At the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, Morzine is a long-established favourite with mountain-loving families. This pretty Savoyard town is also beginning to give Chamonix a run for its money as a year-round resort – it’s home to one of the best mountain-biking centres in the Alps, and only an hour and 15 minutes from Geneva by car. Morzine hosts a vibrant expat community and offers something for everyone, no matter what the season.
Loved by all levels
Morzine offers a wide variety of ski runs for all ages and abilities, from beginners to freeride experts. There are more than enough tree-lined blue and red runs to keep beginners and intermediates happy, along with a great choice of ski schools and private instructors. You can’t beat an early-morning trip up to the Arare piste, above the village of Avoriaz, to ski all the way down to the Prodains cable car. There are only a few people around first thing in the morning – and it’s a great leg-burner. For the more adventurous, there’s plenty of off-piste skiing.
A mighty ski domain
Competent skiers can explore the Portes du Soleil, which links 12 villages across France and Switzerland – it has about 200 lifts, giving access to 650km of pistes. The more advanced can enjoy the moguls of the Chavannes Bowl in nearby Les Gets, while those willing to rise early for the first lifts can ski into Switzerland and back in a day. Being linked to snow-sure, high-altitude Avoriaz – built in the 1960s at an altitude of 1,800 metres – provides a longer ski season and a livelier scene. The popular Rock the Pistes music festival takes place every March.