Les Crosets

Les Crosets is a small, traffic-free village situated at 1,670m on a sun-drenched plateau in the Swiss Alps. Most accommodation here offers ski-in/ski-out access, with lifts and pistes extending from the village in all directions. It offers a tranquil setting for those prioritising time on the slopes. While modest in size, comprising a few chalets, restaurants, and bars, its location is exceptional. Les Crosets lies at the heart of the Portes du Soleil, an expansive interconnected ski area boasting over 600km of pistes across 12 resorts in Switzerland and France.

The local skiing ranges from 1,040m to 2,277m, featuring a variety of wide blue and flowing red runs ideal for intermediate skiers. Steeper black runs are found at higher elevations, including the notorious Swiss Wall, a 1km ungroomed mogul field with a gradient exceeding 70%, considered one of the world's most challenging pistes. North-east facing slopes above the village maintain snow quality effectively, and with an average of 8 metres of annual snowfall, conditions are generally excellent from late November to late April. A snowpark within the village features eight annually redesigned lines and a superpipe for freestylers. A swift lift from Les Crosets provides access to Avoriaz, France, opening up the entire French sector of the Portes du Soleil for further exploration.

The village's prime position affords a unique sense of freedom when skiing or snowboarding. You can step directly from your accommodation onto the slopes, and within minutes, you are skiing across expansive, sunny terrain in various directions. From the 2,277m summit of Pointe des Mossettes, the highest point in the Portes du Soleil, you can descend into France and reach Avoriaz within 20 minutes, or explore quieter Swiss sectors without encountering lift queues.

The local terrain is well-suited for cruising and exploration, offering wide groomers, flowing reds, and varied landscapes that change between sectors. The Ripaille-Grand Paradis run, the longest piste in the Portes du Soleil, offers a diverse descent through open slopes, rolling bumps, and tranquil, snow-covered forests. Accessible tree skiing between marked runs provides an off-piste experience without needing a guide. The village snowpark, with its annually redesigned lines, caters to freestylers, while Avoriaz, just a single lift away, provides a renowned superpipe and additional terrain parks.

Les Crosets is an advantageous location for learning to ski. The nursery slopes are situated directly within the village on a broad, sunny plateau at 1,670m, ensuring beginners learn on good snow at altitude, rather than on slushy valley-floor areas. The terrain is gentle and accommodating, with dedicated practice lifts and ample space. As confidence grows, the blue runs around the village provide a natural progression, featuring wide, well-groomed pistes that allow for considerable distance while remaining within a comfortable skill level.

Ski schools in Les Crosets offer both group and private lessons with English-speaking instructors. The resort's intimate scale allows for quick familiarity with the mountain. Once ready to venture beyond the local slopes, the wider Portes du Soleil becomes progressively accessible, making the transition from nursery slopes to inter-resort skiing achievable within a week.

Les Crosets offers advanced skiers a quiet Swiss base with challenging terrain immediately accessible. Four black runs on the Swiss side present a sustained test, and the off-piste areas within the forests between marked runs are easily reachable without lengthy traverses. North-facing slopes above the village hold powder well after fresh snowfall. The iconic Swiss Wall, located just above the village at Pas de Chavanette, is a 1km ungroomed mogul field with a gradient exceeding 70%, connecting the Swiss and French sectors. It stands as one of the most demanding marked pistes in the Alps, requiring committed technique and strong legs.

Beyond the local area, the wider Portes du Soleil provides extensive freeride opportunities across both countries. Avoriaz, accessible by one lift, offers steep couloirs and guided off-piste excursions. Its cross-border position allows for powder hunting on the Swiss side in the morning and exploring diverse French terrain in the afternoon.