Skiing
Chatel has an excellent snow record
with 13ft average annual snowfall, offering great skiing conditions
throughout the winter season, although if snow cover is limited (rare), Chatel
has some of the very best high-tec snow cannons to ensure pistes remain ski-able. Chatel managed to open in mid Nov. 1998 two weeks earlier than
normal. A full lift service normally starts in the Christmas week.
Skiers can buy a lift pass for Chatel area, or a full Portes Du Soleil pass,
which gives you the opinion of the worlds largest cross border ski area.
Don't forget your passport as you cross from France to Switzerland (very
rarely asked for ). You must have a passport size photo for your ski pass
but this is taken care for you at the telecabine using a web cam. The ticket
is hands free detected as you go through the turnstile. The Chatel pass
covers 39 lifts from a base of 3,900ft (1200m) to 7,200ft (1860m). There are a good mix of slopes; 6 green, 12 blue, 17 red, 5 black, snow parks
for the snowboarders, floodlight pistes at Le Lingam (Chatel) and a toboggan run
at Pre la Joux. If you have a full pass its very easy to get to Avoriaz &
the infamous "WALL", WHICH IS FOR SKIERS THAT LIKE A CHALLENGE! Best to
go there when the weather is kind, as its best done with a full day ahead.
If you want to ski in Switzerland then take the super Chatel lift or Petit
Chatel lift. These provide easy access to the resorts of Morgins & Torgon
which offer stunning views over lake Geneva
& the Jura mountains. From this lift you can also take the off-piste route into
the village of Torgon.
300m from the apartment is a gondola lift which takes you up to the Swiss
border, from where you can ski back down through tree lined pistes with view
of Mt Blanc in the distance & the nearby Dents du midi.
For the apres ski, there are many bars. Amongst the most popular are Bar Avalanche
(English owner), and the Tunnel bar which offer a good atmosphere and live music.
The Fur Rouge bar with its home brew beers is only a short distance from the
apt., frequented by the English chalet owners as their local is well known
for miles. Chatel also has an ice rink, 2 cinemas (films in English once a
week), bowling alley, and a disco.
