{"id":7900,"date":"2018-06-05T12:38:27","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T10:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mountainpassions.com\/summer\/?p=7900"},"modified":"2022-06-10T12:28:20","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T10:28:20","slug":"chatel-resort-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mountainpassions.com\/summer\/summer-resorts\/chatel-resort-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer in Ch\u00e2tel"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

W<\/span>e\u2019re no strangers to the Portes du Soleil, having skied from Ch\u00e2tel<\/a>, Les Gets<\/a>, Morzine<\/a> and Avoriaz<\/a>, but we\u2019re intrigued to see how everything looks and feels in summer. We get a foretaste when we pass through Abondance <\/strong>and La Chapelle d\u2019Abondance<\/strong>, both of which look relaxed without the disturbance of ski season traffic. It\u2019s a similar story in Ch\u00e2tel<\/strong>, although all three villages are year-round working communities. This time rather than skis we\u2019ve brought bikes, so after checking into our apartment accommodation at CGH Les Chalets d\u2019Ang\u00e8le<\/a> we spend a few minutes mounting wheels and checking things over before stowing our gear in the secure bike store<\/strong>.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\nAlong the way we pass a few walkers, a lone runner and a couple of other bikers, but mostly it\u2019s just us, the river \u2013 more a broad, shallow stream, really \u2013 and a perfect summer day…\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

\n\"Alpine
\n

Alpine cattle lined up for judging at la Belle Dimanche festival held in September.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n\"Alpine
\n

Crowds gather around the Alpine horn players at the Belle Dimanche festival. <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

La Belle Dimanche Alpine Festival<\/h2>\n

The next morning we head out early and drive over to the car parking area serving the Pr\u00e9 la Joux and Pierre Longue chair-lifts. Spaces are already fast being taken by those planning to head up the mountain for the \u2018Belle Dimanche<\/a>\u2019. Celebrated for over 40 years, this colourful celebration of traditional mountain life originally centred on the judging of the livestock breeds which play a key role in the economy of mountain communities.<\/p>\n

Now the event also encompasses food and craft producers\u2019 market, music and folklore plus demonstrations of traditional crafts, including cheesemaking, wood turning and artisan iron working.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Alpine horns, and not following the herd<\/h2>\n

At the sheltered plateau of Plaine Dranse we join the crowds moving among the stallholders\u2019 displays and sampling an assortment of local produce. After a brief pause to hear some authentic Alpine horns we continue our tour, swerving momentarily around some slightly confused-looking sheep being herded through the crowds by a shepherd and his dogs.<\/p>\n

When we\u2019ve done the full circuit we pause for lunch at the food and drinks hut, noting a surprising lack of vegetarian options for an area renowned for cheese-making. For us it means a lighter lunch than we\u2019d planned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

\n\"Fantasticable,
\n

The Fantasticable zip-wire runs for up to 2.5km.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n\"Wide
\n

Riverside cycle and footpath in the Vall\u00e9e d'Abondance.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n

We check out the Fantasticable zip-wire<\/h2>\n

After a quick look at the nearby Bike Park<\/strong> trail map showing green-, blue- and red-graded routes (along with some gnarly-looking black detours) down to Pr\u00e9 la Joux<\/strong>, we flee the crowds by riding the chairlift up to the Cr\u00eate des Rochassons (1930m)<\/strong>, the transition from Ch\u00e2tel\u2019s terrain to that of Avoriaz. The onward views are dazzling, and the prominent ridge is also the launch-point for the Fantasticable<\/strong>, which fires zip-wire fans on two-stage flights of over 2.5km at heights of up to 240m while reaching speeds of around 80-100km\/h. With lots of weekend riders it\u2019s impressive, so we watch them for a while before heading off with the intention of walking back down to Plaine Dranse. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n