The Ski Resort
Morzine is situated 1 hour from Geneva in the Portes du Soleil ski area with access to 650km of ski pistes, one of the biggest ski regions in the world. It has 280 ski slopes and 9 snow parks and links 12 ski resorts (Abondance, Avoriaz, Châtel, La Chapelle d Abondance, Les Gets, Montriond, St Jean d Aulps, Champéry, Morgins, Torgon, Val d Illiez - Les Crosets - Champoussin and Morzine). With such a large ski area it is hardly surprising that today it is one of the most popular ski destinations in Europe.
Morzine itself is situated in a valley and many of the chalets are up or down a road or two. The architecture is attractive with traditionally styled chalets the order of the day and beautiful slate roofs. The town centre has a good heart and apres-ski is plentiful as a consequence.
In terms of the skiing, with the Portes du Soleil being so vast so it has something for everyone although the slopes are more predominantly geared for beginners, intermediates and family ski groups, as opposed to the experts. That is not to say that its not for experts, there is for example the Avoriaz Wall which is legendary and some of the off-piste runs to Chatel are stunning too. Its just that there are considerably more cruising runs than challenging ones here.
All in all Morzine is a great ski resort for beginners, intermediate and mixed ability ski groupslooking for some good apres-ski, without having to break the bank.
Worth Knowing
Morzine is just 1 hour from Geneva airport and is therefore a popular short weekend and short break ski destination
There are 217 blue and red ski pistes to try and ski in a week. Although some of the skiing can be quite low and it is called the Portes du Soleil for a very good reason. Some low lying south facing slopes can be icy first thing and slushy later on from late February onwards and are therefore best skied mid morning and in times of limited snowfall, best avoided altogether.
Off Piste Skiing
The off-piste around Morzine is limited to say the least but there is, conditions permitting, some tree line skiing. The advise therefore from the Chalet Ski team is to head instead for Chatel and close to the Linga where there is some great back counry skiing in the bowls. Do not forget to stop afterward for lunch in the beautiful French ski resort of Chatel or Champery for some awesome death defying off-piste powder and the mountain to yourselves (seeing the Le Pas de Chavanette from the chair might put most people off).