Bike Park Châtel is arguable the best place to ride in the Portes Du Soleil, with a number of trails to suit all abilities, and all of them are well designed and fun to ride, from Green to Pro lines. It's great for progession with drops and jumps marked with little flags, and the signs and maps everywhere to make navigation easy.
Châtel, which sits centrally in the Portes du Soleil area (the network of interlinked resorts including Morzine, Les Gets, Morgins and Champéry), in the Pré-la-Joux sector and accessible by the Pierre-Longue and/or Rochassons chairlifts, which are 6km from the town center, it's worth staying near Pre-La-Joux to avoid some additional pedalling.
With around 20 purpose-built trails (offering around 45km of trails in total) of all levels of difficulty as well as several fun areas, kid's shore, two slopestyles (one of which is a pro) and a pump track.
WHERE: Rte de Pré la Joux, 74390 Châtel, France
Interactive map: Châtel trail map
Website: Châtel Bike Park (chatel.com)
Other info:
Ticket price (Full Portes du Soleil area): 1 day = €28; 7 days = €126. Children’s, Junior and Senior discounts available
Season: mid-late June to early September
Airport: Geneva (Switzerland)
Activities: Try the Deval Karts (wear a decent helmet!)
Bike shops: Several shops in Châtel, or for spares there is a small setup at the lift
Mountain food: Fantaski, situated at the top of the lower chairlift, is a popular rider hangout
Evening eats: Le Hors Piste serves a range of food from pizzas to falafels to deep-fried macaroni cheese
Watering hole: Nazca Bar, a lively hangout for locals and visiting riders alike
Chatel Bike Park Guide by Atlas Ride Co
Route type: Bike Park