Skiing pleasure for large and small
That Châtel has something to offer every experience level is thanks to the two mountain ranges that stretch above the skiing region of Châtel, Super-Châtel / Barbossine and Linga Pré-la Joux / Plaine Dranse. Additionally, the Châtel ski pass also covers the Swiss resort Torgon, the Corbeau sector and the resort Morgins and the la Braitaz sector of Chapelle d’Adondance. This means pure skiing pleasure on 72 pistes with a total of 130 kilometres, perfectly connected by 58 lift systems. Furthermore, through the direct connection with Avoriaz, Torgon and Morgins, the Châtel guests can use the entire skiing region of Portes du Soleil without any problem.
Châtel is a real paradise for its youngest guests. In the ski school and the snow kindergarten Piou-Piou, the next generation of skiers are “trained”, while a merry-go-round in the centre of Châtel, a small tourist train travelling around the town, and the three secured ice rinks ensure plenty of fun even off-piste. Also, the new hiking trail L’Éterlou is an experience for all the family, surprising you with games and educational activities covering the topics the environment, animal and plant world of the mountains.
Die-hard winter sports people find sufficient variety in the night ski runs or in the snow park with halfpipes and boardercross. Around Châtel, 12 kilometres of cross-country ski runs are waiting for cross country skiers and a further 57 kilometres in Vallée d'Abondance.
Extra tip: In order to be able to orientate themselves easily around Châtel, ski holidaymakers will find a specific piste guide system. At a glance, three different symbols, an Arctic hare paw print, the claw print of a jackdaw and a wide bear paw print, indicate the way within the network of pistes and also lead you to beautiful view points and wonderful locations.
Skijoring and ice diving
Just as varied as the piste offers around Châtel and in the skiing region of Les Portes du Soleil is the range of off-piste leisure activities of the traditional ski village. In addition to snowshoe hikes, ice-skating and tobogganing, the ski holidaymakers can also enjoy themselves in the fitness centre, bowling alley, swimming pool or cinema.
If you would like to try something completely new, this is the place to be. Guests in Châtel can try, for example, skijoring and allow themselves to be pulled on skis over the white surface by a snowmobile. And for the more adventurous, the newest leisure activity in Châtel is ice diving.
Those who would rather go on a journey of culinary discovery should definitely try the famous Abondance cheese, which is still produced according to traditional methods on numerous farms throughout the region.