NetChalets

The Portes du Soleil, with a ski area of 400km, is one of the largest ski area in the world. 12 or so resorts are spread across France and Switzerland, although France lays claim to the bulk. 

There really is something for everyone with the Portes du Soleil. Chatel and Les Gets offer more traditional Alpine charm, while Avoriaz is the purpose built ski resort with plenty of apartments and access to steeper terrain, making it more of a snowboarders favourite. It's also car-free which adds a little charm so often missing on purpose built ski resorts. Morzine is the largest resort in the Portes du Soleil and serves as a good base to access the whole area along with all the amenities of a proper town, complete it's own ice hockey team and swimming pool complex.

These days there's some dispute about how big the major ski areas actually are, but without freting about the details you just need to know that this area is one of the largest in the world. Hundreds of kilometers of runs are waiting for you and you'll be hard pressed to even scratch the surface in a week's trip. 

In summer Portes du Soleil is a mecca for mountain bikers, and the area also plays host to a number of events such as the Rock the Pistes music festival.

One of the best things about the Portes du Soleil is that it’s just an hour from Geneva, making it great for family ski trips, holiday-limited weekenders and those just looking to maximise their time on the slopes without the hassle of a long transfer.

There are plenty of private transfer companies who can get you from the airport, and for groups a private transfer that leaves when you want it to is often the best option if time is of the essessnce. The Portes du Soleil, and specifically Morzine, is our go-to destination for long weekend breaks. Flying out from Gatwick on the early morning flight might be a bit of struggle to get up for, but that feeling is soon lost when you find yourself heading up in the chairlift just after midday, which is easily doable if you're taking your own skis / snowboards and boots. May we suggest at that point a cheeky little social status update or email to the office?

Total ski area:400km
Pistes:300
Number of Lifts: 199

1 day area pass:€51
6 day area pass:€255

Official website
http://en.portesdusoleil.com/

Linked areas:
Avoriaz, Morzine, Abondance, la Chapelle d’Abondance, Châtel, Les Gets, Montriond, St Jean d’Aulps, Champéry, Morgins, Torgon, Val d’Illiez, Les Crosets, Champoussin. 

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  By air
  Geneva is the closest airport, just an hour's drive from most the Portes du Soleil ski area with plenty of ski transfer companies offering shared or private transfers. 

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  By road
  Take the A41 towards Chamonix then exit 18 Cluses towards Taninges on the D902, then head to Les Gets and Morzine. To get to Avoriaz continue past Morzine and follow signs to Avoriaz 1800.

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  By train
  Closest train stations are Thonon-les-Bains, Cluses (France) and Lausanne, Montreux and Aigle (Switzerland).



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