Portes du Soleil is a ski and biking region of the Alps that covers the neighbouring French Chablais and Swiss Valais. The region features 12 resorts – including Avoriaz, Champéry, Les Gets and Morzine – and offers a range of summer activities such as mountain biking, cycling, hiking, trail running and yoga. Portes du Soleil is a popular destination for a sporty summer holiday, we take a look at the highlights.
Portes du Soleil’s 12 resorts
The 12 French and Swiss resorts in the Portes du Soleil region are located between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva:
- France: Morzine, Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Montriond, La Chapelle-d’Abondance, Abondance, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps
- Switzerland: Champéry, Val-d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin, Torgon, Morgins
Mountain biking
An internationally recognised mountain biking area, Portes du Soleil is ideal for both experienced mountain bikers and beginners – choose from a number of different disciplines including cross-country, freestyle, freeride and e-biking. Portes du Soleil offers 80 mountain bike trails, totalling 600km, which are accessed by 24 ski lifts. As a pioneer in electric mountain biking, the Portes du Soleil has been using electrically assisted bikes since 2014 and the area now offers more than 35 routes specifically marked out for this type of riding.
Walking and trekking
Summer visitors can also choose from a wide range of walking and trekking routes. There are more than 470km of signposted paths across the region catering to all abilities. Walkers are rewarded with endless views of Alpine peaks, meadows filled with wildflowers and mountain lakes with crystal clear water.
Adventure activities
Thrill-seekers are equally spoiled for choice as the region is a top destination for canyoning, Via Ferrata, white water rafting and ziplining.
Archery
Become Robin Hood for the day in Torgon and take an archery course. Starting from La Jorette, discover a little corner of paradise with this spectacular archery course. The course consists of 19 targets, set up between beautiful forests, small clearings and the banks of the streams. Take a stroll through nature while learning a new skill. The course takes between two and four hours to complete and is accessible for all, a great activity for families or groups of friends. The course is priced from 9CHF/£8 for children and 16CHF/£14 for adults.
Explor’Games
For the ultimate family challenge try the Explor’Games in Dents du Midi. This adventure game involves an immersive scenario with an exciting story which will guide participants through the area. Following hints from a mobile application, this ingenious mix of orienteering course and outdoor escape game is a great experience to be enjoyed with family or friends, form teams and go head to head to try and solve the puzzle. Each course is priced from 15CHF/£13.50.
Stay in a cabin in the trees
Embrace the unusual and spend the night perched on top of a tree suspended over the edge of the woods at la cabane dans les arbres in Saint-Jean-d’Aulps. Nestled between a larch and a spruce tree, owner Rèmi has built a cosy cocoon complete with bed, bathroom and kitchenette. Head to the large terrace to take in the spectacular surroundings and breathe in the fresh air. A one night stay in the treehouse is priced from €145 for two people, including a breakfast basket.
Sleep on a ‘portaledge’
For the most adventurous of travellers head to Avoriaz to spend an evening hanging over the side of a cliff. Pierre Baud, a young mountain guide, has opened a guest house perched high over the valley. Following an abseil down the side of the cliff, join Pierre for a delicious meal made with local products from the valley. Pierre will then prepare the room which is a “portaledge” suspended 160m from the ground. A one night stay on the side of the cliff is priced from €440 for two people, this includes an evening meal.
Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB
Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB has become one of the most popular mountain bike events in the Alps. Taking place from 23-25 June 2023, the event encompasses three days of mountain biking across the region, with the full 80km course comprising 7,000m of exhilarating downhill and 1,000m of challenging uphill riding. The 15 lifts give participants access to nine different resorts across France and Switzerland, with some incredible scenery throughout.
This year, for the 19th edition of the Pass’Portes du Soleil, participants can test the gravel routes in the mountain, with a new gravel course through carefully selected roads and trails. The Pass’Portes is also the perfect opportunity to discover the latest products with the biggest brands of bikes and accessories at the MTB show in Morzine. Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB day tickets cost from €64/£57 per adult and include ski passes, a roadbook, individual insurance, food and a gift. Day tickets for children cost from €27/£24 and include the added assistance from instructors throughout the day, plus all the benefits of an adult ticket.
Tour de France
This year, the Tour de France will return to Portes du Soleil for the 22nd time. On 15 July 2023, Morzine will host a stage finish after the riders have completed a gruelling route from Annemasse that involves climbing two passes around the resort: the col de la Ramaz and the renowned col de Joux Plane. Soak up the unique atmosphere and get ready to cheer on the cyclists.
Morzine-Montriond-Avoriaz Triathlon
The Morzine-Montriond-Avoriaz (MMA) Triathlon has been confirmed for Saturday 26 August 2023 and entries for the event are now open. There are several categories with an Olympic Triathlon (1500m swim, 33km cycle ride including the Col de Joux Verte and the Avoriaz climb, 7.4km run) as an individual entry or a relay for a team of three participants. Since 2018, when the first event was held, the competition has gone from strength to strength and continued to grow year on year.
The race will start on the freshwater 1.4km-long lake of Montriond, with its crystal clear water set in a steep valley gorge. Then a grass run will take participants to the T1 change over point where the cycling starts up to the Ardent Telecabine and continues to the finishing area in the high-altitude resort of Avoriaz (1,800m). The famous Avoriaz hill climb has been used no less than seven times in the Tour de France and is a significant challenge for any cyclist.
Categories are Olympic, Sprint, Super Sprint, Tristars and Fun Run. Entry price is €60 for the Olympic race, €25pp for the team relay, €30 for Sprint Individual, €15pp for the team sprint, €20 for the Super Sprint and €15 for the Tristars. Registration closes on 22 August; mmatriathlon.com
Trail des Dents du Midi
The Trail des Dents du Midi is the oldest mountain race in Europe with the first official race taking place in 1964. Not far from the French border, Switzerland’s Dents-du-Midi range towers over the mountain villages of Troistorrents, Val D’Illiez and Champéry. On 16 September 2023, starting and finishing in the beautiful village of Champéry, the 57km course passes several mountain huts, climbs over two cols high above treeline, and runs through the tiny, picturesque hamlet of Mex. Registration is priced from 89CHF/£80 per person.
Forest bathing
Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature with this unique practice of forest bathing, in the heart of Portes du Soleil. Forest bathing is a rejuvenating activity that encourages participants to be in the moment and connect with all the elements in a conscious way to revitalise the mind and body. During the forest experience, various sensory approaches are offered, many of which take place in silence, allowing a real immersion in the sound and visual landscapes of nature. Participants are encouraged to create physical and emotional links with different elements of nature through visualisation exercises. An hour and half forest bathing session is priced from €25/£22 pp.
How to get to the Portes du Soleil
All 12 resorts in the Portes du Soleil can be easily accessed from Geneva Airport, which benefits from low cost, direct flight access from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bristol and Leeds. See more at portesdusoleil.com
Travel agent Inghams has a seven-night stay in Portes du Soleil at the four-star Hotel Champs Fleuris in the resort of Morzine. Priced from £1,288 per person based on two adults sharing a double room on a half-board basis. Return flights from Gatwick to Geneva and transfers included. See more at inghams.co.uk
Image: Sylvain Cochard/portesdusoleil.com