I feel a bit sorry for other reviewers who recently wrote about Chatel. Holidaying over New Year 2014/15 was challenging to say the least. However, nine tenths of what they experienced (I’ll come back to the last 10th later) was down to the weather, specifically the lack of snow, which affected the whole region. To be honest, without the modest snowfall the week after Christmas the result would have been absolute carnage; resort operators were more than a little worried.
Chatel, because of its north facing slopes and significant investment in snow making, actually had some albeit not as much as normal. Many nearby resorts were basically unskiable with resultant overcrowding as skiers came in from elsewhere. On the cost front, a further attraction of Chatel, is the relatively low prices with prices for food, drink, accommodation and lift passes substantially less than most stations with similar skiing. Anyone who doesn’t see this has clearly never skied in Verbier or Trois Vallees.

Comments that the resort lacks investment are simply wrong, but where I do agree with others is that there is an issue with the behaviour of some (by no means all) lift staff. Personally, I find that a simple “bonjour” actually makes a difference but it is something that all European ski resorts should look to North America for best practice.
Chatel is a great resort with fabulous skiing and friendly natives. Don’t let others put you off.