A Diamond Anniversary for Portes du Soleil
Image credit from left to right; JB Bieuville, Portes du Soleil, Matthieu Vitre
This season marks a momentous occasion for Portes du Soleil, or the ‘Gateway to the Sun’, as the alpine destination celebrates 60 years of innovation, adventure, and connection. This vast ski region spans the French-Swiss border between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. It boasts 12 interconnected resorts, including Abondance, Avoriaz, Champéry, Châtel, La Chapelle d’Abondance, Les Gets, Montriond, Morzine-Avoriaz, Morgins, Saint Jean d’Aulps and Val d’Illiez – Les Crosets – Champoussin. With over 600 kilometres of skiing and 208 ski lifts, Portes du Soleil has long been a favourite among winter sports enthusiasts.
From its humble beginnings in 1964, Portes du Soleil has transformed into one of the world’s premier mountain destinations. A trailblazer in the industry, it introduced Europe’s first international ski pass and has continually set the standard for uninterrupted ‘skiing without borders’.
A History of Vision and Innovation
Portes du Soleil’s story began in 1964 when a group of friends dreamed of creating a Franco-Swiss ski paradise. This vision materialised with the launch of Europe’s first international ski pass, connecting slopes across borders. Over the years, the area has embraced continuous innovation, from introducing the first detachable six-seater chairlift in Avoriaz to pioneering the hands-free ski pass system.
Milestones in 60 Years of History
- 1956: Pierre Béteille constructed the first international ski lift by connecting the Coq chairlift with the Corbeau chairlift, creating a link between the Super-Châtel sector and Morgins.
- 1964: The Portes du Soleil region was officially established during the National Exhibition in Lausanne, driven by a visionary goal to create a Franco-Swiss alpine destination.
- 1965: Originally entitled ‘Haute Route des Familles’ in reference to the famous Chamoninx-Zermatt crossing, Jean Vuarnet thought this was not media-friendly enough, and decided on Portes du Soleil, inspired by the pass located in Les Crosets instead.
- 1966: Avoriaz opened as a car-free resort, setting a new standard for sustainable tourism in the mountains.
- 1969: Portes du Soleil’s first international ski pass was introduced, the Avoriaz-Champery-Les Crosets pass.
- 1970s-1980s: Rapid expansion saw the connection of 12 resorts with an unrivalled network of ski lifts.
- 1987: Morzine and Avoriaz were connected via a gondola, two chairlifts, and two ski lifts. The addition of a lift in Torgon linked it to Chapelle d’Abondance.
- 1993: Avoriaz introduced Europe’s first detachable six-seater chairlift, the “Tour”.
- 1999: Portes du Soleil became one of the first ski areas worldwide to implement hands-free lift pass turnstiles.
- 2008: The region unveiled the first eight-seater chairlift in French-speaking Switzerland, capable of transporting 4,000 skiers per hour—a record it still holds today.
- 2009: The Multi Pass program was launched, offering affordable access to the region’s diverse activities in both summer and winter.
- 2011: The first Rock the Pistes music festival brought open-air concerts to the slopes, with 2024 marking the event’s 13th edition.
- 2021: Morzine received the prestigious Flocon Vert certification, recognising its dedication to environmental and social sustainability.
Follow Portes du Soleil’s rich history here: https://en.portesdusoleil.com/les-portes-du-soleil/a-human-story/
Year-Round Adventures
Portes du Soleil isn’t just a winter wonderland; it’s a year-round favourite for mountain bikers, hikers, and adventure seekers. The region offers 80 mountain bike trails, accessed by 24 ski lifts, along with dedicated bike parks and events like Pass’Portes du Soleil since 2004. The area also has 470 km of signposted paths suitable for trekking at any skill level. The Multi Pass program provides access to over 70 summer activities, showcasing Portes du Soleil’s appeal throughout the year.
A Commitment to Sustainability
With the growing impacts of climate change, Portes du Soleil is leading the way in sustainable mountain tourism. Eco-friendly practices, such as water-efficient snowmaking and promoting sustainable mobility through the Alpin Express Pass, are part of the region’s 16 eco-commitments to preserving its natural beauty for future generations.
A six day lift pass for the Portes du Soleil area is priced from €336 / £280.72 for adults, €252 / £210.55 for children and €302 / £252.33 for young people and seniors (web prices, until 28 March 2025)
To plan your trip to the Portes du Soleil and for more information, please visit:
