Champéry	St. Gingolph
Morgins	Val d'Illiez

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Abondance
Situated on a shelf backing onto Mont Jorat (1830m), Abondance lies in a valley dominated by Mont de Grange (2432 m) and du Pic de la Corne (2084m).
Whilst participating in guided tours, discovery workshops, or when out hiking, you’ll appreciate this traditional setting with its hamlets set into the mountain side, the religious patrimony (the Abondance abbey and the Maison du Val, two places symbolic of the region’s cultural treasures) and the mysterious beauty of this wooded landscape with its vast white spaces.

In winter, when the snow covers the summits, and the meadows disappear under the snow an immaculate countryside stretches out as far as the eye can see. Warm and snug inside your chalet, in the heart of the village or in one of its hamlets, you’ll have the holiday you always dreamt of.

Abondance is also the name of a breed of cows. They are a ‘beautiful brown’ (actually brown and white) with glasses (the brown marks that look like make-up around their eyes). In winter, they stay in the stables, munching on hay and thinking of better days when the snow melts and they can once more head up to the summer pastures.

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The Lake Geneva and Evian are only a 15 minute drive away, have many attractions such as water sports, spa & thermal baths the so called Les Thermes de Evian,  small beaches and restaurants to give you that waterside feel – not to mention Evian Mineral Water! There is also a local distillery in Bernex which you can visit and sample local products. Alternatively, just sit back, relax and enjoy the views and atmosphere of this naturally beautiful area.  Bernex offers its own ski area of 50 km, between 1000 and 2000 metres, with a variety of runs to suit all levels and also breathtaking views of the Lake of Geneva and the Dent du Midi (Switserland), Le Dent D'Oche and the Mont Blanc. Bernex boasts 34 snow canons with it’s own water reservoir.

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Champéry
Champéry, a ski resort with an altitude of 1,050 meters in the canton of Valais, is nestled at the bottom of the Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches mountains in the heart of the 'Portes du Soleil ski area'. Historically, tourism here dates back to 1857. This date marks the opening of the first hotel in Champéry, the Hôtel des Dents-du-Midi. This makes Champéry one of the oldest touristic sites in Switzerland.

Both a charmingly authentic village and a multi-faceted tourist resort, Champéry will win your heart with its traditional and well-preserved architecture. The village street is lined with chalets typical to the region and remarkable for their sculpted balconies and « toits en sifflet » (rooflines which project like bellows).

In less than 5 minutes, a cable car will whisk you away to the “Portes du Soleil” ski area which offers more than 650 km. of ski slopes for wintersports lovers and 580 km. of walking and all-terrain biking trails in summer.

Châtel   
A typical Savoie village, Châtel is situated to the south of Lake Geneva not far from the Swiss border. Geneva is 72 km. You will find the real Savoie character here. There are numerous forms of entertainment: restaurants, bars with music, cinemas, bowling, library, shops, street entertainment, children ski club from 3 years (booking advised). Châtel has become the most sporting ski resort in the Portes du Soleil in summer as well as winter.

Châtel in summer: International competitions, numerous fetes in the surrounding French and Swiss villages. Discover the Fantasticable, a unique machine from which you fly over the hamlet of Plaine Dranse at nearly 100 km/hour! Take part in hiking, climbing, mountain biking, parapanting or water sports (swimming, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, rafting, pot-holing).

Châtel in winter: Resort situated in one of the largest ski areas in Europe, Châtel links the 12 Swiss and French resorts of the Portes du Soleil, such as Morgins, Champéry or Avoriaz and this is unique! There are therefore more than 650 km of ski runs, 234 ski lifts and 276 ski runs of all levels. The resort is in an exceptional position for skiing with more than 83 km of runs, 42 ski lifts and 48 ski runs. You can explore the Abondance valley on cross country skis linking the villages of La Chapelle and Abondance. There are numerous activities to try such as diving under ice, the bob luge, skating or trips on snow shoes or by husky.

Access: Châtel is one of the easier areas in the Alps to reach with Geneva only 72km (45 miles) away.  There's a weekend bus service to and from the airport. The nearest rail station is at Thonon-Les-Bains, 20km (13 miles) distant which is served by TGV from Paris.  Taxis or a bus service (up to six times daily on Saturdays) link the station to the resort. Drivers from the north should arrive on the A40 motorway towards Geneva, taking the Annemasse exit.  Follow the road to Thonon and then on to Châtel.  There are underground parking spaces for 400 vehicles in the village, open from morning to evening.  Weekly tickets are available or you can pay by the hour.  Village centre parking with a time limit of three hours is also available. 

A regular ski bus runs throughout the area from 8.30am to 9.30pm.  The bus service is free with all routes beginning outside the church.  Seven different routes are followed indicated by different colour codes.

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Col du Corbier
Thanks to its high position, the Col du Corbier saw the birth of a small family ski resort in the 70's, called Drouzin le Mont, which lies at the top of the Aulps and Abondance valleys. This resort with an altitude of 1230/1650 meters has 8 skilifts : 2 chairlifts, 4 draglifts, 2 wire-snow  and 12 slopes : 2 greens, 5 blues, 5 reds. Perfect for families whose children can learn to ski in safety on pistes facing their accommodation.

Evian Les Bains
Evian les Bains is situated north of the department of Haute-Savoie, on the south bank of Lake Geneva, opposite Switzerland. The town (7,500 inhabitants) is built in tiers at the edge of the lake (altitudes of 370 m/725 m), standing against the massif of the Alpine foreland of Chablais. Evian les Bains profits from spectacular surroundings between lake and mountains which have given it its renown as an international tourist resort. (Spa and health resort, holiday resort, Congress town, etc.). Birthplace of Natural Mineral Water known throughout the world, Evian les Bains has preserved and used its architectural heritage to its best advantage and presents to its visitors the image of a welcoming and dynamic city. A traditional fishing village; medieval and Renaissance châteaux; charming museums; exceptional panoramas... a walk to suit every taste, a change of scenery guaranteed to delight.
Hilton: set on the banks of Lake Geneva against a backdrop of the French Alps, the Hilton Evian-les-Bains hotel's spectacular environment inspires business and wellbeing. Hold a meeting in one of 7 modular meeting rooms with wireless internet access. Or take time off to enjoy a massage or swim in the luxurious Buddha-Bar Spa on three levels.

Golf: not far from Geneva, on the banks of Lake Leman/ Lake Geneva at the foot of the French Alps, this unique place in which, every day, a legend is re-born. Here, at the Evian Masters Golf Club, the greatest players in the world challenge each other, demonstrating their talent and their genius (Helen Alfredsson, Yearska Sorenstam, Laura Davies...). A wooded park of 150 acres, the Évian Masters Golf Club offers the irreproachable quality of a championship course and the beauty of a unique site between lake and mountains. A varied landscape, well-defended greens, narrow fairways, water hazards, bushy roughs for varied strokes and velvety greens all year round, just for the pleasure. 18 holes - Par 72 - 6 054 m.
  Casino Evian Les Bains: t he Casino at Evian is one of the largest in Europe. It is situated in the heart of the Evian Royal Park and, in just one single location, offers a wide range of services, entertainment, animation and also a large choice of restaurants. All the European and American games: French and English roulette, Black Jack and the great gambling games: Punto Banco, chemin de Fer and Stud Poker. Over 70 different models, amongst which the latest machines with interactive wheels with special effects and with incredible bonuses, unusual but certainly entertaining. Bells ringers, completely new in France, RedEye Nickels, Neptune Pearls, Swamp Land, Hot Doubles. Every table is equipped with an electronic screen for the winning numbers. The Salons are open from 10 pm to 2 am in the morning (3.00 am every Friday, Saturday and during the summer).
Bar Restaurant le Savana Lodge - Bar l'Urban Tropic - Au Bureau Pub-Brasserie - Le Baccara Bar Restaurant - Le Liberte Bar Restaurant
Banquets/Réception: L'Orée du lac - Salon Jean Hebrard - Theatre Belle Epoque Boutique.

La Chapelle d’Abondance
La Chapelle d'Abondance is only 65 km from the airport in Geneva. The village has a sanctuary and the monks still make Abondance cheese to an ancient recipe.

This traditional old farming village is just 5km from Châtel and in a spectacular valley of the Portes du Soleil range, and offers something for all levels of ski skills. The small resort is a good bet when the more popular resorts nearby are queued out.  The resort overall is perfect for families with young children as the slopes are mostly gentle and the ski school employs patient staff and they get you going quickly.
The village has a few restaurants of which one of the best is Les Cornettes, where good food and value are a watchword. Le Fer Rouge is also a great choice for lovers of French country cuisine. For something more than a quiet drink in a hotel bar, try some of the nearby resorts.

Les Gets
Between Lake Geneva and Mont-Blanc, at the heart of the region known as Les Portes du Soleil, Les Gets (1172 m ¬ 2002 m) is a heaven that everyone wants to keep as a personal secret.Here, we respect traditions, guarantee a warm welcome and ensure quality service at all times.
In Les Gets, you start off with your skis clicked on in the village. Once up on the pistes, you can just let yourselves be carried away by the tranquility of the area and take the time to contemplate the stupendous background: the Mont Blanc range.The Les Gets / Morzine ski area links the Chavannes and Mont-Chéry areas to the Pléney et Nyon areas of Morzine. Situated in the heart of the Portes du Soleil (14 French / Swiss resorts, 650 km of skiable runs), the Les Gets area also offers "discovery" circuits with the aim of guiding you as far as our Swiss neighbours by using pistes suitable for your own level of skiing.

The Les Gets golf course, perched on the ridge of the Chavannes, features 18 holes with magnificent views accross the surrounding valleys and mountains. Lying at the very heart of the Portes du Soleil amidst beautiful woodland, each hole at Les Gets golf course has been named after a nearby mountain peak, the highest being Mont Blanc at n° 14.

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Montriond
At the foot of Avoriaz, Montriond has used the proximity of her big sister resort to develop its own independent tourist centre, giving it today the status of the 12th resort in the Portes du Soleil.
Montriond's charm is particularly enhanced by its lake, the third largest in the region, which draws ever increasing numbers of swimmers and walkers, thanks to its calm, magic and grandiose setting.The Lindarets village is a must for families.

The highlight of the lakes year is the firework display organized every year at the beginning of August, an important date in the local events' calendar.
At the lake, between forest of fir trees and waterfalls there's a host of different activities just waiting for you. Swimming for the whole family in sparkling water. Fishing for trout and a variety of other fish, for both experienced and novice anglers.
All year round there's a wide range of treks to choose from, whether you're looking for half-day or whole day walks. A multitude of different themes enable you to discover and explore the nature and the mountain, letting you find out about their most intimate secrets.

Modern ski resort with its equipments and facilities, and traditional village, Montriond takes advantage of the proximity of its big sisters to develop an independent touristic centre which led it in the 12 ski-resorts of the Portes du Soleil.

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Morgins
The pure air in Morgins inspired its slogan:   Morgins, mon oxygène! (Morgins, my oxygen).
Ski and snowboard without borders throughout the fabulous international Portes du Soleil ski area and schuss back to the heart of the resort! Morgins has also 80 km of marked snowshoe, walking trails, horseback riding and cross-country trails, making it an ideal destination to discover nature in all its preserved splendour, a unique territory and a change of pace allowing time for alpine daydreams.
The sports centre is a great place to stay active in the summer, with its outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts, sunny terrace and a play area for the children. Morgins also offers horseback riding, gravity-powered karts, bow-hunting trail, fitness trail, mini-golf, skeet-shooting, fishing, bowls... everything you need for a fun-filled vacation.

Morgins’ nature trails offer many adventures: The Bridges trail (great for picnics), the Forest trail (learn about the local flora), the Planetary trail (shorter this year - we lost Pluto!), the Bee trail (sweet!) and the Water trail (refreshing). We also have a very relaxing lake, protected in its pristine state... a beautiful place for a stroll. Alpine restaurants stay open all summer to tempt you with local cheeses, meat and a variety of homemade treats.

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Morzine
Deep in a little valley whose gentle curves stretch as far as the Swiss frontier, Morzine is a village which is keen to preserve its gentle pace of life and authentic Savoyard charm. Right in the heart of the Portes du Soleil area, it is an ideal point from which to set out and discover a wealth of possibilities.

The Portes du Soleil offer all ski enthusiasts an unlimited ski area between France and Switzerland, between lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, at the foot of the Dents Blanches and the Dents du Midi. Ski slopes for all levels of skiing, panoramic views to take your breath away, whether you choose the peaks of “Mossettes” or “Chamossière”, the forest paths of the Lindarets or Morgins, everybody will find their own particular corner of paradise, somewhere in the 650 km of marked ski runs in the biggest ski area in the world. The 3D skiing in the Morzine/Avoriaz sector, the Morzine/Les Gets or the Portes du Soleil, is even bigger.
Equally accessible from the village centre by the Super Morzine gondola lift (which is equipped with new cabins), it is comprised of 70 km of ski runs between 1000 and 2466 meters in altitude. This is paradise for those liking the more modern forms of snow sports, as there are 2 snowparks and the new "Biotop" (the first 100% ecological winter forest park), a half pipe, a "canyon" slope and a new boarder slope. There are also and 4 “snowcross” where you can practice off-piste pursuits in total safety. This sector is home to the Lindarets village, a hamlet of high mountain farms, which have been turned into restaurants, to the great pleasure of all good-food lovers, and is the gateway to Switzerland.
In summer, the Portes du Soleil region  transforms into a mountain bike playground for long sporty treks or shorter family rides. The 650 km of signposted routes and the 24 lifts open means that the tour of the Portes du Soleil can be accomplished in a day.

Free-ride enthusiasts will find all the conditions they appreciate the most: long descents through Alpine meadows, forests, fording rivers…highlighting the diversity of the countryside here. Every summer, the Alpine Guides offer various high-mountains treks, whether it be glacier walking, individual hikes on rocky escarpments, snow or mixed terrain, so that you can experience the world of the high ranges, glaciers and famous summits. For the less hardy, there are also organized hikes to track or spot the fauna and flora of the Alps, along wonderful mountain paths, accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable guides.

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Publier
Located on the border of Lake Geneva, the village of Amphion-Publier has a privileged geographical position. Stood against the Pre-Alps massif of the Chablais area, this village enjoys an amphitheatre set-up on a few miles, alongside the lake. This exceptional and natural position, between mountain and lake, confers an authentic success on this village, in summer as well as winter. Amphon-Publier offers you a large choice of activities which puts it amongst the most beautiful climatic and touristic resorts in the Haute-Savoie region.

St. Gingolph
Saint-Gingolph is a small town situated on the south bank of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It sits at the Franco-Swiss frontier, and is administratively divided into Saint-Gingolph, Switzerland (Switzerland) and Saint-Gingolph, Haute-Savoie (France).

Saint-Gingolph is located a short distance from Évian-les-Bains, Monthey and Montreux. It is accessible by road, rail or boat. Built on an alluvial cone of the Morge, a frontier mountain stream, St.Gingolph is surrounded by mountains and has approximately 8 km of shore-line alongside the lake.

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St. Gingolph

Saint-Gingolph is a small town situated on the south bank of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). It sits at the Franco-Swiss frontier, and is administratively divided into Saint-Gingolph, Switzerland (Switzerland) and Saint-Gingolph, Haute-Savoie (France).
St-Gingolph sits on the alluvial cone which developed at the point where the Morge River spills into Lake Geneva. This unique setting at the mouth of the Morge, a veritable lifeline connecting the French Haute Savoie with the Swiss Valais, makes this village accessible by car, train and boat. Witnesses of the past, the castle, dating from 1588, and the 17th century chapel welcome visitors with majesty. Don't miss the opportunity to tour the magnificent, paneled reception halls and let yourself be taken back to Lake Geneva's glory days.

The lakeside museum, the lake itself and the beach, port, promenade and cruises leaving from St-Gingolph make this a paradise for anyone who loves the lake and everything it has to offer. Hikers will want to take note that St-Gingolph is also the jumping off point for the "Grande Randonnée", the GR5.

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St. Jean d’Aulps
A family resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area, Saint Jean d'Aulps offers skiers the grandiose backdrop of "le Roc d'Enfer" down to la Chèvrerie. It had a great views of Lake Geneva, the Dents du Midi and Mont Blanc.
Located 3kms up to the village, Saint-Jean d'Aulps ski resort is part of the Portes du Soleil.
With 650kms of slopes, the Portes du Soleil is a group of 14 french and swiss ski resorts, and is the biggest ski area in the world. Saint-Jean d'Aulps ski resort is not linked by slopes to the Portes du Soleil area. Ski buses will be running and take you to Montriond, Morzine and les Gets.
In Saint-Jean d'Aulps ski resort, you will find a family place with a cosy atmosphere....

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Thollon les Mémises

The village of Thollon les Mémises lies in eastern France in the French Alps. It is a pretty village in the most traditional Alpine style, and views are stunning whether it is winter or summer. The village is known as the Balcony of the Léman, due to its location overlooking the beautiful Lake Geneva. The views from Thollon les Mémises are so glorious that they are actually mentioned in the Michelin Guide, which is quite an accolade for such a small village!

The village is noted for its warm and friendly approach to life, and it extends a warm welcome to visitors and new inhabitants too. Thollon les Mémises is a tranquil place, far removed from the stresses and strains of everyday life. But it is not the land that time forgot either, as it offers a supermarket for your daily needs, and better still, a variety of family friendly bars and excellent restaurants. The Haute-Savoie has a gastronomy of which it is very proud, and you will have no problems finding delicious traditional dishes on the menu.

The first sport which comes to mind when you picture an Alpine Village is, of course, that of skiing, the long established Alpine favourite. Thollon les Mémises is a great ski resort for beginners and intermediate skiers and has 50 kilometres of runs served by lifts as well as six kilometres of cross country trails. The young and trendy members of the party will be delighted to find a good snow park too, so they can try snowboarding, or develop existing skills in the sport!

Summer too, brings many sporting opportunities in the mountains. Here the sport of parapenting, which is akin to paragliding and hang gliding, was invented, and if soaring through the clear mountain air dangling from a parachute doesn’t grab you then there is always walking, climbing, swimming, fishing, sailing, horse-riding, golf or tennis to occupy your time!

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Val d’Illiez
This charming and peaceful village, situated at 950m, is the ideal spot for a relaxing visit. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Dents du Midi Mountains and in the heart of the Val d’Illiez valley, this village is part of a commune that also includes the resort towns of Les Crosets and Champoussin.
Val d’Illiez is widely reputed for its thermal baths, which offer therapy for body and spirit in a spectacular natural setting…

Additionally, many other activities await you here all year round: walking trails through the mountains, all-terrain mountain biking, and the Via Ferrata for the not-so-faint-at-heart…

Annual highlights include, in summer, the yearly fête au village . This is an unforgettable moment of merrymaking local-style. In winter, the season’s festivities open with the annual Christmas market, which then cedes its place to the traditional Christmas crèche. Another high point of the year is without a doubt February’s Carnaval, replete with local colour including its children’s parade and Mardi Gras celebration.

Val-d’Illiez boasts both the rustic charm of a traditional alpine village, and the convenience of quick and easy access to all the modern sports and facilities of the Portes-du-Soleil resorts.

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