Châtel is a picturesque ski resort known for its traditional Savoyard charm and family-friendly atmosphere, making it a perfect retreat for those who appreciate a quieter, more authentic mountain experience. As one of the most charming ski resorts in France, Châtel offers a unique blend of tranquility and adventure.
We've created this guide to make planning your Châtel ski holiday easy. You'll find everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and the best places to grab a bite or relax after skiing. At the end, you'll also find a downloadable resort map, plus some handy contact numbers and links.
Châtel is located in the picturesque Chablais region of southeastern France, right along the French-Swiss border.
Nearest airport
Sion: 70 km (43.4 mi)
Transfer time
Sion: 0:53 min
Châtel the resort
Resort altitude: 1,100 m (3,608 ft)
Resort permanent residents: ~1,224
Châtel retains its historic charm, blending new chalet-style accommodations and classic guesthouses among working farms that influence its local cuisine with fresh dairy and meat products. This mix of old-world allure has enhanced Châtel’s reputation. The village has a genuine community feel, with friendly locals and a relaxed lifestyle. Here, you’ll find a selection of charming shops, delightful eateries, and cafes, perfect for experiencing authentic French Alpine culture. Its small size makes it easy to navigate and adds to its intimate, welcoming ambiance. Châtel is celebrated for its family-friendly environment, as evidenced by the French Family Plus certification. The resort offers child-centric facilities like "The Mouflets" day-care and regularly organizes a variety of recreational and leisure activities.
Pros
Cons
The area enjoys high snowfall, especially in the upper regions
It can get crowded during peak period
An expansive and diverse ski terrain along the French-Swiss border
A modest skiable vertical range
A vibrant après ski scene
Navigating lifts and pistes can be challenging
One of the most beautiful villages in the French Alps
Some outdated lifts in Châtel and Morgins
Here is how Châtel looks like
This short video provides a glimpse of everything Châtel has to offer.
Châtel, nestled in the Portes du Soleil, which includes resorts like Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Champéry, and others, offers over 650 km (403 mi) of ski runs collectively. Châtel contributes 90 km (55.9 mi) of this vast network, featuring 44 pistes (8 greens, 15 blues, 15 reds, and 6 blacks), all seamlessly connected by a network of 41 lifts. Châtel's ski area is divided into several key sectors:
Super-Châtel: the central hub of Châtel, the area offers a diverse range of pistes for all skill levels. It's a perfect starting point for both beginners and experienced skiers with its mix of green, blue, and red runs.
Linga: this area is known for its more challenging terrain, with an array of red and black runs catering to advanced skiers.
Pré-la-Joux: a gateway to the extensive Portes du Soleil ski area, Pré-la-Joux offers a mix of runs and is particularly popular for its tree-lined pistes.
Barbossine: located on the eastern edge of Châtel, this sector offers a quieter skiing experience with a range of red and blue runs.
Plaine Dranse: this sector features a blend of intermediate and advanced slopes, making it ideal for those looking to push their limits.
Skiing in Châtel
Beginners
Châtel presents beginner-friendly slopes on both sides of the area. The Super-Châtel lift leads to five gentle green runs, perfect for first-timers. The green run from Plaine Dranse to Pré la Joux, winding through trees, is an excellent spot for practicing turns.
Intermediates
The Linga/Pré-la-Joux sector, connected to Super-Chatel, features the best piste trails for intermediate skiers, with tree-lined sections adding variety.
Advanced
While Châtel's local terrain may not be extremely challenging, it offers nice runs into Barbossine and from Tête de Linga into Villapeyron. The Morclan chairlift is key for accessing off-piste bowls and south-facing terrain into the village.
Off-piste
The La Leche area at the top of Linga is renowned for off-piste skiing, featuring a powder bowl with excellent snow and tree terrain. The Barbossine bowl and other areas like Ardent and Crosets provide exciting backcountry opportunities. The Espace Liberte sector, including nearby resorts, expands the off-piste possibilities.
Snowboarding
Châtel is great for snowboarders with Pré la Joux offering challenging reds and steeper sections. There are two snow parks: the Smooth Park in Super Châtel for beginners and the Happy Park in Pré la Joux for more advanced riders.
Châtel ski season dates
The ski season in Châtel for 2025/26 is scheduled to run from November 29th to April 19th. Please note that these dates are provided by the resort and may still vary depending on snow conditions and other operational factors. Planning ahead? Don’t forget to check out our Châtel deals for the best ski offers available.
Châtel snow history
Châtel offers optimal snow conditions from December through April. December and January consistently bring about 30 cm (11.8 in) of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 2.9 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly decreases to 25 cm (9.84 in) but occurs more frequently, averaging 3.1 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the second week of December, traditionally the snowiest week in Châtel, with an impressive 41 cm (16.14 in) of snow over 3.4 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days, when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 15 cm (5.90 in) of snow over 2.0 days, perfect for softer snow under brighter skies.
Bois Prin Restaurant: a charming mountain eatery offering stunning panoramic views, and serving a variety of traditional dishes.
Chez Babeth: known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and authentic local cuisine that celebrates regional flavours and ingredients.
La Terrasse du Morclan: a popular spot for enjoying a sunny lunch with panoramic views, serving a range of dishes from light snacks to full meals in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
La Chaux des Rosées: known for its delicious, hearty fare and friendly service, it’s a great place to refuel and relax in the midst of a skiing day.
Le Fiacre: the menu features a blend of traditional Alpine dishes and contemporary cuisine, prepared with fresh, local ingredients, perfect for a post-skiing dinner.
Bois Prin: it's an excellent choice for those seeking a memorable dining experience without venturing far from the resort's comforts.
Le Chesery: the restaurant offers a refined culinary experience with dishes that showcase the best of French and Alpine gastronomy.
La Cheminée: renowned for its rustic charm, it serves a variety of traditional Savoyard specialties and is an ideal spot for those seeking a cozy and authentic dining atmosphere in the heart of Châtel.
Things to do in Châtel
Snowshoeing
Wellness and fitness
Nordic skiing
Ice skating
Hot air balloon flight
Cultural tours
Paragliding
Library
Escape game
Electric MTB on snow
Fantasticable
Winter hiking
Cinema
Bowling
Châtel après-ski, and nightlife
La Godille: a popular après-ski spot known for its vibrant atmosphere, great selection of drinks and live music.
Le Poste Frontière: it's well-known for its friendly staff and engaging après-ski scene.
La Perdrix Blanche: a classic après-ski venue that combines a traditional alpine feel with a lively bar experience.
L’Avalanche: this venue is popular for its theme nights and live DJ sets.
La Voga nightclub: as one of the resort's premier nightclubs, it features a contemporary space with state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
