Travel to Châtel with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Ski resorts in Châtel

Châtel ski resort is a lovely Savoyard mountain village that makes up part of the Portes du Soleil circuit. It is a wonderfully traditional ski resort, slightly farther off the beaten track – and consequently more peaceful than the other Portes du Soleil villages. Châtel offers skiing suitable for all levels, and the resort is especially known for its excellent intermediate runs and superb ski tuition.

Châtel has 49 runs of varied terrain, spanning a total distance of 85kms within the ski resort. The runs are served by a system of 41 lifts. Of the runs, 15 slopes are geared towards beginner level skiers, 13 towards intermediates, and 16 towards experts. There are also five black level runs catering to adrenalin junkies or extremely advanced skiers.

Châtel is within easy reach of a number of other ski resorts on the Portes du Soleil circuit, and if you enjoy variety, it’s worth spending some time at one or more of these alternatives. Avoriaz is particularly favoured by snowboarders, and is a good choice when snow conditions are less than optimal at Châtel, as it is at a higher altitude. Lavey, a 30-minute drive from the resort, has fabulous, natural hot springs.

The ski season at Châtel runs from December to April. The most convenient means of reaching the resort is to fly into Geneva Airport and arrange a transfer.

Skiing in Châtel

Châtel forms part of the Portes du Soleil circuit, and is valued for its rustic, peaceful atmosphere, panoramic views and varied skiing landscape. It is located slightly out of the way, and as a result is one of the calmer resorts on the circuit, and popular with those seeking refuge from the frenzied nightlife of more commercial skiing destinations.

The resort has 49 slopes, which cumulatively cover a distance of approximately 85kms within its boundaries. The Châtel pass also covers other areas in the Portes du Soleil ski region, and giving these alternatives a try is a good idea if you feel like a change of scenery.

Skiing for all levels of experience is provided by the resort, but Châtel is particularly well-known for its superb intermediate runs, which make up 13 of the total number of pistes. Beginners are well provided for, with 15 runs to choose from. There are also 16 expert runs, and 5 black runs for super-advanced skiers. Access to the slopes is gained via a system of 41 lifts. Additionally, Châtel offers 36kms of cross-country skiing routes.

The resort has a variety of good value accommodation, ranging from self-catering studios and chalets, to hotels and catered apartments. The village is designed to make your holiday as relaxing and convenient as possible, and features banks, supermarkets and childcare facilities.

The Châtel ski season runs from December to April. The resort can be reached by car, or by taking a plane or train to Geneva and arranging a transfer from there.

Apres-ski in Châtel

The village is picturesque and attractively located amid breathtaking scenery. Châtel is predominantly French, and its expansion into a major ski resort has been done in the traditional alpine style so as to retain its rustic charm. The quiet nature of this resort is perfect for those seeking an alternative to the rowdier, more commercial resorts. Additionally, Châtel is well-equipped with visitor amenities.

Off-slope activities and facilities are plentiful, and include a bowling alley, ice-skating rink, gym, sports centre, various snowshoe trails, sauna, and hot tubs. Châtel has a reputation for being quieter than other resorts, but nightlife here is far from non-existent. There are a number of bars and restaurants that provide opportunities for evening entertainment, and the two night clubs ensure devoted party animals don’t go home dissatisfied.

There is a wide range of well-priced accommodation at Châtel, and the ski resort has comprehensive amenities and off-slope activities. Those feeling ‘skied-out’ might try the bowling alley, sports centre, ice-skating rink, gym, sauna or hot tubs.

Although nightlife here is less frenetic than at many other resorts, there are a good number of bars and restaurants to supply after-action entertainment. Additionally, the resort has all the essential facilities – banks, supermarkets, an internet shop and childcare venues – to make your holiday as stress-free as possible.

Transportation to Châtel

Châtel is located between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, in the heart of the Portes du Soleil region. It is one of the most northern of the French Alpine ski resorts, and can be easily reached from the UK. It is accessible by road, or by taking a train or plane to Geneva and arranging a transfer to the resort.

If you opt for taking your own vehicle and you are coming from the UK, the journey to the resort will involve taking a car ferry from Britain to the French port of Calais. From here, it is approximately 900kms to Châtel. Most of this distance can be covered by utilising the French autoroutes, speeding up the journey.

Alternatively, Châtel can be reached by means of a combination of train and bus transportation. Eurostar trains leave from Waterloo Station in the UK, arriving in Paris about four hours later. From the capital, you can connect with a high-speed TGV train headed for Thonon-les-Bains, from where it is a 45-minute bus journey to the resort.

Châtel is situated only an hour or so from the airport in Geneva, and the quickest and most convenient way of reaching the resort is to catch a flight here and arrange a transfer to the resort. However, it is also the most expensive option, and if you are on a budget, taking rail transportation is a better idea.

Eurolines buses run between the UK and Paris, and the UK and Geneva. From either of these destinations, it is possible to take local buses to Châtel.