Portes du Soleil turns 60
Portes du Soleil turns 60
Published : 15-Oct-2024 09:35
Portes du Soleil Celebrates 60 Years of Skiing Without Borders
What's New for Winter 2024/2025
From the Press Office and Heaven Publicity
This winter marks a monumental milestone for the Portes du Soleil as it celebrates its 60th anniversary!
The Portes du Soleil ski area is nestled between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc, just an hour from Geneva, and remains one of the largest and most celebrated ski areas in the world. Spanning the Franco-Swiss border, the ski paradise boasts 12 resorts, including Avoriaz, Morzine, Champéry, and Les Gets, offering skiers and snowboarders the unique opportunity to glide seamlessly between France and Switzerland.
Celebrating 60 years of Portes du Soleil - A brief history
The vision for Portes du Soleil was born in 1964 when a three-metre by three-metre scale model of a cross-border ski area was unveiled at the Lausanne World Fair.
Initially called the Haute Route des Familles, referencing the Chamonix-Zermatt crossing, the project sought a name that would resonate more broadly. Jean Vuarnet, Olympic ski champion and native of Morzine Avoriaz, was a key advocate of a linked ski domain.
In 1965, during a meeting at Carnotzet du Grand Paradis, the name "Portes du Soleil" was proposed and unanimously adopted, inspired by the pass at Les Crosets. The development of cross-border ski links soon followed, beginning with the first lift connecting Châtel and Morgins in 1956. By 1968, further links like the Champéry-Avoriaz connection and the famed Swiss Wall run solidified the area's status as a pioneering ski destination.
Events for the 2024 / 2025 Ski Season
The Alps' largest music festival, Rock The Pistes, returns for 2025
Photo (c) of Rock The Pistes
Rock The Pistes is back for its 12th edition, promising an unforgettable fusion of music and mountains!
From 16-22 March 2025, over 20,000 music lovers will gather at altitudes ranging from 1,600m to 1,950m for this iconic festival, featuring five major performances on the pistes and more than 30 après-concerts spread across the Portes du Soleil in both France and Switzerland.
With free entry for lift pass holders, festivalgoers can ski from one concert to the next, enjoying the freedom to dance and sing along amidst the stunning alpine backdrop. While the headliner is yet to be revealed, Rock The Pistes promises to deliver an electric atmosphere that celebrates the perfect blend of live music and skiing adventure. For more information, visit: www.rockthepistes.com
Gear up for the winter season in Avoriaz with Rock On Snow
The winter season in Avoriaz kicks off with Rock On Snow, running from 13-15 December 2024.
This exciting event brings together over 65 brands, offering a unique chance to test the latest snow sports equipment—skis, snowboards, bindings, boots, helmets, masks, and more—before it hits the market.
Visitors can explore the test village, where hands-on trials of all the gear are completely free! Simply register in November to secure your test card. Over three days, participants will be able to ride the slopes, meet industry professionals, and test gear in real conditions.
Plus, don't miss out on celebrating the start of the winter season with the first raclette of the year. Attendees can also take advantage of special lift pass rates, with an Avoriaz pass priced at £20 / €24 for one day, £38 / €45 for two days, and £54 / €65 for three days. For more information, visit: www.avoriaz.com | rockonsnow.com
A week of laughter in the Alps at Les Gets Comedy Festival
The Les Gets Comedy Festival is set to return to the picturesque slopes of Les Gets from 25-31 January 2025. This week-long event will infuse the serene mountains with waves of laughter.
Showcasing the finest talents from both the French and British stand-up comedy scenes, comedians will take turns passing the torch. From the delightfully absurd to the daringly cheeky, from French to English humour, hilarity is guaranteed. This festival offers a unique opportunity to discover the up-and-coming generation of comedians seeking to carve their names among the comedy greats. Tickets are priced from £8 / €10 to £34 / €40 pp for individual sessions. For more information, please visit: www.lesgets.com/en/les-gets-comedie/
Les P'tits Flambeaux: Charity Torchlight Descent in Châtel
The beloved tradition of the torchlight descent returns to Châtel with a special charity event, Les P'tits Flambeaux, on Thursday, 20 February 2025.
This national initiative aims to unite ski resorts across France in raising funds to help children who are unable to go on holiday experience the joys of the mountains. Proceeds will benefit three associations: Enfance & Montagne, Génération Montagne, and Petits Princes.
Torches will be available for purchase at the ESF office and Châtel Tourisme, priced at £8.35 / €10 each. The evening begins with participants taking the Pierre-Longue chairlift. As dusk falls skiers will descend the "La Belette" green run, accompanied by instructors from Châtel ESF (a good level of skiing is recommended). Throughout the event, attendees can enjoy musical entertainment and refreshments served in front of the Plaine Dranse hors-sac, with voluntary donations supporting the associated charities. For more information, visit: www.chatel.com/torchlight-descent
J2Ski visited Chatel and Les Get last winter, and you can read our Portes du Soleil Trip Report here.
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