Morzine Avoriaz: Reasons to visit this winter

2nd October 2021

Last modified on October 6th, 2021

Good skiing and snowboarding is a given in the French resort in the Portes du Soleil that is a firm favourite with UK skiers. See the full details of what’s on offer this winter from the resort’s tourist office.

Morzine Avoriaz is situated at the heart of the Portes du Soleil area and offers 600kms of slopes to suit all tastes and abilities.

There are 209 lifts giving access to 308 pistes.

It has 1,543 snow guns and 30 snow parks.

There are 12 resorts in the Portes du Soleil that straddles France and Switzerland

Links in France from Morzine to Abondance, Avoriaz 1800, la Chapelle d’Abondance, Châtel, les Gets, Montriond & St Jean d’Aulps ; and in Switzerland to Champéry, Morgins, Torgon, Val d’Illiez-Les Crosets-Champoussin.

Image c/o Sam Ingles – Morzine

Located between Mont-Blanc and Lake Leman (lake Geneva), Morzine is around an hour’s drive from Geneva airport.

The Portes du Soleil area opens on 18th December 2021 and is due to end the season on 10th April 2022.

Morzine remains free of high-rise buildings with many original wooden chalets are still in service.

Despite its modern ski facilities, the resort has a traditional village feel with boutique hotels, independent shops, superb restaurants and a weekly market featuring local produce.

Image c/o Office de Tourisme de Morzine-Avoriaz

Morzine in numbers:

1,000 m: Village altitude

3,000: Number of year round residents

1934: Opening of the Pléney gondola

25,000: Tourist beds

80: Shops & service providers

45: Restaurants

41: Hotels

Image c/o Sam Ingles – Morzine ski area

New on the Slopes for 2021/20

NEW Le Pas de l’Aigle: viewing platform.

Last winter a new viewing platform was installed at the summit of nearby Pointe de Nyon, and because of Covid-19 restrictions, it will now open to the general public this winter.

At an altitude of 2,019m, the new 10m long glass walkway is called Le Pas de l’Aigle, and can be accessed by skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

The attraction features a 350m drop beneath visitors’ feet and a breath-taking 360° view from Lake Geneva to Mont Blanc.

Price: Free (with ski pass)

Le Pas de l’Aigle, Image c/o Office de Tourisme de Morzine-Avoriaz

NEW – A new fast chairlift, the Belvédère

The Bélvèdere chairlift has undergone major upgrade works, with a new, high-speed six-seater design replacing the old four-seater, fixed clamp version.

Supported by eight brand new pylons, the improved chairlift will be able to transport up to 2,800 people per hour when it re-opens this winter.

Providing greater safety and comfort, the improved Bélvèdere will offer faster access to the beginner area, as well as to the more demanding pistes at Chamossière and the fun space at the Pointe de Nyon.

The departure station will have a grass covered roof, integrating it into the surrounding area.

NEW – Have fun in the new Eagle Park

The Eagle Park on the Nyon slopes will be completely remodelled for winter 21-22.

In this ski area the more adventurous will be able to test the new XL boarder cross starting from the top of the Raverettes chair.

The reshaped and enlarged snow park will offer some new features.

In order to use less artificial snow, the features will be created and shaped from an earth base.

NEW – A new red piste

The remodelling of the red Aigle run going from the summit of Nyon at 2019 metres down to the Nyon plateau at 1413m is now completed.

The run is 3 times wider and is 2km long.

“The ski area, divided into two sectors, allows beginners to learn safely on Pléney and gives experienced skiers the chance to get their thrills on Nyon & Chamossière,” says the Head of Piste safety for the Morzine ski area, Pascal Duvillier.

“The most demanding will find what they’re after on the l’Aigle Rouge & the Arbis pistes, as well as the freeride space.

“The snow conditions are often ideal and our facilities ensure the ski runs down to the village are open throughout the season.

“We are continually innovating to expand our offer, such as the touring routes created last year when lifts were closed due to Covid, and the development of extra activities in the Nyon area over the last few years.”

Image c/o Office de Tourisme de Morzine-Avoriaz

There is skiing to be had in Morzine before and after the slopes open.

You can go out early morning with the ski patrol as they prepare the slopes, and there is the possibility of night ski touring under the stars with a guide.

Image c/o Sam Ingles – ESF Ski Rando Nocturne

Also in the evening there is the offer of a snowshoe walk and a meal in an igloo, with an option to spend a night in the igloo with breakfast included to top off the experience.

One activity that stands out for next winter is an opportunity to experience the art of falconry with a 45-minute snowshoe hike on the plateau of Nyon with a bird on your arm.

Afterwards, hikers will be able to admire the majestic birds of prey with a flight demonstration in the mountains.

Sam Ingles – OT Morzine Aigles du Leman

See more here: Les Aigles de Leman

The winter of 2020/21 and the health crisis meant Morzine has had to innovate and think out of the box in terms of the activities and experiences it has to offer.

Due to the closure of the lifts, locals created a Nordic-style area in the Vallee de la Manche.

This wild setting far from the nearest lifts is the perfect backdrop for walks so will remain in place for winter 21-22 and beyond.

The area is equipped with an info point, a cross-country ski circuit, a snow playground, a picnic area, a sledging slope and even an igloo.

Here at PlanetSKI we are hoping to visit Morzine in January

We have received a glossy press pack of all that is on offer in Morzine this season and you can check out all the details for yourself here:

Morzine: What’s on offer for the 2021/22 season

And see here for the resort’s web site – Morzine Avoriaz.com

Dates for the diary

Morzine, Enchanted Village – 21st December 2021 to 1st January 2022

Every year, Morzine is lit up, giving a fairytale feel to the festive celebrations.

The village comes alive to the sounds of parades, brass bands, the Christmas market, fireworks and the arrival of Father Christmas.

Image c/o Sam Ingles Morzine NYE 20-21

Morzine prend soin de vous (pampers you) – March 2022

This week of wellness revolves around massage workshops, yoga, reflexology and aromatherapy.

This initiative on the part of Morzine Tourist Office is the opportunity to recharge your batteries in a magical setting.

Rock the Pistes – 13th to 19th March 2022

The original music festival in the mountains and the only event of its kind with concerts on the slopes.

Thousands of fans are expected to descend on Morzine for a line-up of top performances from the biggest names in pop

Morzine, royaume de marmots (kids kingdom) – April 2022

For a whole week, the square in front of the Tourist Office will be transformed into a paradise for the little ones.

The resort will be pulsing to the rhythm of all sorts of free activities: themed workshops, musical performances and much more.

Sporting dates for the calendar:

Winter Trail and Spartan Kids New – 11th and 12th December 2021

Spartan, the world leader in obstacle races, brings a new event to Morzine this winter with the first Winter Trail. The following day, the finale of Spartan Kids 2021, a demanding obstacle course, will take place in the heart of the resort and will be open to all young Spartans who qualified in the 2021 stages

Les Micros-d’or – 14th to 16th December 2021

A gala award evening for the best audio-visual sports reportage of the year.

Ladies Night Tour – February 2022

An International Women’s Alpine Skiing circuit with five rounds, one of which is in Morzine, including a night-time parallel slalom exhibition event with the best female skiers in France.

La course des champions – April 2022

600 children aged between 8 and 16 will compete in the morning in a ski race before parading through the village streets.

Le Bagui New – 10th April 2022

The end of the season now has its own celebration with an unusual team relay ski and mountain bike race on snow. Festive, musical atmosphere guaranteed.