If you like to be active on holiday, then Châtel has something for you! 
 

In addition to biking and enjoying nature in the mountains, there are a huge number of other activities available in Châtel and the surrounding area in the summer.  These include:

 

Fantasticable

For the thrill seekers it is worth visiting Châtel just to experience the unique Fantasticable.  There are 2 Fantasticable lines stretching over Plaine Dranse which are open every day from mid June until the start of September which allow you to fly 240m above the valley in a superman position at up to 120km/hour!  This is something not to miss!  More information here.

 

White Water Rafting/ Canyoning/ Hydrospeeding

The River Dranse runs past Chalet Isobel at the end of our garden.  About a 20 minute drive down the valley you can go white water rafting on the same river (its obviously a bit wider at this point!) with Frogs Rafting.  There is a team of excellent professional instructors there who ensure that you have an exciting day out.  Alternatively, you can also try out canyoning, hydrospeeding, canoe rafting or climbing.  Find out more information here.

 

Paragliding

Take a tandem flight with a qualified instructor to get an incredible experience and see the valley in a whole new way.  With all flights you can buy a CD with images of your flight to share the experience with others.  Find out more here.

 

Super Chatel Adventure Park

The Adventure Park at Super Châtel opened in the summer of 2016, and contains an number of excellent rope courses that will challenge anyone from the age of 4 years old to their athletic parents!   You access the Adventure Park from the top of the Super-Châtel Gondola, so it makes for an excellent family day out going up the gondola, going for a wander and a bit of food, and then tackling the Adventure Park!  More information here.

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Arbr' Acadabra Tree Climbing Centre

Arbr’Acadabra is a great tree climbing centre a few minutes down the road in Abondance, and is accessible for children 2 years or older.  For the smaller ones there is the “Elf” route where the children are connected with a life line for total safety as they make their way around a monkey bridge, suspended nets, barrel tunnel, and zip wires at their own speed.  For older kids (and adults!) there is the “Korigan” route which has 3 routes of varying difficulty – again where the children are clipped in for total safety in the gorgeous natural surroundings.  More information here.

 

Forme d'O Aquatic Centre

The lovely new swimming pool complex is situated right in the centre of Châtel and contains 3 indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, a spa area and fitness centre. More details here. 

 

Rock Climbing

A huge range of climbing options are available in and around Châtel. The Plaine Dranse climbing area has 26 routes from 5 - 10 metres. Abseiling down the Essert waterfall offer 2 routes (semi wet and wet) involving 6 abseils from 30 - 50 metres.  Instruction is available, and then there are lots of routes that can be attempted whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber (such as the Mont Chauffé ridge, Cornettes de Bise, Dents du Midi or the Miroir de l’Argentine).  More information here.

 

Walking

Châtel has an impressive 90km network of walking trails that are well maintained and sign posted.  There are walks within and around the village and the lower valley, or you can take the chair lift and take in the amazing views of the Chablais Alps and the impressive seven summits of the Dents du Midi.  The walking in the area is for all abilities, with gentle one hour walks to full day or even multi day walks with the GR5 route passing nearby.  Check out the trail running website (more details below) for additional routes!

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Trail Running
An awesome 400km of signposted trails with 48 different routes across the 12 towns and villages of the Portes du Soleil have been put in place for summer 2017.  There is a website up and running and an app is available for iOS and Android which helps with the mapping and tracking of each trip.

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Via Ferrata

Saix de Miolene is a very steep rock face with fixed wire ropes a few minutes down the road in La Chapelle d'Abondance.  The route follows a steep and challenging pathway up the face, with a succession of rock clefts, chimneys and overhangs.  There are 3 sections each can be completed separately or in one go.  You can expect it to take between 3 to 5 hours to ascend and descend the 900m long Via Ferrata.  Access is free, but it is recommended that you wear or hire suitable equipment and consider specialist guidance.  Minimum height is 1m 40.  Equipment hire, instruction and supervision is all available.  Find out more information here.

 

Fishing

The Abondance valley offers a great place to fish - either on the shore of Lac de Vonnes or the banks of the River Dranse (which flows past the end of Chalet Isobel’s garden!).  Lac de Vonnes is a family friendly lake for all types of angling open from May - October.  The Dranse is home to one of the finest populations of native trout in this area of France.

 

Summer Bobsled Run

Set among the spruce trees at Pré la Joux, this 650m track with 7 high speed bends is great fun for adults and children alike.  Children must be 80cm or more to take part, and must be accompanied by an adult if under 1m 25. More information here.

 

Devalkart & Rollerbe

On the Rubis piste at Pré la Joux there are 20 karts for anyone wanting to try out this sport. Come down the piste at your own speed and go back up again by hooking the kart to the ski tow. The Rollerbe all terrain scooter is also on the same section or mountain.  Both activities are for adults or children aged 10 or above.  More information here.

 

Golf

There are a number of golf courses in both France and Switzerland that are accessible from Châtel, including the famous Evian Championship course on the shores of Lake Geneva.

 

Bowling

The bowling alley in the centre of Châtel has 4 computerised lanes. More information here.

 

Other

Also available in Châtel is archery, tennis, a 6 hole golf course, crazy golf, boules, pedal boats and more!  More information here.