Summer at Chalet Val D'Abondance
Hiking
Whether starting at the bottom and walking to the top is your thing, or you’d prefer to take the more leisurely option of a chair lift up and a walk down, there are countless options available within easy reach of the chalet.
Mountain Biking
Châtel is fast becoming one of the best-known bike parks in the French Alps, and there are now many resorts offering uplift to mountain bikers, with a large number of trails to suit all abilities. Bike, helmet and body armour hire is available widely.
Swimming Pools
Many of the towns in the region have their own municipal swimming pools, most with outdoor options, perfect for the summer. There is a pool with a gym and adults-only spa in Châtel, or Aquariaz with it’s jacuzzis and lazy river in Avoriaz.
Open Water Swimming
If lakes are your thing, then open water swimming is available in a number of different locations nearby, from Lac Leman, and Montriond, or Bernex for those who might want some more child-focussed activities.
Canyoning and White Water Rafting
An introduction to canyoning is available to book if you don’t want the security of a boat, or if you want to pretend you won’t get wet, you can also book a variety of white water rafting trips bookable through Richard Sports.
Summer Luge
If you’ve got children and wish your wallet had less in it, then there are multiple locations designed to solve this problem for you. There’s one in Châtel, and another in Les Gets, which is much bigger, but doesn’t have beer to help you cope with the cost.
Golf
There is a 9 hole golf course in Avoriaz (EUR35), with breathtaking views, a driving range (free bucket of balls with a Multipass) and the ability to hire a set of clubs. A little further afield, there is a full 18-hole course in Les Gets (EUR71.50).
Zip Wire
The Fantasticable Zip Wire runs from the top of the Rochassons lift, and in summer crosses the valley twice (EUR42). Open daily from late June to early September, anyone weighing between 35kg and 120kg can soar across the Abondance Valley at a height of up to 240m from the ground.
Paragliding
If Zip Lines are a bit too close to the ground for you, then paragliding might be your thing. With a trained instructor at the controls, there are different experiences available to book from discovery flights (EUR70) to longer flights (EUR120).
Adventure Park
Above the Super Châtel gondola is the Adventure Park, where adults and children alike can take a course of zip lines and traverses through the trees. Suitable for children from 2 years and up, there are a range of courses for the brave and the braver (EUR14.50 to EUR 30.30).
Tennis
There are multiple locations to play tennis near to the Chalet – the closest being Saix Sports Centre, only a couple of minutes drive from the Chalet, with free Tennis Court access. You can also find courts elsewhere in Châtel and in Avoriaz.
Rock Climbing
There are plenty of options for climbing in the area, from a Via Ferrata, through to bouldering and rock climbing and all the way to full alpine mountaineering (both with guides if required). All can be arranged via the Chatel summer activity website.
Where to walk
There are countless walking trails across the Portes du Soleil area. They vary from gravel roads, forest trails and mountain tracks, and they are always well signposted, with distances and times, so you should find navigation easy. You can find detailed topographical maps available online, as well as as in paper form that are available to purchase in local shops in Châtel.
There are also websites such as AllTrails (see the links page), where you can find details and photographs of short round trips to full days out.
If you don’t want to walk up from the valley floor, some of the chairlifts in the region are open for both pedestrians and cyclists. An all day “Multipass” gets you unlimited access to the lift network, and free or discounted activities like swimming, tennis, mini-golf, trampolines and more in the resort centres. These can be purchased online, or at the Caisse at Pierre Longue.
Where to visit with children
There are many locations in the Portes du Soleil area designed to cater for families with children. There are municipal swimming pools in many of the towns, as well as activities at several local lakes. There are also many playgrounds, mini golf courses, trampoline parks, and child-friendly mountain biking experiences.
