As one of the world’s largest interlinking ski areas, it’s hardly surprising that there are so many activities to do in Portes Du Soleil during the winter season. The Area comprises thirteen resorts across France and Switzerland, giving you access to over 600 km of ski slopes.
Activities in Les Portes du Soleil
While the slopes provide something for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned skiers, Portes Du Soleil also has plenty to offer in terms of non-ski activities, from zipping around the Alpes to taking a horse ride through the villages.
There is so much more you can do in resorts these days other than skiing. Not to mention the large selection of restaurants and pubs to cater for your needs. The great thing about the Portes Du Soleil area is that it offers one of the shortest transfers from Geneva’s international airport. You can catch a morning flight and be in one of the resorts by lunchtime.
If you want to take a break from skiing or snowboarding, here is a selection of non-skiing activities in the Portes du Soleil.
Where to eat in Morzine Ski Resort, France
Try Night Sledging on the Morzine slopes, France
After the skiers have left for the day, take an exciting night ride down the Peleney slope on a sledge, lit up only by your head torch. This thrilling descent covers 4 km of ski trails overlooking Morzine ski resort. Instructors and piste patrollers supervise the night sledging for your safety. It is similar to the one in Val Thorens.
It is a great activity to do at night in Morzine if you don’t want to enjoy the Apres Ski. The minimum age is 8, and adults must accompany children aged 8 to 11. Prices start at €33 per sledge, and each session lasts one hour. Night sledging takes place daily and can be booked online.
Go Paragliding in Morzine France
One of the activities I recommend in Morzine during the winter is tandem paragliding on skis. It is a fantastic experience and a unique way to view the Les Portes du Soleil from a different perspective.
The main difference between winter and summer paragliding is that you take off and land with your skis on the snow. Taking off on skis is much easier than running and taking off with a parachute. I know because I have done both. I tandem Paraglided in La Clusaz in winter and enjoyed it a lot. This is one of the top things to do in the Morzine / Avoriaz ski resorts.
Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride in Morzine.
One of the non-ski activities offered during the winter season is a Horse-drawn carriage ride through Morzine village and the surrounding areas. Prices and times vary depending on your route, from 10€ per person for a petit tour to 90€ for a circuit tour to Montriond Ski Resort.
I went on a 90-minute circuit tour around Morzine village and Montriond. We explored all the villages, and then we stopped at a local gallery to look around. They had some beautiful artwork and photos of the surrounding mountains. This is a great activity for families in Les Portes du Soleil. The carriage can fit up to 5 people (6 including the driver), and the starting point is across the road from the Tourist Office.
Horse-drawn carriage ride through Morzine in winter
Visit the Aquatic Center in Chatel
Forme d’O Aquatic Centre is a great place to relax and enjoy a swim. It is located in the village of Chatel and is easy to get to by ski shuttle bus. This is a popular activity for families here for half a day with the children. Forme d’O Aquatic Centre has outdoor and indoor heated pools, indoor waterfalls and bubble bed seats, as well as saunas and steam baths.
The centre also offers a variety of treatments, from facials to body treatments in individual or double cubicles. In the pool, you can do water activities such as aqua classes, swimming classes, baby swimming, and aqua biking. During the summer season, Forme d’O Aquatic Centre is included in Multipass. Champéry on the Swiss side also has a wellness centre that offers a heated pool.
Fantasticable (Zip lining across the Alps) in Chatel
The cross-border ski resort of Chatel Ski Resort France is pretty and relatively unspoiled. Strapped into a harness in a laying position, you fly like a bird with speeds of between 80 to 100 km along a line up at 240m above the hamlet of Paine-Dranse Portes du Soleil.
If you are skiing or snowboarding, your equipment will follow you on the line in a transportation carrier. If you are not skiing or snowboarding, all you need to do is catch the cable car, located right next to the starting point. Do not worry if you can’t do it in the winter season; it is also open during Summer. The best part is that it involves two lines for double the fun.
Addition Zipline Information:
- Prices – Solo Flight from €36 – Duet Flight €72
- Only the first cable is opened during the winter period and your skis and board will be attached it.
- Weight Restrictions – Due to safety – The minimum weight is 35kg, and the maximum is 150kg.
Photo Provided by Chatel Tourism -Chatel Fantasticable Hiver Chatel Ski Resort France
Try your hand at curling in Champery Switzerland
Champéry Ski Resort, Switzerland, is a postcard-perfect alpine village with the Dents du Midi and Dents Blanches as the backdrop. Try your hand at Curling, held at the Palladium Sports and Cultural Centre in Champery. It is a super competitive sport that takes skill and strategy at the Winter Olympics.
Curling is a sport where players slide a granite stone across a sheet of ice, aiming to get as close as possible to the target area at the end of the ice path. An introductory curling workshop is a fantastic activity for families or groups of friends, especially during cold, snowy weather.
Addition Information for Curling:
- Groups of 7 to 50 people: 40 CHF per person for 2 hours
- Have a drink in the Palladium bar and restaurant when you’ve finished slip-sliding on the ice
Go to the Spa Les Gets
Nothing beats a nice massage or spa treatment, especially after a hard day of skiing or snowboarding or when it is cold outside. Head to Spa Sereni Cimes for pampering, swimming, and treatments. The Spa offers a good selection of massages and treatments. It also has sauna facilities, a relaxation area, and a heated indoor swimming pool.
Spa Sereni Cimes is located under the La Tapia Hotel de Charme in the centre of Les Gets Ski Resort. Guests of the Hotel La Marmotte and La Tapia Hotel can use the spa facilities for free. However, non-hotel guests must pay a fee.
Additional Information for the Spa
- The hydrotherapy and spa area are open to adults 18 or older (or 16 years of age if accompanied by an adult).
- Children residents of the hotel are allowed to stay in the pool if they are accompanied by their parents.
- The Spa centre opens every day at 4 pm.
Cancellation of activities in Portes Du Soleil
Being one of the largest ski areas in the world, the weather can be unpredictable. This means that winter activities in Portes Du Soleil can be cancelled sometimes. Bad snow conditions, high winds, and even whiteouts can cause problems, so please check before heading to your activity.
This will prevent any disappointment!
Additional Resorts in the Portes du Soleil
If you’re keen on discovering more ski resorts within the stunning Portes Du Soleil ski area, don’t miss out on my other articles! Each one showcases fantastic options for an unforgettable ski holiday. Dive in and find your perfect winter getaway.
Have you stayed in any of the Portes du Soleil ski resorts before? I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
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Disclaimer: Even though the above Resorts invited me to the Portes du Soleil. All views are my own and based on my own experience.
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