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For a skiing holiday one could do significantly worse than the Portes du Soleil on the Swiss-French border. Straddling these two of Europe’s most romantic countries, the Portes du Soleil ski domain extends across one of the largest network of slopes and lifts in the world, encompassing no less than 12 resorts of varying size. Each resort, from Morzine, popular with British young professionals, to Chatel or Les Gets, popular with families, offers something unique while contributing to an Alpine skiing experience that ranks among the best on the continent. Portes du Soleil is the name of the 1,950 meter-high pass connecting the two Swiss villages Morgins to Les Crosets.
The view from lunch in the Portes du Soleil
It is a unique set up, one which the Swiss and French authorities in the region have worked hard to get right. Eliminating the hassle and bureaucracy that one might expect when pristine Alpine skiing areas are interrupted by man-made borders, the only indication one ever gets at having crossed into either of the two countries is that the Swiss love to put flags everywhere.
The statistics are as impressive as the views. There is over 650km of marked pistes to explore, with about 200 lifts with which to do it. They are spread out over 14 valleys which, in total, encompass more than a thousand square kilometres. At its highest point, skiers experience the Portes du Soleil from an altitude of just below 2,500 metres which drops to 900 metres at the lower slopes. The latter are lined with world-class snow-making facilities which ensure that the season can be extended well into the warmer months; a great time to book your holiday if you’re looking to for a cheaper option.
Cruising into Avoriaz after a scintillating descent
If you’re there with children and looking to include an element of culture into your trip, Chatel and Les Gets provide, in my opinion, the most family-friendly settings. Both have a number of hotels – such as the Chamois d’Or in Les Gets or the Fleur de Neige in Chatel – suitable in both price and location, for families; and both offer a range of interesting options aside from skiing. For Les Gets we would recommend the Museum of Mechanical Musique, and if you’re inclined towards Chatel a trip with children to the farm of Annick and Philippe who make the regions famous Abondance cheese would never go amiss.
But let’s be honest. You’ve come all this way to ski. And if you’re a very able skier (very able!), and are looking to stretch your limits even further then the famed Swiss Wall is most certainly worth considering. Just be sure to do so with the input and advice of an official guide from either the ESF (Ecole de Ski Français) or the Ecoles Suisses de Ski et de Snowboard (Swiss Ski and Snowboarding Schools). Colloquially known as the Le Mur Swiss (the Swiss Wall), this descent’s official title is Le Pas de Chavanette and is most easily reached from Avoriaz just above Morzine. With a vertical drop of 331m over a single kilometre any person who tackles this descent has more than warranted their aprés-ski beers at the end of the day.
An ESF guide indicates our route for the day
Much has been made, in recent years, of a ski resorts ability to provide world class facilities, guaranteed snow as well as a host of other activities to broaden the range of experiences on offer. The Portes du Soleil does not disappoint in this regard. For a trip to the Alps with the family, or with friends, one which encompasses the full spectrum of Alpine experiences, the Portes du Soleil is a choice that’ll provide it all without breaking the bank as much as other locations. One last thing, at the end of a day’s skiing nothing warms the chest like a glass of the region’s famed Génépi. You’ll thank us. Click here for more information.
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