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Ski Resort Portes du Soleil in Portes du Soleil - Chablais: Position on map

Portes du Soleil Ski Resort

Abondance, Avoriaz, Champéry, Champoussin, Châtel, La Chapelle d'Abondance, Les Gets, Montriond, Morgins, Morzine, St. Jean d'Aulps, Torgon

Trail Map Portes du Soleil

The Ski Resort

© Oliver Godbold

Portes du Soleil, the gateway to the sun, is a major destination for skiers and snowboarders in the Alps. Encompassing two countries. namely France and Switzerland, and thus a whopping amount of resorts between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, the ski area features 286 ski slopes and 30 terrain parks, serviced by 196 lifts with 99 restaurants on the slopes in total. Offering more than 600km of skiing, Portes du Soleil ranks among the largest ski areas in the world.

Skiing for hours and hours

Portes du Soleil comprises three valleys that cover twelve linked Alpine resorts in total. Excluding the time spent on ski lifts, the ski destination guarantees 40 hours of skiing pleasure for advanced skiers with 32 black runs, 57 hours for intermediate skiers with 101 red-marked runs, and 82 hours for beginners with 119 designated blue runs. The 34 green runs are also not to be forgotten for both families with ski novices and skiers learning from the start. 

Vallée d'Aulps

Featuring 75.5 km of skiing on 6 blacks, 14 designated red, 25 blue, and 4 green slopes, Avoriaz is the most modern resort of the Portes du Soleil and is located on a south-facing plateau high above the Morzine valley. It is a hub for plenty of winter activities such as husky sledging, snow mountainbiking, and ice-diving, and a state-of-the-art ski resort with horse-drawn sleds instead of cars making for a truly special atmosphere.

Morzine-Avoriaz and its 120 km of skiing guarantees a 100% authentic French Alps experience. It is as typical Savoyard as is Les Gets, which is accredited “Famille Plus Montagne“ - treating children like kings. Both abovementioned are home to a spa, offering massages and relaxing treatments. Their wooden chalets and fairy lights hanging from ornate lamp posts let every visitor fall in love with them.

Another ski resort in Vallée d'Aulps is St Jean d'Aulps, located at the foot of Roc d'Enfer and being home to 50 km of skiing which offer plenty of choices for all levels and disciplines. Montriond is home to world-renowned ski slopes and the longest one of the Portes du Soleil ski area – plus, the village is a favorite with foodies: L'Abricotine runs for 8 km from the peak marking the border with Switzerland down to the Ardent cable car.

Vallée d'Abondance

Abondance is full of local traditions and natural beauty. Besides, it offers a wide range of winter acitivities like cross-country skiing, snowshoe walks, ice driving, and husky sledging. Apart from ski slopes suiting all levels, there are spaces dedicated to children's needs.

In La Chapelle d'Abondance, 6 designated green, 12 blue, and 5 red slopes are at their visitors' disposal. White and wide open ski meadows meet authentic views and a charming, traditional village resort. Located on the French-Swiss border, Châtel is the epitome of powder reserve. Just like Les Gets, it is a “Famille Plus Montagne“ ski resort, ensuring great quality family times.

Vallée d'Illiez

Champéry is an idyllic Swiss mountain village with great dining and sports options. Have you always wanted to participate in a curling session or fulfill your dream of being an on-ice princess? Well, then Champéry is your go-to! Morgins not only offers magnificent views of the Dents-du-Midi mountains, it is also home to the crème de la crème of Alpine restaurants and leisure activities. Torgon and its 83 km of skiing comprise 9 designated green slopes, 15 blue runs, 15 red-marked slopes, and 6 diamond runs. There is geocaching and a kids' quiz trail as well as a children's sledging area making it a small, but cute family-friendly resort.

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of ski resorts presented above? Great news: There is still one missing! Val-d'illiez Les Crosets Champoussin guarantee an authentic, peaceful setting, with their chalets set against the mountains: Grant yourself some self-pampering in the spa or enjoy the floodlit slopes during night skiing. Whatever you might do: Val-d'illiez Les Crosets Champoussin as part of Portes du Soleil is well worth exploring.

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Interesting facts

  • Offering 650 km of slopes and terrain, Portes du Soleil is the largest ski resort in Switzerland.
  • Portes du Soleil is among the 10 best rated Ski Resorts in Switzerland.
  • It is among the 15 most family-friendly ski Resorts in Switzerland.
  • The vertical drop from summit to base is 1,566 m. The average difference in altitude between base and summit of Ski Resorts in Switzerland is 875 m. Most runs are therefore relatively long. The highest point of the track is 2,466 m above sea level.
  • Average snow depth during the season is 209 cm at summit elevation and 102 cm at base elevation. Snow coverage is usually best during March, offering an average snow depth of 240 cm at summit elevation and 120 cm at the base.
  • Portes du Soleil features 61 sunny days on average per season. The average for all ski Resorts in Switzerland is 50 sunny days. February is the sunniest month with an average of 20 sunny days.

Snow Safety & Snowmaking

Snowmaking Share
60%
Snow Making Machines: 1074
Snowphone+41 (0)24 479 02 11
Average snow depth of the last years (Summit)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
Mai
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
(in cm)

On Mountain Dining

The ski area features 286 ski slopes and 30 terrain parks, serviced by 196 lifts with 99 restaurants on the slopes in total. A paradise for hungry skiers!
The ski area features 286 ski slopes and 30 terrain parks, serviced by 196 lifts with 99 restaurants on the slopes in total. A paradise for hungry skiers! © Chatel Tourisme

Portes du Soleil offers almost 100 different mountain hut and dining options, which equals exactly one thing: You definitely will not have to worry about food ever! A visit to La Tovassiere in Morgins, located at 1700 metres above sea level, certainly makes for a special experience. The hut, which is over 100 years old, supplies you with traditional Valaisan specialities. The rustic hut La Kinkerne in Morzine is also worth a visit, providing you with hearty dishes to keep you going on the mountain.

Must-Ski Runs

Besides the ski areas most famous slope, La Chavanette, there are plenty of other runs worth checking out. Excellent news: There are 286 slopes to choose from!
Besides the ski areas most famous slope, La Chavanette, there are plenty of other runs worth checking out. Excellent news: There are 286 slopes to choose from! © Chatel Tourisme

The most famous slope of the ski area is Le Pas de Chavanette, also known as the "Swiss Wall". It is a particularly steep and difficult piste that can be reached from the French resort of Avoriaz. The slope is classified as orange, meaning it is too difficult as to fit in the standard classification.

Longest Runs

Chamossière-Morzine
Length: 6.8 miles
Vertical Drop: 3287.4 ft

Most Difficult Runs

Chavanette (Champéry)
Length: 0.6 miles
Vertical Drop: 1082.7 ft
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Nightskiing

Nightskiing possible
Lighted runs: 0.81 miles

Videos

01:54
Le Mur Suisse dans les Portes du Soleil
01:29
Tour du Roc d'Enfer
01:23
La Chapelle d'Abondance vue du ciel
07:00
Portes du soleil - Janvier 2018

Activities

Portes du Soleil offers a huge number of acitivities apart from shredding down the mountain. Plus: There are options of things to do for adults and kids alike.
Portes du Soleil offers a huge number of acitivities apart from shredding down the mountain. Plus: There are options of things to do for adults and kids alike. © Chatel Tourisme

Leisure activities at Portes du Soleil are as varied as the significant number of slopes. Whether you are strolling through the snow attending a snowshoe hike or you try ice diving, there are plenty of fantastic acitivities, both on the more quiet and the exciting side. Another great acitivity for families with kids is a geocaching session; for those, who just like to get some self-pampering quality time: There are several spa and massage options to choose from!

Number toboggan runs: 1
Toboggan run lighted
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Après-Ski and Nightlife

Fans of après ski will find numerous bars and clubs in the valleys. Particularly in the largest town of Morzine there are plenty of places to go out. The lounge called La Cachette, the Jaja Bar, and Le Yak (which is the only late night club in Avoriaz) are also three go-to spots in Avoriaz.

Moreover, going from piste to party has also never been easier here, as you are free to ski directly to all the bars. For a very alpine après you should pay a visit to the Igloo Bar, at the bottom of the Arrare run. With its beautiful ice carvings, music, and ice cold beverages to sip it is a must.

Dining and Restaurants

A traditional restaurant in Les Gets is La R'Mise, where savoyades specialties are served. Set in a gorgeous location with a large terrace and views of Mont Blanc is La Grand Ourse. They offer traditional menus, hearty soups with fresh bread as well as pizza and pasta dishes. La Paika is another rustic wooden chalet, and thus extremely charming, offering hearty main courses and delicious desserts. 

Le Bistro in Avoriaz, which was recently refurbished, serves traditional and modern European fare. L'Etale in Morzine is a low key restaurant that is always busy as can be. It offers neat portions of international dishes and, of course, Savoyard specials.

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Infrastructure & Rental

Getting here

Getting to the ski area is as easy as it seems to be in this picture over here: The Portes du Soleil region is, thanks to Geneva International Airport, within reach of all major European cities.
Getting to the ski area is as easy as it seems to be in this picture over here: The Portes du Soleil region is, thanks to Geneva International Airport, within reach of all major European cities. © Chatel Tourisme

Located in the heart of the Western Alps, between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, the Portes du Soleil region is only an hour's drive from Geneva and is thus within easy reach of all major European cities. The Portes du Soleil area is just an hour drive from Geneva International Airport, which is approached by 49 airlines. Bus shuttle services are provided to take you to the resort of your choice. Getting here from France, the A40 goes to the foot of the Portes du Soleil's peaks - same for the A9 in Switzerland.

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Current Offer

  • Accommodation as booked
  • 6 days lift pass Châtel Espace Liberté (value of lift pass up to €219) Exceptions see booking process
  • Parking garage (upon availability max. entrance height 2.10 m)
  • 10% reduction on lessons with our partner ski school
About the author
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Contact

Association Internationale des Portes du Soleil
1401, rte de Vonnes
74390
Châtel
E-Mail
Email%69%6e%66%6f%40%70%6f%72%74%65%73%64%75%73%6f%6c%65%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d
Phone+33 / 450 / 733254

Comments

Rate the Ski Resort
becky
on Apr 22, 2007
the best holidya ive ever been on . I stayed in Avoriaz like 2 weeks ago now and i miss it like crazy ! was absolutley fantastic !!!
Francesca Eyre

A fantastic ski in ski out traffic free resort in the huge domaine of the portes du soleil - france. Great off piste skiing - you won't get bored, amazing randonee routes - ski de fond - what more could you wish for

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Mountain Stats

Elevation900 m - 2,466 m
Opening Day9 Dec 2023
Closing Day14 Apr 2024
Capacity 250676 Persons/Hr.
Hours08:30 - 16:30

Lifts

197
103
79
13
2
Total 197

Skiable Terrain

650 km
Beginner
Easy
Moderate
Advanced
Overall Slope Length 650 km

Weather (2,277 m)

Snow Report

Open Lifts & Trails

Rates

CHF71
1 day adult CHF71
1 day youth CHF64
1 day child CHF53
All rates & fees