Chatel - World Snowboard Guide

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This resort is in a prime location as you can access the whole Portes du Soleil valley just watch out for the people walking in the middle of the road!

Chatel, part of the Portes du Soleil area, has the heart of a traditional village and is surrounded by new flats and chalets, all of which have the compulsory wood cladding to give it that alpine feel. While other resorts suffer from lack of snow, Chatel can get more than its fair share, due to its proximity to Lac Leman (the French name for Lake Geneva). The water of the lake evaporates and, if the wind is favourable, falls on the nearest mountain as snow.

Chatel Linga, Pre La Joux valley
Photo: Gavin Hope

You get some great views over the lake when you're up on the slopes of Super Chatel, the main pisted area. It’s accessed by an over-crowded gondola, which then gives way to a series of lifts allowing you easy access to Morgins. Morgins town and access to Champoussin, is then within a short walk, but be sure to remember your passport, as both are in Switzerland. It's been known for customs officers on skis to stop people and search their backpacks.

Chatel Pre La Joux
Chatel Pre La Joux
Photo: Gavin Hope

A drive up the valley from Chatel leads you to Linga and Pré la Joux. Both areas contribute to Chatel's slopes and, considering the terrain on offer, as well as the access to Avoriaz, shouldn't be dismissed when considering Chatel as a resort. Don't be put off by the separation, however, as the free bus ride is short and the buses run every 10 or 15 minutes.

Chatel may not be the best placed resort within the Portes du Soleil to explore the 680km of piste, but you almost feel like you're in a traditional French alpine village... almost.

New for season

06/07: new 6-seater chairlift Combes located in the Linga area replaces the old 3-seater
05/06: The Z'ALP area has a speed display

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Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 44
Gondolas: 2
Chair lifts: 13
Drag lifts: 29
Max people per hour: 41,600
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 49
Total ride area: 83km
Longest run: 4miles (6km)

Top lift: 2200m
Vertical drop: 1000m
First lift: 1200m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 30%
Red runs: 60%
Black runs: 10%

Lift Passes

	Low Season		High Season
	EUR	GBP	EUR	GBP
Day Pass	-	-	-	-
6-Day Pass	-	-	-	-
6-Day Linked area Pass	-	-	-	-

	EUR	GBP
Season Pass:	-	-

Lift Passes:
Portes du Soleil
Half-day 29 euros
1 day pass 38 euro
6 day pass 184 euro
Season 724 euro
Chatel only
Half-day 22.50 Day 30 euros 6 days 136 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 4m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 10%

Facilities

	EUR	GBP
Days Rental of Board & Boots:	-	-
4hr Group Lesson (full day):	-	-
4hr Private Lesson (full day):	-	-

Snowboard Schools: 3hr/day for 4 days 95euros
Snowboard Hire: 6 days from 92 euros
Night Riding: : Thursday nights 7.30/9.30 the Linga piste is floodlit

Other activities

Heliboarding: : Not available
Snowmobiles: Not available

Further information

www.chatel.com/
Email:touristoffice@chatel.com

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Summary

Good for families or a piste-ticking boarder, with its quiet nightlife and connection to Portes de Soleil. Great starting point for a road trip or a day board from Geneva.