Mountain Air Blog

Its been a few weeks since I updated the Blog and there are a number of things worth telling you about so here goes:

This winter season promises to be another exciting one in Chatel and around the Portes du Soleil. Chatel continues its huge investment in the ski area with fast new lifts and much more.

New Lifts: The “Echo Alpin” 6 seater chair lift is currently being installed in the Linga area. The new lift will take skiers to the Col du Linga at over 2000 metres and will have the capacity to carry up to 2700 people per hour. It will also be one of the fastest lifts in the Portes du Soleil.

Guaranteed Snow: Additional snowmaking cannons are being installed in the Linga and Combes area bringing the total number of snowcannons in the Chatel area to 180.

Redesigned Slopes: Much work has been done through the summer on redesigning some pistes making the skiing even more enjoyable, especially for beginners

Resort Opening Dates: The resort is planning to open for the 2009/10 season on the 12th December 2009.

The summer 09 season continues to be a busy one in Chatel, we have had some great events during June, July and August and the weather of the last 5 weeks has been superb, very warm, dry and sunny. In the last day or so it has gone much cooler but the forecast is looking good for the next few days.

The really busy summer weeks have gone and Chatel is now much quieter. All the children go back to school next week and with the slightly cooler weather its a great time to visit this part of the Alps for sightseeing and walking.

The next few weeks are likely to be a little cooler and certainly quieter around Chatel. It is a busy time for us taking bookings for the winter season. We already have limited availability for the peak weeks over Xmas, New Year and February so if you are thinking about a winter holiday this season check out the prices and latest availability or email us for details at enquiries@mountainairholidays.co.uk    

Resort Opening Dates Winter 2009 / 10

Chatel will open for the 2009/10 season on the 12th December 09 and close on the 26th April 2010. Look out for more news about whats going on this winter with new activities, brand new lifts and much more!

We are nearing the end of July and plenty still to do yet before this summer is finished. The weather through July has been a bit mixed with plenty of warm sunshine but a few thunderstorms as well. We have had loads of events around Chatel and the local area already this summer with more to come in August. Its been a busy summer so far with plenty of mountain bikers, walkers and families enjoting the lakes & mountains.

I know the winter is coming when I start booking ski lessons for groups coming out at New Year and Feb half term and that job started this week. As flights are released everyone seems to now be looking ahead to the winter season and their annual skiing holiday. We have an even bigger range of accommodation available this season including our 2 catered chalets and a good selection of large self catered ski apartments, so get in touch if you are considering skiing this winter.

In the mean time enjoy the rest of the summer!

With the summer well under way we took the opportunity to take some friends on a 2 day mountain walk staying overnight in one of the highest refuges in the area. The day began with temperatures climbing steeply and that was to be our theme for the day too!  Beginning in Chatel we walked out of the village towards the Pas de Morgins and then along the Val de Morgins, zig-zagging across the bridges, heading first for the Salon de They and then onwards and upwards to Tovassiere and the Col de Portes Du Soleil.  It’s a steady climb, beginning at around 1200 metres, reaching 1600 metres at Tovassiere.  The valley has picnic spots all along the banks and as the river was looking very inviting in the heat. Shortly after the Salon de They, the path left the riverbank and began a fairly steep ascent up to Tovassiere.  By the time we got there the skies were looking rather black, but we decided to press on.  Lightening and thunder were soon crashing around us, not to mention rather painful hailstones, so we took shelter in a barn and waited out the storm.  When the weather had calmed down we took the wide track up to the Portes du Soleil and gazed across over Le Crosets to the magnificent Dents de Midi mountain range.  A few minutes later we were at the highest point of that day’s walk at the Point d’hiver just over 2,000 metres and then it was just a short descent  to Lac Vert and the Refuge which sits at 1980 metres. The recent warmth has still not melted the last of the snow.

A great meal, a few games of cards and a pretty good nights sleep set us up for the 4 hour walk back to Chatel the following day. Taking the track towards Avoriaz and via Linderets, Plaine Dranse and Linga completing our circular walk at around 3pm on the second day. A really nice refuge and a great 2 days of walking!

Having been away for a well earned break following a busy winter season we are now preparing our 2 chalets and apartments for the summer season. The grass in growing, I can hear cow bells and the flowers are out so the start of the summer season is not far away.

Even though the summer season is about to start its a busy time for us taking bookings for next winter. If you are thinking about a winter holiday next season let us know. enquiries@mountainairholidays.co.uk  

Summer Ski Lifts - Opening Dates

The Fantasticable & Bob Luge will open at weekends on the 13th/14th & 20th/21st June and every day from Friday 26th June.

The summer Ski Lifts and Chatel Bike Park will also be open on the 13th/14th & 20th/21st June and every day from Friday 26th June.

Below I have listed just some of the events that are going on in Chatel and local area this summer, please contact us for more information.

Summer Events 2009

The Raid 2009 - 13th & 14th June 2009 - Multi Sport Endrance Test

Multipass-Portes du Soleil - 13th June - 21st Sept 09

Pass’Portesdusoleil - 27th & 28th June 2009 - Mountain Biking Event

Chatel Mountain Style - 3rd - 5th July 2009 - Mountain Biking Event

Montreux Jazz Festival - 3rd - 18th July 2009 - Music Event

Bastille Day Celebrations - 14th July - Superb Fireworks & Celebrations

Evian Masters Golf - 23rd - 26th July 2009 - LPGA Tour Event Evian

St Laurent Festival - Sunday 2nd August 2009 - Local Festival in Chatel

Belle Dimanche - Sunday 23rd August 2009 - Local Festival in Chatel

Omega European Masters - 3rd - 6th Sept 2009 - Crans Montana

I know its been said many times over the last few months but “what a season”! I dont remember any week during the season when the snow wasn’t great.  Snow conditions change during the winter from powder to packed snow, but with regular snow and cold weather throughout most of the season, its been superb. The last lifts closed on the 26th April 09 having been open since November last year, so its been a fairly long season to!

We now take a short break before getting ready for the summer season which starts in June when we see the introdution of the new “multipass portes du soleil” which will give all guests staying with us unlimited use of the summer lifts, swimming pools tennis courts and much more for just 1 euros per day.

Need also to go shopping to buy some new snow shovels, they are all worn out!

We have just 2 weeks left to go until the end of the 08/09 winter season in Chatel.  As you will have read in our previous blogs the snow this season has been superb.  The last lifts will close in 2 weeks time on the 26th April, and despite a very warm and sunny couple of weeks we still have 2 metres of snow at the top of the mountain!

We are heading off for a well earned rest in May until we start the summer season in early June. Look out for our newsletter in the next couple of weeks which will have more details about what is happening this summer and next winter 09/10.

Following 2 or 3 weeks of warm spring like weather during March we are back to more fresh powder and cold temperatures.  The snow conditions for the remaining 4 weeks of this winter season look like being superb.

Chatel will again be one of the last resorts to close in the Portes du soleil with the lifts due to stay open until around 26th April 09, so if you fancy a late skiing holiday let us know. In our catered chalets we have availability from Sunday 12th April.

As this season draws to a close we are now taking bookings for next winter 09/10.  Let us know as soon as you can if you are considering a skiing holiday next season.

The amount of snow we have had this season has been amazing and its still falling, another 40cm has fallen in the last 48 hours!  With a base of over 2 metres and regular fresh snow on top, the lifts in Chatel and Avoriaz will stay open until the very end of April at least!

If you want a last minute ski holiday let us know asap, our only availability is from Friday 20th March - Sunday 29th March and from Sunday 12th April.

Both should be great weeks, quiet slopes and great snow!

This years Passportes event will take place over the weekend of the 27th & 28th June 2009.

Registrations for the 6th Passportes event are now open. 2000 riders have already registered for this years event so if you are thinking about riding this year get registered and book your accommodation now.

For those riders that have not riden this event before it is a 75km mountain bike ride around the whole of the Portes du Soleil. Using the 24 summer ski lifts you will cover a huge area and from 1000m to 2250m in altitude. You can choose which resort you would prefer to start from and also whether to ride on the Saturday or Sunday.

Let us know if you need somewhere to stay and if you cant get a start point in Chatel, try Morgins as its only 10 minutes away.

For more info check out - http://www.passportesdusoleil.com/