Your guide to France
A charming Savoyard village in the Portes du Soleil! Perfect for beginners and intermediates, with fresh off-piste and a relaxed nightlife.
Chatel is a pretty French village with Savoyard character in abundance. It sits on the border with Switzerland and makes up part of the incredible Portes du Soleil ski area, one the the largest ski areas in the world. The resort is perfect for beginners thanks to the more mellow terrain, although intermediates are more than catered for with many challenging runs. Off-piste skiers can reap the rewards of its family friendly reputation and find fresh snow days after the last snowfall, particularly around the Morclan chair. The relaxed atmosphere carries on into its nightlife, with a few bars and welcoming restaurants dotted around town.
Chatel's strongest point is its close proximity to Geneva airport, the 1.5 hour transfer to resort means Chatel can be a great place for a short getaway. No hefty transfer means you'll be in resort in no time and you may actually be able to ski on your arrival day if you fly early enough.
Keep in mind that to explore the full area involves a few slower lifts, but it's well worth it to experience everything the Portes du Soleil has to offer. 650km of piste is more than you could possible explore in a week. The Super Chatel cable car allows you to head up to the Swiss border where you can get a glimpse of the impressive Dents du Midi mountain, from here there is a cruisy 8km run down to Ardent.
Châtel is a ski resort in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, close to the Swiss border. It is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, which connects 12 resorts across France and Switzerland, with over 600 kilometres of skiable terrain. Châtel lies approximately: 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Lake Geneva 90 kilometres (56 miles) from Geneva Airport (about a 90-minute drive) 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Morzine, another popular ski resort in the Portes du Soleil. With its charming alpine architecture, lively village atmosphere, and access to extensive slopes, Châtel is a firm ski favourite.
To get from Châtel to Morzine you have two main options. Ski or drive. 1. By Ski or Snowboard - By far the most scenic and adventurous way to travel between Châtel and Morzine is via the interconnected ski lifts and slopes of the Portes du Soleil. You'll ski past several resorts and enjoy the stunning alpine scenery along the way. Estimated time: Around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your route, skiing ability, and lift queues. 2. By Car - Driving from Châtel to Morzine is quick and convenient: Distance: 20 km (12 miles). Drive time: Approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on road conditions. Route: Take the D22 and follow the signs to Morzine. There are no scheduled buses or public transport between the resorts that we know of.
From the top of the Super Chatel cable car you have a lovely 8km run down to the Ardent.
Chez Dennis in the Plaine Dranse area is prime wine and Savoyard classics territory whilst drying out your gear on the roaring stove.
Walk up to Lac Vonnes at the top of the village, a lovely lake with an ice rink beside it and there are plenty of walking trails from here
