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.
| 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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Map of Chatel - Open
What do you want to do?
Where to stay
Although this is ultimately a French resort, packages from Britain are not hard to find. There are plenty of bigger tourist operators who offer a multitude of apartments, chalets and hotel accommodation, as well as the usual in-resort run places.
Planning your trip
Helping you to plan your trip with information on how to get to Chatel.
On the piste
Chatel sits between two sectors of the main Portes du Soleil circuit, each offering a mix of open and wooded slopes, and is linked by a bus service. Intermediates will thrive here and there are certain parts you will really want to take time to explore.
Right above the village is Super-Chatel, an area of easy, open and wooded slopes. From here you can continue on a clockwise Portes du Soleil circuit (don't forget your passport if you cross into Switzerland). There is an anticlockwise circuit that starts outside the village with a lift into the Linga sector. There is also a snowpark at Super-Chatel.
Food and drink
As with all ski regions there are tourist-orientated restaurants both in the town and on the slopes that will charge a lot for a very average meal. However, by scratching the surface it is not difficult to find homely establishments that serve up a selection of affordable Savoyard specialities.
Tartiflette is a local speciality, made with the distinctive Reblochon cheese and ideally washed down with a white Savoie wine such as the Apremont. For meat lovers many of the Chatel restaurants offer a ‘hot stone’ or Pierrade with a platter of meats and accompanying salads. No trip would be complete without trying one of these, particularly when it is accompanied by a light and fruity Gamay red! As with most French resorts, vegetarians are not perfectly catered for and shouldn’t expect anything like the range of vegetarian options that are found in UK restaurants.
Other activities
A few things you can get up to off the slopes in Chatel.
Families
With a little planning before you arrive, skiing can be a fantastic family holiday. Childcare facilities and ski school do get very busy so if possible book well in advance.
The list
The list – sounds boring but here is all the important information from as doctors to dentists, internet to the tourist office.
Our penny’s worth - Open
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 - Open
| 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
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| Other activities |
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Adrenaline fuelled
Sightseeing
Relaxation
Shopping
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