Worldwide Ski Resorts • France • Chatel
Overview
The French resort of Chatel is situated due east of Geneva and is only 2 km from the Swiss border. Set amongst thickly forested slopes with rocky pinnacles above and snow fields in between, it is a part of the large Portes du Soleil circuit and is far quieter and more remote than other resorts in the region and it is this quality that encourages skiers and snowboarders to return year after year. The large number of beginner and intermediate runs, a childcare centre, excellent ski schools and the high number of inexpensive chalets and small family hotels make this a particularly family friendly resort.
Profile
Chantal is in a beautiful setting amongst stunning scenery and has been careful to build sympathetically, retaining all the charm of a French Alpine village with picturesque chalets. It has a French feel about it which has not been dominated by other nationalities and being rich in farming tradition, which is still practised, it is possible to obtain farm fresh local produce here from various outlets in the village. The locals are friendly and well informed on the best places to ski, eat and drink. There are plenty of accommodation facilities to suit all tastes and budgets and the ski schools are particularly patient.
Mountain Information
The 85kms of varied terrain are split into 49 runs mostly aimed at the beginner and lower intermediate skier. These are mainly at the top of the gondola above Super Chatel where an open snowy bowl opens out into a dozen short drags with very easy and easy terrain. For the experts there are 8kms of steep downhill runs and the easy access to the Portes du Soleil circuit means that all abilities will be challenged. 41 ski lifts mean no queuing even at busy times and most skiers and snowboarders will enjoy admiring the wonderful scenery surrounding them on the way up! Away from the crowds, the introduction of specialist off piste and snowboarding businesses are starting to locate some more advanced terrain to keep experts happy.
Apres Ski
Chatel resort has everything that you will need on a holiday; plenty of restaurants on and off the mountain, an ice rink, a late night bowling pub, two cinemas and a number of bars, the livelier of which are open until 4am and frequently have live music. The frequent shuttle buses to the Portes du Soleil circuit resorts open up access to more bars, nightclubs and restaurants and also a range of shops and boutiques. If all that seems just too energetic, just across the border in Switzerland, served by a shuttle bus, is Lavey with its natural hot springs, ideal to soak those weary muscles!
French Resort Guide
- Alpe d’Huez
- Avoriaz
- Argentière
- Bareges
- Cauterets
- Chamonix - Mont Blanc
- Chatel
- Courchevel
- Crest Voland
- Flaine
- La Clusaz
- La Plagne
- La Rosière
- Les Arcs
- Les Coches
- Les Deux Alpes
- Les Menuires
- Méribel
- Montgenèvre
- Risoul
- Serre Chevalier
- Tignes
- Val d’Isère
- Val Thorens
- Valmorel
- La Thuile
- Le Grand Bornand
- Les Carroz
- Les Contamines
- Les Gets
- Les Orres
- Megeve
- Morzine
- Saint Gervais
- Samoens
- Serre Chevalier
- St Francois
- Valloire
- Vars
Resort Information • Chatel
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Resort Height | 1200m |
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Top Station | 2200m |
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Bottom Station | 1200m |
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Vertical Descent | 1000m |
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Drag Lifts | 9 |
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Chair Lifts | 6 |
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High Capacity | 0 |
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Opening Dates | Dec-April |
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Rating Expert | 5 |
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Rating Intermediate | 7 |
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Rating Beginner | 6 |
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Apres Ski Rating | 6 |
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Snow Reliability | 6 |
