The gateway to a wonderful skiing vacation
These include the world cup slope in Les Prodains and the legendary slope „Mur Suisse“ towards Châtel. A steep mogul slope that lives up to its name and in fact rises up like a „Swiss wall“. The unique size of the skiing region Les Portes du Soleil is perfect for long skiing safaris – with an international flair. If you want to cross the border on two boards, you do not need a passport, only a ski pass. Of course, also the snowboarders benefit from the generous offer of slopes and downhill options. 10 Snowparks, 4 Halfpipes, 4 Boarder Cross, 4 Snowcross, hundreds of kilometres Freeride and exceptional extras like pipe barriers, the body of a VW, a slalom slope and high curves make boredom literally impossible.
Skiing under the moon
Further winter sports offers like snow shoeing on nearly 400 kilometres of prepared trails, cross country on approximately 250 kilometres of prepared tracks, riding through the snow landscape, ice-skating, sledding, snow kiting, ice climbing or helicopter tours round off the range of options that vacations in Portes du Soleil has to offer. Not without reason did the ADAC award this region the title „Most versatile skiing region of Europe“. Skiers who still do not have enough after sundown are also thought of in Portes du Soleil. On numerous slopes throughout the entire skiing region you can race down the well-lit night slopes – on weekends some even stay open until 1 in the morning. Good weather conditions and sufficient snow canons ensure best skiing until Easter and beyond. Numerous children’s skiing schools and ski kindergartens are available throughout the region for the small ski vacationers from 6 months to 6 years. Countless traditional mountain huts on all slopes invite you to try specialities of the region surrounded by an especially romantic atmosphere. If you want to do good, some huts allow you to adopt a goat, and you can go visit your „godchild“ every winter from now on.
Entertainment in the 2-country package
The entertainment options off the slopes are just as versatile in Portes du Soleil. A variety of fun Après-Ski-offers await you in numerous huts, bars and discos in all villages of Portes du Soleil. Among them the French skiing villages Morzine (with Avoriaz), Châtel, Montriond, La Chapelle-d’Abondance, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps, Les Gets and Abondance, as well as the Swiss skiing villages Champéry, Val-d’Illiez (with Champoussin and Les Crosets) and Morgins and Torgon. As the oldest and most original winter sports location, Champéry (1053 m) is well worth a visit. Traditional timber houses, small stores and souvenir shops characterize the old city centre and provide the typical atmosphere of a French Alpine village. Ski vacationers can relax in the Centre Sportif with an indoor pool and ice skating and curling rinks. The village Morgins also offers a similar flair with old streets, cosy wood houses and inviting bars.
The ideal place for everyone that wants to escape everyday stress on vacation is Avoriaz. As it is completely free of cars, only horse carriages are allowed in the streets that jingle along and give the village its own charm. But also the other villages in Portes du Soleil like Châtel, Les Gets and Morzine are naturally expanded villages that lay great value on maintaining their original character and charm. Every village in Portes du Soleil offers different accommodation for every taste and wish – from comfortable hotels over cosy vacation houses to rustic chalets and holiday apartments.
Two dates you should remember by the way are the international dog sled race „La Grande Odyssée“ taking place every year in January, and the „Chavanette Session“. An impressive and spectacular ski race in which brave participants face the steepest slope of the Portes du Soleil, the „Swiss wall“ every year in February.
