This is a review of a split-destination snowboarding trip to Les Gets and Châtel, both part of the Portes du Soleil ski area — one of the largest in the world, spanning 12 resorts across France and Switzerland. This was the first snowboarding trip I have been in since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
The last time I was in Châtel, all the journalists I was travelling with suddenly received warning messages telling us to get home immediately. It was the start of government-enforced lockdowns across Europe due to a pesky little virus known as Covid-19. To be honest, there are worse places you could find yourself stuck during a lockdown!
Since then, the world has changed — and so has mine. Not because of Covid, but because of a chronic illness called fibromyalgia.
Battling Fibromyalgia
I’d been feeling unwell with random pains in my body for a few years, but everything came to a head in the summer of 2024. On my 50th birthday, my wife, toddler, and I went to the coast for a relaxing day. After walking for a while, I was suddenly hit with shooting pains in my legs — I could barely make it back to the car. Within a month, the pain and fatigue had become so severe that I was bedbound, lying on a mattress in our lounge because I couldn’t manage the stairs.
Doctors were initially baffled, but after various tests, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, or “fibro” for short. For those unfamiliar, fibro affects over 2 million people in the UK. Symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, migraines, and IBS. The pain can be horrendous — triggered at any point, anywhere in the body. Most sufferers live with it constantly. It’s a central nervous system and neurological condition where the brain either scrambles or amplifies signals from the body, interpreting them as pain.
If you’d told me, as I lay on that mattress in agony, that within six months I’d be on a snowboarding trip, I would have thought it was a cruel joke. Yet there I was, stepping off a plane in Geneva — nervous, but excited to hit the slopes again.
Chalet Bluebell
After not more than an hour’s drive, we arrived at Chalet Bluebell and was immediately greeted by a team of friendly staff. After unpacking in my large and beautiful typically alpine room with fabulous snow clad mountain views, I headed to the dining area to have a coffee and snacks. I got chatting with the chef, Alex, and I was pleasantly surprised on how enthusiastic he was on preparing a vegan mushroom chilli meal for me for dinner. Very unusual as a plant based diet in a ski resort seems as farfetched as Elon Musk being an alien from the planet Zorg (or, maybe he is!).
The chalet is well positioned within a reasonably short walk to the ski lifts of Les Gets and all the bars and restaurants. Even better, Chalet Bluebell run a free shuttle service to take you there and back.
All the staff, including the owners were lovely and I was made to feel at home from the moment I arrived.
Les Gets Comédie Festival
On our first night in Les Gets, we had the unexpected pleasure of catching the final evening of Les Gets Comédie—a week-long stand-up comedy festival.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the atmosphere was warm and inviting. Drinks in hand, we took our seats in a huge venue with an impressive stage and professional lighting—clearly a festival that takes comedy seriously.
Lucky for me, the English-speaking comedians were performing that night, and what a lineup it was. The effortlessly brilliant Maisie Adam took on MC duties, weaving the night together with her signature charm and razor-sharp wit. We were then treated to three fantastic acts—each with their own unique style. Ian Smith delivered quick-fire hilarity, Catherine Bohart brought her sharp observational humour, and for me, the highlight of the night was Pierre Novellie, whose clever and perfectly timed set had the entire room in stitches.
What struck me most was how comedy can bring people together, no matter their background. The French and English have very different comedic traditions, and stand-up is a relatively young art form in France compared to Britain. Seeing a festival like this thrive in Les Gets was a joy—proof that great comedy transcends borders.
It was a wonderful evening and a great start to the trip.
Snowboarding in Les Gets
Our first day in Les Gets was nothing short of spectacular. Fresh snow had fallen in the days before our arrival, but we were lucky to be greeted with clear blue skies and pristine pistes. The slopes were in excellent condition—smooth, well-groomed, and surprisingly quiet for a weekend. Lift queues were minimal, and while the off-piste was too chopped up to enjoy, the quality of the runs more than made up for it.
I had some initial concerns about how snowboarding would affect my fibromyalgia, particularly as I felt pain in my feet at the start. However, the natural weight shifts and pressure changes as I rode actually helped ease the discomfort. More than that, being out in the mountains, fully immersed in the stunning scenery, allowed me to focus on the experience rather than the pain. Snowboarding has always been an escape for me, and this time was no different.
To pace myself, I took breaks on longer runs, making the most of the chair lifts as natural rest points. After lunch, fatigue started creeping in, so for once, I listened to my body. Rather than pushing through exhaustion, I headed down to Les Gets, where I soaked up the afternoon sun at a bar while waiting for my lift back to the chalet.
It was a brilliant first day, and I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Unexpectedly, my riding technique felt smoother than it had in years, as if I had found a new rhythm.
Les Gets to Châtel
The next morning, it was time to pack up and say goodbye to the wonderful team at Châtel Bluebell. With my luggage being taxied ahead to my hotel, I set off for Châtel on my snowboard, making my way through Morzine. A short stroll through town brought me to the Super Morzine ski lifts, though I could have hopped on Le Petit Train—which, despite its name, is actually on wheels and travels on the road, so not really a train at all!
From there, I rode to Avoriaz, enjoying the stunning runs and views before crossing over the valley into Châtel. The conditions were ideal—crisp, well-groomed pistes and minimal lift queues, making for a relaxed yet enjoyable ride. Depending on the chosen route, the journey can be a fast two-hour ride or a more leisurely ride, and I opted for something in between, making sure to soak up the experience.
I arrived in Châtel just in time for a late lunch, but by then, fatigue was setting in. The strain in my legs had built up, and the aches were undeniable. Listening to my body, I called it a day and headed down to Châtel Village, ready for some well-earned rest.
Châtel
It was interesting being back in Châtel. Although I had been here before it was for only two nights and in the midst of a big snow dump so I was not able to explore. The first thing that struck me was it seems much bigger than Les Gets and more spread out. In which was obviously a very small traditional alpine village that gradually spread itself out over the years but somehow still retaining its roots and original charm.
I was also pleasantly delighted with our abode for the next few nights, Hotel Macchi Restaurant & Spa. A wonderful hotel with the standout feature being the spa and swimming pool area which is free to use for guests. I fell in love with an automatic massage chair they had there. It was so realistic that I kept wondering if it was some kind of joke and someone would jump out from inside the chair!
My room was in line with the rest of the hotel in being typically alpine but modern at the same time. It was a large double room with a very comfy bed and good size bathroom The cherry on the top was definitely the balcony with wonderful views of snow-capped mountains.
The hotel has a pleasant bar and restaurant area with a standout feature being the ultra modern walk in wine cellar. I must admit I am not exactly a wine buff but this was truly impressive. Although, I was quite eager to get out as I didn’t want to trip or knock into any of the expensive wines!
Snowboarding in Châtel
We were treated to more bluebird skies over the next two days as we explored the Châtel area. Châtel is perfect for snowboarding with plenty of cruisy blues and free-flowing red runs for intermediates.
My highlight was dropping in off-piste through a forest and breaking out of the trees at the bottom by the beautiful Lake Vonnes. It was a technical ride and only for advanced snowboarders but worth the ride to enjoy the tranquillity of the lake before hitting the slopes again.
Châtel is on the border of Switzerland and it was much quieter on the Swiss side of the valley. It is serviced by mainly button lifts or T Bars which are not normally a snowboarders best friend, but although long it is a gentle ride. It is certainly worth the effort as the runs are quiet, wide and beautifully smooth. Unfortunately, because of my fibromyalgia, the drag lifts caused a lot of pain in my legs so I had to cut my riding short half way through the day.
To round off my time in Châtel, I somehow found myself persuaded onto the Fantasticable — an extreme zip wire found at the top of the Rochassons chair lift. Strapped into a harness that felt more like a straightjacket than anything else, I was soon launched face-first across the valley. In a blur, I was racing through the air at speeds of up to 100 km/h, flying a distance that stretched an incredible 1,200 metres. It was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. And if you can manage to keep your eyes open — unlike me for some of it — it really is a breath-taking way to enjoy the view.
Final Thoughts
This may not be the classic Tale of Two Cities, but it is very much a tale of two resorts at opposite ends of the spectacular Portes du Soleil.
Les Gets is a charming village with a personality that many resorts struggle to match. The Comédie Festival was a highlight of my trip — a relaxed, lively evening that I’d highly recommend if your visit coincides with it. Up on the slopes, Les Gets is the perfect gateway into the Portes du Soleil. Most of the runs are gentle, wide, and tree-lined — ideal for cruising — but if you’re in the mood for a challenge, there are also some punchy reds and blacks to get the adrenaline flowing.
But the real surprise? Châtel. Authentic, atmospheric, and brimming with Savoyard charm, it feels like you’ve stepped into the heart of the Alps. By night, the resort buzzes with lively bars and welcoming restaurants — busy enough to feel vibrant, yet never losing that relaxed, easy-going vibe.
On the slopes, Châtel feels like a dream. Wide, flowing pistes, beautiful tree-lined descents, and — compared to Morzine or Avoriaz — a noticeably calmer vibe. There’s something here for everyone: from beginners finding their feet to advanced riders chasing a thrill, and families looking for the perfect balance of fun and space.
For me, this trip was the perfect way to ease back into snowboarding after living with fibromyalgia. Both Châtel and Les Gets offered exactly what I needed: gentle, flowing blue runs to cruise along at my own pace, with the option to push things further whenever I felt like it. The relaxed vibe of each resort carries onto the slopes too — no pressure, just space to enjoy the ride. Most days I was ready to call it after a leisurely late lunch, but that suited me perfectly. By then I’d had my fill, felt the fatigue set in, yet could look back knowing I’d had a really good run.
Two resorts. Two very different personalities. Together, they capture everything that makes the Portes du Soleil one of the most exciting ski areas in the world.
Info
Ski rental with Skiset Michaud Les Gets. Prices start at around €115 for 6 days rental, skis, boots and poles
Link for more info on the Comedy Festival
Find out more about Hotel Macchi in Châtel
Chalet Bluebell information
The short ski breaks all include return transfers to Geneva
cateredchaletlesgets.com
