Close to Geneva, Chatel is both a rustic farming village and an increasingly popular ski resort. Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, the Alpine village of Chatel lies at 1200m on the French-Swiss border.
A wonderfully traditional ski resort, Chatel lies slightly off the beaten track, and tends to be quieter for this reason, making it a popular resort for families and those not craving nightlife that beats into the early hours! Because of its access to the large Portes du Soleil circuit, it is suitable for skiers of all abilities, especially those of an intermediate level.
The ski area itself has 49 runs all of varied terrain, that span over 83kms of piste. The percentage of runs of green, blue, red and black are shown below. For those who want a little more than the usual red, there are five black-level runs that are sure to get the adrenalin pumping!
The resort itself it within easy reach of other resorts on the Portes du Soleil circuit, and these are definitely worth exploring if you have the time. Avoriaz, for example, is a favourite among snowboarders, and if the snow is not particularly good at Chatel, it is worth heading out from the resort to find somewhere of higher altitude and a more snow-sure area.
The ski season at Chatel runs from December to April. The most convenient means of reaching the resort is to fly into Geneva Airport and arrange a transfer.
Key info
| Resort altitude | 1200m - 1200m |
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| Highest lift | 2205m |
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| Lowest lift | 1100m |
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| Kms of piste | 83kms |
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| No of lifts | 44 |
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| Black pistes | 10% |
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| Red pistes | 39% |
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| Blue pistes | 38% |
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| Green pistes | 13% |
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| Snow parks | 4 |
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| Glacier | No |
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| Snowmaking | 632 |
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Our penny's worth
Make sure you explore the surrounding Portes du Soleil area as there is so much more to offer, especially for those looking for some off-piste or good snowboard terrain. Be sure to upgrade your lift pass if you need to, and avoid missing the last lifts home (which can sometimes result in an expensive taxi back!).
Don't leave Chatel without...
- Exploring the surrounding trails by snow shoe
- Relaxing at the natural hot springs in Lavey, a 30 minute drive away
- Taking the kids ice-skating if you need some well-deserved time off the slopes
- Eating out at Table d'Antoine for its excellent cuisine and charming atmosphere
- Heading to The Avalanche - an English-style pub with a good atmosphere and live music
At a glance
| Nearest airports | Type of resort | Stay in | Go for a |
|---|
| Geneva | Small alpine village | Chalets
Hotels
Independent Travel
Self-Catered
Tour operator | Week
Week+
Weekend |
| Good for | Children | Food and drink | Other |
|---|
Off-piste
Snowboarding | Creches
Babysitting
Ski schools
| Apres-ski
Evening drinking
Resort dining
Vegetarian
Family friendly
Live music
Late drinking
Mountain dining
| Internet access
Churches
|
| Other activities |
|---|
Adrenaline fuelled
Sightseeing
Relaxation
Shopping
|
