Ski Area & Piste Maps
The Portes du Soleil ski area enjoys exceptionally good snowfall across the many valleys it covers. It encompasses some 650km of groomed piste, connected by 200 lifts allowing access to 14 valleys and numerous villages in France and Switzerland. Located between Mont Blanc in France and Lake Geneva (Lac Lemàn) on the French/Swiss boarder the region benefits from a unique microclimate where, in the winter, moisture from the lake rises over the mountains which then cools and falls as snow.
Following the investment of new lift systems in Châtel all four sectors of the local resort are now directly connected by lifts and pistes to the whole Portes du Soleil area, including Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Crosets, Champéry and Les Gets. The variety of slopes contains plenty of terrain for everyone. From snowy alpine meadows and pine forests to steep black runs and the severe orange run that is the infamous Chavanette, more commonly known as the Swiss Wall.
The diagram above gives an indication of how close all the lifts are to Clarian Chalets’ La Grange au Merle chalet. With our resort chauffeur you will be there and back in no time.
Super-Chatel is fantastic for beginners with wide gentle pistes bordered by pine trees and it is no surprise that the ESF host most of their beginner lessons here. Look out for the Milka cow while you are skiing about. She is known to hand out chocolates on the piste side on a regular basis. The main gondola also runs from the centre of the village which makes this as quick to access as possible for enthusiastic young skiers. There are plenty of challenging runs as well from Super-Chatel including a fun little black run behind and to right of the gondola. You can set off to tour the Portes du Soleil from here in either direction: over to Morgins in Switzerland or round to Linga, Pré-la-Joux and Avoriaz. Riding the Morclan lift gives fabulous views (and great photo opportunities) over the Alps to the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc as well as opening up a huge area towards Torgon, Petit Chatel and La Chapelle d'Abondance.
The Linga and Pré-la-Joux sectors have slopes to suit all abilities and can be useful starting points if you want to head quickly over to Avoriaz or beyond. There are beginners slopes at the foot of Pré-la-Joux and some lessons start from here as well. While offering superb on and off piste skiing for all levels, and some exciting trails through the forests, the slopes are also host to a wide range of restaurants and cafés should you need to refuel your body or mind.
Scalable pdf files of the maps below can be downloaded from the bottom of the page.
Ski Area & Piste Maps
Châtel provides a lovely setting for skiing in the Alps down tree lined pistes with runs for skiers of all abilities. The curve of the valley provides both sunny west facing slopes above the village in Super Châtel and Petit Châtel and well protected north and east facing sectors in Prè-la-Joux and Linga. The sectors are all well connected by lifts and by free buses at the foot of the runs with good links into the rest of the vast Portes du Soleil. We of course offer a driver for your convenience too!
The ski area enjoys exceptionally good snowfall for a mid-level resort. Located between Mont Blanc in France and Lake Geneva (Lac Lemàn) on the French/Swiss boarder, the region benefits from a unique winter microclimate as moisture from Lake Geneva rises over the mountains which then cools and falls as snow.
Châtel has made significant investents in skiing infrastructure over recent years. New lifts have been added to minimise queues and all sectors of the resort are now convenienctly linked together. Many snow cannons have been installed to take advantage of those cold weather, clear sky nights and crucially with dedicated water supplys. Many resorts do not have sufficient water resources. The resort managers are also adept at managing the snow through the season to provide groomed pistes from early-to-mid December through to the last weeks in April.
The diagram above gives an indication of how close all the lifts are to Clarian Chalets' La Grange au Merle chalet. With our resort chauffeur you will be there and back in no time.
Super-Châtel
- Chocolates from the Milka Cow
- Access to Morgins in Switzerland
- Beginner lessons
- Barbosine unpisted black run
- Views of Dents du Midi
Super-Chatel is fantastic for beginners with wide gentle pistes bordered by pine trees and it is no surprise that the ESF host most of their beginner lessons here. Look out for the Milka cow while you are skiing about. She is known to hand out chocolates on the piste side on a regular basis. The main gondola also runs from the centre of the village which makes this as quick to access as possible for enthusiastic young skiers. There are plenty of challenging runs as well from Super-Chatel including a fun little black run behind and to right of the gondola. You can set off to tour the Portes du Soleil from here in either direction: over to Morgins in Switzerland or round to Linga, Pré-la-Joux and Avoriaz. Riding the Morclan lift gives fabulous views (and great photo opportunities) over the Alps to the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc as well as opening up a huge area towards Torgon, Petit Chatel and La Chapelle d'Abondance.
Linga & Pré-la-Joux
- Restaurants of Plain Dranse
- Connections to Avoriaz & Morzine
- Link to the ‘Swiss Wall’
- North facing - good snow
- Off-piste runs
The Linga and Pré-la-Joux sectors have slopes to suit all abilities and can be useful starting points if you want to head quickly over to Avoriaz or beyond. There are beginners slopes at the foot of Pré-la-Joux and some lessons start from here as well. While offering superb on and off piste skiing for all levels, and some exciting trails through the forests, the slopes are also host to a wide range of restaurants and cafés should you need to refuel your body or mind.
Scalable pdf files of the maps below can be downloaded from the bottom of the page.
