Porte du Soleil ski resort.

Survival

On the border of France and Switzerland. This region on the French side includes 8 resorts: Avoriaz, Morzigne, Les Gets, Abondance, La Chapelle d'Abondance, Chatel, Monrion and Saint-Jean. Portes du Soleil is famous not only for its beautiful scenery and well-developed infrastructure , but also a huge selection of trails that can satisfy both skiers and snowboarders of absolutely any level.
Due to the fairly low location of the ski areas, the best time to relax

in Portes du Soleil the period is considered to be from the second half of January to the end of February.

This international ski resort, with an area of 400 square kilometers, is considered the largest ski area in Europe. It was founded in 1960, when it was given the name Portes du Soleil, which means “Gate of the Sun.” The idea of free movement was the basis for the creation of the region. “Every skier has the right to go and see what lies beyond the horizon,” says the first humorous article of the social contract adopted at Portes du Soleil. Today, on the slopes of the resort, vacationers can cross the border between France and Switzerland hundreds of times without even noticing it.

The main advantage of the Portes du Soleil resorts is the abundance of unprepared slopes. It’s surprising that there is no feeling of crowds and fuss at a large ski resort. There are many deserted, picturesque corners where you can be alone with nature.

How to get there

By plane

The nearest airports are at (80 km), (96 km) and (200 km).

By train

The resort can be reached by train to the stations: Thonon-les-Bains and Cluses, located in France, as well as to Lausanne, Montreux or Aigle in Switzerland. Shuttles run from the train station to Portes du Soleil.

Characteristics of the Morzine resort

Characteristics of the Les Gets resort

Characteristics of the Avoriaz resort

Ski slopes and lifts in Morzine resort

For professionals, there is a fairly steep descent called Pointe de Nyon. For amateurs and those strengthening their skills, the Champéry and Linder area is ideal, where there is a large selection of slopes for insufficiently experienced skiers.

Ski slopes and lifts of Les Gets resort

At this small resort, the ski lifts are located so that you can ski right from the hotel door. And for greater convenience for vacationers and, especially for children, a colorful train runs on the territory of Les Gets, which takes you to the desired lift station for free.

The ski area is divided into two areas:

Mont Chery (1826 m), where some of the most difficult trails are located. This place is not crowded, and the luxurious panoramic view provides opportunities for successful photos as a souvenir.
Chavannes is the place to explore all the trails of the Portes du Soleil region. Here extreme sports peacefully coexist with calm, relaxed skiing. This is where the new boardercross track, freestyle area and training slopes for children and beginners are located. This place is also suitable for off-piste skiers.

Ski slopes and lifts of the Avoria resort h

Avoriaz and its surroundings are considered one of the best snowboard regions in the world. In addition to incredible off-piste skiing for vacationers, there are also tracks for snowcross and border cross, snow parks for children and professionals. In Arare Park you can even safely jump on a snowboard from a huge jump, landing on a special giant inflatable cushion.

Avoriaz will be comfortable for both beginners and advanced riders. But most of them are still intended for experienced skiers. Of the entire Portes du Soleil region, it is Avoriaz that attracts extreme skiers from all over the world, as it is home to well-known places - the Swiss Wall, the black runs at Houts Forts and a professional slalom stadium.

Prices for the Portes du Soleil lifts (2014-2015 season)

Adults (20-63 years), €	Children (5 -15 years old), €	Youth (16-19 years old), €	Pensioners over 64 years old, €

The ticket price includes access to all lifts in Portes du Soleil.

Prices for the Morzine and Les Gets lifts (season 2014-2015)

Prices for Avoriaz lifts (season 2014-2015)

Ski school and equipment rental

For those who do not know how to ski and snowboard or want to improve their skills, highly qualified instructors work at the resort. One of the most popular is the French school, where 120 instructors teach in different languages, including Russian. Another well-known center is the international alpine skiing and snowboarding school, which offers a variety of ski routes every day.

Most ski schools start in the Pleney sector. It is a wide plateau with long blue tracks between the trees leading down to the village. Skiing in this part will appeal not only to beginners, but also to skiers with intermediate experience.

Vacationers also have more than 50 sports shops where they can rent all the necessary equipment. The entire list of stores, addresses and telephone numbers can be found on the website.

Equipment rental cost

Cost of private lessons

Ski school tuition fees

Hotels and cottages

For a comfortable stay for all guests of the Portes du Soleil resort, it offers a variety of hotels, apartments and chalets from relatively inexpensive options to luxury ones. The resorts are extremely popular, so the best deals are booked in early autumn.

By the way. Many hotels and inns have Russian names: Chapka, Douchka, Malinka, Datcha, Sosna, Taiga.

Portes du Soleil has a simple and cozy Alpine village atmosphere - small family-friendly villages offering accommodation in small hotels built from wood and stone in a chalet style. Among the traditional Savoyard villages, the resort of Avoriaz is particularly distinguished, as it was built in the late 60s. Multi-storey buildings of modern hotels standing on the very edge of a steep cliff create a fantastic picture and miraculously fit into the mountain landscape. The town is quite large, but you can start skiing from anywhere.

Unlike Avoriaz, which was built specifically, Morzine and Les Gets have the image of old-style resorts with cozy wooden chalets. Over the past two years, the region has grown significantly and increased its popularity. Morzine has a large selection of apartments and hotels - mainly two and three star categories. Almost all of them are located on slopes, which is very convenient.

Some of the most popular hotels in the region are the three-star La Bergere, Le Petit Dru and Le Philibert.

Restaurants and cafes

Morzine

The resort has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and bars, so everyone will find something to suit their taste. The most unusual dishes are prepared by the famous chef Thierry Torrena, who heads the excellent La Chamade restaurant. The cost of the daily dish is from 12 €, assorted tapas - 14 €. Next to the restaurant is the wine bar Le Coeur De La Chamade, where you can taste rare and local wines.

In Morzine, from the tourism office to the ski lift there is a restaurant and bar street, where the evening life of the village is concentrated. The most popular establishments are Garage Bar, Сoyote Bar, Le Boudha Cafe and Cavern.

Les Gets

To get to know the resort of Les Gets you need to try its traditional cuisine. Numerous restaurants, from gastronomic establishments to mountain taverns, offer inventive cuisine that successfully combines local products with the sophistication of haute French cuisine.

The best restaurants in the resort are: Le Flambeau, Le Tourbillon, Le Vieux Chene. Among the bars, the following establishments stand out: Bar Bowling, Black Bear.

Avoriaz

The resort of Avoriaz can offer a large selection of good restaurants - there are 32 establishments with French and Swiss cuisine and 10 bars. A three-course lunch at the Christophe Leroy restaurant, located near the Dromonts hotel, costs about 50 €. For those who want a tasty and inexpensive snack, the following establishments are worth visiting: Crepy, La Reserve and Shooters. In these restaurants the average bill will be 20-30 €.

It is better to book tables in advance.

Entertainment

Morzine

The resort has three large spa centers: Wellness and apres-ski, Massages du Monde Beauty Center, Cocon au Pays des Flocons Health Center. They contain everything necessary for tourists to relax and unwind after skiing: sauna, jacuzzi, massage and gym and much more. For lovers of active sports, the resort offers the following types of entertainment: paragliding and hot air ballooning, diving in Lake Montrion, snowmobiling and sledding.

The Morzine resort is a favorite place for holidaymakers with children, because everything here is designed to make little skiers feel happy: a nursery, playrooms and attractions. And in the center of the town there is a fun carousel open for them. For those vacationing at the resort with children, special programs, discounts, and entertainment for any age are offered.

Les Gets

The resort has the following types of entertainment: an ice skating rink, bowling alley, four toboggan and cross-country tracks, a variety of shops, a cinema, libraries, a spa center, a massage parlor, bars and restaurants. Also for lovers of active recreation there is dog sledding, skiing with a horse, paragliding and rock climbing.

For little vacationers, the resort has built a special skiing area, “Territory of the Great Cree Leader,” where everything around is designed to look like an Indian settlement. Drawing competitions and treasure hunts are held here every week.

Avoriaz

As night falls, thousands of lights come on in Avoriaz. Every week, the resort organizes various free entertainment for all vacationers: Shanghai-style street parades, fireworks, theatrical performances, sky lantern launches, children's activities, ice sculpture exhibitions, open-air concerts, jazz evenings and sleigh races. Throughout the season, Avoriaz has a reputation for having the best snow dance floor in the mountains.

Tired of the ski slopes, in Avoriaz you can visit a cinema, ice skating rink, billiards, bowling alley and a sports center with a jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath, gym and squash room. The resort also provides such entertainment as: sleigh rides, helicopter flights over mountain peaks, scooter rides, the possibility of immersion in ice water and others.

The main attraction at the resort is the new Aquariaz sports center, with an area of 2,500 square meters. It is conceived as a water corner in a mountainous area where you can relax in the midst of tropical vegetation. On the territory of the center there are: a water stream, a slide, a children's and a large pool, hydromassage benches and an outdoor spa with a water temperature of up to 35 degrees! This kind of water park is not found anywhere else in the mountains.

There are 13 ski resorts in Portes du Soleil - eight French and five Swiss. The most famous of them are Avoriaz, Morzine, Torgon, Chatel, Le Crozette. Most of the resorts arose near the historical villages formed in the valleys - only Avoriaz and the very small Les Crosets and Torgon were purpose-built in the mid-sixties.

Trails, slopes, lifts

The skiing season in Portes du Soleil runs from early December to mid or late April. From November to April there can be significant snowfalls due to climatic conditions.

Since Portes du Soleil is located on the border of France and Switzerland, skiers can ski in two countries at once. There are no border controls, but French sources still recommend not to forget to put your passport in the secret pocket of your ski suit, just in case.

The main network of ski slopes runs mainly through the resorts of Chatel, Morgins, Champoussin, Le Croisette, Champery, Avoriaz and Chatel. The trails are connected into a circular route that can be covered both clockwise and counterclockwise in about a day without taking off your skis or snowboard. The only exception is the short distance between the ski lifts in Châtel, which can only be covered by bus, and a few minutes' walk to the ski lift in Morgins.

Entertainment and active recreation

Portes du Soleil has an extensive après-ski entertainment infrastructure. You can recuperate in numerous cafes and restaurants serving dishes of both French and Swiss cuisine. Above Pré-la-Joue is the small mountain village of Plaine-Drance, where almost all the houses have been converted into restaurants. Many of them belong to the luxury category, both in altitude and in price level.

In the largest city in the region - Morgen - lovers of skiing and snowboarding can indulge themselves in a shopping spree, because this city, which has been welcoming tourists for 80 years, is famous for its shops.

Where to stay

Portes du Soleil in France offers tourists a wide range of accommodation options. You can stay either in a large ski hotel, or in a “family” authentic hotel, or in a chalet.

Great freeride. You can ride from the top or climb a little on foot to the ridge and fall into the couloirs. There is a great avalanche danger at the very top, so be sure to have avalanche equipment with you and adequately assess your strength. From the middle of the mountain, from the second stage, a forest with large spruce trees and plump snow begins. Ideal for learning to ride in deep snow or forgetting about avalanche danger and enjoying the incredible snow and nature.

The local population is positive, there is where to walk and what to see, eagles fly in the sky, and monkeys jump on the roofs and trees. Every freerider should visit this place at least once. I recommend!

Fedor

Excellent place, excellent snow, high-quality freeride. The top has excellent slopes, then a pleasant forest. After snowfalls, it’s generally a pleasure. You can ski both the main couloirs and make alternative descents. There are many guides, but it is better to look for proven ones. There are avalanches, but like everywhere else, bring your equipment, head and knowledge.

I stay at Grand Mumtaz every time. In my opinion, the best value for money is Wi-F, sometimes it breaks, but in general it’s there. Taking into account that roaming does not work in Gulmarg, the Internet is extremely relevant for Russian operators. What Mumtaz also likes is the ski-in & ski-out option (in my case, board-in & board-out). It’s noticeably warmer in the new building, there’s even time for everything to dry and it’s comfortable at night.

Dmtitri

Himalayas! Tall centuries-old spruce trees, dense forests, majestic mountains, monkeys in fur coats and huge falcons. When you get here you understand that Yeti is not a fairy tale! Gulmarg is located in the western Himalayas, 52 km from the city of Srinagar.

We were in Gulmarg in February 2015. We flew on the route Moscow - Delhi - Srinagar. We traveled from Srinagar to Gulmarg by SUV. We admired the winter mountain landscapes all the way!

We rode every day on virgin soil. There's plenty of snow all the time! There was almost no queue for the lift, which was good news. As is the number of people on the slopes - freedom, in a word! The first gondola takes about 10 minutes, you can enjoy the views! Himalayan spruce and birch trees. They say that you can even see a snow leopard! And we saw furry monkeys every day! Next - the swing, almost to the very top. And it’s breathtaking there!

There is convenient access from the slope directly to the hotel. The food is great, there are many cafes around.

I highly recommend visiting Gulmarg! Ride on virgin soil! Fell in love with this place!

Pavlina

The best place! A lot of snow! You need to visit at least once!

Dmitriy

I would like to share my impressions of the gurney in Gulmarg, since I visited this wonderful place for the first time. I'll start with the main thing: if it weren't for the guys from the GETRIDE company, I probably would have stupidly died somewhere in India. I was flying alone (at the end of January) and when ordering a tour at the office, I had a little doubt - but in the end everything worked out in the best possible way: I was met at the airport (a cheerful Hindu with a sign), they organized a transfer to the hill in a normal jeep, and put me up in a good hotel (Grand Mumtaz) with a lot of cheerful and very positive people. But most importantly, the guys from GetRide (I don’t remember their names) organized excellent lamb dinners for us every day (without curry) and showed a movie in the lobby in the evenings. About the Gurney: I’ve been riding for more than 10 years and I haven’t seen so much snow for a long time. When fresh snow falls (more than 1 meter), the gurney turns into PARADISE. The huge number of kullars and snow fields are simply mesmerizing. My personal conclusion: I will definitely go there again next year!

Rustem

An excellent ride for those who are ready to walk with their feet at a height of 4k. With formally one route, you can find an almost infinite number of routes. After a snowfall, you can ski on the powder for several days, but you need to get up early so as not to waste time in queues for the ski lift.

And yes. Don't neglect beeppers and guides.

Sergey

It was in India that I found the ideal holiday option for myself. The recipe is very simple: + 2 weeks of crazy freeride in the Himalayas where there is more snow than you can imagine + The right organizers who will help avoid misunderstandings associated with the Indian approach to doing business + Good company that will not let you get bored during a two-day snowfall + 2 weeks of relaxation on the beaches GOA = Excellent recovery, reboot and impressions of a lifetime.

The Himalayas are incredibly cool, breathtaking views, two-meter snow, freedom and expanse. But there are also difficulties associated with the local population who want to profit from you. Or with the danger that may lurk in the backcountry and sidecountry. It was here that I appreciated all the delights of skiing with guides and saw how cool it is when you leave all the organizational aspects to professionals. I had a great time, despite the fact that the level of skating was very average and I knew practically no one from the group with which I went. Only the right guys come here, those in love with the life of mountains and snow. They inspire no less than the place itself.

If you want to get out of your comfort zone and at the same time drink rum in a campaign of cool riders, come to Kashmir!

Andrey

Not a fan of India with all the Indians attached to it. But Gulmarg can hardly be called a typical Indian city. The reason is not only the altitude and abundant snow, which make this town one of the most hygienically clean in India, which can be important for many visitors. The main pleasure is on the snowy slopes. There are no trails, there is a lot of snow. High altitude with low oxygen content, small trekking passages, and the opportunity to go on a daytime adventure away from the ski lifts complement the emotions of the gurney. In addition to the gurney, this trip is remembered by strong “excursion” emotions influenced by the peculiarities of local life, everyday life, culture, the city of Srinagar, oddly enough, in the absence of excursions as such. From the moment the plane lands, this place immediately begins to stun, surprise, delight, fascinate, satisfy and relax. Not everything is perfect: everyone will be annoyed by something, from the hassle of traveling at maximum altitude to the lack of nightclubs. But in general, I am sure that for everyone this trip will turn out to be very emotional (the trip as a whole, including the gurney), which will be remembered for a lifetime. The real downside, in my opinion, is only the food, but this probably applies to all of India. We lived in Grand Mumtaz, acceptable service, cozy atmosphere, internet.

The ski resort of Portes du Soleil is considered one of the largest ski areas in the Alps and offers 650 km. Isn’t it a joke – 650 km. the best ski slopes in one place? No, this is the famous Portes du Soleil, which is the unrivaled leader in terms of area occupied. The resort of Portes du Soleil is located in the Alps, where France neighbors Switzerland and is spread across the territories of both countries.

The rules for the region are based on a wonderful idea that all skiers, without exception, like - free movement in space! “Every skier has the right to go and see what lies beyond the horizon,” says the very first article of the humorous Treaty. Indeed, tours to the Portes du Soleil ski region in France are not limited to one resort. In a day you have time to visit several towns and even travel abroad a couple of times - to Switzerland and back. And sometimes it seems that by pushing off with your ski poles from the next peak you can go around the whole world, the expanses of the region seem so endless. I just want to shout out the sweet word - freedom!

For convenience, safety and to ensure that skiing in the Portes du Soleil does not take you to places too remote, the region has the latest navigation system based on GPS technology. This useful thing will help you easily locate your location and return to your resort area.

Portes du Soleil unites several resorts of two countries, each of which leaves a special, incomparable impression. The most famous on the French side are Avoriaz, Morzine and Les Gets.

Prices for ski tours to Portes du Soleil depend on which resort you prefer. Some are more prestigious and pretentious, while others are practical and cozy. Choose according to your interests and wallet capabilities.

Even experienced skiers find it difficult to imagine a ski area of 400 km2! For beginners, such a variety of options can even be intimidating. But don't worry, all routes are signposted to clearly demonstrate the difficulty. 286 ski slopes, 200 km. off-piste slopes and 7 snowboard parks are connected by numerous lifts, carrying almost a quarter of a million people per hour! The difficulty and terrain are any, and skiing on the upper sections of the mountains is available from late November to early May.

Holidays in Portes du Soleil also mean all possible types of winter entertainment, be it snowmobiling or hang gliding. If a rich evening and night life is important to you, then take a closer look at resorts with a large selection of clubs, cinemas and discos. For those who miss their homeland from the first day in a foreign land, there are hotels and entertainment centers such as Malinka, Taiga, Dacha and Baba Yaga. And lovers of good food will not be disappointed by the range of restaurants - the cuisine everywhere is excellent.

Between Haute-Savoie and the canton of Valais. On one side of it Lake Geneva spills over, and on the other the majestic Mont Blanc rises. The nature of these places delights and fascinates. Significant elevation changes, steep and gentle slopes, virgin slopes and flat slopes shape the appearance of this ski resort.

Here all winter sports lovers can find something to their liking. Beginners and experts, snowboarders and skiers alike, regularly visit Portes du Soleil to enjoy the groomed slopes of its many resorts. The only disadvantage of these places is the relative low height of the slopes, which is why at the beginning and end of the season the snow cover “sags” a little, which affects the quality of gliding. The best time of year for holidays in the region is considered to be the period from January to the first half of March. There are practically no severe frosts here, and the beautiful sunny weather that prevails on the slopes of Portes du Soleil throughout the season ideally contributes to a favorable atmosphere and comfortable skiing.

On the French side of the ski region there are eight resorts, the most popular and visited of which are Morzine, Avoria, Les Gets and Abondance.

Morzine is considered the center of this entire ski area, under the symbolic name “Gate of the Sun”. It has a reputation as an excellent resort, ideal for family holidays, and is located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. For true “pros” there are several descents worthy of attention. Pointe de Nyon and Chamossières are characterized by steep slopes, and just to the east there is an extensive off-piste area. On the southwestern side there is a whole scattering of trails of average difficulty level, without an abundance of difficult terrain and steep descents. Near the resort village there is an extensive area for beginners, where you can confidently master your first skiing skills. Meanwhile, the Morzine hotel complex is an abundance of campsites, mini-hotels, inexpensive three-room apartments and unassuming two-room apartments. The tourist infrastructure is developed here at the highest level. A wide selection of entertainment in the evening, as well as special animation programs for children, allow you to have fun and interesting time with the whole family. History buffs can unwind by taking an excursion to the nearby town of Thonon-les-Bains, where many interesting historical objects dating back to the Middle Ages have been preserved.

The resort area is directly adjacent to Morzine Avoria, located at an altitude of 1800 meters and consisting of five villages, each of which has its own ski area. In addition to an abundance of trails for beginners and intermediate skiers, Avoria has excellent fan parks for snowboarding on its territory. For professional boarders, the Bleu du Lac park is recommended, and for beginners, La Chapelle. In addition, there are several other small snow parks and several boardercross tracks. There is also a 120-meter freestyle superpipe. As for classic alpine skiing, in Avoria, even dashing professionals can have a blast. The untouched virgin slopes of Snowzone, in the Prodains gorge, hospitably welcome lovers of risk and off-piste skiing. Overall, Avoria's slopes are steeper than the rest of the Portes du Soleil, but the pistes are slightly shorter. In the resort area there is a sports center, several kindergartens and ski schools. The training center is always open for snowboard fans. Vacationers are offered numerous bars, restaurants, shops and souvenir shops; there are practically no entertainment centers here. As everywhere else, there is a wide choice of hotels that have a very good location relative to the ski lifts. The resort is designed exclusively for skiing, so the entire infrastructure is set up in order to provide vacationers with as much convenience and comfort as possible, freeing them from unnecessary worries associated with transportation to the slopes.

Another excellent family holiday resort in the Portes du Soleil ski region, along with Morzine, is Les Gets. The central Mappy ski area has long been recognized here as the most popular among beginners and children. The gentle and wide slopes, combined with the distance from other trails, allow those who wish to ride with their entire families in a comfortable and safe environment. For children in Les Gets there is even a special playground, symbolizing the life of Indian tribes. Special models were created here, improvised wigwams were made, and “Indian trails” were laid. For experienced skiers on the local slopes there are several trails of medium difficulty, and “pros” can enjoy off-piste skiing, but accompanied by a guide, since some virgin slopes of Les Gets are fraught with the danger of avalanches. In terms of entertainment, the resort is not much inferior to neighboring Morzine, and in terms of hotel accommodation prices, it even has some advantage in the direction of their reduction.

Very close to Les Gets and Morzine is a picturesque village Abodance. Once upon a time, several centuries ago, it was founded by a group of Swiss monks and over time became the cultural and historical heritage of Portes du Soleil. Located in the Duns River valley, the village is famous not only for its historical past, but also for its farming origins. It is here that the cheese known throughout France, Abodans, is made, distinguished by its unique fruit and nut aroma. In addition, wooden products made by local craftsmen have enormous prestige in the country. On the mountain slopes surrounding the village there are just over two dozen kilometers of ski slopes, most of which are recommended for experienced skiers. There is only one route for the “pros”, but beginners and snowboarders are not deprived of attention. Both have at their disposal a sufficient amount of snow space to improve their skills. The hotels are dominated by inexpensive three-star hotels and cozy chalets.

In total, Portes du Soleil has more than 600 kilometers of snow slopes. When purchasing a single “ski pass”, its owner gets the opportunity to use all ski areas of the region without exception, including ski lifts and a free tourist bus that runs daily between the resorts. Every season, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to the local mountain slopes, which only confirms the popularity of Portes du Soleil as one of the best ski regions.

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