The resort
Morzine Resort level: 1000m
Portes du Soleil Slopes: 950 - 2300m
Lifts: 209
Pistes: 650Km
The village
Morzine is a well established year round resort, popular for its ease of access from Geneva, traditional atmosphere and gentle wooded slopes where bad weather rarely causes problems. The centre bustles around the river that runs through and has the relaxed and informal ambience of village life. There is a merry go round in the centre by the tourist office and generally a family friendly atmosphere throughout. Restaurants, shops and bars line the street up to the lifts at Pleny where the one way system runs along the foot of the slopes.
The skiing and boarding
There is certainly something for everyone when skiing in Morzine as it is part of the vast Portes du Soleil area that is one of the largest lift linked ski areas in the world. Morzine holds its snow well as it is made up of pastureland that gives a better base than some of the higher rockier resorts. With the help of the snow cannons they usually have a very good season. On the Les Gets side of Morzine there is a gondola that rises up from the centre of Morzine to Pleney. From here there are plenty of routes to the valley and access over to Les Gets. On the other side of Morzine you can take the Super Morzine lift that is close to the chalet up to access Avoriaz and the main Portes du Soleil circuit. For experts there is plenty of skiing to be had with challenging pistes such as the famous ‘Swiss Wall’ that will get the legs heated up! There is of course an abundant supply of off piste when the conditions are right. We recommend taking a guide to get to the best areas safely www.esf-morzine.com Intermediates will just love the huge amount of cruisy reds and black runs that weave throughout the valleys. The wide village nursery slopes are great for beginners and benefit from snow cannons. The blues and greens between Avoriaz and Morzine are recommended. For boarders who like the parks then you are best to get over to Avoriaz where there are three terrain parks and plenty of competitions on. Check out www.portesdusoleil.com for full information on the ski area.
Apres ski and off the slopes
There is a good mixture of restaurants to dine in from pizzas and pastas to traditional fondues, tartiflette and raclette. The bars are also good with Bar Boudha being a favourite of ours. There is of course Dixie’s for live music and the Coyote bar for games and music. The ice rink is below the chalet where there are some excellent hockey matches played and skating galas. Some of the hotels have pools open to non-residents. There are plenty of shops for those who want to potter of an afternoon and a weekly market that is definitely worth a visit. www.morzine.com will give you all the info that you need off the slopes.
Childcare
We highly recommend www.cheekymonkeysmorzine.com You know that they are doing something right when your child goes off with a big smile on their face for a day with the Cheeky Monkeys!
Children aged 3 yrs and above can also be looked after by the esf who offer the Club Piou Piou for half-day lessons and indoor/outdoor activities. www.esf-morzine.com.
Ski lessons
ESF Morzine have a good reputation and can be found on www.esf-morzine.com They offer lessons for all standards of skier for children through to adult level and offer both skiing and boarding. Private lessons can also be taken with them as well as group.
Alternatively there is the British Alpine Ski School that has a base in Morzine. www.britishskischool.com/morzine They have a small team of specialists offering lessons for juniors through to adult master classes.