Portes Du Soleil: 12 Resorts, 2 Countries -
The most northern tip of the French Alps - the Portes du Soleil – is home to 12 ski resorts: eight in France and four in Switzerland. Nestled between Lake Geneva (30 kilometres away) and the Grand Massif, the Portes du Soleil covers an extensive ski area stretching 650 kilometres. The region vies for the title of "Largest ski area in Europe" with its 212 interconnected lifts. Skiers and boarders will find 279 runs, 216 cross country trails, and nine snowparks.
The resorts of Les Gets and Morzine are two of the most popular. Morzine (1000 metres) is a traditional village with architecture dating back to the 16th century. The lively après ski scene features a bustling centre packed with bars, restaurants, and discos. The village of Les Gets (1172 metres) is characterised by its charming old church, lively markets and tree-lined slopes.
Avoriaz (1800 metres) enjoys a dramatic cliff top setting with panoramic views over the mountains of Portes du Soleil and beyond. Situated in the centre of the ski region, Avoriaz is probably the most modern of the region’s resorts. Buildings here are contemporary, even futuristic, in style and it is a car-free resort. There is ample parking outside the resort and from here visitors can walk to their accommodation.
Set between Abondance and Chatel, the resort of Chapelle d’Abondance (1010 metres) is an attractive town and one of the smaller resorts in the Portes du Soleil. The town is characterised by chalets with colourful shutters and numerous art shops. Although small, it is equipped with modern facilities, including a supermarket, 10 restaurants, and a couple of late-night bars.
Abondance (1000 metres) is known for its traditional restaurants that specialize in good local produce and traditional fare. The restaurants dotted throughout the village serve traditional dishes like Berhoud, Poelee baise, croute campagnarde and fondue savoyarde. Chatel (1100 metres) has a lively village centre with traditional Alpine architecture. Here visitors will find a wide selection of modern accommodation, from private chalets to large hotels.
The charming village of Montriond (1050 metres) centres round its main square with a tourist office, creperie, pizzeria, delicatessen, tobacco shop, several bars, and a ski school. This traditional Alpine town is complete with a charming village church. Non-skiers can enjoy tobogganing. St Jean d’Aulps (950 metres) is a quiet alpine village located just five kilometres from its louder neighbour, Morzine. The pretty village also offers snowshoeing, paragliding and sledging.
Champery (1658 metres) is a traditional town with beautifully preserved architecture. The main street is lined with pretty wooden chalets and charming little shops. The village is also home to the National Ice Sports Centre, with its skating, curling, pool, and tennis courts.
The sunny southwest-facing village of Morgins (1300 metres) offers a wealth of year-round activities. It is particularly popular with hikers and bikers during the summer, and in winter, besides skiing, there are horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sleigh rides, hang gliding on skis, snowshoeing, a natural ice rink, and snow go-karting.
Torgon (1100 metres) is a peaceful village overlooking the Rhone Valley and Lake Geneva. The resort is particularly popular with family skiing with its reliable snow and good ski school. There are also plenty of village restaurants and even a nightclub. The neighbouring villages of Val d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin offer a wealth of facilities for all tastes and ages. The Portes du Soleil ski region is just an hour’s drive from Geneva Airport. Ski buses connect the airport with the resorts.
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