Alpine Club Châtel
Mountain Sports Holidays in the French Alps

Summer in Châtel and the Portes du Soleil

During the summer months several of the chair lifts and cable cars in the Portes du Soleil ski lift system are operated to provide easy access to the mountains for walkers and mountain bikers.

If you purchased a "hands free" ski pass last winter, it can always be recharged for use in the summer and earn points towards an extra day free use of the lifts. Full winter season pass holders are eligible to free use of the lifts all summer.

This service applies to several of the principal chair lifts serving Châtel and La Chapelle, many of which are specially equipped to allow mountain bikes to be conveyed safely and securely.

The summer lift system allows everyone young and not so young to enjoy fully the breath taking mountain scenery stretching along the border between France and Switzerland.

There is a vast range of activities to try out. Horse riding, golf, swimming and tennis are all well catered for. While the more keen might wish to try out water rafting, canoeing, rock climbing or parapenting.

The beautiful scenery makes the entire area is a haven for walkers and mountain bikers. With over 200km of marked paths covering forests and high pastures, and more than 50 peaks to climb in a region stretching from Lake Geneva to Mt Blanc you will not be short of new places to visit. Maps of the local footpaths are available from the Tourist Office. They also have a list of qualified guides able to help you explore the spectacular mountains and see the best of the local wildlife.

There are of course several local mountain bike companies and experienced guides, who will be happy to provide a well maintained rental bike and safety gear and then guide you along a route chosen to match your standard. They can offer trips to suit those just happy to enjoy a gentle downhill descent along well prepared trails right through to those keen to take on the seriously challenging and often precipitous routes dropping right down to the shores of Lake Geneva.

Better still some local guides arrange all day mountain bike tours starting with a cable car ascent, you can enjoy a downhill run to Lake Geneva, followed by a restful barbecue by the lake shore until the minibus arrives to take you and your bikes back up the hill to Châtel.

Châtel also has very large outdoor tennis and swimming pool complexes which are extremely popular. For information on opening times and entrance fees contact the Chalet manager.

If you really can't visit the mountains without yearning to ski or snowboard, then the tourist office arranges coach trips once a week to the Saas Fee glacier in Switzerland. This entails a crack of dawn start to get a half-day skiing in before the slopes become too slushy. Meanwhile young and old can enjoy the spectacular toboggan run at Pre la Joux that runs all year round and is open 'til late most evenings.

Nightlife- Châtel/La Chapelle

Châtel has two Cinemas, and several lively bars, which stay open to the early hours. The large choice of restaurants offering typical French cuisine, is complimented by several restaurants specialising in Italian, Greek, and Spanish food. 

Châtel has two lively nightclubs offering music and dancing into the early hours every day except Sunday when they close at Midnight (unlike La Chapelle where you can go on till 2.00).

Friday night is mayhem so if you want a seat or even space to rest your drink be early!