Essentials

Shops - There is a supermarket 700 m away from the chalet on the Linga road. There is a bigger supermarket about 40 minutes drive away in Vinzier.  Both Chatel and La Chapelle d'Abondance have smaller supermarkets, boulangeries, boucheries etc.

Restaurants - Chatel and the other towns in the valley offer an exceptional range of restaurants from a simple pizza to a gastronomic feast. Whatever else you eat you cannot stay here and not try the local Abondance cheese.  La Chapelle d'Abondance is especially renowned for Sunday dinner at "Les Cornettes" - booking is essential.  There are plenty of restaurants in the mountains for lunch whilst skiing.

Amenities - See www.chatel.com or www.valdabondance.com for a full listing.  There is a cinema with English films that change every couple of days, ten pin bowling, an ice rink, a lido (for the summer) and, of course, pubs and bars for the Apres ski. 

Don't forget - for those who don't ski or just want a day off; Thonon and Evian are only 40 minutes away, both well worth a visit for the variety that big towns can offer.  Just a little further afield are Geneva and Lausanne in Switzerland.

Winter

 Winter, of course, means skiing or boarding. The chalet is on the route of two ski buses linking to many lifts. See www.chatel.com for route plans. A car will take you quickly and conveniently to the further lifts, which are easy to get to and have good parking. Chatel has an excellent record for snow, and early and late season are helped by over 50 snowmakers in the area. This large area offers plenty of choice for equipment hire or purchase.

The traditional Ski Ecole Francais is supplemented by the Ski Surf Ecole International, both with many English speaking instructors. Both offer group or private lessons for all ages and abilities. Babies and children are well catered for in Chatel, which offers skiing and non skiing crèche facilities.

After a hard days skiing, or shopping, relax in a large modern chalet with a traditional feel. Enjoy lounging in front of the woodburning stove or just sit around the solid dining room table with friends.

Summer

The summer months are perfect for those wanting something different than a beach holiday. Once the skiing season is over, the busy resort of Chatel comes alive with people on their summer holidays. Traditional and modern activities abound in and around the valley. A simple day by the Lido or swim in the lakes. Water sports and sailing can be found further down the valley on Lac Leman or near Annecy. In the mountains you can walk, scramble or climb. Walks are plentiful with length and difficulty for all abilities.

Mountain climbing beckons for the more adventurous, with pre set climbs laid out waiting. For the younger ones there is an adventure park close by. If your are brave enough try the Fantasticable. Something wetter – then the river Dranse is for you with white water rafting and canoeing. And don’t forget; fishing, go-karting, boat trips, and of course horse riding. Chatel during the summers is a perfect holiday resort with a range of activities available to everyone. You could of course just sit in the sun of the balcony or in the garden and do nothing.

If you have a family who enjoy all the outdoor adventure activities and more, then take advantage of the Passactivities Card, which for a small amount, will entitle you to free use of the swimming pool, ski lifts, bob sleighs, devilkarts and use of the roller blade park. Each activity carries a points score which, when taken, will debit your pass card.