Chatel
Pretty and traditional French ski town with access to the huge Portes du Soleil ski area
Chatel resort guide - a general overview
Chatel which is part of the massive Portes du Soleil ski circuit is a pleasant, lively, French dominated old village with its own extensive, pretty intermediate terrain. The resort is made up of modern unpretentious chalet style hotels and apartments mixed in with some old farms where cattle still live in the winter. With easy access to the Porte du Soleil this is the perfect spot to get away from the big super stations but still have miles and miles of piste to explore.
We recommend Chatel as the perfect place for both families and adult groups looking to stay in a more traditional resort where the pace is a little more relaxed than say a larger resort like Morzine in the Porte Du Soleil. There are some very comfortable and well run chalets in Chatel that we know well so let us know if you think you would like to try this wonderful resort.
Resort stats
650km
1,200m - 2,350m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Geneva
- 1hr 30mins
3 ski chalets in Chatel View All
Chatel, France
Chalet Pom De Pin
Average Price
£619 pp OfferChatel, France
Chalet Cannelle
Average Price
£1,282 ppChatel, France
Chalet Alpaka
Average Price
£762 pp1 hotels in Chatel, France View All
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Access to the large Portes du Soleil ski circuit
- Pretty, lively French mountain town, still quite rustic in parts
- Good local slopes particularly suited to beginners and intermediates
- Short transfer from Geneva airport
Cons
- Low altitude means snow can be unreliable
- Most of the main lifts are only reachable by bus
- Village can get busy at weekends
Restaurants
Chatel Resort Restaurants
Hotel Macchi and Hotel Fleur de Neige both have pricey gastronomic restaurants. The Rustic Vieux Four and La Poya on the main street serves good value food and offers Savoyarde speciality dishes. The Fiacre has a lovely atmosphere and serves great food, especially its pizzas. For a cheaper option head to the Refuge de Mille for a set menu of the day.
Chatel Mountain Restaurants
A cluster of mountain restaurants can be found at Plaine Dranse. Try the Bois Prin, Pierre aux Loupes, Chez Denis or Tan o Marmottes, Here you will also find the Vieux Chalet (Chez Babaths) which is run by an eccentric woman and is decorated in a very quirky style; the food there is excellent. There are other lunch time spots, over in Linga there is the Ferme des Pistes and in Pre-la-Joux you will find the Perdrix Blanche.
Chatel Apres Ski
Châtel is becoming more lively. The British style pub 'Avalanche' is a popular hangout with a good atmosphere, live bands and sometimes themed nights. The DJ or live music in Bar Nazca is a fun evening out. Locals head to Bar L'Isba which is small, cosy and shows extreme sport videos.
Chatel Nightlife
After Bar Nazca and the Avalanche pub, the crowds can head to Sloopy's - a nightclub at the Super- Châtel telecabine station.
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Property
