Winter sports enthusiasts will literally find their own personal place in the sun in Les Portes du Soleil. On the border between France and Switzerland, there are over 580 kilometres of outstanding slopes, which are not only perfect for families, freeriders and leisure skiers. After all, this huge ski area has much more to offer than just fantastic descents. SnowTrex knows that everything from impressive Alpine panoramas to wellness oases and après-ski is available here, and now presents 10 good reasons to go skiing in Les Portes du Soleil.
1. Cross-border skiing fun on 580 kilometres of slopes
Les Portes du Soleil naturally delights visitors in winter with its seemingly endless and perfectly groomed slopes. With 580 kilometres of cross-border slopes, no wish remains unfulfilled here. In the world’s largest internationally connected ski region, a total of 12 ski resorts are linked by lifts, cable cars and slopes. Skiers and snowboarders can actually ski new routes from morning to night without having to take the same slope twice.
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And the best thing about it? Les Portes du Soleil has slopes for all skill levels: 310 kilometres of blue, 210 kilometres of red and 60 kilometres of black slopes. Wide, enjoyable slopes, long valley runs and challenging steep slopes not only offer unlimited skiing pleasure, but also the right terrain for beginners and professionals alike.
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2. Skiing in France in the morning, Switzerland in the afternoon
A skiing holiday in Les Portes du Soleil always means skiing in France and Switzerland. Due to its size, the ski area stretches from France across the border to Swiss territory. With just one ski pass, winter sports enthusiasts can ski seamlessly between the two countries. So if you want to carve down French slopes in the morning and explore powder snow in Switzerland in the afternoon, you can do so in Les Portes du Soleil.
The international appeal of the entire ski region thrives on French savoir-vivre in the ski resorts of Haute-Savoie such as Avoriaz or Châtel and the rustic cosiness of Valais villages. In culinary terms, this means starting the day’s skiing with a crispy croissant in France and enjoying a genuine Swiss raclette on a sunny terrace at lunchtime without leaving the ski area.
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3. Guaranteed snow and sunshine thanks to the microclimate
When it comes to weather, Les Portes du Soleil, the “Gates of the Sun”, truly lives up to its name. Located south of Lake Geneva in Haute-Savoie and Valais, the huge ski region benefits from a special microclimate. This ensures plenty of snowfall and an exceptional number of hours of sunshine in winter. And although the highest peak in the vast ski area is only 2,254 metres above sea level, the high altitudes of Les Portes du Soleil are considered very snow-sure. Snow statistics show that an average of over six metres of fresh snow falls here per season, ensuring top skiing conditions from December to April.
But it’s not just nature that plays a role: in case Mother Nature takes a break, Les Portes du Soleil has a plan B. Thanks to modern snow-making equipment, it is possible to make even the valley runs continuously skiable. To this end, all important connecting routes between the resorts are equipped with snow cannons.
4. Modern and comfortable lift infrastructure
Today, many ski resorts are focusing on modern, sustainable and comfortable lift infrastructure. Les Portes du Soleil is at the forefront of this development. The excellently developed lift and cable car network here consists of 164 facilities. The ski resorts are connected by the latest gondolas or fast 6-seater chairlifts, making uncomfortable T-bar lifts a thing of the past. Even in the high season around Christmas, New Year or Easter, long waiting times are a thing of the past.
The 400-square-kilometre mega ski area is easy to explore. And if a district does not have its own valley station, it is directly connected to the larger ski resorts via the extensive ski bus network.
5. Family-friendly snow paradise for young winter sports enthusiasts
Families and Les Portes du Soleil – it’s a perfect match. Why? All the larger ski resorts – whether Avoriaz or Les Gets – have top ski schools with fantastic childcare facilities. This means that the little ones can learn to ski in a playful way in the Jardin de Neige or in the children’s areas, such as the one at the Pleney gondola in Morzine, while their parents relax and enjoy the slopes. What’s more, many of the lifts in this mega ski area, which covers 580 kilometres of slopes, are designed with families in mind, whether it’s with weather protection covers, child-friendly boarding areas or five magic carpet conveyor belts for beginners. This means that T-bar lifts can be avoided almost everywhere in Les Portes du Soleil, leaving nothing to stand in the way of a great skiing holiday for beginners.
There is also plenty on offer for families with children away from the slopes. One of the highlights is the “Aquariaz” water park in Avoriaz with its tropical pools and slides. Pony sleigh rides are also available at the ski station. Finally, things get fast-paced when riding a mountain kart in Saint Jean d’Aulps at Roc d’Enfer: on three wheels, you race down the slope for four kilometres with an 800-metre elevation difference. Ice skating on the many local ice rinks is a more traditional activity.
6. Freeride paradise and fun parks for adrenaline junkies
In addition to traditional alpine skiing, action and adventure in the snow are of course also very important in Les Portes du Soleil. Freeriders can let off steam in seemingly endless deep snow areas or on 24 ski routes, while experienced skiers and snowboarders can prove their skills on legendary slopes. One example is the famous “Mur Suisse” (Swiss Wall), an extremely steep mogul slope at the Chavanette Pass, which is considered one of the most difficult descents in the world. Anyone who ventures onto the kilometre-long descent, which is up to 40 degrees steep, must navigate challenging moguls on one of the steepest slopes in the world.
On the other hand, things get really stylish in a total of eleven snow parks and on several boardercross courses. Avoriaz is known as a meeting place for the international snowboarding scene, as there are four snow parks here at an altitude of over 1,800 metres! These include the legendary forest fun park “The Stash” with its wooden obstacles and a halfpipe for professionals. Children who want to become great freestyle skiers can let off steam in the “Lil’ Stash” park on small boxes and waves and practise their tricks in a playful way. Experts, on the other hand, can try their hand at huge kickers and rails in the Les Crosets snow park or the Champery super park. Several lifts in Les Portes du Soleil also offer permanent ski and boardercross courses as well as speed measurement courses for friendly duels on skis and snowboards.
7. Endless outdoor opportunities away from the slopes
Even away from the slopes, the snow fun continues almost indefinitely in Les Portes du Soleil. In France’s second-largest ski region, outdoor activities are the focus in winter. Winter sports enthusiasts can, of course, glide along more than 150 kilometres of varied cross-country trails and explore the snow-covered valleys around Morzine on cross-country skis. The same applies to those who venture out on sledges and want to try out the various toboggan runs, some of which are illuminated in the evening. Other activities include ice skating and winter and snowshoe hiking on well-groomed winter hiking trails or deep snow trails.
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In perfect weather conditions, adventure seekers can try paragliding and soar high above the slopes of Les Portes du Soleil in tandem flight, enjoying the mountain panorama. Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls or ice diving in frozen mountain lakes, such as Lac de Montriond, are other exciting activities. Less extreme but just as exciting are dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides through picturesque villages or snowmobile rides. The latter are even available for children in a children’s skidoo park in Avoriaz.
8. Pure party fun at the “Gates of the Sun”
Ski days in Les Portes du Soleil can be long – and so can the nights that follow. In the ski resorts on the French side of the ski region, such as Avoriaz, Morzine or Les Gets, a lively après-ski scene awaits with numerous bars and pubs. Winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy a hot vin chaud (mulled wine) on one of the many sun terraces in the ski area or hit the dance floor in their ski boots. La Folie Douce in Avoriaz is definitely legendary. Its restaurant terrace in the heart of the ski area offers space for fantastic open-air parties with live DJs and other performances. In Morzine, on the other hand, rustic pubs and British pubs invite you to enjoy convivial evenings, while Châtel scores with its charming bar scene. Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere will find tranquil places on the Swiss side of the ski region where they can relax and end the day with a glass of wine.
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The annual major events in Les Portes du Soleil are also among the highlights in terms of parties and atmosphere. First and foremost is the “Rock the Pistes” festival, which attracts thousands of visitors in March and transforms the ski region into a concert stronghold for a week. Admission is completely free for ski pass holders! International rock and pop acts perform in the open air against the magnificent Alpine backdrop with views of peaks such as the Dents du Midi (3,258 m). Around 30 special après-ski concerts and events take place in the ski resorts themselves throughout the season. From DJ nights in Avoriaz to traditional folk festivals, there is always something going on here.
9. Wellness and relaxation in an alpine idyll
After so much action on and off the slopes, it’s good to enjoy complete deep relaxation in Les Portes du Soleil. This is possible in the genuine wellness oases scattered throughout the entire ski region. Whether swimming pools, thermal baths or spas – there is something for everyone. In Avoziaz, for example, the “Aquariaz” adventure pool beckons, an idyllic water park with an outdoor whirlpool and lush tropical vegetation, while outside the snow lies thick. Some accommodations also have their own wellness centres or ski hotels with pools. Other wellness highlights include spas such as Les Sources du Chéry in Les Gets, with a sauna area for wellness enthusiasts.
10. Charming villages, cuisine and alpine culture
Les Portes du Soleil is also the perfect place to enjoy culinary delights and culture. The twelve ski resorts in the region – eight in France and four in Switzerland – each have their own unique charm. From traditional mountain villages to the modern ski resorts of Haute-Savoie, there is something for everyone here. Morzine and Les Gets, for example, are traditional villages with cosy chalets, churches and weekly markets offering local produce. Avoriaz, on the other hand, impresses with its futuristic wooden architecture and streets that are completely car-free, as horse-drawn sleighs transport guests there.
With so much charm, culture and cuisine are not neglected: the region scores highly with its Alpine customs, which can be experienced in museums and at a wide variety of events. Visitors should not miss the local history and ski museum in Les Gets, where they can learn more about the local history, crafts and development of skiing in Les Portes du Soleil. And finally, don’t forget the regional specialities of the ski region! Its location between Haute-Savoie and Valais alone promises a delicious mix of French and Swiss Alpine cuisine. From hearty cheese fondue and spicy raclette in a rustic mountain hut to the famous Abondance cheese produced in the Val d’Abondance, Les Portes du Soleil has it all.
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FAQs about skiing in Les Portes du Soleil
How many kilometres of slopes are there in Les Portes du Soleil?
This ski region offers a total of 580 kilometres of slopes for skiers and snowboarders. These are divided into 310 km of blue, 210 km of red and 60 km of black runs. This means that there is something for winter sports enthusiasts of all abilities. With almost 600 kilometres of slopes, Les Portes du Soleil is the second largest ski area in the world!
Which resorts belong to the Les Portes du Soleil ski region?
Les Portes du Soleil comprises a total of twelve ski resorts in two countries. In France, these include: Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz 1800, Châtel, Abondance, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Montriond and Saint-Jean-d’Aulps. In Switzerland, Champéry, Morgins, Torgon and Val-d’Illiez/Les Crosets/Champoussin in the canton of Valais are part of the huge ski region. The Les Portes du Soleil ski pass is valid on all slopes in these resorts, so winter sports enthusiasts can seamlessly access lifts and cable cars.
Are the slopes of Les Portes du Soleil suitable for beginner skiers?
Yes, Les Portes du Soleil is also ideal for beginners and those returning to the sport. Around 53 per cent of the slopes are marked blue and are therefore classified as easy. On the French side in particular, there are many wide and gentle slopes for beginners. The sub-areas in Les Gets and Morzine are therefore known for their beginner-friendly terrain with numerous practice slopes and ski schools.
What winter activities does Les Portes du Soleil have to offer away from the slopes?
Away from the ski slopes, Les Portes du Soleil offers many winter activities to suit all tastes. Cross-country skiers will find a network of 150 kilometres of trails in idyllic countryside, for example in the Morzine valley. There are toboggan runs, ice rinks – some on natural ice and some in ice halls – and the opportunity to try curling. Cleared winter hiking trails invite you to take a walk in snow-covered forests, as do guided snowshoe hikes. Adventurous types can try their hand at paragliding or ice climbing, while dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides and fat biking in the snow are also on offer.
