Morzine is a traditional market town in Portes du Soleil sitting within a gorge carved out of the mountain by La Dranse de Morzine river, a popular base from which to explore the massive Portes du Soleil area. Its architecture is of the traditional style making use of wood and slate to create beautiful mountain chalets and renovated farm houses.
Morzine was originally used by the Monks from Aulps Abbey for its land which was used as farmland for crops and pastures for their livestock. Today many of the old barns have been restored and some of the pastures are still in use and in summer you’ll see cows grazing in the flower laden meadows.
The atmosphere in Morzine is relaxed and friendly with a lively night life. There is a great selection of restaurants, bars and lounges to spend your evenings in, some of which host live music events. You can also go bowling, ice skating and night skiing. Throughout the year Morzine hosts a series of events for all to enjoy, there’s the extravagant Christmas shows over the holiday season, the International Chablais Ski Week, Rock the Race, Rock the Pistes and Hauts-Forts Trophy ski touring race.
For those looking to buy property in the French Alps Morzine is a popular choice as it has something to offer everyone and all the amenities you might need are within easy reach from the village centre. It is located approximately an hour and a half from Geneva airport making weekend breaks and short holidays easily possible. Due to its popularity it’s not the cheapest resort to buy property in but as it’s a large resort property prices can vary depending on how close they are to the centre of town and the ski lifts. A cosy apartment in the centre of town would be perfect if you’re a keen skier or boarder and want to be close to the action. This kind of property is also popular for ski holiday rentals. Further out of the town you’ll start to find larger chalets, some with beautiful gardens which are perfect for summer barbecues and enjoying the delightful summer sun.
Winter
Morzine is part of the Portes du Soleil ski domain in which you have access to about 650km of ski runs over varied terrain from wide cruising pistes to technical black runs. Morzine’s ski area mainly contain blue and red pistes making it popular for families, beginners and intermediates. Although areas such as Avoriaz, which has some tricky black runs and fantastic off piste terrain, are linked to Morzine by piste and ski lift or you can take a 5 minute bus.
The highest of the peaks in Morzine are aver 2000m making snow reliability pretty good, some of the lower slopes are tree lined as well meaning they hold the snow for longer.
The skiing is split into two main areas in Morzine. One links to Les Gets over Mont Ranfolly and the other the the SuperMorzine linked with Avoriaz. There are several nursery slopes dotted around Morzine which are used by the local ski schools and so it’s a great place for children’s first skiing or snowboarding holiday.
Morzine summary
- Total Runs- 180km
- Green Pistes- 5%
- Blue Pistes- 46%
- Red istes- 36%
- Black Pistes- 13%
- Lifts- 85
- Summit- 2466m
- Base- 1000m
- Vertical Drop- 1466m
Summer
The Portes du Soleil is the place to be for downhill mountain biking and Morzine is at its centre not just in terms of the excellence of its trails but also geographically. Avoriaz, Chatel, Morgins and Les Gets are accessible by chairlift and Pila, Verbier and Les Arcs are close enough for day trips out providing more than enough variety for places to ride.
Morzine is also extremely popular for walking, caving, rafting, climbing and paragliding and there’s also an olympic sized swimming pool.
