• Send visual report
Ski France

Chatel Resort Reviews


ski hire discount link
Chatel Forecasts
Users Viewed Next:(Advanced)
Users Viewed Next:(Live)
Popular Chatel Pages
Users Viewed Next:(Maps)
Popular Chatel Pages

Visitor reviews for Chatel Ski Resort

Chatel Ratings

Overall: 4.4. Based on 55 votes and 65 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.5

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Chatel is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.7

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Chatel has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.3

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.8

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.2

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Chatel.

Public Transport: 3.8

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Chatel, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.8

(1) No places to stay in/near Chatel, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 4.3

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 4.1

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Chatel.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.0

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.4

(1) There are no child care facilities at Chatel, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.7

(1) Chatel relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.8

(1) There are no snow groomers at Chatel, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Chatel are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.3

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Chatel is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 4.3

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Chatel, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.5

(1) Chatel usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.4

(1) The staff at Chatel are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Chatel are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.0

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.7

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.9

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.5

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.8

(1) No intermediate terrain at Chatel, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.5

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 4.2

(1) Not even a kicker at Chatel, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 4.1

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Chatel, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.1

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Chatel has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.8

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.7

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 4.1

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 3.9

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 4.0

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.2

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.4

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.3

(1) Overall, Chatel is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.4

(1) Overall, Chatel is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

Latest
Oldest
Most useful
Top rated
Lowest rated
January 25, 2023
walter from Ski Italy Italy
Spent a day in Chatel. What a lovely place. The skiing was incredibly varied, superb views onto the Dente de Midi(at the top), really well groomed runs and we had lunch in town at a place that was very close to Michelin star quality. Highly recommend this place. Easy access from the Swiss autoroute and a quick drive up.
February 01, 2019
Godfrey BLATCHER from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
So many nice things to say about Chatel. I've been coming here for several weeks a season for 18 years and the skiing has always been very good. There's a piste for everyone and plenty of off-piste opportunities too. The village is typically alpine with only a few monstrosities in terms of apartment blocks. Lots of new developments have created pressure on infrastructure but only at very busy times. There are buses to the ski areas and around the village. If you must use the car then get out early to Pre la Joux during New year and February holidays. I have even driven up there first thing and come back to the village for breakfast before going skiing so the transport back to the village is not dependent upon very busy buses. If you go out at 10.30 and then don't complain there's insufficient parking! Compared to 3 Vallees and Tignes it is quaint and much, much cheaper. I was in Meribel last week and restaurant prices were 30% higher there. Lots of different nationalities make Chatel interesting and everyone is welcoming in the shops and cafes. I'd say keep an eye on the weather because even at 1200m you can get caught out with snow conditions. If you don't have winter tyres and chains you will look an idiot. I say this as it is dumping down today and the roads are treacherous.
January 12, 2019
lawrence kormornick from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Chatel has greatly improved in recent years after much investment in lifts and snow cannons and is even better now especially with the new spa and ski link from the village/Super Chatel over to Linga avoiding the road. All resorts can be busy in high season but there's always somewhere quieter to ski and avoiding queues in the 650kms of piste in 12 sectors in the PDS. The on/off pistes are superb with such variety for everyone. Chatel is still a charming village and has resisted some of the overdevelopment of other resorts. It has a very French feel yet is still cosmopolitan and no one nationality seems to dominate so there's always a good mix. Many good quality/value restaurants There's something for everyone especially families though singles may prefer Morzine for more bars and nightlife. I've been many times over the last 20 years with my family and we've always had a fantastic time and are still discovering new things. For good all round enjoyment/value/quality/charm it is hard to beat!
January 02, 2019
Daisy Donaldson from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Okay. I am 10 years old. I swear. I am astonished that the review on the top which is a bad review is put to the top! I am from the U.K. and am ashamed. Everything is definitely incorrect. Now, on to my review.: I come to Chatel every school holiday and never have a complaint. Nobody makes you walk up a lift. [note from ed: text edited to remove reviewers name etc.]
February 07, 2018
Ian mecrow from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Another reviewer has it absolutely right - below. We've been skiing here for 15 years now and this is an exceptional resort. We bring huge numbers of friends who are always impressed and where a couple have bought places after seeing how wide and varied the skiing is. Sure, it gets busy at peak times (where doesn't) but the pisteurs do a remarkable job even in the poor years. The off-piste is massive and the food in the alpine restaurants vary rarely disappoints. And it's also really good value compared with Courchevelski!!
December 05, 2017
lawrence kormornick from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Chatel is arguably the best sector in the PDS. Great variety of pistes, charming village, relaxed atmosphere, excellent restaurants, great for families, beautiful views, good value and only 75 minutes from Geneva. Links well into snow sure Avoriaz. Some great off-piste. Chatel has invested heavily in new lifts and the new link from the village to Linga is fantastic. Like any popular resort, school holidays are busy but still plenty of quiet pistes to explore. The new spas are a real bonus. So overall, 5*.
March 31, 2017
Vicky from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Chatel is great, even when the weather is not in its favour. The pistes are well groomed and all the pisteurs etc so friendly. [note from the editor: names of other reviews are not included in posts.)
March 22, 2017
Dave from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Thank you to the very nice lady running the Rochasson lift who took down the barriers to let us on, even though we had turned up 5 minutes late to get back to Avoriaz. [note from editor: post will remain in place for a short time.]
January 12, 2017
Madeleine Winnett from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I have no idea what another reviewer is talking about. I have been in Chatel for the last 9 days. The pistes are superbly prepared under what has been very difficult conditions. When you consider how little has been open in Les Crosets, Morzine, Les Gets, etc, Chatel has done brilliantly to have so much open. I have been coming here twice a year for nearly 20 years now, and seen year on year improvements. I have skied Verbier, St Anton, Cervinia, and Val d'Isere many times and Chatel is my first choice resort every time.
January 11, 2017
Alistair Webster from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Why has this negative comment been displayed for so long? It is miles from the reality. I ski in the area several times a year and so know it well. The job done by the pisteurs over Christmas/New Year 2016-7 has been quite miraculous. Despite the lack of snow, they have maintained a significant number of slopes in good condition. I skied every day for a week over New Year. I was amazed by what they had managed to achieve. The area is well linked and much money has been invested i improving the lift system, which is unrecognisable from 20 years ago. Prices are very reasonable. The pistes are well maintained. There is a good range of restaurants on the slopes. By way of comparison, Morzine is far less snow sure and Les Gets has really struggled with lack of snow so far.

Nearest