Resort Overview for Morzine: A village with a history dating back to long before Morzine was first named in documents in 1180 AD, today Morzine is a large and pleasant resort in the midst of one of the world's largest ski areas, the Portes du Soleil, and with excellent off-slope facilities. Although the village may have existed for at least a thousand years, tourism only arrived rather more recently when the first hotel, the Grand, opened in 1925.
The first brochure stated that Morzine was located "...high above the damp mists, where the purifying breeze blows through the firs." Early visitors included many families of diplomats living in the French colonies. Winter tourism was not long behind initial summer business and in 1934 the opening of the Pleney cable-car made getting up the mountain to go downhill easy. François Baud, the pioneer behind the Grand, went so far as to build a ski jump behind his hotel, to employ Austrian ski instructors and to bring in the earliest tracked Renault vehicles to entice winter visitors. He also introduced the sport of Ski Jöring - being towed on skis behind a horse - to the village.
After Pleney, the Pointe de Nyon was introduced as a second ski area and Jean Vuarnet won Olympic Gold at Squaw Valley, helping to underline further Morzine's growing pre-eminence on the winter-sports world map. The still futuristic resort of Avoriaz opened high above the village in 1966 and when Super Morzine opened in the 1980s a lift link between Avoriaz and Morzine was created.
The Skiing in Morzine: Morzine's skiing is basically in two similar sized sectors which together offer almost 300km (nearly 200 miles) of trails served by nearly 100 lifts. Morzine's own skiing is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area which links a dozen ski resorts by lift and offers skiers 650km (just over 400 miles) of more-or-less-lift-linked trails that cross from France in to Switzerland.
Morzine's first ski area links the resort over to neighbouring Les Gets on the slopes of Mount Ranfolly, between the two villages. With skiing between 1000m (3280 feet) and 2000 m (6560 feet) the trail are largely easy or intermediate level, down through the densely forested slopes. The second sector is that of Super Morzine and Avoriaz, rising to 2277m (7470 feet), known for its long slopes to which skiers would venture in the spring before the resort was built and lifts installed in the '60s. The sense of isolation from the rest of the world continues today.
The Portes du Soleil's skiing is something more than most large lift-linked ski areas in that you experience a sense of traveling and encountering different cultures as you cross it and go over the border in to Switzerland, with views of Mont Blanc in one direction and Lake Geneva in the other. It's possible for most skiers above beginner standard to make the most of the huge terrain on offer.
Experts too will find plenty of interest, including the World Cup descent down from Avoriaz to Morzine over a full 1100m) vertical. In the Val d'Enfer there are excellent off piste runs from La Grande Terche. Of course there is also the most famous run of the whole area, 'The Swiss Wall' - unofficially categorized a brown run, officially black. Many choose to take the chairlift down rather than face its monstrous moguls!
Beginners are not forgotten though, with excellent nursery slopes dotted around Morzine, most just a short walk from your accommodation.
Cross country skiers are well served also with 95 km (60 miles) of trails from easy to difficult standard in five separate areas.
Après Ski in Morzine:Morzine is a relaxed and friendly resort and the night-life reflects this, with early evening drinks and snacks followed by a good meal of traditional fayre. After that there are dozens of bars to choose from, with Dixie Bar, the Bowling Bar and Le Crépuscule usually all lively.
Later on much of the action is to be had in the bars and discothèques at the Le Plemney end of the resort. Popular night spots include Opéra Rock and Le Paradis..
Other evening activities might include bowling, night skiing, snowmobiling and perhaps taking in an ice hockey match.
Skier & Snowboarder Reviews of Morzine:
Zig, England (04/05/2010):
Morzine is a really great place for a ski holiday. The village is pretty and the skiing area is absolutely huge! Apres ski is excellent and restaurants are very good.
You can ski from Morzine into Les Gets & Avoriaz and you can even ski from Morzine into Switzerland and back in a day.
Having visited this year for the first time, Morzine is now my favourite European ski resort and we're already booked up to go back again next year.
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Accommodation in Morzine:Search through our database to rent private ski chalets direct from the owners in Morzine. Contact owners directly to make a booking. Rent ski chalet Morzine, France
 | | Chalet la Mousiere, Sleeps 24 | | Chalet la Moussière is a 200 year old typical Savoyard chalet tastefully renovated with modern amenities. The chalet offers catered en-suite accommod...... | | |
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 | | Le Chateau, Sleeps 22 | | Le Chateau is a beautiful and traditional private chateau and is perfect for small or large groups, family ski holidays and corporate skiing.
This...... | | |
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 | | Le Galerie, Sleeps 12 | | Sunny and peacefully located ski in/ lift out catered ski apartment
Right at the foot of the Nyon slopes this quiet catered ski chalet is great fo...... | | |
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For more information on Morzine please visit the resort's website http://www.morzine.com |
