The spectacular Portes du Soleil region encompasses 12 resorts spread across France and Switzerland. From Mont Blanc to Lake Geneva, with more than 650km of pistes serviced by 200 ski lifts (with connectivity between almost all of them), everyone can find something to love about Portes du Soleil. With ski runs suited to everyone from absolute beginners right up to adrenaline-seeking powder hounds, it’s understandably a popular place for a short or longer ski break – and the fun never stops!
- A Vast, Connected Ski Region
- Twelve Resorts, a World of Choice
- Plenty of Fun Even if You Don’t Ski
- Flexible Ski Lift Passes
- Where to Stay
- How to Get There
A Vast, Connected Ski Region
Along with the Three Valleys, Portes du Soleil is one of largest interconnected ski regions in the world. Crossing the borders of France and Switzerland, with so much at your disposal it can feel slightly overwhelming on paper, but once you understand the basics you’ll be able to choose which village suits you as a base, and then… let the ski-fest begin!
The beauty of Portes du Soleil is that it really doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced skier, there’s a huge variety of slopes to keep you happy. Even if within your family or group some of you are at different stages of experience, the connected nature of the slopes means nobody ever has to miss out.
Here are some things you might be very happy to discover about this fantastic region.
Twelve Resorts, a World of Choice
Because they’re located across two countries, the resorts of Portes du Soliel all have their own distinct personality. It’s fairly easy to see at a glance which might appeal to your individual tastes, then you can delve deeper to choose a base.
Les Gets: Set at an altitude of 1172m, this is the original Portes du Soleil resort. Small, authentic village atmosphere, popular with families. (Great for beginners and all levels.)
Morzine: The largest resort in Portes du Soleil, set at 1000m. A lively village with lots going on for families. (All levels.)
Avoriaz 1800: A close neighbour to Morzine, the village is entirely pedestrianised. Well known for its vibrant nightlife. Ski-in, ski-out everywhere! (All levels.)
Saint-Jean d’Aulps: Part of a valley of nine traditional villages with a well-preserved cultural heritage. Easy proximity to the slopes, although not directly connected. (All levels.)
Abondance: Just 30km from Lake Geneva, this small, picturesque mountain village is at the entrance to the vast ski region. (All levels.)
La Chapelle d’Abondance: A traditional village resort and a great place to explore the region. Good access to a range of slopes. (Good for beginners and intermediate.)
Champéry: This family-friendly Swiss resort has a rich heritage as one of the oldest tourist destinations in the country. Plenty of sporting amenities. (All levels.)
Châtel: The third largest resort sits at 1200m and straddles the border of France and Switzerland. Traditional Savoyard ambience and fantastic access to a huge number of slopes. (All levels.)
Montriond: At the heart of the ski region, this is a winter sports focused resort with a charming village vibe. (Best for intermediate and advanced.)
Morgins: A quiet, often overlooked Swiss resort close to Geneva, which offers fantastic access to the slopes, great snow cover, and fewer crowds waiting for the lifts. Also popular for cross country skiers. (All levels.)
Torgon: Calm, laidback and fantastic for families. Set at 1100m in a beautiful area surrounded by nature. (Good for all levels, great for intermediate and advanced.)
Val d’Illiez Les Crosets Champoussin: Located in a picturesque valley at 1500m, this is a small resort with high snowfall and numerous alpine “bowls”, which appeal to skiers and snow boarders looking for a supply of fresh powder. (Best for advanced.)
Plenty of Fun Even if You Don’t Ski
You might think everyone who holidays in a ski resort is looking to ski, but for a range of reasons, that’s not always true. In the Portes du Soleil region, skiing is just one of the highlights – and no matter which of the twelve resorts you choose, you’ll always find something to do off the slopes. Here are just some of the activities and experiences you can choose from.
Dog sledding: This is an adrenaline rush of a different kind, as you zoom along the snow on a sled powered by a team of beautiful huskies. Mush!
Night Sledging: There’s not much more magical than sledging under the stars – it’s available to anyone over the age of eight, so it’s popular with slightly older families. You’ll cover around 4km of slopes, with instructors there to guide you.
A Horse and Carriage Ride: This is definitely one for all the family to enjoy, with carriages accommodating up to five passengers. It’s a wonderful way to cosy up under a blanket and explore different areas of the villages you might not normally see on foot (or skis).
Zip-Lining: For the more adventurous, zip-lining high above the slopes, safely strapped in a horizontal position with the entire Portes du Soleil stretching out as far as the eye can see is the stuff of lifelong memories.
And More… : There’s a host of other things designed to help you pass the time, including ice-skating, curling, indoor climbing, and a variety of aquatic activities. If getting pampered is more your style, there are endless opportunities for wellness and beauty treatments.
Flexible Ski Lift Passes
There wouldn’t be any point of having all those different options for skiing if you couldn’t access them, and the brilliant Portes du Soleil Ski Pass gives you full access to slopes around all twelve resorts. If you like facts and figures, that’s 600km of slopes, 307 runs, and 200 ski lifts. Depending on how long your break is, you can choose from a variety of options – including early booking deals and “flash” sales (set a Google alert so you don’t miss out). There are benefits for families, like free offers for under 12s when booked with an adult pass, and 10% off family passes.
If you don’t think you’ll use the benefits of a ski pass that covers the entire area, you can also just buy passes for the sections around the village where you’re based. This is a good option for beginners or families with young children that will spend a lot of time on the nursery slopes.
You can buy passes for the length of time that suits – from 5hrs or one full day, two-five days, six days, seven-plus days, weekends, right up to a season pass.
***One of the most-often asked questions is “do I need my passport to ski between France and Switzerland.” The answer is “no”, but you may need it to purchase your ski pass, and the official recommendation for international travellers is to always carry your passport when abroad.
Whichever resort you choose, Portes du Soleil absolutely lives up to its world-class reputation and appeal for families, fun-lovers, die-hard powderhounds, and everyone else! It’s a tried and true destination loved by skiers and non-skiers alike.
Where to Stay
La Clef des Champs: Situated in the popular Portes du Soleil ski resort of Morzine, La Clef des Champs is a wonderful place to stay, 250m from the centre of the village and just 350m from the ski lift. This warm and friendly family-run hotel offers a genuinely home-from-home ambience, with lovely traditional wood-panelled rooms, charming alpine style decor and furnishings, and views over the mountains. There’s an onsite restaurant and bar, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, spa, and sauna. True mountain hospitality.
Hotel Spa Crychar: If you choose to stay in Les Gets, this exceptional hotel makes the perfect base for avid skiers, 150m from the ski lift in a stunning mountain setting. A blend of contemporary comfort and Alpine tradition, the spacious rooms are beautifully appointed, with cosy timber accents and breathtaking views over the slopes. There’s a heated indoor pool, spa, steam room, excellent onsite restaurant, and you can ski to the door!
Chalet Sapin by Avoriaz Chalets: This 4-star apartment in popular Avoriaz gives you ski-to-door access just 500m from the centre of the village. The generous 4-bedroom chalet has plenty of space to spare, with a well-equipped kitchen, 5 bathrooms, a spacious living/dining area, and a balcony to take in the spectacular mountain outlook. The friendly, responsive hosts will ensure everything is perfect for your arrival and throughout your stay.
How to Get There
Planning your journey for a short ski break in Portes du Soleil is easy. Your best bet is to fly into Geneva Airport, which is around an hour and 40 minutes from the UK. There are plenty of options, with more than 450 flights a week from airlines like British Airways, easyJet, TUI, and Jet2.
Once you land at Geneva Airport, you’ll be able to sit back and relax for the next leg of your journey to any of the resorts within the Portes du Soleil region if you pre-book a service with Shuttle Direct. Getting from Geneva Airport to Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets, and any of the other resorts is a breeze with our shared or private airport transfers.
Overview
UK to GVA Flight Time: 1 hours, 40 mins
GVA to Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets (and other resorts in Portes du Soleil): 80 kilometres approx.
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 1 hour 30 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Here at Shuttle Direct, we like to make things easy for our customers, which is why we provide multiple options for a reliable airport transfer from Geneva to Portes du Soleil. Whatever your budget or style of travel, our fast, reliable airport transfers mean you’ll never have to compromise on value for money, safety or comfort.
Shuttle Bus: Our economical shared shuttle buses are one of the most popular and recommended services to get you from Geneva Airport to Portes du Soleil. You’ll meet your driver and other passengers at a pre-arranged spot outside the terminal, then set off to a central drop-off point in the resort. Customers love this reasonably priced option, with Shuttle Direct’s helpful, friendly drivers and clean, modern vehicles.
Taxi: A pre-booked local airport taxi from Geneva to Portes du Soleil is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a door-to-door service at a reasonable cost. Because the service is pre-booked through Shuttle Direct, when your flight lands, your driver will be waiting to get you right to the doorstep of your accommodation. No taxi queues, no waiting for other passengers.
Private Transfer: If you like to travel with a touch of luxury, and don’t mind paying a little more, a private transfer from Geneva Airport to Portes du Soleil will give you the top notch service you’re looking for. Your driver will be waiting inside the terminal to meet your flight, then you’ll be on your way to the door of your accommodation in a comfortable, high-end modern vehicle.
Minibus Transfer: For those travelling with a group of family or friends, Shuttle Direct has an affordable and efficient option for your Geneva transfers that will get you right to the door of your accommodation. Our minibus airport transfers mean that everyone in the group can travel together, and the larger capacity vehicle means there won’t be any problems with space for luggage.
Choosing the Right Transfer
When you choose Shuttle Direct to get you from Geneva Airport to Portes du Soleil, you’ll get more than a one size fits all solution. Our professional services provide you a well-priced, efficient airport transfer whatever option you choose. It comes down to cost and convenience.
Cost: If getting the best value for money is your top priority, you’ll probably be drawn to our affordable shared shuttle buses for your Portes du Soleil transfers. Even though it’s not a door-to-door service, you’ll be taken to a central drop-off point as convenient as possible to your accommodation.
Convenience: On the other hand, if you don’t mind paying a little bit more for your transfer from Geneva Airport to Portes du Soleil, you will find one of our pre-booked local airport taxis, or a luxury private transfer to your liking. Both these options will get you to the doorstep.
About Shuttle Direct
When you need a fast, reliable, comfortable airport transfer, Shuttle Direct has you covered. As one of the most trusted and efficient operators on the market, we’ve got a great range of affordable transfers, no matter whether you prefer an economical shared shuttle bus or a luxury private ride. With excellent communication and clean modern vehicles, we take the stress out of your airport transfers. Our prompt, punctual drivers will get you wherever you need to go, so book with us today and let us take care of the details.
