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Skiers and snowboarders on a piste in Châtel, France

Skiing & Snowboarding in Châtel

A Guide to the best Skiing and Snowboarding in Châtel, plus everything you need to plan your trip.

Plan Your Trip

Châtel is a pretty alpine village situated in the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area and boasts some outstanding skiing and snowboarding including the super-fun Smoothpark snowpark in the Super-Châtel area.

Freeriding

Freestyle

Pistes

Amazing tree runs, good snow record and a decent snowpark.

Access to the Portes du Soleil, but it's a bit of a trek to Avoriaz.

Elevation

Summit

2200 m

Vertical Drop

1000 m

Base

1200 m

Lifts

Total

43

Cable cars

2

Chairlifts

13

Drag Lifts

28

The Skiing

Freeriding

Powder runs through the trees abound if you know where to look.

Freestyle

A gem of a snowpark in Super Châtel, plus a boardercross track.

Pistes

83 km of pistes and access to the vast Portes du Soleil.

Beginner Pistes

9

Intermediate Pistes

16

Advanced Pistes

15

Expert Pistes

6

Total Riding

83 km
(Portes du Soleil - 650 km)

Plan Your Trip

Châtel

Piste Map

Châtel Ski Resort Piste Map

View printable version

Practical Information

Opening times

21 December to 21 April

Resort prices

70 € Day Pass, 360 € 6-Day Pass (Portes du Soleil)

Nearest airport

Geneva (1 h 20 min)

Tourist Office

Office de Tourisme
14 Route de Thonon
74390 Châtel
France

Phone: +33 (0)4 50 73 22 44
Web: www.chatel.com
Email: touristoffice@chatel.com

Châtel

Accommodation

Where to stay

Châtel’s traditional village atmosphere sets it apart from purpose-built resorts like Avoriaz. Accommodation options are plentiful and include everything from cosy self-catering chalets and modern apartments to fully serviced hotels with spas and mountain views. Hôtel Macchi Restaurant & Spa offers authentic charm and wellness facilities, while Résidence Néméa Le Grand Lodge provides family-friendly apartments with ski shuttles just minutes from the lifts. Alpine Breaks has two catered chalets in Châtel; Chalet Lac de Vonnes and Chalet Linga. Both are centrally located, one is slightly closer to the village centre and the other offers ski-in, ski-out convenience. Whether you prefer being close to the lively village centre or tucked away in a quiet chalet with mountain views, you’ll find something to suit in Châtel.

Ski & Snowboard Guide

Châtel, part of the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area, is a true hidden gem for skiers seeking a mix of charm, tradition, and excellent skiing. The resort boasts 83km of pistes across 73 marked runs, with seamless access to the 600km of slopes in the Portes du Soleil, linking French and Swiss ski resorts.

Châtel’s ski terrain is incredibly varied, making it a perfect destination for all abilities. Beginners can enjoy the gentle nursery slopes near the village, while intermediates will love the long, rolling red runs around Super-Châtel and Linga. For extreme powder hounds, there’s plenty of off-piste opportunities and good freeride terrain. Head over to the Cornebois lift in the Plaine Dranse sector for some of the best lift-accessed terrain.

The resort is divided into several ski areas, including Super-Châtel, known for its sunny slopes and easy connections to Swiss resorts like Morgins and Torgon. Linga and Pré-la-Joux are the best spots for more challenging terrain, with faster lifts and some of the most exciting red and black runs in the Portes du Soleil.

For snowpark aficionados, the SmoothPark in Super-Châtel has kickers, rails, and a boardercross course. It’s super fun to ride because it’s so easily accessible for all abilities, but has features for more advanced skiers and boarders too. Everyone can have fun and improve at their own pace. Set up as a slopestyle course, the features are arranged in succession and are well-maintained. There’s some nice tabletop jumps and one of the best rail setups in the Portes du Soleil. There’s also an airbag at certain times, so you can get your double backs nailed down in relative safety. Access the park via the Chaterelle piste in the Super-Châtel area.

With easy access to slopes above 2000m, you can expect good snow conditions throughout the season. Add to that, breathtaking mountain scenery, and authentic alpine charm, Châtel is a top choice for anyone looking to experience the Portes du Soleil.

Châtel Skiing & Snowboarding Videos

Watch this: Skiing Châtel, Marvelous Morning - Blue and Red Run, Portes du Soleil France, GoPro HERO11

Skiing in Châtel, part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area in France, on a sunny day in April. This video captures a scenic descent starting from the Cornebois chairlift, which is one of the highest lifts in Châtel and takes you up to an altitude of 2203m. Get a GoPro POV of the skiing on blue and red pistes in the Plaine Dranse sector. The descent finishes at the Pierre Longue chairlift at Pré la Joux, with access to the Col de Bassachaux and one of Chatel’s most challenging black runs.

Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your ski holiday to France, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this guide. Happy holidays!

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