Les Portes du Soleil

Twelve resorts, two countries, one lift pass: the Portes du Soleil was born in 1964 from a handful of French and Swiss mayors who had the slightly crazy idea of linking their villages across the border. The result is like a giant playground: you start the morning in Avoriaz, have lunch in Switzerland, and head back via Châtel in the evening without ever taking your skis off. The area is more rural than its Savoyard neighbours: many runs through the forest, villages that have kept their church steeples and farms, and the famous Mur suisse at Chavanette for those who like a thrill. Be aware that not everything is linked 100% by ski: a few shuttle buses complete the network.