The 16 best outdoor activities to do in Châtel

For a successful winter sport holiday, discover the best outdoor activities to do in Châtel

Small village of Haute-Savoie, Châtel is also a ski resort the domain of Portes du Soleil. In the winter, the site offers many trails to enjoy both alpine skiing, cross-country skiing or hiking. In the summer, outdoor activities are no less varied.

With its hiking trails, lakes and impressive landscapes, the estate promises nature lovers an exceptional stay. And to help you plan your vacation, Wanderlix has designed a guide to outdoor activities to do in Châtel.

Summer

Canyoning

Strong feeling lover? Discover the Haute-Savoie thanks to the canyoning. Surrounded by the valleys, Châtel guarantees you a high canyoning session in emotion. On the program; stunt descents as a reminder, swimming, jumps, slides. And all this in an exceptional setting.

This outdoor activity in Châtel is practiced on Crédin Creek or Nyon Canyon. Although canyoning requires a good physical condition, it can be practiced by beginners as experienced. If you have never done so, a monitor does not guide you to take the descents in the best way.

Via ferrata

Easyr than climbing, via ferrata is an outdoor activity to do in Châtel. For this, go to Saix-de-Miolène in the Valley of Abundance. Here you move on a steep wall by altering the rocky passages formed of vires, dièdres or overhangs.

Throughout the course, metal equipment is designed to facilitate your movement and ensure your safety.

Paddle

Located close to Lake Geneva, Châtel gives you the opportunity to make paddle. Standing or sitting on your board, you are in the middle of this beautiful water. All around you, nature is omnipresent and allows you to enjoy a moment of absolute relaxation.

And even if you are not a great athlete, the paddle is accessible to all. Just keep its balance and paddle to explore the treasures surrounding Lake Geneva.

Hydrospeed

The hydrospeed, which is also called live water swimming, offers you unpublished sensations. Thanks to a float and palms, you are powered on the streams. To practice this sliding sport, it is essential to know how to swim and be comfortable in the water.

And even if you have never done so, a monitor guides you to help you cross the path sown with obstacles in the Valley of Abundance.

Hiking

Unmissable outdoor activity to do in Châtel; hiking. Whether sporty or not, a trek allows you to enjoy nature while doing a little exercise. One of the best trails is located in the Alpages du Mont de Grange and is suitable at all levels.

For beginners, evade for a few hours to go to meet the chamois and other wild animals that live in the mountains. And for the most experienced, don’t hesitate to leave for several days and enjoy a raclette hike.

ATV

Bike lover? Come and practice this outdoor activity in Châtel. With its many hilly trails, the resort is the ideal place for athletes. A bike park is even planned. This includes about 20 tracks, some of which are specially adapted for children.

Whatever your level, there will be a path that will carry you. Accessible by chairlift, the park is 1,778 metres above sea level.

It is possible to rent your ATV from 49€ , although prices vary greatly depending on the type of bike chosen.

Escalade

For all sportsmen, climbing is one of the best outdoor activities to do in Châtel. The commune offers its visitors two sites to satisfy everyone. Plaine Dranse includes four blocks adapted to different levels.

If you have never climbed, a guide will accompany you to indicate where to lay your hands and feet. This allows you to progress more easily to reach the top. Once you're up there, you'll be impressed by the path you've travelled and the view of the mountains.

Paragliding

Want an outdoor activity to do in Châtel in the air? The paragliding is then the ideal solution. Accompanied by a graduated state monitor, you overlook the Abundance Valley. Once in the sky, you will literally feel like flying. In addition to offering you a unique experience, the paragliding allows you to discover the Haute-Savoie in another way.

If you have never practiced this activity, it is recommended to opt for the discovery flight. You fly more than 1,500 meters above sea level for about 15 minutes. If you have more experience, you can choose higher and longer circuits for maximum sensations. Depending on the options selected, prices vary between 85€ and 380€ .

Rafting

To refresh yourself during an outdoor activity in Châtel, nothing like a rafting session. On board a pneumatic boat, you navigate between the fast alternate river sections and calm waters. rafting is an ideal sport for families or groups of friends.

Once on the river, you have to paddle while synchronizing to guide the raft. Châtel is a first-rate choice to practice rafting. Along the way, you will be surrounded by a unique landscape with an impressive vegetation density.

Wakeboard

Near Lake Geneva, Châtel offers a thousand possibilities for outdoor activities. Among the options you can make wakeboard on the lake. Traced in the back of a boat on a skim or surf board, you have to stand while taking the waves.

This allows you to spend an excellent time with your friends or family. Even when you are not on the board, you are sure to have fun watching the performances of your loved ones.

Winter

Ski off-piste

For skiing, Châtel is ideally located between Lake Geneva and the massif of the Mont-Blanc . If you are an amateur of winter sports, the station represents an ideal playground. And if you want to get out of the beaten paths, why not opt for the ski-out trail.

At the top of the mountains, you benefit from a wide variety of corridors to slalom between obstacles. In addition to all these sensations, this outdoor activity is an excellent opportunity to admire an exceptional landscape.

ESI Pro Skiing offers you a half day (4 hours) or a day to practice free rando with a qualified monitor, from 200€ for a group.

Among the best trails are the tip of Chésery, the Tête du Géant, the Combes de la Leiche, or the corridors of Morclan.

Snowshoe

If you like walking, why not diversify your way of hiking with the snowshoe? This outdoor activity in Châtel combines all the advantages of treks with the ability to easily move on the snow. This is the perfect sport for outings between friends or family.

And it falls well as the Portes du Soleil is full of snowshoe paths:

• Blag buckle: following the Ramines path, you alternate between the snow and forest trails. Throughout your walk, open your eyes to admire the landscape around you;
• Fox Trail: at the border Swiss, this six-kilometre path is reserved for experienced walkers;
• What the hell? between Châtel and Abondance, this route makes you travel between the forests and the meadows of the region.

Hiking skiing

Less technical than alpine skiing, skiing allows you to explore the hidden lands of Haute-Savoie. By practicing this outdoor activity in Châtel, you were going the pleasure of sliding sports with exceptional landscapes.

Hiking skiing can be practiced on a wide variety of paths and usually allows you to get out of the beaten paths. If you leave alone, it is imperative to take care of the avalanche corridors.

Snowboard

If you want to change your ski during your stay in Châtel, try snowboarding! Both feet on a board, you slalom between obstacles for maximum sensations. Among the best spots where to practice this outdoor activity, we recommend Linga and Pré-La-Joux. These areas help to make the slopes of the Portes du Soleil famous.

It is possible to take snowboard lessons from 30€ .

Sled dog

Experience an unforgettable experience by driving a sledge of dogs. You start this outdoor activity in Châtel by meeting your four-legged companions. Then, the monitor explains the harness setting and the conduct of the driving. As soon as everything is in place, you start the walk surrounded by snowy landscapes in the Abondance valley.

Snowmobile

Last outdoor activity to do in Châtel, snowmobile. Comfortably installed in your vehicle, you drive a field machine that can defy the coldest temperatures. In order to offer you extraordinary landscapes, you head to the most beautiful sites of Haute-Savoie like the Chain of the Aravis , the Carroz d’Arâches, Geneva or Mont Blanc.

If you don’t want to drive, it’s possible to stay in the back of one of your loved ones or let yourself be guided by a monitor.