December is when the ski lifts open and the Christmas holidays are on the horizon.
December in Morzine: What's on and weather
This month sees the start of the winter season
Across the Portes de Soleil we can expect sports competitions, opening parties, and there will obviously also be lots of festive celebrations including a visit from a certain Père Noël. As you are no doubt aware, most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month, schools break up and travellers from near and far descend on the valley. There are a plethora of events coming up, from parades to special Christmas menus and New Year's Eve blowouts.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
Whilst there will be snow up the mountains, a white Christmas is never a guarantee in the village itself. However, it's definitely cold with temperatures averaging from -3°C to 5°C, with around 10 to 11 days of snowfall. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.
Opening parties
Après-ski
If, like a lot of people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, especially during the festive season, you can hit up any of a number of local après-ski sessions.
New Year's Eve
Always a big night, the village is full of revellers. The restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.
Bars & Clubs in Morzine
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The Hideout Bar
Lively bar attached to Hideout Hostel with food and cocktails on the menu!
Hideout Bar, located within the popular Hideout Hostel in Morzine, is renowned for the vibrant and flavour-packed food served at its in-house restaurant. Rather than focusing on traditional alpine cuisine, which can be found across the resort, Hideout takes a refreshing detour with fresh and exciting Asian street food.
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O'Chalet Bar & Restaurant
American and international gourmet burgers and more in Morzine and now in Les Gets too, to eat in or takeaway
Ô Chalet is a lively, laid-back spot in the centre of Morzine, known for serving tasty burgers, bagels, kebabs and crêpes at reasonable prices. With its broad, crowd-pleasing menu and buzzing, informal atmosphere, it’s perfect for a quick bite between activities, a relaxed après-ski snack or an easygoing meal with friends or family. Open all year round, it remains a firm favourite among both locals and visitors looking for great value and flavour.
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La Chaudanne Wine Bar & Restaurant
Warm and welcoming Savoyard stone cellar wine bar and great restaurant
La Chaudanne Wine Bar & Restaurant in Morzine is a haven for food and wine lovers, offering a warm, chalet-inspired atmosphere and a taste of Savoyard hospitality.
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La Folie Douce Bar
The place to be for après-ski in Avoriaz, accessible on foot and by skis!
La Folie Douce in Avoriaz is the ultimate destination for combining great food, music, and fun in a spectacular alpine setting. Every afternoon, this legendary après-ski venue brings together locals and visitors alike for open-access clubbing, spectacular shows, and unforgettable moments with family or friends.
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Bec Jaune Brewery
Home-brewed new- and old-style beers and locally sourced food in the centre of Morzine
Bec Jaune Brewery in Morzine is a must-visit for lovers of craft beer and fresh, inventive food. This lively microbrewery and restaurant offers a unique experience, combining the art of beer-making with a seasonal menu that changes throughout the year. Whether you’re a vegetarian, a meat-lover, or simply curious, there’s something to delight every palate.
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Christiania Fireside Lounge Bar
Hotel bar right next to the slopes with log fire and extensive wine list
The Christiania Fireside Lounge Bar in Morzine offers a welcoming, elegant setting where good food, fine wine, and warm hospitality come together. Part of the renowned Hotel Christiania, the lounge and adjoining restaurant are the heart of the hotel’s social life - a place to relax, share stories, and savour exceptional cuisine after a day on the slopes.
Ski Schools in Morzine
The Portes du Soleil lift company usually schedule a partial opening around the middle of the month, with full opening planned before Christmas. Of course, this absolutely depends on the snow conditions, so keep an eye on our news page and social media as we'll let you know as soon as there's any information.
Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families, so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:
- group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early - and make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment
- if you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15
- ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break
- avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service
- seek out the peripheral areas - try to avoid the busy main ski areas closer to Morzine town and head over to the less-trodden pistes, such as the Mont-Chéry area in Les Gets
- get off-piste - competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry
Ski School Lessons in Morzine
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Private ski lessons
Unlock your skiing potential with private lessons from this ski school
Whether you’re hitting the slopes for the first time or looking to perfect your technique, this ski school offers tailored lessons for all levels.
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Group ski lessons
Small groups for adults and children of all abilities with a well-established and trusted ski school
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
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Group ski lessons
Tailored group ski lessons with great instructors for all skill levels
Unlock your skiing potential with this ski school. Spend quality time with friends and push your skiing together at an affordable price.
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Private ski lessons
Tailored coaching for all levels to boost confidence and technique
Enjoy private ski lessons in Morzine with expert instructors. Personalised coaching helps beginners and advanced skiers alike improve their skills, explore the slopes, and make the most of their time in the French Alps. Flexible schedules and small groups ensure focused, fun, and safe lessons for everyone.
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Private ski lessons
Private skiing and snowboarding lessons with highly rated instructors
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
Winter Things To Do in Morzine
Family fun
Christmas is synonymous with school holidays. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes Morzine puts on a show. There are lots of activities to keep all ages entertained on and off the mountain. Take a look at some of the exciting things the local activity companies put on.
Wintersport Things To Do in Morzine
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Heliskiing/boarding
Heliskiing/boarding trip in Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
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Avoscoot snowmobiling
Snowmobile or skidoo tours from Avoriaz and through the super Morzine forest
Snowmobiling can be a fun, fast, snowy activity. Starting from Avoriaz resort, outings start from 17.30 to midnight, giving you free range of the snow and the Alps.
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Helicopter tours
10, 30 or 60 minute private helicopter tours for up to five people
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
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Snowshoeing
Half day guided snowshoeing excursion on various trails suitable for all the family
Get to know the mountains at a steady pace while being guided by high mountain instructors.
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Night sledging
Two hour night sledging down to Prodains, suitable for 14 years and over
Stick on your head torch and enjoy the sledging down the pistes at night.
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Morzine ski joering
Discover a fun way to get around on the snow – being pulled by a horse!
A unique equestrian winter activity! Discover a fun way to get around on the snow – being pulled by a horse! You'll be joined by a specially harnessed horse while you stand on your skis.
December events in Morzine
With so many families visiting for the festive season, there is a real child-like excitement as the big day draws ever closer, and usually there's an opportunity to spot the main man himself meeting and greeting people around the resort. With the streets lights turned on and a magical atmosphere in the air, it's hard to ignore that Christmas is nearly here. There will be a full week of Christmas festivities around the resort including shows, music, fireworks, workshops and parades.
There will also be a number of sporting events taking place in the mountains, and with the whole area opening up in December, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained.
For more events check out our events calendar link below.
Events in Morzine
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Market day
Traditional local weekly market in the centre of Morzine
You'll find a host of traditional butchers, fishmongers and grocers selling local produce such as tasty cheeses and fine sausages.
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Ice Hockey
Morzine Avoriaz ice hockey matches
The Morzine-Avoriaz hockey club play competitive and friendly matches throughout the summer and winter season.
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Halloween in Morzine
It's the Halloween ball in town!
Just because it’s the quiet interseason weeks doesn’t mean that the bars in Morzine won’t be celebrating Halloween, and there is plenty going on!
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Beaujolais Nouveau
The new Beaujolais has arrived!
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
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Morzine en Scène
Morzine's cultural season presents a host of events over the next seven months
A diverse program offers a wide variety of shows to suit everyone's tastes and interests.
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Rock on Snow Tour
Music and snowsports festival in Avoriaz
Rock on Snow Tour is a festival bringing together all things snow that kicks off the Portes du Soleil winter season in some serious style.
