Morzine - France
At just 1000m Morzine is not one of the higher resorts in the Alps. However, the local slopes are on pasture land and only need 20cm of snow to be open. The unique microclimate in the snow shadow of Mont Blanc also ensures good skiing until Mid-April. Set in a wooded basin the traditional farming village has grown along the valley and nowadays offers plenty of activities for non-skiers. There is very little slopeside accommodation available, but the local transport services are excellent.
The links to Avoriaz for the high-altitude skiing can be laborious but plans are currently being discussed to upgrade the lift infrastructure to that end. Pistes can get pretty busy at weekends with Morzine rapidly becoming one of the favourite short break destinations in France. It is easy to see why when you consider that Geneva is just an hour away and there are literally hundreds of British-run chalets fighting for your business!
At a glance
| Resort altitude | 1000m - 1000m |
|---|---|
| Highest lift | 2460m |
| Lowest lift | 950m |
| kms of piste | 650km² |
| Black pistes | 10% |
| Red pistes | 37% |
| Blue pistes | 39% |
| Green pistes | 14% |
| Snow parks | 3 |
| Glacier | No |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
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Five to try
- Night sledging - a real treat at just €20 per person. The whole event lasts just over an hour
- A free visit to the cheese-making factory, usually on Wednesday and Thursday mornings
- Enjoy some ice hockey with the Morzine Penguins, who were the runners-up of the French league in winter 2006/7
- Skidooing. An exhilarating but safe experience, led by qualified guides
- Try ice diving with a taster sessions (starting from €65) at the picturesque Lake Montriond
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Planning your trip
Morzine is easily accessible by air, with three airports within a couple of hours' drive. Geneva airport, just one hour away, is great for ski weekends. You will find transport easier from Geneva than any other airport due to the high number of transfer firms and shared transfer operations on this route. Most more...
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Where to stay
Accommodation in Morzine tends to centre on the vast number of independent chalet companies and self-catered properties. The town centre contains some good French-owned hotels but the outlying hamlets all contain British-run chalets and self-catered properties to let. Due to the spread-out nature of more...
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Food and drink
The people of Morzine are rightfully proud of their restaurants and visitors will be pleasantly surprised by the prices. The town centre has everything from take-aways to fine dining and most people will find something suitable around the tourist office. However, the better prices are often found by just walking a more
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Things to do
Being a traditional working town means that Morzine has plenty of things to do for everyone, including non-skiers. It is a popular destination for groups of diverse abilities and interests and if you have access to transport the list of things to do within an hour by car is almost endless. The shores of Lake Geneva more...
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On the piste
Morzine provides a perfect setting for a ski holiday for visitors of all abilities, due to its location at the heart of the world’s largest internationally linked ski area – Les Portes du Soleil. The local slopes between Morzine and Les Gets provide tree-lined runs with chocolate-box scenery and beginners will improve more...
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MadDogView
A pleasingly traditional resort that suits both party-goers and families. Skiing in the Portes du Soleil ranges from the children's gardens to the steepest marked piste in Europe. Short transfer time from Geneva.
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Map
- Download piste map
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Our favourites
Le Fantaski
Not one of the first restaurants that you come to at Pleine Dranse but well worth the extra trek to get to it! Generous portions, everything cooked fresh to order, great to dry wet clothes over the wood-burning stove. Access: in the hamlet of Pleine Dranse (Chatel), accessed via Chaux Fleurie chairlift in the Avoriaz sector and at the foot of red piste Voraches. Opening hours: 10am 4.30pm. -
Useful stuff
