Holiday rentals in the Portes du Soleil: Châtel, the place to stay

Châtel is the starting point for your adventure in the Portes du Soleil, ideally situated right in the heart of the ski area, allowing you to complete a loop and get around easily. Treat yourself to a unique experience: ski in Châtel, at the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area. A single ski pass gives you access to 600 kilometres of slopes, spanning France and Switzerland. Every day, discover a new village, one of the 12 resorts in Les Portes du Soleil!
Whether you prefer skiing in winter or the great outdoors in summer, there’s no shortage of activities: hiking, mountain biking… Enjoy the authentic and majestic landscapes typical of the Northern Alps!

#1: Stay in Châtel, a prime location at the heart of the Portes du Soleil

A resort at the heart of the Portes du Soleil, in the northern Alps

The resort of Châtel enjoys a unique location! Often dubbed ‘the most Swiss of French resorts’, it lies at the northern tip of the French Alps, just a few kilometres from the border with Morgins (Switzerland). This strategic location guarantees excellent natural snow cover for a ski area situated between 1,200 and 2,200 metres above sea level, with the majority of its slopes facing north. The proximity to the Swiss motorway network also allows for quicker access for visitors from north-eastern France and Europe. Finally, Châtel’s central position, at the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, enables skiers, hikers and mountain bikers to get around easily and reach the neighbouring ski resorts of Morgins, Avoriaz and Morzine in no time.

A well-preserved village offering an authentic mountain holiday

With its blend of farming and pastoral life and mountain traditions, Châtel has managed to retain its mountain character, despite the growth in tourism. A spirit of conviviality, simplicity, sharing and hospitality: these are the values that have driven the people of this village resort since its inception. Aesthetically, Châtel retains a traditional and uniform architectural style, comprising chalets and small wooden and stone houses. You’ll appreciate this mountain spirit, far removed from the ‘all-concrete’ resorts. Economically, Châtel and the Abondance Valley are buoyed by the appeal of the Lake Geneva region and bolstered by agriculture, centred around the local treasure: the famous Abondance AOP cheese! This economic vitality is a strength, enabling residents and businesses to thrive year-round and develop local shops, medical centres, as well as a wide range of family-run restaurants and hotels. Everything is ready to welcome you!

Châtel Réservation, your partner of excellence for your stay

Follow the guide! With over 30 years’ experience, Châtel’s accommodation booking centre will help you choose your holiday rental and book your activities, whilst guaranteeing competitive rates in both summer and winter. Based in Châtel, our team is here to support you, from booking your stay through to your arrival and right up until your departure.

As a long-standing partner of the resort’s professionals (accommodation providers, sports shops, hoteliers, ski schools and ski lifts), our agency offers you a unique package: an all-inclusive holiday at the best price!

By booking your accommodation through us, you can enjoy discounts and preferential services:

15% off the standard price of Châtel Espace Liberté or Portes du Soleil ski passes for 2 days or more
15% off the standard price of Portes du Soleil mountain bike passes in summer
Up to 30% off ski equipment hire
15% discount on season tickets for the Forme d’O aquatic centre
15% off a selection of treatments at the Océane spa
Bed linen and towel hire
Taxi transfers
Wi-Fi hotspots

#2: Apartments and chalets in Châtel: find your ideal holiday rental

Apartment rentals in Châtel: looking for comfort on your holiday

Châtel Réservation offers a wide selection of apartments in Châtel, to suit all budgets and all types of stay, whether you’re travelling with family, as a couple or with friends!

All the accommodation we offer for rent is furnished and comes with standard facilities: a fully equipped kitchen, a balcony with a view of the village and/or the mountains, a ski locker, parking and a television. In just a few clicks, browse all our high-quality offers in real time, check availability and book your stay:

Studios for those on a tight budget
1- or 2-bedroom apartments for 4, 5 or 6 people
Spacious apartments for up to 10 people
Pet-friendly apartments
Accommodation with private jacuzzi or sauna
Apartments in holiday complexes with pool access
Accommodation with free internet access, and many other services (linen, cleaning, beds made on arrival, etc.)

Chalet rentals for an authentic mountain holiday

In the popular imagination, the mountains go hand in hand with the chalet atmosphere, especially in Haute-Savoie! Châtel Réservation has selected the best chalet rental deals in the Abondance Valley, mainly in Châtel.

Cosy small chalets sleeping 4 to 5 people
Large chalets sleeping 10 to 15 people
Luxury chalets for 20 people
Premium facilities: jacuzzi, sauna or even a private swimming pool, depending on the accommodation
Chalets at the foot of the Pré la Joux slopes (Portes du Soleil link with Avoriaz)

How to find your chalet in Châtel?

Châtel Réservation offers a quick and easy-to-use online booking tool, allowing you to check availability, view photos of the properties and read their full descriptions.
As the village of Châtel is quite spread out, the location of properties may vary. All listings show the distances between the accommodation and the centre of Châtel, the five access points to the slopes, the crèche, the aquatic centre, the ESF nursery, and, where applicable, the proximity to a free shuttle bus stop. When searching, you can also sort the results by: near the centre of Châtel, at the foot of the Linga chairlift, the Petit-Châtel area, or near the chairlifts at Lac de Vonnes. Don’t wait – book your holiday rental in the Portes du Soleil now, choosing from over 700 options including apartments, chalets and holiday residences in Châtel!

👉 Please don’t hesitate to contact our team to receive a personalised selection of apartments and chalets tailored to your needs, based on your travel dates, budget and search criteria: facilities, proximity to the slopes, and accessibility.

#3: A winter in the Portes du Soleil, skiing on a grand scale

A single ski pass, 600 km of slopes, 2 countries and 12 villages to discover: the Portes du Soleil transforms your holiday into a true alpine odyssey. By booking your ski holiday in Châtel, the central resort of the ski area, everything becomes accessible!

Châtel’s Espace Liberté, your daily playground

Every run is a discovery, every chairlift a gateway to a new panorama. The resort of Châtel offers two ski passes: the Portes du Soleil, the vast cross-border ski area, or the local ski area, Châtel Espace Liberté. For a more affordable price, you’ll find:

120 km of slopes spread across various hillsides overlooking the village of Châtel: the neighbouring resort of La Chapelle d’Abondance, the Swiss resort of Torgon, the resort of Châtel, and the Corbeau sector of the Swiss resort of Morgins.
76 slopes for all levels, set amongst pine forests, competition venues, panoramic views and fun areas for learning to ski
The Châtel Snow Park (Super-Châtel sector)
5 access points to the slopes from the village of Châtel, and 3 options for returning on skis
Free shuttle service to the ski lift stations (6 routes)

The vast Portes du Soleil ski area: a cross-border adventure

The Portes du Soleil ski area is one of the largest in Europe! It boasts over 300 slopes, 197 ski lifts and almost 600 km of skiing. It comprises 12 authentic ski resorts, ranging from family-friendly to lively and festive. You’ll notice that it’s difficult to reach them via the winding roads of the Alpine valleys, but they’re actually linked by the ski slopes! Eight of them are in France (Avoriaz, Morzine, Montriond, Les Gets, Saint Jean d’Aulps, Abondance, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Châtel), and 4 are in Switzerland (Champéry, Torgon, Morgins, Les Crosets-Val d’Illiez-Champoussin). As you can see, skiing in the Portes du Soleil means travelling between two countries that form a shared territory, imbued with the same culture.

From Châtel, you can enjoy ‘ski-in, ski-out’ access to Morgins and the Dents du Midi region, to Torgon and La Chapelle d’Abondance, or to Avoriaz, to reach Morzine and Les Gets. Follow the piste map and enjoy a unique experience: have breakfast in France, lunch in Switzerland, then ski back to Châtel, without ever taking the same route twice!

👉 When you book your accommodation with Châtel Réservation, enjoy a 15% discount on Châtel Espace Liberté or Portes du Soleil ski passes, for stays of 2 consecutive days or more!

#4: A summer in the Portes du Soleil, when the mountains reinvent themselves

Mountain biking and the Bike Park: a rider’s paradise

Did you know that in summer, the Portes du Soleil area is one of the largest mountain biking areas in Europe? And, just like in winter, all the facilities are accessible with a single pass!
The Portes du Soleil mountain biking area boasts nearly 650 km of trails, which, over the years, have been adapted to new disciplines: mountain biking, downhill (DH), enduro and e-bikes. There are also 5 Bike Parks, in Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Châtel and Champéry – Les Crosets – Morgins (Dents du Midi region). Every summer, the Pass’Portes du Soleil is the unmissable event marking the opening of the mountain biking season on the last weekend of June.

For several years now, the Portes du Soleil has been in the global spotlight thanks to numerous renowned competitions and World Cups. In 2027, Châtel will host the UCI Gravel World Championships!
In Châtel, we love cycling – and the people who do it! You’ll find four mountain bike-friendly ski lifts, numerous safe trails and electric charging points. Since its creation in 2005, Châtel Bike Park has become a national benchmark for thrill-seekers and downhill (DH) enthusiasts. Located in the Pré-la-Joux / Plaine Dranse area, it is easily accessible by car from Châtel, or via the ski lifts from the other Portes du Soleil resorts. In fact, the chairlift link to Avoriaz is also open in summer, for pedestrians AND mountain bikers!

👉 Book your accommodation with Châtel Réservation and enjoy a 15% discount on Portes du Soleil mountain bike passes!

Hiking and nature: explore the mountains at your own pace

While the footpaths are certainly more family-friendly than Châtel’s Bike Park, hiking in the mountains is by no means a thing of the past! Fresh air, wildlife, wide open spaces... Explore nearly 650 km of marked trails across the entire Portes du Soleil area, including over 90 km around Châtel, straddling France and Switzerland.
Whether you’re a trail runner, a beginner or a parent with a baby carrier, every hiker will find a trail to suit their level in Châtel and the Portes du Soleil. From the Chemin des Bords de Dranse in the Vallée d’Abondance to themed trails exploring the mountain’s flora and fauna, you can find all intermediate and advanced hikes at the tourist offices or from local experts. Cross the mountain pastures to the mountain lakes, discover nature reserves or tackle the most beautiful peaks of the Chablais!

Because holidays are all about relaxing, don’t forget to admire the scenery around you and sample a local speciality at one of the mountain huts. A 100% enjoyable activity for food lovers of all ages!

🚠 Don’t be put off – most of these climbs can also be tackled with less effort by taking the pedestrian ski lifts, which are free with the Portes du Soleil Multi Pass

The Portes du Soleil Multi Pass: a wealth of activities for families

The key to a budget-friendly summer and a smart holiday in the Portes du Soleil, the Multi Pass activity card needs no introduction! And yet, it’s an absolute must-have for your holiday in Châtel... Enjoy unlimited access to over 70 activities across 12 resorts in the Portes du Soleil, as well as numerous discounts at over 70 partner tourist attractions, such as the Fantasticable, Châtel Accrobranche 1600 or the Bobluge.
It’s simple: when staying with a partner accommodation provider, for just €4.00 per person per day*, you get free access to:

24 chairlifts or gondola lifts for pedestrians, including 4 in Châtel
4 swimming pools or lakeside facilities, including Forme d’O
650 km of marked walking trails
4 cultural sites, including the Maison du Fromage Abondance and Abondance Abbey
9 tennis courts
1 ice rink
1 tourist train
3 mini-golf courses
Inter-resort shuttle buses

Please note: intended mainly for families, the activity pass is free for children under 5.

👉 When staying in accommodation participating in the Multi Pass scheme, your activity pass costs €4.00 per person per day of your stay*. In some cases, the pass is provided free of charge by your accommodation provider. To help you choose your accommodation, Châtel Réservation has classified properties into three categories: participating, non-participating and Multi Pass included. Each has its own icon!

* Summer 2026 rate.

#5: Services and amenities for a hassle-free holiday in Châtel

Getting to the resort

Situated at the edge of Haute-Savoie, on the Swiss border, the village of Châtel is nonetheless easily accessible! To reach your favourite resort, you can fly to Geneva International Airport (taxi or bus transfer approx. 1 hour 40 mins, 72 km), take the Swiss motorways (towards Monthey, Portes du Soleil exit towards Morgins) or the French motorways (towards Geneva, Annemasse/Thonon exit then follow signs for Vallée d’Abondance). It is also possible to travel to Châtel by train, getting off at Thonon or Evian-Les-Bains stations (45-minute bus journey to Châtel, approximately 40 km).

Local transport

Once here, avoid using your car; use the resort’s shuttle service to get around. There are six bus routes connecting the resort’s various neighbourhoods to the village centre or the ski lifts. Whether you’re a hiker, skier, mountain biker or travelling with pets, Châtel’s shuttles are free for everyone.

Things to do in Châtel

Châtel isn’t just a ski resort… As well as tourist accommodation (hotels, bars, restaurants), you’ll find a number of local shops and services open all year round: bakeries, mini-markets, a supermarket, a petrol station, doctors’ surgeries, a swimming pool, a pharmacy, sports and clothing shops, and more… Not to mention the many working farms, which offer tours, sell local specialities and sometimes even hold tastings!

Skiing, but not only!

You’ll soon realise that skiing isn’t the only activity on offer in Châtel. With the swimming pool, numerous spas and wellness centres, the cinema, the library, snowshoe trails, children’s play areas, museums and cultural centres, the Fanstasticable, and more… The Abondance Valley is brimming with activities, even when the weather isn’t at its best.

#6: Why book your holiday with Châtel Réservation?

The expertise of a local agency

For almost 30 years, Châtel Réservation has been the resort’s official accommodation provider. Based in Châtel, our team has in-depth knowledge of the village, the range of holiday rentals and the activities on offer.
Our mission? To offer you personalised support in organising your holiday, from booking your accommodation right through to your arrival in Châtel. The key is to find accommodation that meets your expectations in terms of facilities, location and budget. During your stay, we’re here for you, seven days a week, to provide information and efficient assistance whenever you need it.
Our aim? To make you want to come back to Châtel !

Pre-book your activities: enjoy discounted rates and save time

As a partner of local accommodation providers and resort professionals, Châtel Réservation offers all-inclusive holiday bookings at the best rates.
When you book your stay in an apartment, chalet or hotel through us, you can add activities at a reduced rate. You can add these when you confirm your booking, or up to a week before your stay begins. During the pre-sale period, and only during the pre-sale period, you can enjoy discounts of up to 30% on ski hire, ski or mountain bike passes, the Forme d’O aquatic centre and the Océane spa.

☎ Ready for your next holiday in the Portes du Soleil? Don’t wait any longer – discover our apartments and chalets in Châtel and take advantage of Châtel Réservation’s special rates. Book your stay online, or contact our team for personalised assistance!