Châtel Ski Resort Guide
Châtel, France
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| Recommended For | Beginners, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
|---|---|
| Total Piste Length | 85km |
| Highest Lift | 2,200m |
| Resort Height | 1,200m |
| Nearest Airports | Sion and Geneva |
| Save on Ski Hire | Save up to 50%  |
Châtel
Chatel is a picturesque and charming alpine village in the Portes du Soleil, with scenic tree-lined slopes ideal for recreational skiers. With charming chalets, relaxed vibes, and easy access to both French and Swiss terrain, it’s perfect for a laid-back ski getaway.
Summary
The ski area of Châtel is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,200m, with 85km of marked runs.
Châtel is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area with access to 400km of downhill skiing, with 285 marked pistes, served by a total of 196 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Châtel itself (85km of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Portes du Soleil ski resorts of Abondance, Avoriaz, La Chapelle d'Abondance, La Grande Terche, Les Gets, Montriond, Morzine, Saint Jean d'Aulps, Champoussin, Champéry, Les Crosets, Morgins and Torgon.
With ski lifts as high as 2,200m, snow cover is generally reliable.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in Châtel?
There is currently no significant snow in the 7-day forecast for Châtel.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.
Snow this week
| Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ski Area Stats
Châtel Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 15 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 18 | |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 11 | |
| Downhill Total Length | 85km | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 49km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 41 | |
Portes du Soleil Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 32 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 100 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 122 | |
| Green Pistes Beginner Runs | 31 | |
| Downhill Total Length | 400km | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 243km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 196 | |
Altitudes & Slopes
Châtel Ski Area Heights
| Highest Lift | 2,200m |
|---|---|
| Resort Altitude (Châtel) | 1,200m |
| Lowest Piste | 1,100m |
| Max Vertical | 1,100m |
Ski Slope Aspects
N, E, S, W
Châtel has ski slopes facing north, south, as well as east and west, offering both sunny and sheltered skiing.
Ratings & Suitability
| Intermediate Skiers | |
|---|---|
| Beginners | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Châtel Overview
Chatel is a charming French alpine village nestled in the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area. For recreational skiers, it offers a relaxed atmosphere and scenic runs that meander through tree-lined slopes and traditional hamlets. The terrain is ideal for confident beginners and intermediates, with wide blue and red pistes perfect for cruising. Skiers can enjoy peaceful slopes close to the village or venture further afield to explore nearby Avoriaz or even cross into Switzerland.
The village itself has a welcoming feel, with classic wooden chalets, Savoyard cuisine, and a friendly après-ski scene. Chatel tends to avoid heavy crowds, making it a great choice for those seeking a mellow, enjoyable ski holiday with reliable snow, beautiful views, and authentic alpine charm.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Châtel is 6km long.
Skiing
The skiing in Châtel is part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the largest in the world, spanning both France and Switzerland. Châtel itself offers direct access to sectors including Super-Châtel and Linga–Pré la Joux. Super-Châtel is great for beginners and intermediates, with wide open runs and connections to Morgins and Torgon in Switzerland. Linga and Pré la Joux provide more challenging terrain, linking skiers to Avoriaz and Les Crosets via the scenic Plaine Dranse area.
Notable peaks include Morclan (1,970m), offering panoramic views, and Pointe de Chésery, which sits on the French-Swiss border.
The area’s variety of slopes, tree-lined descents, and smooth lift connections make Châtel a great choice for those seeking a balanced mix of relaxing and adventurous skiing.
Châtel offers good sking, particularly, for Intermediate and Beginner skiers.
Ski Lessons in Châtel
To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Châtel Ski Schools and Châtel Ski Instructors.
Snowboarding
Châtel has excellent snowboarding options, for all levels of riders. Beginners will enjoy the wide, gentle slopes around Super-Châtel, while more advanced boarders can head to the Linga and Pré la Joux areas for steeper runs and off-piste opportunities.
Freestyle riders will find a dedicated snowpark at Super-Châtel with kickers, rails, and boxes, and more features can be found in nearby Avoriaz’s renowned parks. Natural terrain features abound, including powder bowls, tree runs, and rollers - making Châtel great fun after fresh snowfall. With modern lifts and boarder-friendly terrain, Châtel is a great base for snowboarders looking to enjoy the diversity of the Portes du Soleil.
Location and Map
Where is Châtel?
This ski resort is in the French Alps in Thonon-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Châtel is Sion, 57 minutes drive away.
Geneva, Annecy, Berne, Chambery, Basel, Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Zurich, Lyon St-Exupéry and Grenoble airports are all within three hours drive.
Sion is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 41 ski lifts are able to uplift 41,630 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Snow Making
Snow-making is available, on 3km of ski runs, with 237 snow cannons.
Season Dates
When is Châtel open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
Usual opening is late December, and usual closing is Late April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Talking about Châtel
Mentions in recent J2Ski News Items and Snow Reports from our users...
Aprés Ski
Châtel offers a relaxed après-ski scene, with a variety of bars and venues for unwinding after a day on the slopes. Notable spots include L'Avalanche, known for its lively atmosphere and live music, and La Godille. Le Tunnel Pub hosts live music on Wednesdays, while Le Sloopys serves as the local nightclub, staying open until the early hours.
While Châtel's nightlife is more subdued compared to neighbouring resorts like Morzine and Avoriaz, it still provides enjoyable options for après-ski.
