Morzine is a village in Haute-Savoie, in the Chablais mountains of the French Alps. Located at 1.000 meters in the Aulps Valley, among forested mountains, it resembles a village of chalets with slate roofs. Those dark roofs are part of the town's history: before the arrival of skiers, slate quarrying was one of the activities that provided employment for the village.
Tourism development began with the Grand Hôtel and the first cable car up Pléney, the mountain overlooking the town. The facility went into service on December 15, 1934, and was inaugurated in January 1935. The history of skiing in Morzine began on that side, and from Pléney you can still ascend to the slopes closest to the houses. On the opposite side of the village, the Super Morzine gondola lift takes you to Avoriaz, the 1.800-meter resort belonging to the same municipality. The two towns share the same administration, not the type of accommodation: Morzine is a valley village with a life of its own, while Avoriaz is a high-altitude resort. Those who choose Morzine sleep in the village, ascend to the slopes each morning, and can reach Avoriaz when they want to extend their day.
Above the houses lie green, blue, red, and black slopes. Upon returning, the village offers enough to fill an afternoon even without skis. The Dérêches Park follows the Dranse, the river that flows through Morzine, while in the Vallée de la Manche, further upstream, you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There's also a municipal swimming pool, restaurants serving Savoyard cuisine, and live music venues après-ski. For those who want to venture further afield, the Portes du Soleil, the ski circuit that links French and Swiss resorts, completes the offer. Morzine is well suited to groups and families of varying levels and interests, and not everyone wants to spend the entire day on the slopes.
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Skiing in Morzine: Pléney, Nyon and Chamossière
The Morzine–Les Gets ski area comprises 120 kilometers of slopes and 48 ski lifts. Les Gets is the neighboring town with which Morzine shares the ski area, and some of those kilometers are located on its slopes: not all of them are above the houses of Morzine. The Portes du Soleil ski area, on the other hand, covers approximately 600 kilometers, distributed between the resorts of the two towns. These are three distinct areas: the local mountains, the ski area shared with Les Gets, and the main circuit. Keeping them separate helps when choosing a ski pass. To ski on the Pléney, in Nyon, and in Chamossière, the Morzine–Les Gets pass is sufficient; the Portes du Soleil pass becomes useful when your plan also includes the other resorts.
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On the Morzine–Les Gets side, there are two access points from the village. The Pléney gondola lift departs from the center and ascends to the slopes through forests and mountain pastures. The Nyon cable car, on the other hand, ascends from the valley to the Nyon plateau, at 1.500 meters; from there, the Pointe de Nyon and Chamossière chairlifts take you to the highest point of the area, reaching the 2.019-meter Pointe de Nyon. These lifts allow you to access the learning areas and more challenging runs without having to leave for Avoriaz every morning.
The slopes, from Piste B to the black slopes of Chamossière
On Pléney, Piste B is a blue run, while Piste Olympique is a black run. The mountain closest to the center features slopes for beginners and a course for expert skiers. In Nyon, the two dedicated eagle runs cover the intermediate and advanced levels: L'Aigle Rouge is red, L'Aigle Noir is black. Chamossière, the mountain served by the chairlift of the same name, has the red Les Arbis and the black Les Creux. Each of the three mountains therefore has at least one black run, and those seeking more challenging skiing can switch areas throughout the week without leaving Morzine.
The 1000D ski route begins at the summit of Pointe de Nyon, descending approximately 1.000 meters to the cable car's valley station. It links the upper mountain and the valley floor in a single descent, requiring legs accustomed to long runs. On the same summit is the Pas de l'Aigle, a 15-meter-long panoramic glass walkway. In winter, it cannot be reached on foot, and those ascending to Nyon without skis must stop at the plateau.
Chamossière also has a marked freeride area, with ungroomed snow and challenging slopes. It's not a piste. To access it, you'll need an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, along with the ability to assess snow, weather, and avalanche danger. The resort recommends hiring a guide, especially for those unfamiliar with the area.
For winter 2026/27, the Pléney and Nyon–Chamossière slopes are scheduled to open from December 19, 2026, to April 4, 2027, with possible early partial openings. Avoriaz has a longer schedule, from December 11, 2026, to April 18, 2027. Those staying in Morzine in the first half of December or the second half of April can therefore ski up to Avoriaz, using the access routes described below. All dates are subject to snow and weather.
Learn to ski: green areas, Piou-Piou Club, and courses for adults
Pléney and Nyon have dedicated green areas for beginners, with specific ski passes for their first experience on the snow, the Première Glisse plans. Pléney also has covered moving walkways, convenient for repeating the short runs of the first few days. The blue runs in the same areas are the next step: you leave the practice area while remaining on the same mountain and decide when to do so with the instructor.
The ESF, the French ski school, in Morzine welcomes 3-year-olds who are no longer in diapers at the Piou-Piou Club. The day alternates between the snow garden, where the little ones become familiar with skis, and indoor and outdoor activities with the activity leaders; lunch is an optional extra. For 4- and 5-year-olds, there are specific ski courses, which can be booked with or without meals and activities. When booking, it's best to check two things: that the meeting point is in Morzine and not Avoriaz, and whether a ski pass is required, which is generally purchased separately from the course.
Beginner adults can take group lessons, meeting at the foot of the Pléney, while some smaller group options begin at altitude. Outside of French school holidays, there's also the Youcanski package: six half-day beginner lessons, six-day equipment rental, and a ski pass, including five days in the Morzine–Les Gets ski area and one day in the Portes du Soleil. Those arriving without experience and skis can organize their entire learning week with a single booking.
Snowboarding and freestyle in Nyon
Morzine's snowpark is Eagle Park, in the Nyon area, accessible by the Têtes chairlift. It features jumps, rails, and bumps, with features for beginners and more experienced freestylers. The same area also features blue-rated boardercross courses, featuring a succession of turns and bumps along the track. The open lines change throughout the season: before entering the park, it's a good idea to check which ones are available and choose them based on your skill level.
To learn on the board, the ESF offers snowboard lessons for beginners and advanced courses, also for adults.
From Morzine towards Avoriaz and the Portes du Soleil
The Super Morzine gondola lift departs from the village and ascends to the Avoriaz ski area. It's not located near the Pléney gondola lift: between the two stations, you pass through the town center, either on foot or by the winter train that connects them. Travel takes place through the village streets, not on a connecting slope, so anyone wanting to cross from one side to the other during the day must remove their skis. For the 2026/27 winter season, the train is scheduled to run from December 23, 2026, to April 8, 2027, from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The second access to Avoriaz is the Prodains Express cable car, in the Prodains Valley, outside the town center. From the village, you can reach the base station with shuttle bus A. This is the most convenient access for those staying in Prodains; those staying there, however, must plan on traveling through the valley to ski on the Pléney or go down to the town center.
Avoriaz offers a wide variety of options for a ski holiday, but you don't need to go there to find intermediate or advanced slopes: the Morzine–Les Gets ski area already has its own variety. The Portes du Soleil pass is useful for reaching the other resorts on the circuit. For more distant ski trips, the closing times of the connecting lifts determine the return journey: the day is organized starting from the last available lift to Morzine.
In the valley floor: the Dérêches park and the Vallée de la Manche
The Parc des Dérêches is Morzine's park along the Dranse, near the Palais des Sports and closed to cars. In winter, it runs along a 4,5-kilometer loop with just 59 meters of elevation gain: an easy walk without leaving the village, suitable for hiking boots or snowshoes, depending on the day's snow. You can also walk just a section of it. Strollers, however, are allowed depending on how much snow there is along the route.
The Vallée de la Manche is the valley that leads up to Erigné, beyond the Nyon cable car station. The cross-country ski trail begins at the cable car parking lot and covers about 20 kilometers there and back. It's designed for classic skiing; the width doesn't allow for skating. The first section, up to Erigné, is the easiest; further into the valley, the gradients increase, requiring skill in braking like a snowplow. Beginners can stop at Erigné and return, leaving the upper section to those with some experience.
Cross-country skiing in the valley is free. You can reach the starting point by taking the free N and E shuttles, getting off at the Nyon cable car; with the E shuttle, you can also go directly to Erigné and start from there. For the 2026/27 winter season, the opening is scheduled from December 16, 2026, to March 17, 2027, snow permitting. The valley is also popular with walkers and snowshoeers: where the trail is shared, pedestrians leave the prepared tracks free for cross-country skiing.
Even non-skiers can reach the top. Pedestrian passes include facilities such as the Pléney cable car and the Nyon cable car. On the Nyon plateau, at 1.500 meters, the Aigles du Léman, a birds of prey center, offer bird watching and demonstrations, according to the winter program.
Ski mountaineering in the Chablais mountains
Erigné also offers climbs of a completely different difficulty than those at the bottom of the valley. The Tête de Bostan, a 2.406-meter peak in the Chablais, can be reached in winter via a difficult 17-kilometer round-trip hike, with a 1.220-meter elevation gain and an estimated time of six hours. The route passes through forests, mountain pastures, and open slopes and is recommended for experienced ski mountaineers who know how to assess conditions and carry self-rescue equipment.
The Morzine–Avoriaz Mountain Guides' Office, the local mountain guide office, offers half-day or full-day excursions upon request. Guides choose the itinerary based on the group's ability and snow conditions, so it doesn't necessarily involve the Tête de Bostan. Equipment is not provided and must be procured beforehand.
On alpine ski slopes, skinning is prohibited during the day. On some trails, it is tolerated in the evening, between 5:30 and 7:30 PM, with a light, but this is not a general permission: authorized routes must be requested on site. Outside of designated areas, a search device, shovel, and probe are required, and professional assistance is recommended.
Swimming pool, hotels and evenings in the village
The Espace Aquatique, the municipal swimming pool, is located in the Parc des Dérêches. Indoors, there is a 25-by-15-meter pool, a 12,5-by-10-meter learning pool, and a 50-square-meter toddler area. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. The sauna and hammam are part of a wellness area reserved for those 18 and older, while the outdoor pools and 80-meter slide are closed in winter. It's a great alternative for a rainy afternoon or for kids tired of skiing; check the winter opening hours before visiting.
Among the hotels with pools, the Hermine Blanche has 25 rooms, some suitable for families, with a heated pool, sauna, and whirlpool. It is located on the sunny side of Morzine, above the town center and close to the Super Morzine gondola, overlooking the village and the slopes. A bus stop for the ski lifts is located in front of the hotel, while the town center is about a 15-minute walk away. The Hameau des Prodains is a family-friendly chalet-hotel at the foot of the Prodains Express gondola, with a heated indoor pool, sauna, restaurant, and après-ski bar. The location changes how you plan your day: from the Hermine Blanche, you can take the Super Morzine lift to Avoriaz, from the Hameau, the Prodains gondola, while the Pléney requires a transfer in both cases.
For Savoyard cuisine, La Grange is a restaurant on a small street in the center, offering cheese specialties, a seasonally changing menu, and a wood-burning stove in the winter. For the 2026/27 winter season, it is scheduled to open from December 20, 2026, to April 10, 2027. Le Tremplin, a bar-restaurant at the foot of the Pléney slopes, has an après-ski terrace with live bands and DJs during the winter. This way, your evening in Morzine can begin upon returning from the slopes, under the gondola, and continue with dinner in the center.
Airports and connections to Morzine
Geneva-Cointrin International Airport is the main airport: it's about 75 kilometers from Morzine, with a drive of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. From the airport, you can continue by pre-booked transfer or taxi. In winter, there are also regular buses to the resort; it's best to check the days, stops, and reservations. Traffic and snow can extend travel times, especially on arrival and departure days for ski holidays.
By train, you arrive at the stations of Thonon-les-Bains or Cluses and continue by bus: the Y91 line connects Thonon to Morzine, the Y92 departs from Cluses. The stop and connection should be chosen based on your accommodation, as the center of Morzine and the Prodains do not share the same final stretch of travel.
