With twelve linked resorts stretching across France and Switzerland, the Portes du Soleil is one of Europe’s largest ski regions — and one of the most rewarding places to stop for lunch. The food culture here is a highlight of the ski day, and the region is known for everything from rustic Alpine places, to panoramic sun terraces overlooking long mountain ranges. The best part is that you can enjoy all of this without needing to know the name of a single restaurant. The terrain layout, the style of mountain huts, and the character of each valley make it easy to find the perfect place to pause, warm up, and take in the scenery.
- Cross Border Lunch Adventures
- Rustic Alpine Huts
- Panoramic Terraces
- Dining Options for Bad Weather
- Canteen Style
- Leisurely Long
- Family Friendly
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
Cross Border Lunch Adventures
One of the joys of skiing the Portes du Soleil is crossing between France and Switzerland during the day. The experience of eating on one side of the border and skiing home through the other adds a sense of adventure to any trip. The Swiss side tends to offer quieter slopes and a slightly more rustic character, while the French side feels broader and more varied, with bigger terraces and livelier crowds.
You can easily plan your lunch around the border crossing itself; take in the views on one side and return through a different route in the afternoon. This gives your ski day a satisfying shape and creates a natural story for the day even if you don’t follow a set itinerary.
Rustic Alpine Huts with Traditional Dishes
Across every corner of the Portes du Soleil, you will find cosy wooden chalets offering a classic mountain experience. These smaller, rustic huts tend to be tucked beside quieter pistes or hidden slightly off the main thoroughfares. They often have low ceilings, wood burning stoves, and menus built around regional dishes like melted cheese specialties, cured meats, soups, and simple homemade desserts.
These huts are ideal for skiers who prefer an unhurried lunch. You can usually recognise them by their traditional design, smoke rising from a central chimney, and small terraces populated by people taking a slow break in the winter sun. You will find clusters of these on both the French and Swiss sides, especially in the wooded sectors where older farm buildings have been converted into mountain eateries.
Panoramic Terraces on High Alpine Slopes
If you’re after a stunning backdrop, the Portes du Soleil has many large terraces set high on exposed ridgelines or beside major cable car stations. These elevated areas are known for wide open views that stretch deep into the mountain ranges of France and Switzerland. On clear days you can often look across multiple valleys as you eat.
These larger terraces typically offer a broad and relaxed self service setup or a simple brasserie style menu. It is the surroundings that elevate the experience rather than any individual dish. Because these spots sit beside major lift intersections, they are particularly good for mixed ability groups. Beginners can descend in a lift and meet the others for lunch, and advanced skiers can take a detour to explore a challenging descent before reuniting with the group.
Sheltered Places for Bad Weather
One of the strengths of the Portes du Soleil is how varied the landscape is, which means there are excellent options when the snow arrives or visibility drops. In whiteout conditions, the best lunch stops are the ones tucked among the trees, away from wind and exposed ridges. These areas tend to stay calm when the weather gets lively, making it easier to enjoy a warm break before heading back out.
The forested slopes above places like Morzine, Les Gets, Champery, and Champoussin are good examples of the kind of sheltered zones where you will find comfortable indoor dining. Because these areas sit slightly lower, they attract a gentler crowd, families, and more relaxed skiers. The menus here often lean toward warm comfort food, large portions, and simple hot drinks that make a cold day feel far more manageable.
Quick and Efficient Canteen Style Stops
When you want a fast lunch that gets you back on the slopes quickly, the region has a variety of simple counter service setups. These are usually found beside busy junctions or near popular beginner areas. They are designed for efficiency, with hot trays, sandwiches, soups, pastries, and outdoor benches for people who want to eat and move on.
These spots rarely win awards for atmosphere but are very useful for ambitious skiers who want to maximise mileage. They are also perfect for groups who have different ideas about lunch, because you can finish eating at different times without slowing the day down. You will find several of these around the major linking pistes between the French and Swiss sectors. They are also common at the top stations of busy gondolas that connect villages to the central ski area.
Leisurely Long Lunches
The Portes du Soleil has a generous number of south facing terraces where people can settle in for a relaxed afternoon. These terraces catch the best of the sun, which makes them especially popular in late season when the days are longer and the temperatures rise. Here you will often find loungers, open outdoor seating, and a more upbeat atmosphere.
The French side, in particular, has many gentle slopes that face the sun, and the terraces in these pockets feel very inviting. They are great places to unwind after a morning of exploring, and to enjoy long, slow lunches. This is also where you will find a more international mix of skiers, drawn in by the combination of views and warm spring conditions.
Family Friendly Lunch Zones
Families tend to look for convenient access, gentle slopes, and predictable facilities. The Portes du Soleil is well suited to this because many of its villages sit directly on the edge of green or blue runs. Family friendly lunch zones will be the ones close to ski schools, practice areas, and nursery slopes. They offer indoor seating, simple menus, and enough space for ski gear and pushchairs.
Because these places are designed for comfort rather than drama, they are usually found near the mid mountain lifts or at the base of well established ski areas. The surrounding terrain is gentle, which means children can ski straight back to the area after lunch without dealing with steep pitches or busy junctions.
Choosing the Perfect Lunch Spot
The best lunch spot depends entirely on the day you want to have. Look for sunshine if the skies are clear, or head for the forested zones if snow is falling. Opt for rustic huts when you want a slow meal, or choose quick canteen style setups when skiing is your main priority. The beauty of the Portes du Soleil is that all of these options sit within a short ski of each other, so you can adjust your plans with ease.
Where to Stay
Chalet Ancienne Poste is a charming, self-catered apartment in Champery. It could not look more Swiss, with its A-frame structure, charming wooden shutters and decorative balconies. You’ll enjoy spacious accommodation, a fully equipped kitchen, and a relaxing sitting area. The location in the centre of the village is prime for skiers, and the mountain views of the Midi from the property make for a fairy-tale ambience.
Hotel L’Etable. For guests based in Les Crosets, Hotel L’Etable provides a superb experience. Located at the base of the slopes only 30 metres from the ski lifts, you can fill up on the breakfast buffet to fuel your day’s adventure and then unwind in their on-site restaurant in the evening. Rooms offer either a view of the breath-taking mountains or the charming hamlet, and WiFi is complimentary.
Chalet Suisse is a chocolate-box, Alpine bed and breakfast offering family rooms that are cosy but spacious. With ski-to-door access, a garden, terrace and bar, the facilities are hard to beat in Morgins. The continental buffet breakfast gives you a good start for a day of skiing, and the property is renowned for its friendly and capable staff.
How to Get There
Flying from the UK to Geneva is quick, easy and ideal for a ski break. Regular direct flights depart from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and other major airports. Flight times are usually around 90 minutes to two hours, which makes it one of the fastest ways to reach the Alps. With frequent schedules throughout the winter season, it is simple to find a departure that fits your travel plans.
After booking your flights, make sure that you arrange your airport transfer to Morgins, Champery, or Les Crosets. Shuttle Direct serves all the Portes du Soleil resorts, and we offer a range of Geneva transfers to suit your agenda and budget.
Overview
UK to GVA Flight Time: 1 hours, 40 mins
GVA transfer to Champery, Les Crosets and Morgins (and other resorts in Portes du Soleil): 80 kilometres approx.
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour 30 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
When it’s time to consider choosing your transfer from Geneva Airport to Les Crosets, Morgins, Champery or any other resort in the Portes du Soleil region, you’ll have a range of options that you can pre-book with us.
Minibus Transfer: Travelling with kit, kids or kin? Consider opting for a minibus transfer to Portes du Soleil. Our fleet of spacious, comfortable vehicles have seating for extended parties and bulky luggage.
Taxi: Our airport taxis can be booked to take you between Geneva Airport and your Portes du Soleil ski resort, and back again. You can expect a prompt and punctual driver to be waiting for you when you exit the airport, and the service will return you in good time at the end of your ski adventure.
Private Transfer: Geneva Airport to any Portes du Soleil resort in style! Our private cars are operated by professional drivers whose great communication and reliable service provide skiers with a comfortable (as well as convenient) transfer.
Shuttle Bus: We pride ourselves on the great value for money that our bus transfers offer travellers. You can book a seat in advance on this service, which departs from Geneva Airport to the Portes du Soleil resorts at regular intervals. It’s an efficient service with a route that serves a series of stops conveniently located for the resort accommodation.
Choosing the Right Transfer
If you’re planning a ski trip to the Portes du Soleil, you should pick one of our reliable airport transfer services to suit your individual needs and budget. With so many options, there’s something to suit everyone.
Cost: To minimise costs, the shuttle bus transfer is the most recommended service. It won’t deliver you to the door of your accommodation, but the hamlets and resorts of the Portes du Soleil are served by conveniently located bus stops.
Convenience: For customers who are on a tight schedule or who need extra logistical support, a private transfer, airport taxi or minibus provides a door-to-door service that you can book to match your landing and departure times.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct has been transferring skiers from airports to snowy resorts for many years. Our experienced and helpful drivers are dedicated to making sure that you start and end your holiday in comfort and with minimal stress.
