Skiing in Morzine
Discover the top Morzine skiing and snow
Well, it is all about the skiing really isn't it?! Whether you are a snowboarder, a backcountry thrill-seeker or new to snowsports.
Skiing and snowboarding are probably the most popular activities in Morzine and the Portes du Soleil. But we're not talking about lift-assisted, downhill skiing and snowboarding only – there's a whole host of activities that involve boards strapped onto your feet including ski touring and split boarding, cross-country skiing or telemarking.
Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding in Morzine
Morzine is a top choice for skiing and snowboarding, with direct access to the vast Portes du Soleil ski area and over 600km of pistes to explore. The resort caters for all abilities, with gentle slopes for beginners, challenging reds and blacks for experienced skiers and plenty of tree-lined runs and off-piste options in between. There are great family-friendly and beginner ski areas. You’ll also find snowparks, freestyle zones and good easy links across to neighbouring resorts in both France and Switzerland. Whether you're carving your first turns or hunting powder, Morzine offers a classic alpine experience with a friendly village feel and good choice of restaurants.
Biathlon
Modern winter biathlon is a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting that tests not only fitness but also patience and control. In Morzine you can try your hand at this Olympic sport. If you like cross-country skiing but want to add another challenge, then biathlon is the perfect way to escape into the natural, quiet surrounding mountains and then shoot stuff. Bit of a contradiction this one, but it's fun all the same.
Cross-country skiing
The Portes du Soleil boasts 216 km of tranquil cross-country trails. There are four cross-country areas accessible from Morzine: the Manche Valley with 25 km of challenging circuits, the Morzine-Avoriaz at Parc Naturel des Crêtes de Zorre with up to 47 km for all levels, Lake Montriond with 10 km of Canadian-style runs and the Pléney-Chavannes sector with 18 km of forest runs.
You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops in Morzine. You may also want to book a group or private lesson to learn the basics. To access the higher trails you'll need a lift pass. Cross-country skiers can purchase pedestrian passes.
Handiski / sit-ski
Ski schools in Morzine and Les Gets have specially trained instructors and a range of Sit-Ski equipment that enables them to teach anyone who is partially sighted, hard of hearing or has learning or physical difficulties/disabilities in complete safety. They offer private lessons and equipment hire.
Both children and adults are catered for and the instructors are passionate about giving you the ultimate skiing experience, whatever your disability. You are advised to book at least 15 days in advance and then to confirm one week before arrival, to ensure that the most appropriate equipment is available for your lesson.
Heli-ski
Heli-skiing is not permitted in France but there are a couple of companies in Morzine offering panoramic helicopter rides that include heliskiing. They pick you up in resort and take you over the border into Italy or Switzerland from where you will ski down accompanied by a mountain guide. It is expensive, but definitely a once in a lifetime experience!
Ski-touring
Whether it's going up the pistes that most people normally ski down or tackling a backcountry route, ski touring and split boarding allow you to get off the beaten path while working up a sweat up the slopes. Several ski schools, private instructors and companies can show you around, or, if you've got all the necessary knowledge, you can head out in your own group. Some of the most famous ski touring routes in Morzine include the Vallée de la Manche or Col du Fornet, the Hauts-Forts summit, the Pointe de Vorlaz and the Dents du Midi tour crossing the border over to Switzerland.
Snowparks
Portes du Soleil
Freestyle paradise with 11 snowparks, 4 boardercross courses, a superpipe, and airbags for all skill levels. Most parks are in Avoriaz, but options are available throughout the area.
Nyon
Small snowpark, had a major upgrade in 2023. Has narrow kickers and short landings, can get a little crowded with ski schools.
Les Gets
Beginner/intermediate features rails, boxes, pole jam, hip, spine and a seasonal airbag. The Boardercross is located under the Chavannes lift, it's the best in the area, hosting international competitions. Features tabletops and banked corners, ideal for advanced skiers.
Telemarking
Telemarking is a form of downhill skiing where you are only attached to the binding at the toe, so to turn, you have to lunge and bring your heel upwards. Talk to one of the ski schools or private instructors who can teach you how to telemark and take you out on excursions using this technique.
More inspiration...
If this whets your appetite for more ski talk, check out our recommendations of the best pistes in Avoriaz. Take a look at this year's ski pass prices or, if you're not sure which pass to buy.
