Chatel

Chatel is one of the largest resorts that forms the Portes du Soleil ski area, just on the other side of Morzine and Avoriaz.

Discover Chatel

Chatel is one of the most well known resorts in the Portes Du Soleil ski area. This means that there is a great deal of information available online regarding the town and the area that helps holidaymakers to be well prepared for their trip. This can mean practical information such as the weather and the snow reports, that can be read online or checked via webcam. It can also mean learning some of the history of the area . It is a good idea to learn about the geography of the area, the mountains that surround the town and the way it links in to the rest of the area. It is also good to learn about the culture of the area, in particular the local art and the local traditional foods as well as the traditional architecture of the area, as Chatel is largely a traditional town.

Getting There

Chatel is located close to Geneva, the closest international airport. As with the rest of the Portes Du Soleil area it has the benefit of being located closer to Geneva than most ski resorts, meaning that transfer times are significantly shorter than for many resorts. From the airport the options to get to resort are - transfer, car rental, bus or taxi. There are a number of transfer companies that regularly go between Geneva and Chatel that offer a well priced service. The flight usually takes about one and a half hours and the transfer, depending on the time of year and the traffic, usually takes about the same. For those bringing skis/snowboards/bikes out to Chatel it is important to check the small print when booking flights for any extra costs and to also inform the transfer company. Another option to get to Chatel is driving. This takes longer - approximately nine hours from Calais - and includes the cost of the peage - or tolls - but is a good option if you wish to have your car with you, to visit other resorts in the area or to drive around town. The proximity of Cluses and Thonon also means that the train is an option. From these stations it is possible to either book a taxi or get one of the regular buses up to resort.

Holidays

There are plenty of different options for holiday makers in Chatel and something to suit everyone. There are different types of accommodation which include self catered chalets, catered chalets, hotels and apartments. If people choose self catered then they can always visit one of the many local restaurants. There are many different options, from Pizzas and Burgers to local specialities such as Fondue and Raclette. Once in resort there are a few options to get around town. If you are in the centre you can walk around town easily. There is also a bus service to link up with the outlying areas and with the nearby village of Abondance. Chatel offers ski and snowboard holidays in winter, linking with he huge Portes Du Soleil area, but is also a summer holiday destination,with excellent hiking possibilities as well as mountain biking, linking up with the rest of the huge Portes Du Soleil mountain biking area.