What’s new in Portes du Soleil for the 2022/2023 winter season
The Portes du Soleil is the destination of choice for winter sports lovers. Situated between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, the huge ski area boasts 600km of riding and 308 ski slopes What’s more, the Portes du Soleil, or ‘Gateway to the Sun’, enjoys an annual average snowfall of nearly eight metres, with the region being a flurry of activity throughout the winter. The Portes du Soleil has long been a favourite with skiers from across the continent and beyond, combining excellent winter sports conditions, the best in Swiss, French and Alpine cultural experiences, and a varied and exciting gastronomic and après-ski offering across 12 distinct resorts.
The region’s ski slopes are set to be in operation from early December to late April, with holidaymakers advised to check the precise opening dates of their chosen resort. For those wishing to make the most of their time on the pistes, one convenient Portes du Soleil Ski pass is available, providing access to the whole region, giving holidaymakers complete freedom to ski where and when they please. Portes du Soleil is currently offering early-bird discounts on lift-pass bookings for this winter 2022/2023. Prebook a lift pass by 15 November 2022 and save 15% – a seven day adult lift pass for this winter is priced from €280 / £236 (was €329 / £277 saving 15%), this offer does not apply to passes booked during the French school holidays, the discount over this period is 10%. This offer only applies to internet purchases for all individual Portes du Soleil lift passes valid for at least five days consecutively and this cannot be combined to purchase season lift passes, or the Pass Famille.
Whether seeking a gourmet getaway, a family holiday or an active sporty stay, experience the joys of the mountains in winter in any number of ways. Whilst known for its large ski area, Portes du Soleil is a multi-activity destination and also has much to offer off the slopes. From ziplining over Châtel, ice driving in Abondance and mountain yoga in several destinations, there is an adventure for everyone. This season promises to be action packed with Portes du Soleil hosting a number of exciting festivals including the Montreux Comedy Festival, the SnowBoxx music festival in Avoriaz and the return of the famous Rock the Pistes music festival.
News from the Portes du Soleil:
Montreux Comedy Fait du Ski: The Montreux Comedy Festival will take to the mountains in Les Gets from 14 to 21 January 2023 for a week full of laughter on the slopes. The best of the French and British stand up scene will pass the torch to each other with a single objective: to make the audience laugh. From the absurd to the very rude, from French to English, laughter is guaranteed. There will be an opportunity to discover the new generation of comedians looking to establish themselves amongst the great. In co-production with the famous Montreux Comedy Festival, this alpine variation promises to bring a fresh perspective to the comedy festival.
Visit: www.lesgets.com/montreux-comedy-fait-du-ski/
Water, Rocks and Glacier exhibition: Inspired by her trips to the Chablais sites, this winter photographer and artist Aurore Bagarry is bringing her experience of the Chablais UNESCO Geopark to Portes du Soleil. Aurore is launching an exhibition featuring ten photographs to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Geopark. The public is invited to discover the photographs which immortalise the metamorphoses of the Alpine landscape. The exhibition titled Water, Rocks and Glacier, revolves around the visual representation of water as a form, as an imprint on the landscape and as a natural border through the Chablais Geopark. Aurore’s photography perfectly captures the contemporary issues of climate change and melting ice. The exhibition will be held in the Abondance Town Hall from 13 December 2022 to 15 March 2023, and entry will be free.
Visit: https://www.geoparc-chablais.com/toutes-les-actualites/bagarry_exposition/
Eco-Responsible Ski Passes: In line with its eco-tourism philosophy and in order to continue its actions in favour of responsible tourism, the resort of Les Gets is offering an innovative solution to reduce the plastic consumption created by ski passes, with over 40,000 passes issued each year to skiers and mountain bikers. This winter, Les Gets will offer wooden ski passes, made in resort with a unique graphic design and in a practical format.
Rock the Pistes returns: After its triumphant return last year, the Portes du Soleil is preparing for the eleventh edition of Rock the Pistes. The original music festival in the mountains and the only event of its kind with concerts on the slopes, Rock the Pistes will feature performances at an altitude of over 1,600m with music fans from across Europe expected to descend on the Portes du Soleil 12-18 March 2023, with Morzine hosting this winter’s edition. The largest event of its kind in the Alps will comprise five live concerts and more than 30 après-ski concerts in multiple resorts, with attendees able to base themselves on the French or Swiss side of the border. Past acts have included Rag’n’Bone Man, the Klaxons and Pete Doherty, with this year’s line-up being hotly anticipated. Festival-goers can literally ski from one performance to the next, and with entry to the concerts free to lift pass holders, revellers can enjoy the freedom to party where they please. Visit: www.rockthepistes.com
New Spa: The Neige & Roc hotel in Morzine is teaming up with iconic English cosmetic brand, Bamford, to launch a new Spa this winter. This unique spa will focus on a return to nature, offering only high quality organic products. The Spa will offer well-being walks with access to relaxation equipment, massages and herbal teas. For those not staying at the hotel, there will be an option of a Spa Day Card which permits access to the hydro-bath, top of the range sauna and outdoor Swedish bath, perfect for non-skiers. All services are offered to hotel guests as well as to visitors of the local area. A day spa card is priced from €95 / £82 pp.
Visit: www.neige-roc.com/
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, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. Return flights from London Gatwick during the upcoming winter season cost from £43 pp with EasyJet.
Ski Solutions offer a seven-night stay in the Portes du Soleil at Hotel Chamois d’Or in the charming and rustic Swiss resort of Champéry, arriving 7 January 2023, from £1,515 pp based on two adults sharing a standard room on a self-catering basis. Includes return flights from London Gatwick to Geneva and rail transfers.Or Inghams offer a seven-night stay in the Portes du Soleil at the Saskia Apartments in the French snow sure resort of Avoriaz, arriving 7 January 2023, from £598 pp based on two adults sharing a one-bedroom self-catering apartment. Includes return flights from the UK to Geneva and airport transfers.
To plan your trip to the Portes du Soleil and for more information, please visit:
