Chatel

Top summer activities to experience in Chatel

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable. For more information about pricing and availability, please contact the Chatel Tourist Office on 0033 450 73 22 44. 

Chatel lifts in Summer
With your mountain bike or on foot, using the lifts you can reach lovely viewpoints and to explore the waymarked footpaths around Châtel and the Portes du Soleil. Lifts open in mostly July and August.

• Super-Châtel gondola lift (village centre): home of Châtel Aventures - the natural treetop adventure circuits, Rivari funny trail for children, walks in the alpine meadows, the FrenchSwiss boarder, the Lac de la Mouille, the Lac de Conches
• Le Morclan chairlift: panorama, viewpoint indicator, paragliding launch site, etc.
• Pierre-Longue chairlift (Pré- la-Joux): access to the Mountain bike park, the hamlet of Plaine Dranse, the starting point of several walks, Col de Bassachaux, etc.
• Les Rochassons chairlift: access to the Fantasticable start, access to the Mountain bike park, Portes du Soleil link to Avoriaz and Les Lindarêts, the starting point of walks: Les Crêtes, le Lac Vert, Chésery, etc.

Mountain biking
From mountain biking excursion, on your own or with an instructor, on the 650 km of marked paths, to the permanent downhill tracks, or the bike parks, in the Portes du Soleil you’ll be satisfied whatever your level is.

• 650 km of marked tracks
• 8 permanent downhill tracks
• 4 bike parks
• Some MTB trial areas
• 21 lifts opened and usable with mountain bikes

Châtel Mountain bike park
A special area dedicated to mountain biking fanatics is reached via the Pierre Longue and/or Rochassons chairlifts. Offering 20 downhill mountain biking trails for every level and several fun areas for new school riding disciplines. You’ll find North-Shores-style zones, a kid’s shore, slopestyle and a pump track. 

Multipass Portes du Soleil
For all holiday-makers staying with participating accommodation owners, the Multi Pass Portes du Soleil offers unlimited access to more than 50 activities throughout the whole of the Portes du Soleil. From €2* per day, you can hop over the border with the 21 cable cars and chairlifts open to pedestrians in summer, discover the 800 km of footpaths in a leisurely manner, have a refreshing break in a swimming pool or lake, hit a few well-aimed shots on a tennis court, and chill at an ice-rink! Multi-Pass is printed on a “look no hands” card charged at €1 and reusable. On sale at the lift ticket offices.

Trail running
Find easy-to-access trail running in Europe’s biggest resort network on the French-Swiss border, taking in the stunning peaks of the Chablais. There is more than 400km of signposted trail tracks, with 48 permanent routes starting from 23 mountain lifts, offering a safe introduction to this outdoor activity. Run across the French-Swiss border in complete safety with a map to guide you, their free mobile app and signposted tracks to follow. You can follow your progress in real-time via GPS, check the weather any time with our webcams, and even call for help should you need to, using the rescue function. 

Hiking
With this trail, you'll discover the mountain birds and particularly those you can see in Châtel, which means about 20 different sorts. From the Col, de Bassachaux takes the wide road (GR5), along the route that continues to the summit of Les Rochassons. The return journey is the same way.

Summer bobsled
Situated at Pré-la-Joux, this 650m downhill run guarantees thrills and laughter for all the family! Children under 1.25m must be accompanied in the bobsled by an adult.

Fantasticable
The only ride of its kind in the Alps! Comfortably positioned in a harness, you fly along at almost 100 km/h (60 mph) at up to 240m above the hamlet of Plaine Dranse. Accessed from Pré-la-Joux via the Pierre Longue and Les Rochassons chair lifts. Activity open to people weighing between 35 and 120 kg. Together it is better, try the Fantasticable ride in DUO!

Chatel Aventures - Treetop
7 all-natural treetop adventure circuits situated at the arrival of the Super Châtel gondolas, near the ski lift Poussinet. From budding adventurers (the activity is available to children from 2 years) to experienced climbers greedy for sensations, everyone can find a suitable adventure! On presentation of the Multipass, get 10% discount on the individual prices.

The Rivari funny trail
Discover the mountain’s wildlife thanks to the 7 trials which mark out this funny trail! Located close to the arrival of Super Chatel gondolas. Available for children aged 3 years old and over.

Dévalkart
Hurtle down the Rubis piste in a little unpowered go-kart, at a speed that suits you. The minimum age for this activity: 10 years.

The rollerbe run
A hilarious and fun way to come down the Rubis piste, on an ‘all-terrain’ scooter. The ski tow will take you back up to the top. Activity for children aged 10 and over.

Electric mountain bike
The bikes are easy to handle and the tracks are wide and safe. This activity is suitable from 14 years old and 1 metre 50 tall. The electric MTB has 26-inch wheels (adult wheels). A choice of marked trails are available throughout the area including 3 routes near Chatel:

• Pré la Joux circuit
• Super Châtel to Morgins
• Super Châtel to Col du Saix 

Battery recharging stations are installed throughout the area to ensure you can make the most of the huge amount of biking on offer. In Châtel the shops Mésière Sport, Mountain Ride and Ski Set - Charles sports are renting electric MTB.

Waterpark in Chatel
3 different areas:

• an indoor/outdoor pool
• an Oceane spa
• fitness area

Located in the centre of the village, you can easily walk there and during the summer season, a bus is operating every 1/2 hour from the church square.

The aquatic area offers:

• An outdoor sportive pool of 200m2 (1.25m in depth) access by an aquatic airlock made of massaging nozzles, "collars of swan", spa benches, swimming against the current. It is equipped with a thermal cover
• An aquasplash, mineral and vegetable beaches
• An indoor playful and sportive pool of 287m ² made of 3 water line (from 1.20m to 1.50m in depth) and a playful area (from 0.40m to 1.20m in depth) with swimming against the current, bubbles

The Oceane spa area offers:

• 1 wellness pool of 125m2 (1.20m in depth) with waterfalls and bubble seats
• 2  traditional hammams
• 3 saunas
• 2 massaging showers (not cold)
  
• mineral solarium
• 4 rooms for cares
• 1 relaxing room

The fitness area offers:

• a cardio training room with running mats
• elliptic
• rowing machine

In summer, guests can enjoy the facilities on the terraces and lawn and outdoor activities: volleyball, badminton, Mölkky throwing game, slip 'n' slide run and slacklining.

Cycling in Chatel
The Savoie Mont Blanc region offers 100 paths to climb. Not to be missed in Châtel: the Col de Bassachaux. It's also possible to do some circuits lasting a few days and including several paths, for instance, the Grandes Alpes Mont Blanc Chablais Aravis that you can do in 10 days and which includes 34 paths for a total distance of 685km!

Lake Vonnes in Chatel 
One kilometre from the village centre, the trail around the lake is equipped for walking, cycling and pushchairs, etc. Like a giant fountain, the water jet in the middle of the Lac de Vonnes reaches a height of 40 metres. And at an altitude of 1,300 metres, it is the highest fountain in France!

Chatel Tennis
8 courts, including 1 volleyball court. 
Rackets on loan from Chatel Tourisme (deposit required). 

Chatel Skating Rink 
Located beside Lake Vonnes this artificial rink of 200m2 will please all the family.

Chatel Bowling
‘Le Chaudron’ bowling alley and bar: 4 computerised AMF bowling lanes, pool table, table football, etc. Sports on giant screen and snacks: paninis, pizzas, etc. 

Other activity contact details 

Restaurants and bars in Chatel

Chatel is blessed to have many excellent restaurants and bars in the village and there is even a nightclub (Le Sloopy's). You will be spoilt for choice!

Chatel amenities

Butchers, bakers, regional produce, takeaway food, Sherpa supermarket, hairdressers, tabac, pharmacy, bank, gift shops, sport shops...so much choice!

Accessing Chatel

By Road (self drive options pre-bookable with Peak Retreats): 
Driving distance from Calais to Les Gets 538 miles or 7hrs30
A6 motorway via Macon followed by the A40 motorway towards Geneva. Exit at Annemasse, continue to Thonon then follow signs for Vallée d’Abondance/Châtel.
From Northern Europe, access via the Swiss motorway towards Martigny. Follow signs for Monthey - Grand Saint Bernard, exit the autoroute at Monthey (Portes du Soleil exit) then follow signs for Morgins.

By Rail (pre-bookable with Peak Retreats): 
From France: Thonon railway station is the closest to the resort. There is a bus service for transfer to the resort.
From Switzerland: there is a daily rail service between Geneva airport and Aigle.
Transfers between the station and resort are by taxi. 

By Plane (not pre-bookable):
Geneva Airport is 76 km from Chatel (1 3/4 hours)
www.gva.ch/en         
Chambery Airport is 154 km from Les Gets (2 ½ hours)
www.chambery.aeroport.fr
Grenoble Airport is 238km from Les Gets (3 hours)
www.grenoble.aeroport.fr
Lyon Saint-Exupery is 219 km from Les Gets (3 hours)
www.lyon.aeroport.fr

Chatel Resort shuttles

In summer, free shuttles are at your disposal to travel around the village or to reach the departure of the lifts, the bike park, the sleigh-run, devalkart or rollerbe run and the fantasticable in Pre-la-Joux .

The routes I, C, E and D are operating every day to a timetable, departing from the church square, from middle of June to beginning of September.

Pre la Joux shuttle - this bus is equipped to transport MTB and runs every day with a specific timetable, from the middle of June to beginning of September.

Chatel Car parking

There are various car parks throughout Chatel. There is also parking within the residences.

News and Events 2024

News:

Market every Wednesday from 08.30-12.30.

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