all levels of intermediates.

Advanced skiing

For the best of the steep slopes and off piste around Châtel head for the Linga and Pre-la-joux area. The infamous Swiss Wall near Avoriaz is a must. If you prefer off piste skiing, book a guide and head for the Tele du Ling down the valley of La Leiche.

Snowboarding

Avoriaz is the snow boarders Mecca in the Portes du Soleil ski area, but Châtel is not a bad place to learn. The Terrain park at Châtel is better suited to beginners and intermediates rather than experts. Many of the lifts around the Super Châtel area are drag lifts so beware! For some of the best boarding in the area head for the Linga sector which offers good varied slopes and some excellent off piste runs. Flood lit runs are open every Thursdays on the Stade de Slalom run which is always popular with both boarders and skiers.

Après ski in Châtel

Châtel certainly won’t disappoint even the most hardened of party animal, but much of the evening entertainment centres around the resorts many bars. The Tunnel bar is very popular with Brits; it has a DJ or live music every night. The Avalanche is a British style bar with internet and is popular when the slopes start to empty, so to is the French styled bar The Godille located at Super Châtel and gets very lively as people head home at the end of the day.