Travel
Where to today? Chatel: a friendly winter resort for families
If there is a ski resort I will go back to in a heartbeat, it is Châtel.
When my cousin asked me if we wanted to go for a week of skiing with her, her husband and her 2 years old son, I had never heard of Châtel before. I looked it up and as it was only a 2 1/2 hour drive from Zurich and the reviews were good, I told her we would go.
Sunny day in Chatel, France
Great choice! We rented a completely renovated chalet from a well-known free ride champion, Brice Lequertier. Everything was there, books, games and even a fireplace! The place was ideally located near the large supermarket, Intermarché.
Where is Châtel located?
Châtel is only 44 miles (72 km) from the Geneva airport. You need about 1 hour 15 minutes if you rent a car from the airport.
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Excusions from Chatel
You can do various interesting and relaxing excursions during your vacation:
- Lavey-les-Bains (about 45 minutes from Châtel)
You can relax in the therms, spas, swimming pools and have a massage. It is the most relaxing place I have ever been. You can take a card for 4 hours or more.
- Abondance (7 miles / 11 km from Châtel)
There you will be able to go see where the famous cheese of Abondance is made and visit its village.
- Montreux (25 miles / 41 km – about 45 minutes from Châtel)
This charming town on the Swiss Riviera on the lake of Geneva will not disappoint you. You may know Montreux for its jazz festival: July 2-17th, this year
Swiss Riviera on lake of Geneva, approaching Chillon
- Chillon (24 miles/39 km from Châtel)
You can visit the most known Swiss castle in Chillon. You may have heard of it from Lord Byron and his poem The Prisoner of Chillon.
- Evian-les-Bains (about 45 minutes from Châtel)
Go sit in the thermal baths or go see for yourself where the spring water of Evian comes from. You will be able to bring some back home (for free) if you have empty bottles to fill up.
Will there be snow in the middle of March?
We went in the middle of March, not knowing if there would still be enough snow to ski. Driving to Châtel was easy; the roads were clear, but as we approached the resort, we saw more snow. A few days later, the snow melted. The next day a big snow blizzard came and there was so much snow we could not believe it. It was fantastic for skiing, for making snowmen and for sledging with the children.
Area for sledging in Chatel
A family resort
Châtel is a family resort. You feel welcomed everywhere you go. The tourist office organizes many activities for the children. Inform yourself when you arrive or before you go. There is a big carrousel near the church.
You can go on the little sightseeing train, visit a farm with the children or go try the two free sledging runs located at Pré-la-Joux (for 2 to 6-year-olds and for children aged 6 and over).
If your children are not old enough to go skiing and you want to leave them for the week, a day or half a day, you can leave them at the daycare the Mouflets. It is in the center of Châtel. They take children from 3 months to 6 years. It is better to book in advance and send a deposit.
Your child can learn how to ski from the age of 3. There are 6 ski schools in Châtel.
Center of Chatel with school and daycare
Skiing and shopping
I did not ski, but I heard it was fantastic. The resort has many slopes and lifts. It belongs to the 12 resorts of the Portes du Soleil. You can ski on about 403 miles/650 km of slopes with 1 pass. Every type skier can enjoy skiing in Châtel and around. They offer night skiing once a week.
There is a main street for shopping. Of course you will find many sport and souvenir shops. Many stores close over lunch until 3 p.m. or more. You can find some cafés opened for a nice cup of coffee or vin chaud (hot wine).
If you want to buy mountain specialties such as cheese (mainly Tomme, Reblochon and Abondance) or dry sausages or honey, I recommend you wander through the market and check the prices before buying. The market is quite small, but you will find what you need. Prices vary especially for honey. Cheese vendors tend to charge more much for honey as the other honey vendors! There is an excellent patisserie (cakes shop) in the town next to Châtel at la Chapelle d’Abondance.
I hope you will make it to Châtel some day.
Happy Travels!
