Les Portes du Soleil

Spanning the Franco-Swiss border with 600km of marked runs, Les Portes du Soleil ranks among Europe's largest interconnected ski domains. This vast Alpine playground offers extraordinary variety—from gentle family zones to the notoriously steep Swiss Wall with its 50° gradient. What distinguishes this remarkable area is the seamless blending of 12 distinct resorts, each maintaining individual character while contributing to an unparalleled skiing circuit. The panoramic views stretching from Mont Blanc to Lake Geneva create a backdrop that enhances the sense of Alpine grandeur across this cross-border skiing territory. High-altitude excellence characterizes Samnaun, where Switzerland's easternmost ski destination joins Austria's Ischgl to create the remarkable Silvretta Arena. Reaching elevations of 2,872m, this cross-border domain delivers exceptional snow reliability throughout its extended season. The area's distinctive feature is Samnaun's rare duty-free status, creating an unusual shopping opportunity alongside serious skiing credentials. From perfectly groomed cruisers to challenging black runs and extensive off-piste options, the terrain variety satisfies diverse skiing appetites while maintaining a reputation for both consistent conditions and vibrant mountain atmosphere.

With 196 lifts efficiently connecting French and Swiss slopes, Les Portes du Soleil maintains exceptional skier flow across its massive terrain. Modern high-speed systems at key connection points ensure minimal waiting times, while strategic lift placement allows visitors to experience multiple valleys within a single day. The remarkable aspect of this network is its ability to transport skiers across international boundaries almost imperceptibly, creating a borderless skiing experience rare in the Alps. From Avoriaz's elevated plateau to Champéry's valley floor, vertical drops exceeding 900m deliver satisfying descents throughout the domain. Engineering excellence defines the lift infrastructure connecting Swiss Samnaun with Austrian Ischgl in the impressive Silvretta Arena. The revolutionary double-decker cable car—the world's first when installed—exemplifies the technical innovation throughout this cross-border network. Forty-five modern installations, including high-capacity gondolas and detachable chairlifts, efficiently transport skiers across 239km of groomed terrain with minimal waiting even during peak periods. The system's standout achievement is maintaining seamless international connectivity while serving vertical drops approaching 1,100m from valley floors to panoramic summits.