Morzine

Morzine is a beautiful Haute-Savoyard village 50 miles from Geneva in the heart of the largest International Ski Area in The World The Portes du Soleil.

Morzine began to establish its self as a winter sports resort back in the 1920s. It was in 1934 that the Pleney Cable Car was built. Avoriaz as a resort was developed in the 1960's and this led to the linking up of Champery and Les Crosets in Switzerland and Chatel and Morgin linking into the system the Portes du Soleil was firmly established as The Worlds Largest International Ski Area in the 1970s. Now there are over 240 modern ski lifts and 650kms of marked piste with acres of off piste, much or which remains untracked days after snowfall.Today Morzine is a vibrant Alpine resort; there are plenty of restaurants, bars, shops to keep the non-skiers of the party happy. Other activities going on in the village include horse drawn sleighs, ten pin bowling, ice skating, fitness centre, cinemas, traditional markets on Wednesdays, excursions to Thonon , Geneva and local buses to Les Gets. The non skiers can take advantage of the Pedestrian lift pass to access the ski area and meet up for lunch in above Morzine, Les Gets and around Avoriaz. Après ski in Morzine is as long and hard as you want it to be. The Dixie Bar is one of the main focal points in the old town, while just up the road in the newer part of Morzine, Boudha is popular and the Crep Schul But for late night revelling try Paradise or the Opera night clubs which open at 11pm and go right through to 6am. Morzine is quite a large resort; the north side has ski lifts that link in to the Les Gets area, while the south side has the lifts that link into the Avoriaz and the rest of The Portes Du Soleil Ski area. There is a very good and efficient free ski bus service that connects most parts of Morzine with the lift system. A bus runs from The Pleney Lifts, via the Tourist office to the Prodains Cable Car to Avoriaz. M Bus - the M bus goes from the Town Hall to Ardent via Montriond - this is a great way in to the Portes du Soleil ski area. The N bus connects to the Pleney cable car station passing through Morzine passing the tourist Office ans going to the Nyon cable car station .

In Morzine they have a small Petit train that connects The Pleney lifts with the Super Morzine lift which connects into the Avoriaz ski area and from Avoriaz it interlinks with the rest of the Portes du Soleil ski area.

Our ideal day in Morzine.

I love Chamossiere above Morzine! From the top of the Pleney bubble lift the red run R is a great warm up down towards Nyon. From the top of the Pre Favre chairlift its worth taking the chairlift up Pointe de Nyon – the mountain that dominates Morzine. The red run from the top links over to the Tetes chairlift that then links int o Chamossiere. From the top of Chamossiere the views over Mont Blanc are stunning. But so is the skiing! Les Crux is a steep black which after a fresh dump of snow is just awesome – or traverse a little further over to the freeride zone under Pointe d’Angolon. There are some great off piste variants to the red run Arbis which ends back up at the Chamossiere Express chairlift. Moving on through Les Gets I always head for Mont Chery – the back side of Mont Chery has some great skiing and often very quiet. The Portes du Soleil circuit is also a great day out – either clockwise from Morzine through Avoriaz then over to Chatel, down to Morgins. Luch at the Au 17 La Buvette in the centre of Morgins is a must! Then its on up through Champoussin , Les Crosets over the Wall and back through Avoriaz. Or Anti clockwise though Avoriaz down the Wall, then the Grand Paradise down to Champery which is a stunning run with a great coffee stop. Avoiding Champoussin there is a great off piste route from Pointe de Mossette down to Morgins. Over to Chatel with a later coffee at Chez Babeth before heading back over to Avoriaz and down to Morzine.

WHY WE LOVE MORZINE?

1. Stunning Alpine Scenery

Nestled in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Morzine offers dramatic mountain views year-round — from snow-covered peaks in winter to lush green valleys in summer. The scenery alone makes it feel like a postcard come to life.
Perfect resort for familes, intermediates and groups.
Sunny village with lots of other activities.

2. World-Class Skiing & Snowboarding

With access to 650km of pistes, Morzine connects easily to Avoriaz, Les Gets, and beyond. It’s perfect for every level — from gentle beginner slopes to thrilling off-piste runs. Plus, the ski lifts rise right from the village, so you can be on the mountain in minutes.

3. Laid-Back Alpine Village Charm

Morzine retains its traditional Savoyard feel — think wooden chalets, cozy firesides, and friendly locals. It’s not just a ski resort; it’s a real working town with character and community.

Whether it’s live music in the bars, the Harley Days festival, or Tour de France passing through, Morzine always has energy — but it never feels overcrowded or commercial.

Beginners

We recommend that all beginners head up to Avoriaz and the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School. Under the careful instruction from Ian McKellar and his professional team of English speaking instructors, beginners will soon progress off the nursery plateau on to the greens runs of Super Morzine - Proclou is a long 4km wide green run serviced by a detachable high speed quad chair lift. Moving on the blue runs down to Les Lindarets offer a real sense of achievement. Later on in the week once the snowplough turns and stops have been mastered beginners can head over to Morzine and ski the beautiful tree lined runs between Morzine and Les Gets.

intermediates

The Portes du Soleil is an intermediates paradise; the only hard thing to do is to decide which way to go each day! Take a day to explore Morzine and Les Gets - perhaps tick off a black run in Ranfolly. Mont Chery offers wide open skiing on quiet slopes but accessing the area does involve a 5 minute trek (or wait for the road ski train) across Les Gets. Avoriaz offers high altitude open runs and access to the rest of the Portes du Soleil - head over the Switzerland and ski down the long Grand Paradise to Champery - beautiful views, chocolate box chalets and Chamois (the legendary mountain goats) to spot. Chatel offers long wide runs and you must take a day to ski the full Portes du Soleil circuit.

Advanced
Advanced skiers and borders will never get bored in the Portes du Soleil. Mont Chery in Les Gets offers one of the steepest black runs in the area, you could spend all day on Chamossiere alternating between a red, black and off piste. Avoriaz has an area known as les Hauts Forts - a series of black runs with a vertical of well over 1000m. Of course every skier wants to tackle the Wall - a legendary black run between France and Switzerland. Chatel offers long carving runs, ski the circuit clockwise and anti clockwise. Head over to Torgon for Swiss Blacks runs at their best. If you are looking for off piste, then look out for Happy Valley, Hidden Valley, The Mossette Couloir, the Swiss Couloirs as well as the fabulous Vallee de la Manche.

Family Skiing

Morzine boasts wide, gentle slopes perfect for the beginners.The Pleney area features two beginner zones equipped with magic carpets—enclosed conveyor lifts that are especially suitable for children and first-time skiers. These areas are designed to build confidence before progressing to more challenging runs.

Children can enjoy themed areas like the Milka Run, a playful blue run with tree-lined paths, and 'Lil' Stash', a woodland play area featuring treehouses and a giant banana swing. These zones add an element of fun to the skiing experience. Local ski schools offer lessons starting from age 3, with programs tailored to various skill levels. Many instructors speak English, making it accessible for international families. Beyond skiing, Morzine provides a range of family activities, including ice skating at the outdoor rink in the village center, snowshoeing trails, and sledging adventures. The Parc des Dérêches features an indoor swimming pool and wellness center, perfect for relaxation after a day on the slopes.

Accommodation

Morzine offers various family-friendly accommodations:

Hotels:
Welcoming Family run 3 and 4 star hotels
Self-Catering Apartments: For families preferring flexibility, self-catering options are available, allowing for personalized meal planning and schedules.
Ski-in/Ski-out Chalets: Staying close to the lifts or nursery slopes minimizes walking in ski boots and maximizes time on the snow, which is especially beneficial for families with young children.

Ski Schools

ESF Morzine & Avoriaz

Overview: As part of France’s national ski school, ESF boasts over 360 instructors across Morzine and Avoriaz.
Offerings: Group and private lessons for all ages and abilities, including off-piste guiding and biathlon experiences.
Highlights: English-speaking instructors and a reputation for high-quality instruction.

🏆 New Generation Ski School

Overview: An award-winning British-run school with over 25 years of experience.
Offerings: Small group sizes and private lessons tailored to individual needs.
Highlights: Highly rated by families for their friendly and professional approach.

🌟 The Snow School

Overview: A premium school known for its personalized instruction.
Offerings: Small group sizes (4–6 pupils) and private lessons.
Highlights: Ideal for those seeking focused attention and rapid progression.

Easy2Ride

Overview: A friendly, English-speaking school offering tailored lessons.
Offerings: Private and small group lessons in Morzine and Avoriaz.
Highlights: Emphasis on fun and confidence-building for all ages.

Supreme Ski School

Overview: A well-regarded school with over 30 years of experience.
Offerings: Private and group lessons for children and adults, including off-piste instruction.
Highlights: Professional instruction with a focus on small group sizes.

Ski With Ease

Overview: An English-speaking school offering private lessons.
Offerings: 1:1 and family group lessons tailored to individual needs.
Highlights: Ideal for those seeking a personalized, stress-free learning experience.

Ski Schools for Children

For families, Morzine offers several excellent options:

ESF Morzine: Provides group lessons for children aged 3 and up, with English-speaking instructors.
New Generation: Offers small group sizes and private lessons tailored to children's needs.
The Snow School: Specializes in small group sizes (4–6 pupils) for personalized instruction.
Easy2Ride: Focuses on building confidence and fun for young skiers.
Supreme Ski School: Provides professional instruction with a focus on small group sizes.

Ski Schools for Adults

Adults seeking to improve their skiing or snowboarding skills can choose from:

ESF Morzine & Avoriaz: Offers group and private lessons for all levels.
New Generation: Provides tailored lessons with a focus on individual progress.
The Snow School: Specializes in small group sizes for personalized attention.
Easy2Ride: Emphasizes fun and confidence-building for adult learners.
Supreme Ski School: Offers professional instruction with a focus on small group sizes.

Our recommended Ski Hire Shops in Morzine

Caribou Sport

Overview: Highly recommended for its top-quality equipment and exceptional service.
Services: Offers free delivery to your accommodation, making it convenient for families and groups.
Location: Three shops in Morzine, including one near the Pleney lift.