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PORTES DU SOLEIL

 

Comprised of almost a dozen resorts straddling the Swiss/French border, the Portes du Soleil region has a lot to offer summer and winter alike.

 

In Winter, Portes du Soleil is the largest ski area in Switzerland with 650km of slopes. Each resort has its own beautiful location with Lake Geneva on one side and Mont Blanc on the other. From dense, wooded valleys to mysterious forests of fir trees, snow-hounds can also head higher to snow-capped peaks that offer a VIP view of the Dents du Midi mountains, Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva. With your Portes du Soleil skipass you can hop over the French-Swiss border and explore two different cultures: Swiss “rösti” and French “Berthoud”! Choose a slope on the French side of the Portes du Soleil with Mont Blanc straight ahead of you, and then do the same on the Swiss side in front of the Dents du Midi. It’s fun comparing the different accents, currencies and traditions of these old neighbours. Naturally, there’s always a warm and friendly welcome for skiers and snowboarders on both sides of the French-Swiss border.

 

In Summer, the region has quietly gained notoriety as the mountain bike Mecca of the Alps. With six different freeride zones and bike parks, over 650km of marked trails and hundreds of kilometers of secret stashes, this is the ideal place for your bike to take you on an adventure. And Champéry, a postcard-perfect Swiss village, makes for the ultimate base to access the region’s finest trails. Ride 100km days from village to village, using countless ski-lifts, and never riding the same trail twice.  Head to Châtel, the “Whistler of the Alps”, and session the dozens of buttery trails, lovingly sculpted and maintained daily. Or hit Morgins and les Crosets with the pros who designed the trails for an insiders’ look at the best mountain biking in the Alps.

But where the PDS really shines are the secret underground trails, well-worn by hundreds of years of hiking, that crisscross the Chablais Alps, winding up in remote villages. Check out these uncrowded paths and discover the true meaning of Swiss bliss. Finish days of charging with a cold beer or hot fondue in an authentic mountain hut.

 

  • Short and easy access from Geneva airport (1 hour drive)
  • Largest ski area in Switzerland with 650km of slopes
  • Amazing views of the Dents du Midi mountains, Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva
  • Hop over the French-Swiss border by ski or by bike and explore two different cultures
  • Known as the mountain bike Mecca of the Alps
  • Champéry, a postcard-perfect Swiss village
  • Uncrowded paths and true meaning of Swiss bliss
Portes du Soleil
 
 

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WHAT WE DO

Epic Europe is a luxury experiential adventure travel operator based in the Swiss Alps.


Epic Europe specializes in private bespoke itineraries for small groups. Experiencing the best of each region, from interacting with the local people and enjoying authentic regional food and wine, as well as time-honored traditions and festivals, to recreating in the alpine landscape, and truly understanding why the Alps are the birthplace of adventure travel. From custom ski, hiking, or cycling trips to building in city tours, cultural itineraries, or gastronomic discovery, these award-winning, multi-dimensional trips are tailored to our clients' wishes every time, and are not packaged tours. From Switzerland, Italy, and France's Alps, to world-class cultural cities and larger towns, Epic Europe can design a tailored adventure that fulfills your every need. 

  • "Our family spent last Christmas in Zermatt on a bespoke Epic Europe ski trip. The special thought and care that they put into our holiday made it our best yet." - L.M.; CA USA
  • "Epic Europe has coordinated several corporate events for us over the past 5 years, and I cannot imagine a more professional operation to handle all of the details. From a team-building event for 50 people in a 17th-century castle atop a mountain pass, to marketing conferences and catalog shoots, their knowledge of the best locations in the Alps is second-to-none, and they are as good as it gets at being creative." - E.P., Lugano CH
  • "A day of heliskiing in Italy culminated with a sunset run off the Breuil saddle of the Matterhorn - one of the most thrilling runs of my life - and we left our tracks in a place where they remained for a week afterward, reminding us of the best day of skiing in our life!" - WG, CT USA
  • "Epic Europe's custom road biking trip that they put together for my buddy's bachelor party was great - the right combination of killer rides, great hotels, and outstanding restaurants. Great guides, and overall a perfect trip." - A.S., London UK
  • "Hiking in the Alps has always been on my bucket list, but I wasn't sure that a typical trip was my style. Epic Europe designed a custom route for our group, staying in the best little inns and hotels, and we felt like we had the trails to ourselves. I will come back again and again to explore new trails with their guides every year that I can!" - R.B., NY USA
  • "I have done trips in the Alps and surrounding regions with Epic Europe for the past 4 years, and every one has been unique and surpassed the last. The experiences that they deliver due to their personal relationships are a window into the real life in these incredible locations, and they share these friendships with us." - K.B., CT USA
  • “The team at Epic Europe created the most incredible trip for us, where everything came together seamlessly, and we never had to think about what came next - it just magically happened as if it was meant to be. That takes real talent, and they make it look easy." - B.N., WY USA
  • "I would have to say that Verbier and Zermatt might be the best places I have ever ridden a mountain bike, and I couldn't imagine going without the help of Epic Europe's guides. It was a dream trip for sure." - B.S., PA USA

PROCESS

Would you like more information, or to have us create a tailored trip for you? We would be glad to begin the design process for your ultimate experience in the Alps. 


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