Chalet Châtelet

We are equidistant from Châtel, Morzine and Lake Geneva, situated on the edge of an authentic and very pretty mountain village in the Vallée d'Abondance on the road that connects the two great valleys of the whole ski area, so we are in ideal position to ferry you around so you can take the best advantage of the whole area. In addition to our own transport, there is a regular ‘navette’ service in the Vallée d’Abondance connecting Abondance, Chapelle d’Abondance and Châtel.

The village is known locally as ‘Bonnevaux, la discrète’ because it is so close to everything and yet hidden away in the mountains, just a few minutes away from the bustling tourist town of Abondance. This is a photo of our bakery taken when the special race of cows, called ‘Abondance’ come down from the high mountain pastures or “alpage” in October and take part in a big fair in the town.

As well as the big resorts, there are several local slopes that give you the luxury of quiet pistes away from the crowds for a superb days skiing. Our family ski area of Drouzin le Mont is ideal for beginners and the best way to encourage confidence in children, but also a fantastic warm up or relaxing day for a skier of any level. On the other side of us is Abondance, which opened again this year and offers great skiing on uncrowded slopes. Whatever you choose, we are more than happy to show you around or inform you about snow conditions, pistes and lunchtime restaurants.

You could pamper yourself with treatments at the nearby spas in Evian or Thonon on Lake Geneva and Lavey-les-Bains or Val d'Illiez in Switzerland, or perhaps you fancy your chances in the casino in Evian, which is only 15 minutes away from us! The Swiss border is just up the valley beyond Châtel and even the wonderful lakes of Northern Italy are only about thee hours away as is Southern Germany and Austria – we are in the very heart of old Europe!

Lift passes Winter 2009/10:
Portes du Soleil – 6 days 200€, 1 day (from 11.00) 35€
Local – 6 days from 82€, 1 day from 15€

Ski/board & boot hire:
6 days 107-150€, 1 day 23-30€

(An intermediate/advanced skier or snow boarder needs to calculate on spending around 310-350€ including equipment hire to appreciate all that the Portes du Soleil has to offer. In addition, for about 80€ it is possible to do a days guided tour, provided that the skier/boarder has the ability to do red runs easily. Beginners may spend less on a more limited ski pass but it is advisable to have lessons.)

Ski/snow board lesson - e.g. 150€ for 4 x 2 hours in a group of 3-6 people

Half day hike in snow shoes – 20-30€

Snow bikes – 40€

Ice diving – 65€

Dog sledding – 85€ (very popular – needs lots of notice)

Here are the professionals!!

Hot air ballooning 250€

Tandem paragliding: from 70€
This guy arrived in the field behind us!

White water rafting 40€

Canyoning 49€

Mountain biking from 35€

Via ferrata 40€

Sailing from 45€ one hour private lesson

Scuba diving baptism 26€

Water-skiing/wakeboarding from 24€

Taking a boat from Thonon-les-bains to medieval village of Yvoire on Lac Léman/Lake Geneva including Jardin des Cinq Sens.

Lunch on the refurbished and unique steamboat Le Savoie (chef Philippe Chevrier) and visit Geneva, which has all the attributes of a major city including historical buildings, galleries and, of course, shopping.

Les Diableret in Switzerland by car and mountain rail to Glacier 3000m.

Visit to Montreux and by train to Les Rochers-de-Naye, where you can find the marmot paradise centre and La Rambertia Alpine garden!

Visit by car the lovely old French town of Annecy and its lake and mountains and the Jardins Secrets at Vaulx (with three musical evenings planned in July and August)

Lavey-les-Bains thermal pools and spa, Switzerland, with large pools surrounded by mountains, saunas, hammam and ice room + all usual treatments – fab!