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Best Ski Resorts in the Portes du Soleil

Avoriaz is the best ski resort in the Portes du Soleil, because its high, snow sure cliff top setting and true ski in ski out access put you right at the heart of this huge cross border circuit linking France and Switzerland. Morzine is the best all round town base, Les Gets the best for families, and Morgins the best value secret on the Swiss side. Below we rank the six resorts worth choosing as your base in the Portes du Soleil, with an honest verdict on who each suits. The Portes du Soleil is one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, around 600 km of pistes across a dozen villages, so the real question is not whether to come but which base gives you the best mix of snow, value and atmosphere.

How we ranked them

Which base wins on snow, value and atmosphere

All these villages share one lift pass and one vast linked area, so we rank not on the skiing alone but on which base gives you the best altitude and snow, the best value for lodging and food, and the best evenings. The catch with the Portes du Soleil is altitude, since much of the area sits relatively low and the snow down to the towns can suffer in a mild spell, which is why the higher bases score well. We flag where the savings are real on the quieter Swiss side and which towns reward families over party groups.

The ranking

The six best bases in the area

Avoriaz

Avoriaz is the best base in the Portes du Soleil because it sits highest, holds the snow longest and offers true car free ski in ski out access right at the center of the circuit, so you reach the whole cross border area without a bus. It is excellent for families thanks to the traffic free streets and a renowned children's village. The famous brutalist architecture is the only real drawback, and one that keeps some traditionalists away.

For: Families and keen skiers who want the most reliable snow and car free convenience.

Skip if: You dislike modern architecture or want a low altitude town.

Morzine

Morzine is the best all round base in the Portes du Soleil, a lively, attractive Savoyard town with the shortest transfer from Geneva and easy lift access into the wider area. It has the best mix of dining, apres ski and real town life of any village here, which makes it the default choice for most groups. It sits low, so the snow into town can be patchy in a mild spell, and you take a lift or bus to link fully into the circuit.

For: Groups who want a real town, the shortest transfer and lively evenings.

Skip if: You need guaranteed snow to the door or true ski in ski out.

Les Gets

Les Gets is the best Portes du Soleil base for families, a genuinely pretty traditional village with gentle, well groomed terrain, a calm atmosphere and an easy transfer from Geneva. It feels more like a real Alpine village than its purpose built neighbors and the learning terrain is excellent. Like Morzine it sits low, so snow reliability depends on the conditions, the trade for all that charm.

For: Families and couples who want charm, calm and gentle skiing.

Skip if: You want high snow sure slopes or a party scene.

Chatel

Chatel is the best base for traditional Savoyard charm with quick access to both the French and Swiss sides of the circuit, a working farming village of timber chalets at the far end of the area. The skiing on its doorstep is varied and the atmosphere is authentic and good value. It sits low and one link between sectors still relies on a bus, the small catch for the character and price.

For: Those who want an authentic village and easy access to both countries.

Skip if: You want ski in ski out or guaranteed snow to the village.

Champery

Champery is the most beautiful base in the Portes du Soleil, a classic Swiss village beneath the dramatic Dents du Midi with a cable car up to the famously steep Swiss wall. The scenery and authentic Swiss character are unmatched here and the village is calm and pretty. The local terrain is north facing and steeper, the village sits low, and Swiss prices are higher, so it suits scenery lovers and stronger skiers more than budget families.

For: Strong skiers and scenery lovers who want authentic Swiss character.

Skip if: You want gentle terrain, low prices or snow sure altitude.

Morgins

Morgins is our contrarian pick, a quiet, low key Swiss village on the far side of the circuit that offers the best value and the most relaxed atmosphere in the Portes du Soleil. It is gentle, family friendly and uncrowded, with easy access into the wider area and noticeably lower prices than the marquee French towns. It is sleepy at night and short on facilities, which is exactly why it stays a value secret.

For: Value families who want a quiet, uncrowded base in the circuit.

Skip if: You want nightlife, facilities or steep terrain at the door.

At a glance

Portes du Soleil bases compared

Rank	Resort	Country	Best for	Budget band per person
1	Avoriaz	France	Snow sure and car free	$2,000 to $4,000
2	Morzine	France	All round town base	$2,000 to $4,000
3	Les Gets	France	Families	$2,000 to $4,000
4	Chatel	France	Traditional charm	Under $2,000
5	Champery	Switzerland	Scenery and character	$2,000 to $4,000
6	Morgins	Switzerland	Contrarian value	Under $2,000

Read the full Portes du Soleil region hub for the whole area, our head to head comparisons of Avoriaz vs Morzine and Morzine vs Les Gets, and the France and Switzerland destination guides.

Book the extras and save

Lift passes, airport transfers and lessons are where even a smart trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.

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Questions worth asking

Portes du Soleil FAQs

What is the best resort in the Portes du Soleil?

Avoriaz is the best resort in the Portes du Soleil, sitting highest with the most reliable snow and offering true car free ski in ski out access at the center of the circuit. Morzine is the best all round town base and Les Gets the best for families.

How big is the Portes du Soleil ski area?

The Portes du Soleil is one of the largest linked ski areas in the world, with around 600 km of pistes spread across a dozen villages straddling the French and Swiss border, all on one lift pass. You can ski between countries in a day, which is a large part of the appeal.

Which Portes du Soleil resort is best for families?

Les Gets and Avoriaz are the best Portes du Soleil resorts for families. Les Gets is a pretty, calm village with gentle terrain, while Avoriaz is car free with a renowned children's village and snow sure slopes. Morgins on the Swiss side is a quieter, lower cost family alternative.

Is the Portes du Soleil snow sure?

Not especially, and this is its main weakness. Much of the area sits relatively low, so the snow down to the towns can suffer in a mild spell, particularly at low villages like Morzine, Les Gets and Chatel. Avoriaz sits highest and holds snow best, so it is the safest bet in a marginal season.

Where should I stay in the Portes du Soleil on a budget?

Morgins and Chatel are the best value bases, with Morgins on the quiet Swiss side offering the lowest prices and Chatel an authentic, good value French village. Self catering and an early booking keep a week under 2,000 US dollars per person, especially away from the busier French resort centers.

How do you get to the Portes du Soleil?

Geneva is the nearest airport, with Morzine and Les Gets around 75 to 90 minutes away and the higher and Swiss villages a little farther. Frequent flights and shared transfers make it one of the easiest big areas to reach from the UK, and Morzine in particular suits a short trip.

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By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed February 2026. We update rankings and prices each year.