Châtel Ski Resort
Location
The Savoyard village of Châtel is perfectly positioned on the French-Swiss border, surround by majestic mountains and sitting at the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area. At a height of 1200m it holds an enviable snow record and offers unparalleled access to the slopes. It's a fabulous alternative to neighbouring Morzine and Les Gets. Let us welcome you to La Grange au Merle in the coming winter season and you too can ski Châtel in luxury. You'll love it!
Families
Châtel has been awarded the Famille Plus Award in recognition of its dedication to providing a family friendly resort environment. As the award is continually assessed the resort has to maintain these standards on an ongoing basis.
There are six commitments that the resorts must adhere to:
- A tailor-made infrastructure for families.
- Entertainment and activities to suit all ages.
- A price to suit everyone: from the youngest to the oldest.
- Activities for children and adults, to enjoy both on their own and together.
- A nearby medical service for those 'under the weather' days.
- Children to be taken great care of by professionals.
There is a wealth of activities and family fun on offer in Châtel: from sledging runs to swimming pools, as well as a great range of winter activities that are fun for all the family, both on and off the pistes.
Once you are finished for the day there is always a lovely chalet to look forward to, with dinner being prepared for all the family.
The Resort
Châtel's traditional mountain architecture and lively atmosphere create a haven for families and friends. Whether you enjoy sumptuous local cheeses and charcuterie or cozy bars you will find a wealth of hospitality in this idyllic village resort. Shops selling locally produced cheese and saucisson rub shoulders with aprés-ski bars and restaurants, serving everything from a quick steak frites to fine dining and hearty Savoyard cuisine. The village retains a lively French atmosphere and is very welcoming to visitors whether on or off the piste. There are some great events hosted in Châtel and across the Portes du Soleil throughout the winter. And if you need a break from skiing there are plenty of other winter activities to keep you busy! Not sure why to ski Châtel instead of Morzine or neighbouring villages? We will be happy to explan.
The Skiing
There are five main lifts that rise into the mountains above Châtel, with the Super Chatel bubble departing from just above the church in the centre of the village. Most are within a few minutes drive from the chalet. All the lifts are interconnected across the valley, through into Switzerland and across to Morzine and Les Gets. Together these form the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. In addition there are several other nearby lift systems (such as La Chapelle and Abondance) that can provide a day's adventure into new mountain territory. Once you are hungry there are a fabulous collection of mountain chalet restaurants scattered over the whole area, ready to revive and shelter you for lunch, snacks and drinks.
Check the current conditions and lift status here.
Snow Record
Châtel has a unique microclimate because of its situation between Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and Mont Blanc. Moist air from the lake rises over the mountains around Châtel, cooling rapidly in the cold weather and delivering relatively high levels of snowfall throughout the winter season. The Ski Club of Great Britain show the snow record on their website.
The topography of the mountains and valleys helps too as the north and east facing Linga and Pré-la-joux ski areas are relatively sheltered from the afternoon sun, keeping snow right to the end of the season. To boost the white stuff still further the resort has installed many snow cannons with purpose built water supplies. The piste managers have also become skilled at harvesting snow from late autumn and grooming the pistes right through the season.
Châtel may not be the highest resort in the Alps but its snow record is enviable.
Après Ski
Châtel offers some entertaining après ski and is home to a surprising number of bars and restaurants, ranging from the traditional savoyard to the contemporary in style. Whether straight off the pistes (there is a bar at the bottom of every lift!) or into to town for some music there are plenty of options to entertain your holiday. Some of our favourites include Pub L'Avalanche, Bar L'Isba and La Godille. Whatever mood you are in, you are sure to find a venue that hits the mark. Just ask us for a recommendation.
Châtel hosts many events throughout the year. The highlight of the ski season must be the Rock the Pistes festival in March. Book early to avoid disappointment and get ready to ski and boogie in the lovely Spring sunshine.
Accessible
A 90 minute transfer from Geneva through beautiful scenery, Châtel has developed into a major ski resort without loosing its traditional alpine character.
Private flights can be arranged to Sion in neighbouring Switzerland from the UK. The transfer time is only 60 minutes.
For winter 2017/18 Clarian Chalets will provide a new and improved in-resort chauffeur service to and from the pistes and across the village through out the day. Its just like having a chauffeur with a ski rack!
In case you like to know these things, there is also a free ski bus service running all day around the village and a further local bus service which links Châtel with the lower villages of La Chapelle and beyond.
Châtel Ski Resort
Location
The Savoyard village of Châtel is perfectly positioned on the French-Swiss border, surround by majestic mountains and sitting at the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area. At a height of 1200m it holds an enviable snow record and offers unparalleled access to the slopes. It's a fabulous alternative to neighbouring Morzine and Les Gets. Let us welcome you to La Grange au Merle in the coming winter season and you too can ski Châtel in luxury. You'll love it!
Families
Châtel has been awarded the Famille Plus Award in recognition of its dedication to providing a family friendly resort environment. As the award is continually assessed the resort has to maintain these standards on an ongoing basis.
There are six commitments that the resorts must adhere to:
- A tailor-made infrastructure for families.
- Entertainment and activities to suit all ages.
- A price to suit everyone: from the youngest to the oldest.
- Activities for children and adults, to enjoy both on their own and together.
- A nearby medical service for those ‘under the weather’ days.
- Children to be taken great care of by professionals.
There is a wealth of activities and family fun on offer in Châtel: from sledging runs to swimming pools, as well as a great range of winter activities that are fun for all the family, both on and off the pistes.
Once you are finished for the day there is always a lovely chalet to look forward to, with dinner being prepared for all the family.
The Resort
Châtel's traditional mountain architecture and lively atmosphere create a haven for families and friends. Whether you enjoy sumptuous local cheeses and charcuterie or cozy bars you will find a wealth of hospitality in this idyllic village resort. Shops selling locally produced cheese and saucisson rub shoulders with aprés-ski bars and restaurants, serving everything from a quick steak frites to fine dining and hearty Savoyard cuisine. The village retains a lively French atmosphere and is very welcoming to visitors whether on or off the piste. And if you need a break from skiing there are plenty of other winter activities to keep you busy! Not sure why to ski Châtel instead of Morzine or neighbouring villages? We will be happy to explan.
The Skiing
There are five main lifts that rise into the mountains above Châtel, with the Super Chatel bubble departing from just above the church in the centre of the village. Most are within a few minutes drive from the chalet. All the lifts are interconnected across the valley, through into Switzerland and across to Morzine and Les Gets. Together these form the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. In addition there are several other nearby lift systems (such as La Chapelle and Abondance) that can provide a day's adventure into new mountain territory. Once you are hungry there are a fabulous collection of mountain chalet restaurants scattered over the whole area, ready to revive and shelter you for lunch, snacks and drinks.
Check the current conditions and lift status here.
Snow Record
Châtel has a unique microclimate because of its situation between Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and Mont Blanc. Moist air from the lake rises over the mountains around Châtel, cooling rapidly in the cold weather and delivering relatively high levels of snowfall throughout the winter season. The Ski Club of Great Britain show the snow record on their website.
The topography of the mountains and valleys helps too as the north and east facing Linga and Pré-la-joux ski areas are relatively sheltered from the afternoon sun, keeping snow right to the end of the season. To boost the white stuff still further the resort has installed many snow cannons with purpose built water supplies. The piste managers have also become skilled at harvesting snow from late autumn and grooming the pistes right through the season.
Châtel may not be the highest resort in the Alps but its snow record is enviable.
Après Ski
Châtel offers some entertaining après ski and is home to a surprising number of bars and restaurants, ranging from the traditional savoyard to the contemporary in style. Whether straight off the pistes (there is a bar at the bottom of every lift!) or into to town for some music there are plenty of options to entertain your holiday. Some of our favourites include Pub L'Avalanche, Bar L'Isba and La Godille. Whatever mood you are in, you are sure to find a venue that hits the mark. Just ask us for a recommendation.
Châtel hosts many events throughout the year. The highlight of the ski season must be the Rock the Pistes festival in March. Book early to avoid disappointment and get ready to ski and boogie in the lovely Spring sunshine.
Flights, Transfers, Chauffeur
A 90 minute transfer from Geneva through beautiful scenery, Châtel has developed into a major ski resort without loosing its traditional alpine character.
Private flights can be arranged to Sion in neighbouring Switzerland from the UK. The transfer time is only 60 minutes.
For winter 2017/18 Clarian Chalets will provide a new and improved in-resort chauffeur service to and from the pistes and across the village through out the day. Its just like having a chauffeur with a ski rack!
In case you like to know these things, there is also a free ski bus service running all day around the village and a further local bus service which links Châtel with the lower villages of La Chapelle and beyond.
At Clarian Chalets we aspire to create wonderful family holidays.
We aim to make “fabulous” happen.
Visit us at clarianchalets.com to find out more about our luxurious chalet holidays in the French Alps or contact us and we will be delighted to answer your questions.
