650 km
1000 m - 2466 m
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Test report Les Portes du Soleil
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Les Portes du Soleil
Total result: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Test Les Portes du Soleil
The review Les Portes du Soleil was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Test result: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Skiresort.info Test Winner 2011:
Test Winner: Size of the Ski Resort >>
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Les Portes du Soleil
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
The Les Portes du Soleil ski resort is one of the largest in the world.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
50 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1466 m (Valley 1000 m - Mountain 2466 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
200
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 15 ← 14
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 15 ← 14
With 650 km of runs, everyone will find their favourite. Whether very easy or extremely difficult, everything is available in Portes du Soleil. About half of the runs are easy. In addition to the difficult slopes, there are a lot of deep snow runs.
Runs/slopes
Total 650 km
Easy
331 km
(51 %)Intermediate
254 km
(39 %)Difficult
65 km
(10 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
50 km
Longest run
11 km
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Public race course with time measurement
In general, most of the runs are serviced with rapid four and six person chair lifts. Quick gondola lifts or chair lifts lead from the valley villages up to the ski resort. Naturally, there are still many j-bars, as is common in France, but you do not have to use them and can choose to use the modern chair lifts instead. Besides one exception in Champéry, none of the lifts have bubbles. Les Gets, Avoriaz, Châtel, Champéry and partially Les Gets have invested in recent years in new, high performance lifts. In Morgin, Champoussin and Torgon you will find older lifts.
Number of ski lifts
200
Total capacity
263674 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
160.7 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
4
8
75
89
24
Additional
5
5
The upper terrain in Les Portes du Soleil is very snow reliable. Snow cannons usually assist on the valley runs. All significant connection slopes from one village to the next have snow-making capabiilites in the large ski resort.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
835 Snow canons
60 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
They place a high priority on optimal snow-making and grooming on all connection slopes.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
The Les Portes du Soleil ski resort is easily accessible from the Swiss and from the French side. The next highway is only 20 km away from the first ski lifts. Parking is sometime free. The parking garages charge up to 12 EUR per day, but you can usually park in free parking lots at the same location.
Access via Autobahn A40 L´Autoroute Blanche, Ausfahrt Cluses-Centre 19
- TSD des Perrières (Les Gets), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 22 km · approx. 25 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Telecabine Mont Chéry (Les Gets), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 23 km · approx. 28 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Telecabine des Chavannes (Les Gets), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 23 km · approx. 27 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Parking garage, Tarred parking lot, for a fee
- Télécabine Pleney (Morzine), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 29 km · approx. 33 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Car park, Tarred parking lot, for a fee
- Télécabine Super Morzine (Morzine), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 30 km · approx. 37 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, - TC Ardent (Montriond), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 38 km · approx. 47 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, well-developed
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Proclou Chair (Avoriaz), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 40 km · approx. 51 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, for a fee
- Télécabine Panthiaz (La Chapelle-d'Abondance), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 61 km · approx. 72 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Télécabine Super Chatel (Châtel), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 66 km · approx. 79 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Car park, for a fee - Télécabine Linga (Châtel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 67 km · approx. 80 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
- Morgins-La Foilleuse (Morgins), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 70 km · approx. 84 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, free of charge - Pré la Joux (Châtel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 70 km · approx. 88 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
- Champeys (Val-d´Illiez), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 88 km · approx. 109 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Crosets Chair (Les Crosets/Val-d'Illiez), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 90 km · approx. 112 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Car park, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge
Access via Autobahn A9 Lausanne-Martigny, Ausfahrt Saint Triphon
- Morgins-La Foilleuse (Morgins), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 17 km · approx. 21 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, free of charge - Champeys (Val-d´Illiez), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 18 km · approx. 27 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Crosets Chair (Les Crosets/Val-d'Illiez), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 21 km · approx. 31 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Car park, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Télécabine Super Chatel (Châtel), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 22 km · approx. 27 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Car park, for a fee - Télécabine Linga (Châtel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 24 km · approx. 32 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge - Télécabine Panthiaz (La Chapelle-d'Abondance), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 27 km · approx. 33 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Pré la Joux (Châtel), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 28 km · approx. 39 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Télécabine Super Morzine (Morzine), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 60 km · approx. 73 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, - Télécabine Pleney (Morzine), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 61 km · approx. 74 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Side road, Mountain road
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Car park, Tarred parking lot, for a fee - Telecabine Mont Chéry (Les Gets), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 64 km · approx. 76 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - TC Ardent (Montriond), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 64 km · approx. 78 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Telecabine des Chavannes (Les Gets), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 65 km · approx. 79 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, Parking garage, Tarred parking lot, for a fee - TSD des Perrières (Les Gets), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 66 km · approx. 80 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, Tarred parking lot, Stone parking lot, free of charge - Proclou Chair (Avoriaz), Entry suitable for day visitors
Distance: 70 km · approx. 86 Minutes driving time
Roads: Side road, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, for a fee
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map depicts the entire Les Portes du Soleil ski resort very well. The font is a bit small, but you can still recognize the connections. The names of the runs are not included. The lifts could be described better and unfortunately, the restaurants are not included. On the back of the trail map, there is usually a detailed map of the village from where you received the map. This includes more detailed information.
The trail map depicts the entire Les Portes du Soleil ski resort very well. The font is a bit small, but you can still recognize the connections. The names of the runs are not included. The lifts could be described better and unfortunately, the restaurants are not included. On the back of the trail map, there is usually a detailed map of the village from where you received the map. This includes more detailed information.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
There are direction signs and trail maps at all important points in the ski resort and it is therefore easy to find your way.
There are direction signs and trail maps at all important points in the ski resort and it is therefore easy to find your way.
A high priority is placed on cleanliness in all locations.
There is a comprehensive ski bus network in the villages. Snow-making is done in full force already as of November.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
The employees are friendly, but they could be more helpful especially at the j-bars and t-bars.
The restaurants are distributed throughout the whole ski resort. More than 100 ski huts and restaurants are available to winter sports fans, most include a beautiful sun terrace. They place a high value on serving local specialties.
105 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
La Fruitière des Perrières
In the village of Les Gets
The cheese making hut, La Fruitière des Perrières is truly an establishment in Les Gets. It exists since almost one hundred years and produces excellent, local cheeses (Tomme de montagne, Reblochon, Raclette…) which can be sampled there in the charming authentic country restaurant. Miti is the middle point of the cheese production. This young and enthusiastic Japanese man decided to come to France to do an agricultural apprenticeship after he saw the scenery of the Alps while watching the Tour de France on TV.
Mountain hut tip
-
Le Vaffieu
Morzine
-
Chez L´Envers
-
La Crémaillère
Ardent
-
Les Marmottes
Ardent
Photos
It is usually more calm in Les Portes du Soleil. Usually a glass of wine is enjoyed on the sun terrace before skiing down to the valley. In Les Gets, Avoriaz or Châtel, there are some nice bars and restaurants waiting for guests.
Photos
There are 16,000 guest beds directly on the slopes in Avoriaz alone and they are still building. In Les Gets, Morzine, Châtel and Les Crosets, there are also many accommodations right on the slopes. You can also stay the night in some of the huts in the ski resort. An estimated 40,000 guests beds are located on the slopes of Les Portes du Soleil.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are very many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Avoriaz
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Champoussin
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Champéry
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Châtel
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - La Chapelle d'Abondance
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Les Crosets
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort) - Les Gets
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Montriond
Distance to ski resort 5-10 km - Morgins
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Morzine
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km - Torgon
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
The French villages have the recognition of "Famille Plus Montagne". In almost all villages, there are facilities such as kids' parks for children.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
- Ski school for children
- Playground / park
Special tips for children
-
Grand Cry (Les Gets)
On the Les Chavannes mountain of Les Gets there is an indian village with its own lift for children.
Photos
Over half of the runs in Les Portes du Soleil are easy. There are beautiful, long runs for beginners. Most, but not all of the villages are connected with easy slopes. There are slopes just for beginners in all villages. In most cases, but not always, easy valley runs lead to the individual villages.
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Easy valley run
- Beginner's lifts near the valley
Ski schools on-site
Photos
The deep snow slopes above the tree line are a paradise for advanced skiers. The many mogul slopes are enticing as well. The best areas for experts are on the Chamossiere in Les Gets, on the Grandes Combes and Chavanette in Avoriaz and on the Cornebois in Châtel. There are also other places offering freeriding possibilities and difficult slopes.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
- many mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 650 km
Difficult
65 km
(10 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
50 km
Most difficult run
-
Chavanette (Champéry) · Length 1 km · Altitude difference 330 m
This run has up to a 50% steepness gradient.
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
In most villages of Les Portes du Soleil, there are snowparks and as of recently, good boardercross courses. There is a halfpipe in Avoriaz. The snowparks are usually very large and always in top condition.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- very many freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
-
-
- Halfpipe (Avoriaz)
Located on the border of Avoriaz and accessible with its own j-bar called "Surf"
- Boardercross d´Arare (Avoriaz)
- Edge Park (Morgins)
- Smooth Park (Châtel)
Located in Super Châtel - Happy Park (Châtel)
Located in Pre de la Joux
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Boardercross
- Waverides
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 260 km
Almost every village offers cross-country tracks. Some of the tracks lead up to snow-secure higher altitudes. There is a total of 260 km of tracks, but they are not all connected.
Conclusion
Large ski resort, beautiful panorama view of the Mont Blanc, long runs, many possibilities to explore the ski resort, free lounge chairs and many sun terraces.
No chair lifts with covers (one exception), connection in Morzine, the Abondance and St-Jean d´Aulps ski resorts are not directly connected to Les Portes du Soleil.
Test Report issued on 2011-02-04
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Highlights
Highlights
Chalet Hotel La Marmotte
***
Hotel Spa la Marmotte in Les Gets
74260 Les Gets
0 m to ski resort Details »
Hotel Spa la Marmotte in Les Gets
74260 Les Gets
0 m to ski resort Details »
