Part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, the picture-perfect village of Châtel sits on the French/Swiss border and enjoys a reputation as one of the most authentic resorts in the Alps.
With its panoramic mountain scenery, chocolate-box Alpine chalets and charming traditional Haute-Savoie ambience, Châtel maintains a very different feel to the more touristy resorts of the Portes du Soleil.
For those looking for a very “French” French Alps experience, this delightfully unpretentious village is just the ticket.
A Charming Village
Because it’s a genuine working village and not a purpose-built ski resort, Châtel doesn’t have the manufactured feel of some others. The two main streets are lined with chalet-style accommodation, local shops and restaurants, with a typically French aroma emanating from the patisseries, boulangeries and cafes.
What the resort lacks in glitz and glamour it more than makes up for with its lively character and surprisingly extensive facilities. Remember, it’s not just catering to tourists! The locals take full advantage of the après-ski activities – although, to them, it’s just a regular day on the mountain! Along with the bars and several nightclubs, there’s a cinema, a bowling alley an indoor pool and an ice rink.
Great Skiing
No matter how quaint, charming and authentic the village, when it comes down to it, you’re here for the white stuff, right? Well whoever it was that said “you can’t have it all” hadn’t been to Châtel!
With more 300 marked pistes to explore across the linked Portes du Soleil region, the resort’s location, sandwiched between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, endows it with a unique micro-climate, which ensures consistently excellent winter snowfall.
No matter what your abilities, the cross-border opportunities here provide some of the best skiing in the world. There are direct links from Châtel to Avoriaz, Torgon and Morgins, and from there the rest of the networked Portes du Soleil is at your disposal.
Ski Specs:
The immediate resort area is made up of 45 slopes covering Super-Châtel, Barbossine and Linga, Pré-La-Joux and Plaine Dranse.
Total skiable area: 83km
Number of ski lifts: 43
Green beginner slopes: 9
Blue slopes: 15
Red slopes: 15
Black slopes: 6
Ski Pass:
The “Hands Free” ski pass covers you for the entire Portes du Soleil ski area. Prices start at €51 for a day and €288 for a week.
Fabulous Scenery
While there is certainly a clearly defined centre, the village has evolved organically – creeping into each end of the Dranse Valley and up the mountainside. But it’s not the usual urban sprawl of hotels and industry; picturesque traditional farmhouses are dotted amongst the wooded, snow-covered slopes as far as the eye can see, and the majestic Linga Mountain reaches up to touch the sky.
Authentic Cuisine
Nothing adds to an authentic travel experience more than getting to enjoy the genuine local cuisine. On the mountain and in the village itself you’ll find plenty of places to tickle your taste buds with delicious, hearty Savoyard recipes that haven’t changed in centuries.
Local tips (shhhh):
Vieux Chalet (on the slopes at Plaine Dranse) is a standout – not just for its fabulous home cooked food, but also for its eccentric proprietor!
For a fancy-pants gastronomic treat, Hotel Fleur de Neige serves up Savoyard-style meals with a contemporary twist.
Vieux Four is excellent value and is always full of locals enjoying the hearty stews, cheeses, casseroles and decadent sweets of the traditional Savoyard cuisine.
Don’t miss these traditional dishes:
- Savoyard cheese fondue
- Raclette
- Reblochonnade
- La Tarte aux Myrtilles
- La Tartiflette
Hint: If you want to “dine like a local” you’ll be eating a lot of cheese and potatoes!
How to Get to Châtel
The most convenient way of getting to Châtel is to fly into Geneva Airport, which is well serviced by a range of airlines from the UK. Even during the busy ski season it’s possible to get some excellent deals, and with a flight time of just 1.5 hours, it’s close enough for even a short break.
You’ll also have the option of flying into Chambery, Lyon or Grenoble if you prefer, but wherever you land, the fastest way to complete your journey is with a shared or private airport transfer. Geneva is the closest to Châtel, at around 2 hours 45 minutes by road, and Grenoble takes the longest, at around 3.5 hours. If you’re bringing your own ski equipment with you, as long as you advise us at the time of booking your transfer, Shuttle Direct will transport it for free.
For those travelling to the Alps by train, the closest station to Châtel is Thonon, and you can book a Shuttle Direct transfer service to meet you at the station to transport you directly to the resort with your luggage and equipment.
Where to Stay:
Hôtel Le Tremplin – Wrapping you in a warm, timber embrace, the Hôtel Le Tremplin lifts you out of the cold and straight into an Alpine fairytale. With charming rustic-lux décor, private terraces from which you can soak up the wonderful views and an onsite restaurant serving up traditional Savoyard cuisine, you’re also just 300 metres from the cable car.
Le Chalet d’Alizée – From its chalet-style timber décor and cosy welcoming rooms, to its traditional restaurant and extensive wine cellar, Le Chalet d’Alizée offers a home-style welcome, Haute-Savoie style. Just 150 metres from the ski lifts and right in the centre of the village, you’ll get to know the real Châtel from this delightful accommodation.
Macchi Hotels-Chalets de Tradition – Traditional by name and traditional by nature, the impressive Macchi Hotels-Chalets de Tradition offers authenticity and luxury in the heart of a winter wonderland. With an onsite spa centre and two traditional gourmet restaurants, this lovely hotel enjoys a touch of old-world glamour.
About Shuttle Direct:
Mit langjähriger Erfahrung für Wintertransfers zu und von Destinationen in den italienischen, französischen und österreichischen Alpen ist Shuttle Direct einer der renommiertesten und vertrauenswürdigsten Anbieter Europas.
Für bequeme, kostengünstige Transfers von Chambéry, Genf, Lyon und Grenoble Flughäfen, Shuttle Direct ist einfach zu bedienende Online-Buchungssystem bedeutet, dass alle Ihre Vorkehrungen gesetzt werden können, bevor Sie nach Hause gehen. Wenn Sie mit Ihren eigenen Skiausrüstung reisen, beraten Sie uns zum Zeitpunkt der Buchung und es kann in den Kosten der Übertragung eingeschlossen werden.
Catering für alle Gruppengrößen und Budgets, das professionelle Team von Experten bei Shuttle Direct sind auf der Hand, um den Stress aus Ihrem Winterurlaub Reisepläne zu nehmen.
