The most beautiful ski routes and day trips in the Portes du Soleil

The most beautiful ski routes and day trips from Portes du Soleil include extensive tours and connections along authentic villages and the extensive ski area of more than 580 kilometres of slopes. A must-do ski tour during your holiday in the French Alps is the Les Portes du Soleil circuit, where you can ski along Châtel, Morzine, Avoriaz and Morgins, among others. You can go on day trips from our two chalet parks in the Portes du Soleil

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Les Portes du Soleil circuit

This tour takes an average of 6 to 7 hours and leads you along a variety of slopes differing in difficulty and sometimes using chairlifts or drag lifts to make connections. From villages such as Châtel, for example, you can continue the route via the summit of Chaux Rosées and various slopes and lifts, including good spots to rest. For those looking for slightly shorter day trips, the many individual connections between villages such as Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz are highly recommended, with ski slopes ranging from wide blues and red runs to challenging black runs for advanced skiers. Spanning the French and Swiss Alps, the area also offers cross-border routes and a variety in terms of scenery, such as forests and panoramic views of Mont Blanc.

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Portes du Soleil

Portes du Soleil is best known for its versatility: from wide and quiet slopes ideal for beginners to challenging descents such as Le Mur Suisse and fairytale wooded routes near Les Gets. With a ski pass for the entire area, winter sports enthusiasts can discover new routes and paths for days on end and experience authentic villages and lively après-ski. In short, the most beautiful routes range from a full ski tour of 6-7 hours around the area to several shorter day trips which make use of the well-connected slopes and lifts that start from charming ski villages such as Châtel, Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets. The combination of different levels, landscapes and villages makes Portes du Soleil a unique destination for your winter sports holiday.

Best starting villages for day trips in Portes du Soleil

The best starting villages for day trips in Portes du Soleil are Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets, Châtel, Champéry and Morgins. These villages offer quick access to the extensive slope system and are well-connected to the rest of the ski area, making them ideal for longer day trips or leisurely laps around the area. These starting villages combine an authentic atmosphere with excellent ski logistics, so that you can quickly and efficiently use the varied range of slopes of Portes du Soleil.

  • Châtel: Known for its charming nature and direct lift links that give access to both the French and Swiss parts of the area.
  • Morzine: Centrally located and offers connections to both Les Gets and Avoriaz. Morzine has a cozy atmosphere and is very suitable as a base for various day trips.
  • Les Gets: Charming village on the edge of the ski area. From Les Gets you can quickly reach Morzine, making a day trip to Avoriaz or a tour of Morzine-Les Gets possible.
  • Avoriaz: Car-free, centrally located and direct access to most slopes. Avoriaz is ideal if you want to explore the area directly on skis and easily connect to other villages.
  • Champéry & Morgins: Located on the Swiss side, these villages offer a unique atmosphere and good connections for cross-border ski routes. Morgins in particular is the ideal place to stay if you want to explore both the French and Swiss slopes.

Most beautiful slopes and views along the route

The "Portes du Soleil Circuit" is without a doubt the most popular choice for a full one-day ski trip in the area. You will ski through both France and Switzerland and pass charming villages and beautiful views. It is ideal for those who want a complete experience of the area, without repetition and with a lot of variety in slope and landscape style. There are plenty of stops along the way  for lunch and coffee. These points offer the most breathtaking views during the one-day tour of the ski slopes of the Portes du Soleil.

  • Le Mur Suisse (Avoriaz): This steep point offers an impressive panorama view of the Swiss part of the ski area and the surrounding Alps. It is an extremely steep black run.
  • Les Lindarets (Avoriaz): Beautiful zone of blue and red runs meander through forests and a winter landscape with distant views; ideal for intermediate levels.
  • La Pointe de Nyon (Morzine): tough red descent and panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the Morzine valley.
  • L'Automne (Les Gets): very suitable for beginners and families, with quiet and well-maintained slopes.
  • The Tulipe (Les Gets): a popular blue run from the Ranfoilly lift with the most beautiful view of the region.
  • Ranfoilly (Les Gets): From this lift you have an open view of the entire Portes du Soleil massif including the Dents du Midi.
  • Morgins and Champéry: Especially from the Swiss side, the views of the rugged mountain walls are spectacular.
  • Mont Chéry (Les Gets): South side of the area, quieter slopes with a fantastic view of the top of Mont Blanc; suitable for advanced skiers.
  • Linga (Châtel): Long red run known for its variety and length, ideal for sporty skiers.

Stops along the Portes du Soleil circuit

There are several mountain huts and restaurants along the circuit through the Portes du Soleil, that are ideal for a lunch break or for a relax:

  • Chez Crépy (Châtel): authentic mountain hut on the Pierre Longue with fireplace, sunny terrace and typical Savoyard dishes such as tartiflette and fondue.
  • Chez Flo (Avoriaz): sunny location with comfortable sun loungers and an extensive lunch menu.
  • La Paika (Les Gets): beautiful terrace on the slopes with local specialties and a welcoming atmosphere.
  • Village Igloo (Avoriaz): unique concept in an igloo with Savoyard fondue.
  • L'Alpage du Crot: small restaurant, perfect for a cozy break close to the slopes.

Planning

Start your day early so that you have enough time for relaxed skiing and extensive breaks. Be sure to make reservations when you want to go out to lunch, especially when wanting to have lunch at popular huts. Don't forget to take in the stunning views of places like La Pointe de Nyon (panorama view of Mont Blanc). Whether you're on a big tour or skiing peacefully from hut to hut, Portes du Soleil is perfect for skiers who love good food, nice breaks and atmospheric mountain huts. After your day full of skiing, you can enjoy plenty of culinary delights in one of the many villages in the Abondance valley.

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Avalanches in the Portes du Soleil

Snowfall in the mountains often comes hand in hand with an increased risk of avalanches. An avalanche is a mass of snow that rapidly slides down a mountainside. This can pose great dangers for winter sports enthusiasts and mountain enthusiasts. Avalanches usually occur when a loose layer of snow is on top of a weak sublayer, making it easy for the snow to slide off. For example, with fresh snow over a layer of granulated sugar-like snow or due to rain that causes a weak bond in the snow cover. Changes in temperature and inclination also play a role. Usually, slopes above 20 to 40 degrees have the most risk of an avalanches. Climate change is also causing heavier, wetter avalanches that are more difficult to control preventively.

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Avalanche precautions

Inquire daily about the avalanche report of the region and only plan routes at an acceptable danger level (preferably low to moderate). Always carry avalanche equipment: beeper, probe, shovel, and consider an airbag backpack. Practice using this equipment regularly. Avoid steep, unstable slopes (>30 degrees) with fresh snow or signs of instability, especially after snowfall or sudden changes in temperature. Ski with experienced partners and communicate continuously about snow conditions and route plans. Take an avalanche course for knowledge about recognizing, preventing and acting on avalanches. Local warnings and closed slopes are imposed for a reason; Never ignore them in areas with recent snowfall and an icy underlayment.

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