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The Portes Du Soleil ski area is one of the largest in the world, covering 650 km of pistes, linking 13 towns and villages in France and Switzerland.  Being in the Northern Alps it's the closest serious ski area to the UK.

One of the major benefits of such a huge area is that there is plenty to offer all types of skiers and boarders.  From easy green runs and nursery slopes to gain confidence, through to the challenge of the double black "Chavanette" known as "The Wall," just to remind you that it's not so easy!

Then there are numerous jump parks, half pipes and great off piste opportunities to keep you coming back. Apart from the jump parks, my family love an area between Les Linderets and Avoriaz called "The Stash".  It's a really imaginative run throught the woods  featuring a mix of jumps, benches and grind poles. Or if you prefer touring you can follow an extensive circular route.

Many skiers make the mistake of thinking it's all about altitude.  Whilst the Portes du Soleil ranges from "only" 900m to 2400m, it benefits from the microclimate between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, resulting in plenty of snow from December until well into April.  The Chatel area also has more than its fair share of North facing slopes which hold the snow very well throughout the season.  There are more than 600 snow canons just to make sure.

One of the major benefits of staying in Chatel is being able to join the Portes du Soleil at one of four different points.  You can walk to the Super Chatel ski cable car just down the road, or walk another 100m and catch the very frequent free ski bus.

Within 7 - 15 minutes the bus stops at Linga, and has 2 drop offs Pre La Joux.  That gives you the choice of where to start each day, and because they're all interlinked you can end the day at a different point

If you want to relax and take in the view there are numerous great restaurants on the slopes.  In particular there is the very pretty "goat village" between Ardent and Les Lindarets.  Or you can go to the various viewpoints to take in the stunning views of Les Dents Du Midi, Les Dents Blanches and Pointe de Mossette for a superb 360° view.

If that's not enough for you there's night skiing at Linga every Thursday from 19.30 until 21.30.  It's covered by your normal lift pass and the ski bus runs there from the Village.

But don't take my word for it, here's a link to more information on the Portes du Soleil ski area from Wikipedia:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portes_du_Soleil

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