Portes Du Soleil Snow Conditions

Portes du Soleil in France has a fantastic snowfall record. It is located on the western edge of the French Alps, and skiing in the region takes place above 1600m. Chatel is one of the most snowsure resorts on the circuit, seeing an annual snowfall of 4m each year. And with Avoriaz being at 1800 metres with north-facing slopes, that means plenty of snow coverage there too – the highest and most snow-sure point in Portes du Soleil, in fact. Les Gets can also offer a reliable snow record, mainly due to its proximity to Mont Blanc, which, at 4,810m, is the highest mountain in Western Europe.

At Portes Du Soleil, upper slope snow averages can reach as high as 172cm in April, with lower slopes maintaining a monthly average of 128cm throughout the skiing season. Some resorts have both north and south-facing slopes, and are sheltered by heavy forests of pine trees. This helps to maintain the snow base and contributes to the reliable conditions throughout the region. Many first-time visitors (and returning ones) describe Portes Du Soleil as a ‘skier’s paradise’. When you consider that the region can boast 650km of terrain served by over 200 lifts, and a choice of numerous French and Swiss resorts, it’s easy to see why.

The ski season in Portes Du Soleil runs from late December to late April, with the best snow generally seen during March and April. Across the region there are large snowmaking operations that incorporate literally hundreds of powerful snow cannons. These are usually used on the lower slopes, at ski resorts located at lower altitudes. So whether you head for Chatel, Avoriaz, Les Gets or Morzine for your Portes Du Soleil family skiing holiday this year, you can count on there being guaranteed snow, quality skiing and snowboarding, and a super-efficient lift and bus system just waiting for you to arrive.