Wide view of skiers amid snowy landscapes.

Morzine

Les Portes du Soleil, Haute-Savoie, French Alps.

Morzine lies in the Massif du Chablais, just below Lac Léman (aka Lake Geneva), a 15min drive from the A40 autoroute exit at Cluses, with high-speed rail links from Paris, and around an hour’s transfer from Geneva airport.

This kind of accessibility makes Morzine and the neighbouring ski villages firm favourites with UK skiers.

Often substantial snowfalls, combined with predominantly north-facing slopes, help offset the comparatively modest altitude.

Skiers descending wide piste between trees with snowy mountain background.

The Ski Area

  • Part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area.
  • Morzine's pistes are on both sides of the valley.
  • Access to all PDS sectors, even for early intermediates.

With access to 650 km of slopes, spread across 12 villages in France and Switzerland, the vast Portes du Soleil area offers near-limitless skiing for all levels. Morzine’s local pistes are on both sides of the valley – on one side is terrain shared with Les Gets and topped-off by the Pointe d’Angolon (2080m), while on the other is Super Morzine and the remainder - the greater part, in fact - of the Portes du Soleil. Each option has rapid gondola access.

As you’ll discover, it’s hard to convey on a piste map just how big the combined ski area actually is, although getting around is becoming steadily easier as lifts are upgraded. Skiing from Morzine not only brings rapid access to Les Gets but also to Avoriaz, beyond which lie the respective delights of Les Crosets, Champéry, Champoussin and Morgins in the Swiss sector. Intermediates will have no problem getting over there, while débutantes have enough dedicated facilities closer to home to get them off to a confidence-building start.

Resort Information

Altitude : 1000m - 2466m
Morzine-Avoriaz
Pistes Total:
120 km
Les Gets / Morzine pistes
9 Green
24 Blue
28 Red
9 Black
Ski Resort Lifts : 42
3 Magic Carpets
14 Draglifts
27 Chairlifts
3 Gondolas
1 Cable Cars
Portes du Soleil
Pistes Total:
600 km
Portes du Soleil pistes
35 Green
125 Blue
102 Red
31 Black
Ski Domain Lifts: 189
4 Magic Carpets
102 Draglifts
78 Chairlifts
9 Gondolas
4 Cable Cars

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The Ski Village

  • Morzine is a living and working Savoyard village.
  • Easy to get to and popular with the British.

Although continuing to develop its skier accommodation, Morzine remains a year-round, working village and a refreshing contrast to higher-altitude purpose-built resorts. The look is unmistakably Savoyard, although with a conspicuously-Anglicised feel, at least in winter. If you’re looking for somewhere Brit-friendly then look no further.

Fresh snowfalls transform the bustling heart of the village into a near-seamless link between the ski areas on each side of the valley. Getting between them doesn’t take long on foot, although getting around the valley floor from less centrally-located accommodation involves shuttle-bus journeys, so check timetables to avoid long waits outside peak times.

Ease of road access and an unstuffy, down-to-earth vibe have brought Morzine a deservedly loyal following among UK-based skiers, who have all that cross-border terrain close at hand, just waiting to be tracked...

Staying There

Value for Money Accommodation Dining Out Nightlife Village Charm

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Large groups of skiers outside mountain restaurants

Why go skiing in Morzine-Avoriaz ?

A Famille Plus Montagne resort, Morzine provides activities and services for all age groups, plus skiers with a disability. Mixed-ability groups will find variety locally, and there’s some great cruising terrain to help build fitness before you commit to clocking-up real mileage around the Portes du Soleil. Above the sector shared with Les Gets, for example, are steep-and-deep (but generally wide) Red-graded runs, ideal for raising both fitness and technical abilities. There are Blues here as well, for less experienced skiers or those who prefer to take it easier, plus a whole lot more intermediate terrain past Avoriaz and across the Swiss border. For independent travellers, there are lots of accommodation options, the emphasis being on chalets, although there are some very comfortable, welcoming hotels, too.

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Skiing There

Beginners / Families Intermediates Advanced / Expert Mountain Scenery

Snowboarding

Quality freestyle fun plus a Videopark and Videototem.
1 Snowparks
3 Snowboarder Cross


Cross-Country Skiing


77km Cross-Country and Nordic Ski Trails

Handiski...

  • Discounted Les Gets/Morzine ski pass for a disabled skier and their companion (conditions apply).
  • Adapted hotel and self-catering accommodation available. Contact reservation service for help on +33(0)4 50 79 11 57
    reservation@morzine-avoriaz.com
  • SYMConcept - a company that will organise your mountain holiday for you. Information on www.symconcept.com
  • Specialist instruction for physically and mentally disabled skiers and loan of equipment by ESF www.esf-morzine.com

icon-smileyYes please...

  • Capable snowmaking and well-prepared pistes.
  • Huge ski area, combined with friendly village atmosphere.
  • Capable lift system with hands-free passes.
  • Environment friendly resort.
  • Short transfers from Geneva airport.
  • Rock the Pistes music festival marks the end of the season with free concerts at altitude.

icon-frowneyYes but...

  • Portes du Soleil is not the highest-altitude ski area.

icon-winkingOur Tips

  • Check accommodation is near lifts or a bus-stop (or offers a guest transfer service).
  • Download the free Portes du Soleil mobile phone app - available for iOS or Android.

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Practical Information

Tried and testedThe Lodge Morzine

1100 Route de la Plagne,
74110 Morzine

The Lodge, Morzine

Friendly British-run hotel with comfortable and well-equipped apartment accommodation in the main building plus duplex apartments in a mews development to the rear, where there's also some outdoor parking and ski storag. Apartments in the main building are let on a half-board basis, including buffet breakfasts and 4-course à la carte evening meals served in the hotel restaurant.
Apartments are spacious and in Savoyard style with cosy furnishings and natural wood. We stayed in a 2-bedroom apartment which had a well-planned and equipped kitchen/dining area and lounge with balcony. There's a TV (English channels) and free WiFi, although this wasn't working during our stay. All beds are singles but can be pushed together for couples. There was plenty of storage and the bathroom was modern and clean, with a separate WC.
There's a small wellness and fitness centre with Jacuzzi and sauna. The popular hotel bar and restaurant on the lower ground floor are also open to non-residents. We found the staff friendly and very helpful, although the overwhelming "British-ness" of the experience might not suit everyone.

Situated about 1km from the village centre (15 min walk to the central Tourist Office), you are reliant on free ski buses to get to and from lifts and sevices become less frequent outside of peak times. Half-board guests can use the hotel shuttle service.
Guests can get worthwhile discounts at the Alpine Sports Warehouse, Route de la Plagne, Morzine.


Tried and testedChalet Twenty26

The Boutique Chalet Company
2026 Route de la Manche
Morzine
Tel:+33 (0)4 85 80 01 22

A beautifully-presented chalet with every home comfort, guest transfer service and excellent home cooking. Welcoming and attentive hosts, too. We loved it.


Le Mas de La Coutettaz

429 Chemin de La Coutettaz
Morzine
Tel:+33 (0)4 50 79 08 26

Authentic farmhouse with original features, even a “mazot” converted into intimate luxury accommodation for two. The house style is traditional comfort, Alpine style.