La Chapelle d'Abondance ski resort is located on the edge of the world’s largest ski region, the colossal Portes du Soleil. Lying just to the south of Lake Geneva, La Chapelle has a commendable number of quality pistes that are ideal for families and beginner skiers and snowboarders.

La Chapelle is a remote and quiet mountain village, five kilometres from the well-known town of Chatel. This charming village of 730 residents is an old farming community characterised by its traditional wood country cottages. With an altitude of just over 1,000m above sea level, La Chapelle is a bit limited facilities-wise, but is near enough to larger well-equipped towns.

There are 6,500 beds on offer in La Chapelle d'Abondance, in a wide variety of lodgings, with some pretty old cottages and more modern hotel and pension-type establishments. Après-ski is fairly limited and mostly in the larger hotels; however, La Chapelle d'Abondance has some excellent restaurants serving delicious traditional French and Swiss fare.

Skiers and snowboarders at all levels are catered for at La Chapelle, with an emphasis on the beginner and intermediate. Seventy-five kilometres of gladed pistes run over 17 slopes and are served by four chairlifts, seven draglifts and a gondola; the longest run is four kilometres. There are also some excellent off-piste trails, but experts may find the terrain fairly limiting.

For alternative skiing, there is 650kms of every type of skiing and snowboarding terrain available at the nearby Portes du Soleil ski region, featuring the likes of Chatel, Les Gets and Morzine. Alternatively, the affluent spa town of Thonon-les-Bains offers interesting sightseeing and a great day out away from the slopes.

The ski season runs from December to late March/April at La Chapelle d'Abondance, with special deals in mid-December and March. Flying to Geneva and taking the Skibus, or train service to Thonon-les-Bains and coach from there, is the most convenient means of getting here.