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Swiss Side Ski Areas of the Portes du Soleil
| Ski Areas in Morzine & the Portes du Soleil |
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The Portes du Soleil ski area is vast with 650km of piste and offers something for everyone. Comprising 14 resorts over France and Switzerland, the lift system of 209 lifts allows skiers and borders to freely enjoy this winter adventure park. |
| Les Crosets Ski Area |
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Les Crosets offers the biggest area and the most runs and handily is the easiest and quickest to access from the Linderets valley. Drop down a choice of reds or a blue all the way into Les Crosets from the top of the Express Mossettes lift. From here you can head up the opposite side of the valley using the TS Crosets II. This rises up the mountain above two steep super well groomed reds and for those of a particular persuasion there is a big snow park, more for the expert freestyler really. Dropping down the blue from the top of this lift stay hard over to the skiers left and make the signposted turning after the restaurant. This opens up another bowl from where it is possible take a super long red all the way down to Champery from the top of the TK Ripaille drag lift. Or if you want to head for home then drop to the TS Chavanette which will put you over into the Secteur Chavanette above Avoriaz. Under the lift line is the famous Swiss wall, probable the most demanding run in the whole of the Portes du Soleil. Basically this is a huge un-pisted steep mogul drop. The drop in at the top is big and not the place to make a mistake as this is also the steepest section and it is more than possible to fall and keep going for many hundreds of meters. Really this run is only for expert skiers and even then it’s a debate as to whether it’s enjoyable or not. |
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last updated 5-Feb-2008 |
| Morgins and Champoussin Ski Areas |
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In the opposite direction from the top of the Mossettes lies Morgins and Champoussin. The best way to experience both resorts is to head for Morgins first via the long blue road taking you to the centre of town. Get on the télésiège TS la Foilleuse at the end of the run and make your way back to Champoussin and ultimately Les Crosets for the last lift of the TS des Mossettes. Faster skiers will have time for a run or two at Morgins under the lift on the two excellent well groomed but steep tree lined red runs. From the top of la Foilleuse work your way across the valley following the signposts for Champoussin and then Les Crosets. This will encompass blues and reds via a number of drag, t-bar and chair lifts. There is more than a day’s skiing here, just don’t miss that lift back to France from Les Crosets! |
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last updated 5-Feb-2008 |
| Steep & Deep Runs in Les Crosets/Champery |
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Les Crosets/Champery boasts the Swiss Wall, I’m never quite sure which Secteur this run sits in, it has possible the biggest, steepest mogul field around, certainly the Portes du Soleil cannot offer anything else to match it in terms of vertical drop, length or steepness and the moguls covering it. From Avoriaz head out towards the Secteur Chavanette and take the Express Choucas lift to the ridge line marking the Swiss French border. Traverse the under the ridge line and head through the tunnel, up the slight incline and turn to the skiers right by the restaurant. The signposts in front of you give an indication of what is in store. So too does the fact that the lift bringing people the other way out of Switzerland allows a downlift, very unusual. So if you hadn’t already realized this run is for expert skiers only you may be getting the idea. The bumps are huge and the drop-in usually is too. If you make a mistake here you will quickly realize that Gore-Tex can slide faster than skies in some cases. You are unlikely to stop anytime soon. On the plus point everyone on the lift will get to hear you scream as you take off backwards on your back, having left your skis/poles/hat/goggles spread out over the hill above you, landing on the next mogul. |
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last updated 6-Feb-2008 |
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