Les Paccots

Les Paccots is a village in the Swiss municipality of Châtel-St-Denis, located in the south of the canton of Fribourg. Situated at an altitude of 1060 m above sea level in the Veveyse de Châtel valley, the ski resort of Les Paccots is equipped with a few ski lifts and is a popular ski destination for families.

The ski resort of Les Paccots

Situated only half an hour’s drive from Fribourg and Lausanne, the ski resort enjoys a privileged location, close to many Swiss towns. Its gentle slopes, unspoilt environment and family atmosphere make it an ideal destination for learning to ski and snowshoe. For a weekend or a weekly holiday, Les Paccots invites you to “get back to nature”.

Easily accessible from the A12 motorway, Les Paccots is only 4 km from the Châtel-St-Denis exit. From Lausanne or Fribourg, there are train connections to Châtel-St-Denis. Shuttle buses run to Paccots station every hour. For those who prefer to fly, the national airports (Zürich-Kloten, Geneva-Cointrin and Basel-Mulhouse) are less than an hour and a half away, while the regional airport of Bern-Belp is less than an hour away.

The ski slopes of Les Paccots

The ski resort has 11 ski lifts, 9 chair lifts and 2 cable cars. It also has 1 black, 1 red, 5 blue and 1 green slope.

Activities in the resort of Les Paccots

The ski resort of Les Paccots offers a multitude of activities. You can go snowshoeing and bobsleighing, or you can go on an ice-skating rink: for all ages! There is also the snow country for the little ones.

Unforgettable experiences at Les Paccots

Stroll along one of the gastronomic trails overlooking Lake Geneva in the heart of the Pre-Alps and discover the specialities of Fribourg at Les Paccots. Two mountain restaurants and two alpine beach bars welcome gourmet hikers.

At the Lac des Joncs, you can enjoy a local board with meat and cheese. Then, after about two hours, follow the wooden signs “Sentier gourmand” to reach the Saletta refreshment bar, which serves a chalet soup, a broth made with milk, cream, four vegetables, macaroni and melted cheese. The host, Raoul Colliard, is world-famous: he prepared more than 1,000 fondues during Montreal’s “Festival of Lights” in 2015.

The mountain resort of Les Paccots in summer

An overnight visit to the François Liaudat Alpine cheese dairy leaves indelible memories, including the journey there and back.

In summer, François Liaudat opens his chalet on the heights of Les Paccots to welcome visitors who have come all this way. Guests enjoy delicious cheese dishes while listening to François’ secrets. Afterwards, full and delighted, they can make their way back home.

Hotels in the resort Les Paccots

Chalet Rosaly

The Club Rambert’s Chalet Rosaly is located in Les Paccots, in the commune of Châtel-st-Denis. The chalet is located in a very quiet area of the forest, on the edge of a meadow which is also accessible to tenants.

There is a petanque court behind the chalet and a table tennis table in front of the chalet.
There are many walks in the area. It is also possible to reach the ski slopes in winter if there is enough snow.

Au Petit Gite

Located in Châtel-Saint-Denis, Au Petit Gite features a garden and access to the ski slopes. It features a terrace and offers free Wi-Fi access and free private parking.

The guest rooms at the guest house overlook the garden and have a private bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. They also have a wardrobe and a coffee machine. A buffet breakfast is served on the premises. There is also a sauna. The area is popular for skiing and hiking. There is a ski rental service on site. It is 35 km from Lausanne and 20 km from Montreux. The nearest international airport, Bern International Airport, is 60 km away.

Skiing in Les Paccots: the resort’s highlights

Les Paccots, located in the canton of Fribourg, is a charming and accessible alpine resort that embodies the essence of family skiing in Switzerland. Just 15 minutes from Châtel-Saint-Denis and less than an hour from Lausanne, this little paradise in the Fribourg Pre-Alps offers nature, tranquility, and authenticity. Its landscape of fir forests, meadows, and gentle peaks is ideal for enjoying winter at a relaxed pace, surrounded by mountains that look like something out of a postcard.

A local ski area with rural charm

The Les Paccots ski area stretches between 1,000 and 1,600 meters above sea level and has around 20 km of alpine slopes. Although modest in size, it offers varied terrain with gentle descents, perfect for beginners and families.

The ski lifts start from the heart of the village and provide easy access to the slopes of Borbuintze, Cagneule, and Corbetta. The resort maintains a balance between tradition and modernity, with snow cannons and excellent slope maintenance.

The atmosphere is peaceful, without crowds, making Les Paccots an ideal destination for those looking for stress-free skiing, friendly service, and reasonable prices.

A paradise for families

Les Paccots is a benchmark for families in French-speaking Switzerland. It has an excellent ski school, learning areas, and a snow playground specially designed for the little ones.

The activities are designed for all audiences: skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and guided walks through the forest. The safe environment and proximity to all amenities create a comfortable and welcoming experience.

Nature and winter hiking

The natural environment is one of the great attractions of Les Paccots. From the Col de Soladier or the summit of Corbetta, the views open up over Lake Geneva and the peaks of the Jura.

The marked snowshoe and winter hiking trails—more than 30 km in total—wind through silent forests and panoramic viewpoints, ideal for enjoying direct contact with the mountains.

In addition, Les Paccots is part of the canton of Fribourg’s sustainable tourism program, with a clear commitment to car-free mobility and the enhancement of natural heritage.

Fribourg cuisine and Swiss hospitality

The cuisine in Les Paccots is authentic and generous. Local mountain huts and restaurants—such as Le Tsalè, Les Rosalys, and La Saletta—offer moitié-moitié fondues, raclettes, mountain soups, and local products from the Pays de Fribourg.

Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP cheeses are the stars of the regional cuisine. Tasting them on a snow-covered terrace facing the Pre-Alps is an unforgettable experience.

Activities for all tastes

Les Paccots is also an ideal destination for those looking for a variety of activities:

• 35 km of cross-country ski trails.
• Sledding slopes lit up at night.
• Ice skating in the village.
• Outings with mountain guides or introductory cross-country skiing workshops. All this in a peaceful, family-friendly, and accessible environment.

Tips from the I Love Ski Community for skiing in Les Paccots

• Arrive early: The early hours offer the best snow and a peaceful atmosphere before midday.
• Discover Corbetta: From its summit you can enjoy some of the most beautiful views of Lake Geneva.
• Perfect for children: The ski school and gentle slopes are ideal for beginners.
• Try the local fondue: At Le Tsalè, one of the best in the canton of Fribourg.
• Snowshoe at sunset: The silence of the forest at dusk is pure alpine magic.