Les Portes du Soleil

Les Portes du Soleil spans 580 kilometres of marked piste across 277 runs, spreading between 985 and 2,254 metres elevation with 1,269 metres of vertical drop. The cross-border ski area links 12 villages in France's Haute-Savoie and Switzerland's Valais, making it one of the two largest ski areas in the world alongside Les Trois Vallées. Eight French resorts including Morzine, Avoriaz, Châtel and Les Gets connect with four Swiss resorts including Champéry, Morgins and Les Crosets, all accessed on a single lift pass. The microclimate between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc generates substantial snowfall from November to April, typically enabling operations from early December through mid-to-late April.

Terrain distribution favours progression, with 53 per cent beginner slopes, 36 per cent intermediate and 11 per cent advanced across 14 valleys covering 1,036 square kilometres. The Pas de Chavanette, known as the Swiss Wall, descends 331 metres over one kilometre with a 40-degree pitch and car-sized moguls, earning an orange classification beyond the standard black rating. The Linga sector connects Châtel to Avoriaz whilst the Grand Paradis run drops beneath the Dents du Midi peaks. Tree-lined runs dominate below 1,800 metres whilst open bowls characterise the upper elevations near Pointe de Mossettes at 2,260 metres.

Most base villages retain traditional Chablais architecture with wood chalets and working market towns, whilst Avoriaz at 1,800 metres remains Europe's largest purpose-built car-free resort with 18,000 beds. Morzine anchors the French side as the largest town and most central access point to the entire circuit. The Swiss villages of Champéry, Morgins and Torgon offer quieter alternatives with views of the Dents du Midi range. Free shuttle buses connect outlying areas including Abondance and Saint-Jean-d'Aulps to the main lift network.

The full Portes du Soleil pass unlocks all 12 resorts across both countries, with individual sector passes available for Avoriaz, Morzine-Les Gets and the Swiss valleys. Adult day tickets range from €65 to €75 depending on season, with youth season passes from €470. The area suits intermediates exploring varied terrain across two countries, families seeking gentle tree-lined progressions, and advanced skiers tackling the Swiss Wall and Linga sectors. Eight French and four Swiss resorts provide accommodation from traditional chalets to modern ski-in developments.