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 Lac Leman are only half an hour away. The drive down through the mountain gorges is spectacular and the lake itself is a lovely distraction from the mountains. Geneva itself is just an hour away and offers all the draws of a big city. Annecy is a beautiful old town also just an hour away from Morzine and well worth a visit.
Active
Morzine offers many distractions off the mountain. If you fancy the gym they have one at the Palais des Sports. It also offers an indoor climbing wall and an ice rink. The town is home to the Morzine/Avoriaz Penguins – the local ice hockey team that you can watch in action throughout the winter.
If there’s not too much snow on the ground then the skate park and tennis courts outside the Palais des Sports get well used. On a nice day the sky is full of paragliders and visitors can experience a tandem flight for around 70 Euro.
Relaxation
Morzine had long suffered from a lack of public swimming pool in the winter months but it now has a new indoor 25m pool with linked saunas and hammam. There is also an abundance of spas and massage centres to pamper those aching muscles – one of the best is located in the Baraty Centre opposite the tourist office. The sauna and hot tub can be booked for private hour-long slots. There are also several mobile massage services in resort who will pamper you in the comfort of your chalet.
Shopping
With its many boutiques and reasonably sensible prices for a ski resort the non-skiers will enjoy the shops of Morzine. For those that are skiing there is still no excuse for going home without souvenirs and presents as most shops open until 7pm in the season. As is common in France, many of the shops are closed for a couple of hours over lunchtime.
The food shops are impressive and visitors can combine a trip to buy some local cheese with a tour of the factory! Wednesday is market day in Morzine and a trip to the market is a must for anyone seeking local produce bargains.
Events
Morzine offers a range of events throughout the winter from the week-long music festival ‘Concertes sauvages’ on the slopes, to avalanche safety demonstrations and Jazz cabaret. January also sees an impressive husky race pass through the town. Unfortunately it is not really easy to find information on the official website so your best bet is to ask in the tourist office when you arrive. The Morznet.com community web site is also useful.
Amongst the most popular weekly events are the torchlit descent of Pleney by ESF instructors and the retrospective du ski show with fireworks.
