Winter Season 2026-2027: everything you need to know before booking your stay in Abondance
Autumn is settling into the Abondance valley, the first snows are beginning to dust the Chablais summits, and a question is already making itself felt: when should you book for the 2026-2027 winter season? If you are still wondering, here is everything you need to plan your stay with complete peace of mind. Opening dates, ski area, off-piste activities, passes: here is what awaits you this winter in Abondance and across the Portes du Soleil.
The key dates for the 2026-2027 season
The 2026-2027 winter season at the Portes du Soleil looks set to be a long and generous one. Here are the official opening dates to write in your diary:
Châtel, the resort closest to Abondance, opens its ski area as early as the weekend of 5 and 6 December 2026 with a partial opening, then continuously from 19 December until 11 April 2027. The partial opening from 12 to 18 December already allows skiing before Christmas, ideal for those who want to avoid the holiday crowds.
Avoriaz, perched at 1,800 metres, opens continuously from 11 December 2026 to 18 April 2027. It is one of the first resorts in the Portes du Soleil to open each year, thanks to its altitude and naturally early snowfall.
Morzine opens continuously from 19 December 2026 to 4 April 2027, with a partial pre-opening from 12 December.
These dates are always subject to snow conditions. In the Abondance valley, the first significant snowfalls at altitude generally arrive from October or November, and the runs at La Chapelle-d'Abondance and Châtel are usually well covered by mid-December.
A practical tip: booking early means taking advantage of pre-opening pass rates, which offer the best prices of the season. At Châtel, these preferential rates are available until 19 December 2026 online.
The ski area: 600 km of Franco-Swiss slopes
Staying in Abondance in winter means having privileged access to one of the world's largest ski areas: the Portes du Soleil and its 600 km of runs across 12 Franco-Swiss resorts, 200 lifts, and slopes ranging from green to black for all abilities.
From La Chapelle-d'Abondance, the Crêt-Béni area offers 10 km of green, blue and red runs particularly suited to families and beginner or intermediate skiers. Situated between 1,000 and 1,650 metres, this compact and friendly sector is the perfect starting point for the first days on the slopes, before venturing into the more demanding terrain of neighbouring resorts.
From Châtel, just ten minutes by car, the full domain of 98 runs and 52 lifts opens up. The Super-Châtel sector is particularly popular with families and relaxed skiers. Linga and Pré-la-Joux offer more sustained descents for intermediate and advanced skiers. A single Portes du Soleil pass gives access to all 12 Franco-Swiss resorts, with the possibility of reaching Avoriaz, Morzine, Les Gets or crossing the border into Switzerland towards Champéry, Morgins or Torgon.
Passes offer several attractive options this season: a 10% discount outside school holidays from 9 January to 5 February 2027, and a 15% end-of-season discount from 6 March. For families, the offer is particularly appealing: one adult pass purchased means one child under 12 passes free.
Nordic skiing: 35 km of trails along the Dranse
Alpine skiing is not the only discipline the Abondance valley has to offer in winter. The Espace Nordique de la Vallée d'Abondance, laid out along the banks of the Dranse, is one of the finest cross-country ski areas in the Chablais.
Linking the villages of Abondance, Châtel and La Chapelle-d'Abondance, this domain offers 35 km of groomed trails for all abilities, ranging from 900 to 1,500 metres in altitude. Eight waymarked trails in both classic and skating technique wind through a beautiful landscape of snowy forests and white alpine meadows. The area also includes a Nordic Park with rollers and banked turns, a biathlon shooting range for initiation from age 8, and a supervised sledging area for younger children.
The ESF ski school at La Chapelle-d'Abondance offers group and private lessons in cross-country skiing and biathlon for all levels, during school holidays and outside. Online booking opens from 1 October 2026.
Snowshoeing, dog sledding and gourmet evenings
Beyond the ski runs, the Abondance valley and La Chapelle-d'Abondance offer a range of winter activities that transform a ski holiday into a fully rounded experience.
Snowshoeing offers a different way to discover the mountain in winter, in silence, through snow-covered forests and alpine meadows. The Abondance valley has no fewer than 80 km of waymarked walking and snowshoe trails, where the local wildlife makes occasional appearances: ibex, chamois and mouflon are the discreet companions of these mountain walks. Guided outings with mountain leaders are available at La Chapelle-d'Abondance, including moonlit evening walks combined with a meal in a mountain chalet.
Dog sledding is another unforgettable way to experience winter in the valley. From La Chapelle-d'Abondance, cani-kart rides with 14 sled dogs cross the nordic plain for a true snowy adventure. Cani-hiking, where you are pulled along a mountain trail by the energy of the dogs, is also available for families.
Biathlon is attracting more and more holidaymakers. The ESF at La Chapelle-d'Abondance offers biathlon initiation sessions from age 8: cross-country skiing combined with rifle shooting on the range, in a friendly and supervised environment.
Telemark, elegant and ancestral, is also taught by ESF instructors. A discipline that takes you back to the origins of alpine skiing and always surprises with its unique sensations.
After the slopes: the mountain in cocooning mode
A winter stay in Abondance is also about the art of coming back in from the cold after a day on the mountain. The Savoyard table plays a central role in this returning ritual: fondue, raclette, berthoud made with melted Abondance AOP cheese, croûte au fromage, diots in white wine. These emblematic dishes of Chablais gastronomy are best enjoyed without restraint after a full day of skiing.
The Abondance valley also offers cultural outings to slot in between ski days: a visit to the medieval abbey is particularly magical in winter, when snow wraps the rooftops of the Gothic cloister. The Maison du Fromage Abondance is also open during the winter season, for a deep dive into the secrets of the most celebrated AOP cheese in the Chablais.
Book early for the best conditions
The golden rule for a successful winter stay in Abondance is simple: book early. The best accommodation and the most competitive ski pass rates go quickly in autumn, well before the first snowfalls. By booking from September or October, you benefit from a wider choice of availability and the peace of mind to organise your stay at your own pace.
At Hôtel Les Touristes, Sabrina and her team welcome you in the heart of the village of Abondance for the full winter season. The hotel is just a few steps from the shuttle stop for the ski lifts, and Sabrina will be delighted to help you put together the perfect programme: ski lessons for the children, snowshoe outings, local produce recommendations. Everything is thought through so that your winter in Abondance is a real success.
Enjoy the 2026-2027 season and see you soon in Abondance!
The Les Touristes Team
Ready to book your winter stay in Abondance? Book directly at Hôtel Les Touristes, in the heart of the village, and enjoy a personal welcome from Sabrina and her team.