Morzine
Morzine
Morzine is a large, lively resort, is great for weekend ski holidays and has great skiing potential. It is a perfect example of what French ski resorts should be like.
It is a traditional bustling market town with access to the impressive Portes Du Soleil circuit. Although its altitude is a bit of a problem it does benefit from its proximity to Mont Blanc which has a cooling effect on the resort.
Bad weather rarely causes a problem in Morzine, although, if you want to ski the main Portes du Soleil circuit - including Avoriaz - you will have to take a bus and cable car to access it.
Pros
- Lots of tree lined skiing and few queues.
- The town is attractive, lively and has a good nightlife.
- The local ski area is a good size and the resort links into the vast Portes du Soleil circuit.
Cons
- The low altitude of the resort means that it can suffer from poor snow.
- There is little challenging terrain for experts and you’ll need to take a bus ride to get from your Morzine accommodation to the lifts and to the main Portes du Soleil circuit.
- The slopes can get busy on the weekends.
The Skiing
The local Morzine slopes are best suited to intermediates and there are some good areas for beginners as well. More proficient skiers should take the Super Morzine lift to get quick access to the rest of the Portes du Soleil circuit.
The best off piste in Morzine can be found on the Le Pleny side of town or head up to the top of the Chamossiere. Alternatively head to the rest of the Portes du Soleil for some fantastic terrain.
Because of Morzine’s low altitude the snow reliability is poor, however, because you ski mainly on fields it doesn’t need a lot of snow cover.
Facts And Figures
- Resort altitude 1000m
- Highest lift 2010m
- The Portes du Soleil area has 202 lifts and 650km of pistes
- Morzine has 50 lifts and 110 km of pistes
- Ski in ski out accommodation is limited
The Town And Apres Ski
Morzine is busy all year round and, as a result, there is quite a lot to do off the slopes. There re plsnty of walks, 2 cinemas and an ice rink. There are also plenty of shops and Annecy, Geneva or Montreux are all close enough to make day trips to.
There are some good restaurants on the slopes in Morzine. The rustic Chez Nannon remains a favourite whilst Les Cretes de Zorre is one of the best mountain restaurants on the way back from avoriaz to Mozine and Les Mines D’Or is worth checking out.
Morzine is one of the livelier French resorts for après ski with most people heading to either Bar Robertson or the Dixie bar. Late night venues include Le Paradis du Laury’s and L’Opera.
Useful resources
www.morzine-avoriaz.com
www.morznet.com
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morzine
