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Most skiers will want to explore the Portes du
Soleil, arguably the largest inter-linked ski area in the world.
The network incorporates 14 resorts and 650 km of piste.
From Les Gets (15 minutes by car), you have direct access to the
magnificent bowl of Ranfoilly at Les Chavannes with long red runs,
forest trails for those who prefer, and stunning views of Mont Blanc,
the Dents Blanches and the Dents du Midi.
Move over to Mont Chery on the other side of the valley for some
excellent long blacks and reds with an equally excellent snowcross
park, topped off with a breathtaking 360º panorama of the surrounding
beauty.
Les Gets connects with Nyon, for some more challenging black runs,
and with Pleney for a further variety of wooded greens, blues and
reds.
A gondola ferries you across the town of Morzine to Super-Morzine
and Avoriaz, the world-famous championship resort.
Alternatively, the north rim of Avoriaz can be reached by gondola
from Ardent, which again is only 15 minutes drive from La Grande
Terche through Montriond. This approach gives access to one of the
most exhilarating circuits in the area: Ardent - Chatel - Morgins
(Switzerland) - Ardent. On the way, some may wish to challenge the
moguls of the infamous Swiss wall (dark black) - the moguls are
big! - Usually the size of a VW beetle motorcar!
For the less energetic, or non-skier, there are guided walks on
snow raquettes from the Office de tourisme at St Jean d'Aulps which
will take you into a silent wilderness of lake and forest.
If you prefer ski de fond (cross-country skiing) to hurtling down
mountains, a leisurely circuit of the Lac de Montriond (10 minutes
by car) will take a couple of hours. You will also find ski de fond
at Morzine and Avoriaz.
The above offers a taste of the Portes du Soleil; there is much,
much more - if you stay in the apartment for a month - you still
wouldn't manage to ski half of the vast Portes du Soleil
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