In Avoriaz all the accommodation is ski-in ski-out. In Morzine you can easily walk to the lifts and the foot of Le Pleney slopes or take the frequent, free shuttle bus which links all the lift stations
Beginners have good nursery slopes at Le Pleney, on one side of Morzine, with an easy progression to long, gentle intermediate slopes shared with Les Gets, Alternatively a cable car ride takes you to the wide nursery slopes radiating out from the center of Avoriaz,
Intermediates are spoilt for choice, exploring Le Pleney, Les Gets and Nyon from Morzine, or taking the gondola or cable car to Avoriaz to explore the other French and Swiss resorts to complete the huge Portes du Soleil circuit.
Advanced skiers and boarders gravitate to the steeper slopes of Nyon from Morzine and the tough Haut Forts runs above Avoriaz, and the Swiss Wall mogul descent to Champéry in Switzerland. They can also take a guide to explore the vast acres of off-piste powder.
Boarders consider Morzine-Avoriaz as one the best destinations in the the Alps. Avoriaz has a snow park with tables, rails and jumps plus a free ride terrain and throughout the Portes du Soleil the lifts are mostly chairs and gondolas.
Morzine has X-country trails above and below the tree-line and Avoriaz has trails with stupendous panoramic views.
There's no shortage of characterful mountain restaurants in the Portes du Soleil. Some are gourmet, some more modest - and all good value. Le Village des Chèvres is one of our favourites lunch spots, with half a dozen to choose from.
Morzine has an outdoor skating rink, and large indoor rink for skating, regular ice galas and hockey matches. Several hotels have swimming pools and saunas open to non-residents and a spae offres beauty & masage therapies.. There's weekly market in town and a local dairy farm/cheese maker and a traditional slate quarry are open to visitors. Winter footpaths & sleigh rides are popular with non-skiers.
Avoriaz has an ice rink and Aquariaz - the only Aqua Park in the Alps - with jungle-themed pools, slides, vine clad climbing wall, chill out areas and outdoor jacuzzi. Amara Spa offers Sauna, Turkish Bath and treatments. For a novel way to explore the mountains, snow scooter and snow bike excursions are also available..
Morzine Après-ski buzzes with a great choice of lively bars. Some traditionally French, others pub/sports bar style , like Dixie Bar or with live music and dj, as in Le Garage, or more more laid back and less frenetic with a menu of cocktails rather than shots, like Buddha Café.
Bars stay open late, but the partying doesn't end until Opera and Laury's close, with just few hours left to catch up before dawn, for real party animals.
Avoriaz has fewer bars, but still enough choice for most, with live jazz events, DJ's and bands in the lively Danish-run The Place and dancing in the Yak Club until the early hours.
Chambéry 80 miles
resort 1100-2466 metres
Portes du Soleil area - 14 resorts 209 lifts | 650km marked runs|
easy 50% |red 39% |black 11% |
cross country 90km |sledging
+ floodlit skiing & sledging in Morzine | 3 Snowparks & Freeride area in Morzine-Avoriaz + 4 more Snowparks in the Portes du Soleil
Two linked resorts, Morzine and Avoriaz combine traditional character and ski-in ski-out convenience with a highly efficient lift system serving 650km of runs in the Portes du Soleil - suitable for all levels from beginner to expert - less than 90 minutes from Geneva. Amazing slopes, great nightlife and good value.
Both villages have unique and individual appeal to skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities, giving a relaxed, unpretentious and friendly atmosphere.
