Skiing in Morzine: Good all-round resort an hour from Geneva Airport

Newsroom Ski destinations Skiing in Morzine: Good all-round resort an hour from Geneva Airport

Skiing in Morzine is just an hour’s drive (75km) from Geneva Airport

Morzine (1,000m) is one of 12 ski villages making up the Franco-Swiss Portes du Soleil ski area (650km). You’ll find pretty, chalet-style accommodation and traditional Savoyard fare. This good all-round resort offers something for all ski levels.

Skiing in Morzine

Local ski area

Morzine’s local ski area (120km) of Pleney/Les Gets is best suited to beginners and intermediates. It features many gentle, tree-lined runs – ideal for low visibility days. The terrain is accessed by the main telecabine from Morzine village. Its two main ski areas are on opposite mountains and around half the ski slopes are rated beginner or intermediate level.

Pretty tree-lined slopes in Morzine
Pretty tree-lined slopes in Morzine. Credit Morzine/Facebook

There are plenty of tree-lined runs around the Ranfoilly bowl and breathtaking views from the top of Mont Chery. You’ll find a free beginners’ zone in Chavannes and wide runs ideal for cruising. Intermediates are spoilt for choice with plenty of blue and red runs from the Chavannes Express and the RC des Chavannes. The Chavannes Bowl is accessed by five lifts and there are many blue, red and black runs.

Advanced skiers can try their skills on the Creux run – a tough three-kilometre run with plenty of steeps. Alternatively, advanced skiers can head to the nearby ski areas of Nyon and Chamossiere to tackle the legendary Aigle Rouge or the various steep off-piste drops. For even more terrain, explore the wider Portes du Soleil ski area, including Avoriaz with its high-altitude powder bowls above the treeline.

Beautiful views from above the trees in Morzine
Beautiful views from above the trees in Morzine. Credit Morzine/Facebook

Portes du Soleil

Eight ski villages make up the legendary Portes du Soleil, including Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets. Advanced and expert skiers may want to invest in a Portes du Soleil ski pass which gives unrestricted access to one of the largest ski areas in the world spanning a whopping 650km!

Non-skiers

There are plenty of activities on offer for non-skiers or for those who only like to hit the mountains for a couple of hours in the morning. You can drive a dog sled or skidoo, go ice skating, ride a horse or go snowshoeing and ski-touring. Alternatively, if relaxation is more your thing – head to two indoor heated pools, saunas and Turkish baths in Parc des Dereches. Over in Avoriaz, you’ll find Aquariaz which is popular with families for its huge pool with rapids and slides.

Aquariaz, Avoriaz. Credit Aquariaz/Facebook

Morzine village

Morzine is a bustling town with a vibrant atmosphere. It’s not just a ski resort; it’s a proper mountain town with a range of restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment options. The après-ski scene here is lively, offering plenty of options for socialising after a day on the slopes.

Village restaurants and mountain huts serve traditional Savoyard food with locally sourced ingredients. Apres-ski enthusiasts will enjoy the live DJ from 4:30pm each day in Buddha bar or Dixies Bar. Night owls can then move onto Cavern Bar to enjoy live bands. Each year Rock the Pistes festival draws the crowds as well as the Snowboxx music festival in neighbouring Avoriaz.

Traditonal savoyard village of Morzine, FR
Traditonal savoyard village of Morzine. Credit Morzine/Facebook

For information about how to get there visit the Geneva Airport website.

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