Portes du Soleil Ski Holidays

For the ultimate Alpine adventure, head to les Portes du Soleil, where 650km of pistes weave across the French-Swiss border in one thrilling, interconnected playground.

This is skiing without limits, where you can start your morning carving Avoriaz's steep bowls, lunch on Swiss rösti in Champéry, and finish with aprés-ski in Morzine, all without taking off your skis. The area's 12 resorts offer something for everyone: high-altitude snow surety in Avoriaz, charming villages like Les Gets, and hidden gems like Morgins where traditional cheese dairies sit alongside the slopes.

What makes les Portes du Soleil truly special is its border-hopping magic - one minute you're admiring Mont Blanc views from Les Crosets, the next you're schussing past frozen waterfalls in Swiss Champoussin. The Circuit des Portes du Soleil (the famous 70km round-trip route) lets confident skiers tour eight resorts in a day. At the same time, each base village retains its own personality, from Morzine's bustling café culture to Chatel's family-friendly farms. Whether you're a piste cruiser, off-piste explorer, or park rat (don't miss Avoriaz's legendary Stash eco-park), this is borderless skiing at its very best.

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Mountain Facts

Spanning the French-Swiss border with 650km of interconnected pistes served by 208 modern lifts, les Portes du Soleil offers an unparalleled alpine adventure where you can ski from Avoriaz's soaring heights (2,466m at Pointe des Mossettes) to Morzine's charming valley floor (950m) in a single bound, crossing international borders without ever unclipping your skis. This vast domain blends 12 resorts into one endless winter playground, where north-facing glaciers guarantee snow reliability, efficient lifts like the Super Châtel gondola eliminate queues, and each village from Swiss Champéry to French Les Gets adds its own cultural flavour to your ski safari, making every run both a geographical journey and an unforgettable Alpine experience.

Snow conditions in Portes du Soleil

Snow reliability in the Portes du Soleil is second to none, thanks to its clever combination of high-altitude areas (like Avoriaz at 1,800-2,466m) and strategic snowmaking covering 60% of key runs, meaning you'll find perfect corduroy on 400+km of pistes even in lean winters. The area's geography works wonders, with north-facing bowls like those above Les Crosets preserving powder for days, while sheltered tree runs in Morzine and Les Gets provide visibility during storms. With most resorts sitting above 1,200m and snowmaking on all main connection routes, you can confidently ski the entire Franco-Swiss circuit from early December through mid-April, while spring skiers flock to Avoriaz's sun-protected slopes where the snow lasts exceptionally well.

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Skiing in Portes du Soleil

Skiing in les Portes du Soleil is like having the ultimate Alpine playground at your fingertips, with terrain to delight every ability level. Beginners thrive in the gentle, tree-lined nursery slopes of resorts like Les Gets and Morzine, where dedicated learning areas with magic carpets and patient instructors make first turns stress-free. Intermediates are in paradise here – the legendary Circuit des Portes du Soleil lets confident cruisers ski from France to Switzerland and back in a day, linking sweeping blues and reds like the scenic Morgins to Les Crosets route with its breathtaking views of the Dents du Midi. With over 400km of intermediate-friendly pistes, you could ski a week without repeating a run.

For experts, the area delivers heart-pounding challenges and legendary off-piste. The infamous Swiss Wall near Avoriaz is Europe's most intimidating mogul run (with gradients up to 80%), while the Chavanette sector's steep couloirs demand technical precision. Freeriders will find endless possibilities, from the powder bowls above Super Châtel to the gladed tree runs of Morgins – best explored with guides from local schools like Evolution 2. What makes les Portes du Soleil special is how this diversity connects seamlessly – you can start your morning testing nerves on Swiss blacks and end it cruising family-friendly blues back to France, all in one unforgettable ski day.

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Snowboarding in Portes du Soleil

Snowboarding in lesPortes du Soleil is a dream come true for riders of all styles, offering everything from world-class parks to epic cross-border freeriding. The area shines with innovative terrain parks like Avoriaz's legendary The Stash – an all-natural playground of log jibs and organic hits designed by pro riders – and Les Gets' snowpark with Olympic-standard superpipes. Each resort adds its own flavour, from Châtel's boardercross course to Morgins' beginner-friendly features, ensuring progression at every level. What's special is how these parks connect via the vast lift network, letting you session different setups across two countries in a single day.

When you're ready to explore beyond the parks, les Portes du Soleil delivers boundless carving potential on wide, rolling pistes like the Swiss Wall approach (perfect for building speed) and powder paradise in the high-alpine bowls above Avoriaz. The border-hopping lift system (with mostly chairlifts and gondolas) minimises flat sections, while hidden gems like the tree runs above Torgon offer fresh tracks days after storms. Whether you're hitting kickers with Mont Blanc views, carving corduroy through pine forests, or hunting untracked lines in the backcountry, this massive playground keeps snowboarders stoked from first lift to last call.

All Accommodation in Portes du Soleil Ski Area

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Things to do in Portes du Soleil

Après-ski in Portes du Soleil

The après-ski scene in les Portes du Soleil is as diverse as its terrain, presenting a rich selection of atmospheres, from exhilarating high-energy parties to genuinely relaxed, convivial gatherings.

  • The renowned La Folie Douce in Avoriaz, spectacularly perched high on the piste, delivers an electrifying open-air show with live DJs and performers, setting an unforgettable party mood.
  • Further down, at the base of the Prodains gondola, Happy Hours provides a perfectly situated spot for immediate, lively post-ski refreshments.
  • In Morzine, Le Tremplin offers a classic, vibrant terrace directly at the foot of the Pleney slopes, ideal for soaking up the last rays while listening to music.
  • Morzine also boasts a bustling array of pubs and bars: the legendary Le Bar Robinson (Robbo's) remains a no-frills institution famed for its potent Mutzig beer and authentic charm. For a more contemporary taste, the Bec Jaune Brewery entices with its craft beers and lively, modern vibe.
  • For live music, head to L'Aubergade, which consistently draws a lively crowd later into the evening.
  • In Les Gets, the Bar des Sports stands as a popular, central village pub for a convivial drink, while L'Après Ski offers a lively atmosphere, often with live performances, right as the lifts close.
  • Venturing to Châtel, Le Monarque provides a welcoming, central pub experience, reflecting the resort's more traditional character.
This variety promises that whether you seek a full-blown party, a relaxed drink with friends, or a gourmet dining experience, les Portes du Soleil has something for every preference, whether you’re planning on winding down or ramping up the evening.
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Facilities in Portes du Soleil

Les Portes du Soleil boasts an exceptional array of facilities designed to enhance every aspect of your winter holiday, combining Alpine authenticity with modern convenience. Across its 12 interconnected resorts, you’ll find premium rental shops like Skisetalongside local specialists offering the latest high-performance equipment, with expert boot-fitting services to ensure perfect comfort. The region's renowned ski schools, including ESF and Evolution 2, provide instruction in multiple languages for all abilities - from first-timers in dedicated beginner zones to experts exploring off-piste terrain with mountain guides. The area's unified les Portes du Soleil lift pass system (available in 1-15 day options) grants effortless access to the entire 650km Franco-Swiss domain, with convenient digital passes and collection points at all major lift bases. Thoughtful touches like heated boot rooms at most accommodations and on-mountain equipment depots streamline your daily routine.

Beyond skiing, les Portes du Soleil spoils guests with diverse amenities that celebrate local culture and modern comforts. Avoriaz's Aquariaz tropical water paradise features indoor/ outdoor pools, waterslides and spa facilities, while traditional farmhouse boutiques in Morzine and Les Gets sell artisan cheeses, charcuterie and handmade crafts. The culinary scene ranges from Swiss specialities at Chez Coquoz to rustic mountain auberges serving bubbling raclette. From wellness centres with panoramic saunas to adventure parks and cultural museums, the area ensures unforgettable experiences both on and off the slopes.

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Facilities for children in Portes du Soleil

Les Portes du Soleil is a paradise for families, offering world-class facilities designed to make every generation's ski holiday magical. Across its resorts, you'll find exceptional children's ski schools like the renowned ESF Piou-Piou clubs, where mascots and games transform first turns into adventures. Avoriaz's fully pedestrianised Village des Enfants (complete with magic carpets and obstacle courses) and Les Gets' gentle beginner zones provide traffic-free learning environments, while multilingual instructors specialise in building confidence through playful techniques. Many resorts offer kids' clubs for non-skiers (ages 3+), and family-friendly lifts like covered magic carpet lifts make mountain access stress-free. The area's thoughtful design shines through details like heated boot rooms at most accommodations and kid-sized rental equipment available at all major shops.

When the ski boots come off, the fun continues with Aquariaz's tropical water playground (featuring pirate ships and warm pools), floodlit toboggan runs in Morzine, and weekly torchlight parades where little ones can ski with instructors. Unique experiences abound - from dog sledging through snowy forests to pony rides in Champéry's village square. Dining caters perfectly to families, too, with early children's menus at mountain restaurants and creperies serving kid-friendly galettes. With most hotels offering family suites or adjoining rooms, les Portes du Soleil removes every logistical hurdle, leaving just the joy of shared mountain moments.

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Why choose a ski holiday to Portes du Soleil with Erna Low?

Experience and service: We offer you a one-stop shop for everything you could possibly need for a ski holiday.

Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.

Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.

Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.

Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.

5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.

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Les Portes du Soleil is a skier’s dream with a local soul - twelve resorts, endless pistes, and that unbeatable mix of French charm and Swiss efficiency.

Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager

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