| The Chablais Alps is the western portion of the Alps | | | | You can here in less than an hour from the Geneva |
| near Lake Geneva in Switzerland zigzags to the Mont | | | | airport. You can come from anywhere in Europe by |
| Blanc pinnacle. The Col des Montets keeps them from | | | | car, by train or even by boat (given that you are on |
| reaching Mont Blanc proper, however. There are | | | | waterways and Lake Geneva). |
| several large mountains in the area too. The tallest is | | | | It's hard to hold back from a visit when the ski |
| Dents du Midi (Mountain Teeth) at 3257 meters, with | | | | region is so expansive: 14 valleys, 645 square |
| others like Mont Ruan at 3053 meters and Dents | | | | kilometers, 650 of marked ski runs and nearly 230 |
| Blanches at 2759 meters. Chablais, Les Portes du | | | | lifts can keep hundreds of thousands of tourists in |
| Soleil, then, is a sizable quarter of the Chablais Alps | | | | good spirits for their entire ski vacation. Though the |
| housing some thirteen resorts between Mont Blanc in | | | | highest ski lift only takes you up to 2466 meters, the |
| France and Lake Geneva in Switzerland. | | | | snow cannons jet fresh powder on the runs ensuring |
| Each of the communes offers up their own culture | | | | great all-day skiing. Different slopes face different |
| and history, with walking tours, tourist's offices and | | | | ways, with nearly each one offering something for |
| true Swiss culture everywhere. It could take days to | | | | every skill level. If you're whole family wants to go to |
| tour and learn something new about each one. The | | | | Chatel, for example, and find over three main ski |
| highest commune, by example, is Avoriaz. This | | | | areas to choose from—one for Mom, Dad and |
| modern area built in the mid-1960s used a lot of | | | | Child. |
| materials such as wood and stone from the area, | | | | In the region of Chablais in the Porte du Soleil, you'll |
| rendering it both attractive and eco-friendlier before | | | | find the highest lift taking you upwards of 2400 |
| the word existed. The other bonus is Avoriaz is | | | | meters to below 1000 meters above sea level. There |
| pedestrian-friendly with a no car policy. If you're | | | | are over 80 chairlifts and four cable lifts. The 14 |
| looking for the most snow in this area, you'll neither | | | | gondolas, however, take care of the larger groups in |
| get any better snow nor any higher altitude than | | | | no time at all. If you know your level, you'll be able to |
| here. | | | | find your marked path. The area was initially |
| Other resorty towns in the area include Morzine at | | | | developed with beginners in mind, so there are 112 |
| 1000 meters. There's a traditional market and chalets | | | | blue runs at hand. With the growth and integration of |
| near the river gorge giving pristine views. Beginners, | | | | the ski areas, there are now 146 green runs, quite a |
| you'll find the best skiing here making it one of the | | | | few more than beginner runs to date. Additionally, |
| best bases for families. Plus, Morzine is bull's eye | | | | there are 23 red runs and six black runs. |
| center in one of the best regions of the Porte du | | | | If skiing on your entire vacation has got your legs |
| Soleil for getting around. Not to be confused with | | | | shaking, then you can try a plethora of other |
| Morzine, Morgins is not as crowded as the French | | | | outdoor and indoor activities. In addition to |
| side of the ski area. Here, there are also some really | | | | snowboarding, you can snowshoe and hike through |
| nice cozy chalets for families wanting to escape the | | | | the area. There are alpine races, leisure parks and |
| noise and throngs in higher Chablais Porte du Soleil ski | | | | museums and cultural affairs nearly every day of the |
| resorts. You'll find plenty of other resorts with their | | | | high ski season. Moreover, the restaurants and bars |
| own ambiance. Champery, Val D'Illiez and Torgon are | | | | and après ski options never go dim. You can find |
| just a few Swiss resorts that have a different mood | | | | something to do anytime you get a hankering to |
| you might be looking for. | | | | have a great time. And, if you're in photography, |
| You'll not only find contrasts in the resort towns but | | | | don't forget you're in the Rhone Valley, one of the |
| in the activities extended by each. You'll almost | | | | world's best spots for alpine peaks and landscape |
| always get a heartfelt welcome—it seems the | | | | photography. The Chablais region of Porte du Soleil is |
| farther you traveled, the more balmy the welcome. | | | | second to none for a skiing vacation. Once you |
| There are more cultural and historical sites to behold | | | | arrive, you and your family will have the best times |
| here than any other ski resorts in the area, on either | | | | of your lives. |
| side of the border. There are four ways to get here. | | | | |