What’s going on this summer in Portes du Soleil?
With a variety of landscapes, in the heart of nature, Portes du Soleil offers unlimited access to nature’s playground, ideal for sporting and relaxing holidays alike, from cycling and hiking, to yoga and culinary experiences, Portes du Soleil is the perfect destination for summer holidays in the Alps. The Portes du Soleil is a ski and MTB region of the Alps that covers the neighbouring Alpine regions of French Chablais and Swiss Valais with 12 resorts, including Avoriaz, Champéry, Les Gets and Morzine, with just one lift pass providing access to them all.
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 of trails, 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.
Summer visitors can also choose from a wide range of walking and trekking routes. There are over 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. Thrill-seekers are equally spoilt for choice in Portes du Soleil, as the region is a mecca for canyoning, Via Ferrata, white water rafting and ziplining. Those looking for a slower paced holiday can opt for forest bathing, jewellery making in the forest or take a step back from the hustle and bustle in a secluded mountain cabin.
Please find some more details about the summer’s agenda in resort below and a link to the press pack here.
Unmissable experiences
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.
Become Robin Hood for the day in Torgon and take an archery course. Staring 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 whilst 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.
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.
Unusual accommodation
Embrace the unusual, live out a childhood fantasy, spending 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.
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.
Exciting events
Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB has become one of the most sought-after mountain bike events in the Alps, with registration now open. Set to take place 23-25 June 2025, the event encompasses three days of mountain biking across the region, with the full 80 km course comprising 7,000 m of exhilarating downhill and 1,000 m of challenging uphill riding. 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 pp and include the added assistance from instructors throughout the day, plus all the benefits of an adult ticket.
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.
The Trail des Dents du Midi is the oldest mountain race in Europe with the first official race took 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 Septemer 2023, starting and finishing in the beautiful village of Champéry, the 57 km course passes several mountain huts, climbs over two cols high above treeline, and runs through the tiny, picturesque hamlet of Mex with a total elevation gain of 3,700 km. Registration is priced from 89 CHF / £80 pp.
Go 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.
A seven-night stay in Portes du Soleil at the four-star Hotel Champs Fleuris in the resort of Morzine, arriving 12 August 2023, is priced from £1,288 pp based on two adults sharing a double room on a half-board basis. Return flights from Gatwick to Geneva and transfers included. Inghams (01483 944 767, www.inghams.co.uk )
