| If you know a bit about skiing, and someone asks | | | | Pre La Joux. These areas have some of the most |
| you what the largest ski area in the world is, you | | | | exciting and interesting terrain in the whole of the |
| would probably say the Three Valleys. Similarly, if you | | | | Portes du Soleil, and two chairlifts will take you up to |
| were asked where the best "snow sure" ski areas | | | | Avoriaz in about 10 minutes or so. |
| are, you might mention some of the glacier resorts | | | | The area gets a phenomenal amount of snow on an |
| such as Tignes and Val Thorens. | | | | annual basis, and because of its aspect, it keeps it |
| In both cases you would be wrong! | | | | well. The domain often gets slated for its low altitude |
| Currently, the largest linked ski area in the world is | | | | (1200 - 2500 m) but those in the know have long |
| the Portes du Soleil area in the Northern French and | | | | since realised that a high altitude resort is no good if |
| Swiss Alps. The area benefits from North facing | | | | the area doesn't generally get much snow! |
| slopes and the highest average snowfall in the Alps, | | | | Chatel itself is a beautiful place to stay. All the |
| meaning that Avoriaz and Chatel tend to get some | | | | buildings are chalet style and there are a number of |
| of the best snow conditions in Europe from the start | | | | original old farms still full of cows to be found in and |
| to the end of the season. In fact, the lifts of Avoriaz | | | | around the village centre. There isn't just skiing to |
| often stay open until the first weekend in May. Not | | | | keep holidaymakers entertained - the village has two |
| bad for a resort with no glacier who's lifts only go up | | | | cinemas, an ice rink, a lake where you can go ice |
| to 2500 m! | | | | diving, lots of fantastic bars & restaurants, spa |
| Avoriaz is a striking purpose built resort built on an | | | | facilities in a number of hotels and a whole list of |
| impressive cliff top at 1800 m. Its architecture | | | | non-ski related activities such as dog sledding, snow |
| evokes a mixed response. It is extremely convenient | | | | shoeing and paragliding. |
| for skiing and is right at the centre of the Portes du | | | | One of the best things about Chatel is that it is |
| Soleil. | | | | relatively undiscovered. It attracts "people in the |
| Of course, purpose built resorts are not for | | | | know" who want to avoid the crowds and find the |
| everyone, and if you would prefer a more traditional | | | | most extensive skiing in the best areas. |
| chalet style resort, then Chatel might be for you. | | | | For more information on this beautiful resort, you can |
| Chatel is built on the side of a sunny south/west | | | | visit the Chatel tourist office site ( |
| facing slope so visitors staying in the village get | | | | The village also makes a spectacular destination in |
| beautiful views up and down the picturesque Vallee | | | | summer, but that needs a separate article dedicating |
| d'Abondance. However, the strength of Chatel lies in | | | | to summer in Chatel. |
| its spectacular North facing ski slopes of Linga & | | | | |