Châtel at a glance
- Ideal for
- Beginners: Super-Châtel, green and blue runs in the sun
- The Portes du Soleil from a real village
- France and Switzerland on one pass
- Less suitable if
- If you worry about a thaw: low runs at 1,200 m
- Arriving by train: station at Thonon, then bus
Weather, snow and webcams in Châtel
MET Norway forecast, updated daily at 1 am and 9 am.
Snow report · Avalanche bulletin
Where to stay in Châtel
Recommended hotels for your budget
Comfort
What to do in Châtel besides skiing
Châtel piste map and ski area
Beginners: Espace Débutants pass at €36 (Super-Châtel, Pré la Joux) · fun run
OpenSkiMap data · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), unofficial. Official piste map
Châtel lift pass prices
| Lift pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Espace Liberté · 1 day | €55 | €41 |
| Espace Liberté · 6 days | €281 | €211 |
| Portes du Soleil · 1 day | €69 | €52 |
| Portes du Soleil · 6 days | €352 | €264 |
2026-2027 prices · Online rates, high season · free for under-5s · €44 on Saturdays · €47 a day from 20 March · official ticket office
Ski rental and lessons in Châtel
Book your skis before you go
- 4 Skiset shops in Châtel, near the lifts
- Equipment, shop and dates chosen online, in a few minutes
Skiset (4 shops) and Snowrental (7) · 26 rental shops, mostly in the centre and at Linga
Ski lessons and schools
| Lessons (online prices) | Price |
|---|---|
| ESF adult group lessons, 6 mornings | from €200 |
| ESF Club Piou Piou, 6 half-days | €230 |
| ESI children's lessons from age 6, 5 mornings | €208 |
| Youcanski 6-day all-inclusive pack | from €404 |
ESF Club Piou Piou, ages 3 to 6: magic carpet, drag lift and snow ropes · Beginner adults outside the holidays: the Youcanski pack combines ESF lessons, lift pass and rental.
When to ski in Châtel
Best time: January to March
Getting to Châtel
On site
22 route du Linga, 74390 Châtel
Where to eat and unwind in Châtel
12 bars and pubs, mostly in the centre, including a micro-brewery; a tea room and a nightclub
Restaurants in the resort
Menu of the day by chef Eric Macchi, at the Macchi hotel
📍 Chemin de l'ÉtringaPizzas, fresh pasta and homemade dishes, evenings
📍 Route de VonnesMountain restaurants
Spa and relaxation
Three pools, including an outdoor one heated to 30°C
Entry from €16Massages and treatments at the aquatic centre, from age 16
Treatments from €65 with pool and sauna, CGH residence
Similar resorts
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ResortAnnom, Domaine public, Wikimedia Commons🇫🇷 Les Gets
ResortDimiTalen, CC0, Wikimedia Commons🇫🇷 Flaine
ResortKlausFoehl, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons🇨🇭 Verbier
ResortPhoto Ercan Evcimen / Pexels🇫🇷 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
ResortDimiTalen, CC0, Wikimedia Commons🇫🇷 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
ResortGuilhem Vellut from Annecy, France, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons🇫🇷 Le Grand-Bornand
Frequently asked questions
When does Châtel open?
Pré la Joux partly opens the weekend of 5 and 6 December 2026, Linga and the link with Avoriaz on 11 December, and the whole ski area on 19 December. End of season planned for 18 April 2027.
How much is a lift pass in Châtel?
Online, an Espace Liberté day costs €55 for an adult and €41 for a child in high season, €47 and €35 in low season. A Portes du Soleil day costs €69 and €52.
How many kilometres of runs are there in Châtel?
The Châtel pass covers the Espace Liberté: 120 km, 69 runs and 56 lifts between Châtel, La Chapelle d'Abondance, Torgon and Morgins. The Portes du Soleil pass opens up 600 km.
Is Châtel suitable for beginners?
Yes: Super-Châtel has mostly green and blue runs, and the Espace Débutants pass (Super-Châtel and Pré la Joux) costs €36 a day. The ESF also offers an adult pack with lessons, lift pass and rental.
How do you get to Châtel without a car?
By train to Thonon-les-Bains (about 4h15 from Paris, with a change), then bus line 12 to the Linga bus station. Once there, the shuttles are free.
Can you ski to Avoriaz from Châtel?
Yes, from the top of the Rochassons chairlift, above Pré la Joux, by the red run Chaux Fleurie or the blue Grand Plan, with a Portes du Soleil pass.
Sources and method
Resort profile: chatel.com, skipass-chatel.com, wikidata.org, fr.wikipedia.org
Lift passes: skipass-chatel.com
Accommodation: data.classement.atout-france.fr, chatel.com
Equipment rental: skiset.com, snowrental.com, chatel.com
Getting there: chatel.com
Restaurants and activities: chatel.com
Webcams and reports: chatel.com
Ski holidays: travelski.com, snowtrex.fr
Runs and lifts: OpenSkiMap · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Terrain: Mapzen Terrain Tiles (AWS Open Data). Forecasts: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Snow on the ground: Météo-France, automatic stations (Open Licence 2.0). Schools, restaurants, spas and practical information: venue websites and tourist office.
Photos: Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons · Niels Mickers, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.
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