Portes du Soleil, Ski area spanning Haute-Savoie and Valais regions, France and Switzerland
Portes du Soleil links 12 resorts in France and Switzerland and offers 600 kilometers of marked runs between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. The area spreads across 14 valleys and ranges from 930 meters elevation in Abondance village to 2260 meters at Pointe de Mossettes.
The development of this region began in 1934 with the construction of the 25-passenger Pleney cable car in Morzine, which eased access to the slopes. The official name emerged in 1965 when cooperation between the French and Swiss resorts was formalized.
Rock the Pistes organizes performances by known bands at mountain huts and lift stations, so skiers can stop and listen while music plays live. Visitors then experience a mix of descents and concerts that take place at different points along the slopes.
Around 200 lifts connect the valleys, so visitors can switch between different slopes during the day and reach several resorts. Travelers should carry appropriate documents when crossing borders, as the route moves back and forth between two countries.
In Avoriaz no cars are allowed during winter, so guests move through the lanes on foot, on skis or by horse-drawn sleigh. The buildings wear timber cladding and fit into the slope, so the village looks calm and cohesive.
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