Chatel
Chatel captures a unique atmosphere of traditional and rustique village life. Chatel sits perfectly on its own as a ski area with access to exploring the whole of the Portes du Soleil ski area which dips into the Swiss resorts of Champery or Morgins. It has a charming village feel with great bars and excellent restaurants.
Chatel is located at the east side of Lake Geneva approximately 69kms from Geneva airport. You will pass south of Lake Geneva in the direction of Evian, before heading up the mountain and through the villages of Abondance and La Chapelle.
Chatel is reknown as a snow sure resort albeit some people think low at only 1200m. It’s Micro Climate and north facing slopes ensure the snow is captured and stays. The season here is reliably from mid December through to late April in the Spring.
Chatel is an alpine ski resort with classic tree lined runs. As you will see in higher resorts, after 1800m, treel line skiing disappears. The area offers suitable skiing for all capabilities. Super Chatel ski area is accessed from the heart of the village. It is one of our favourite areas on a sunny day for the tranquil and easy runs for the all levels including beginners with lovely restaurants to base yourself from. It also links to our neighbouring Swiss resorts of Morgins and Torgon. If you are a very good skier, then from Chatel, you must head towards La Chapelle. The perserverance on many button lifts will be worth it.
Below Chatel on the Route out towards Pre Le Joux, the area of Linga Telecabine which then links onto the Cornebois and Combes area. This area has some of the best pistes for intermediate level skiers and some superb off piste also. We recommend a qualified guide to show you around these off piste areas. Pre la Joux where a majority of ski schools congregate. It is also a great starting point if your challenge is to hop over the mountain and into the many other resorts including Avoriaz, Morzine. To reach these areas, you must be able to ski blue runs or more confidently we would suggest.
Chatel ski area combined with the Portes du Soliel, makes this ski area one of the largest in the world with 650kms of pistes. To get you from the 3 key areas of Chatel, namely Super Chatel, Linga and Pre le Joux, buses operate all day regularly from the slopes to the centre of Chatel. The usually run their route every 20mins. Buses can get super packed in busy weeks especially at the end of the day around 1630hrs.
Catered chalets and some hotels offer private minibus services also in alot of cases. Local restaurants, quality chalet accommodation and hotels along with a great choice of lively nightlife make Chatel a unique ski resort in the Portes du Soleil area.
Summer offerings in Chatel include many sports and festivals for the whole family. Mountain biking is one of the most popular sports here in Chatel and the Bike Park and biking areas are considered some of the best in Europe. Other activities include white water rafting and parapente. Summer time is festival time where many village traditional fetes take place including the likes of the famous ‘Belle Dimanche’ otherwise known as the ‘Beautiful cow competition’ or the Fete St Laurent where you will see many local people dressed up carried on hge floats around the village. A very drunken messy affair and excellent fun!
Chatel is located on the border of France and Switzerland and therefore allowing you great access to many beautiful places to explore in the region. Gruyere for the cheese factory and stunning medieval village, Montreux for the jazz festival, Thonon/Evian or Yvoire for example on Lake Geneva for its great beaches, boat hire and stunning shops and restaurants overlooking the water.