Photo: S.Cochard – Morzine Tourist Board
There are so many things to do in Morzine, you will want to return again and again! Morzine is regularly voted one of the best ski resorts for families and is fantastic for all levels. Part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, you can actually ski both Switzerland and France in a day as there are easy links between 12 mountain resorts, including neighbouring Les Gets and Avoriaz. At Christmas, the Enchanted Village springs to life and you can meet Santa, enjoy parades and firework displays; or try ice-skating, take a horse and sleigh ride, go snow-shoeing or book your stay to coincide with big events such as the Rock The Pistes Festival.
The Hunter Chalets team knows the best things to do and places to go in Morzine this winter, so ask us for our expert advice.
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Things to do in Morzine during winter
Skiing
Morzine lies in a sunny valley and offers direct links towards the slopes of Nyon and Les Gets, or Avoriaz and the Swiss border. With a ski area of over 400 miles and 12 linked resorts, the Portes du Soleil is the largest connected ski area in the world and offers an unrivalled diversity of ski terrain – the Portes du Soleil circuit will see you cover the vast majority of this area in one day! Regularly voted best for families, Morzine has direct access to numerous beginner slopes, as well as a multitude of red, black and itinerary runs.
Snowboarding
Nearby Avoriaz is snowboarding heaven and has parks and airbags to keep you entertained. The ski lifts are generally open from mid-December through to mid-March, as you’ll often find snow in Morzine in March.
Learning to ski
You’ll find a choice of great nursery slopes in Morzine at the top of the modern Pleney bubble lift, which departs from the centre of the village. The ‘magic carpet’ (a conveyor belt installed at the level of the snow) is an added bonus, taking you back up to the top of the slopes and saving you time and energy for skiing. If you’d rather cut your teeth in a quieter location, you can head over to the Zore and Tetras runs on the Super Morzine slopes. This area has plenty of restaurants where you can rest your legs and warm up with a delicious hot chocolate.
Penguin Park
Children can ski freely on the region’s cute themed runs. The Little Indian Run is located in nearby Les Gets in Chavannes, a green run that winds itself through a forest and has many fun sections that include tunnels where your kids will have to duck down to get through. Alternatively, try the Penguin Park, a fun ski area where kids can gain confidence on the snow and enjoy the tunnels, jumps and obstacles.
© Sylvain Cochard – Morzine Tourist Board
Bars, restaurants and après ski
You’ll find mountain restaurants sprinkled across the slopes and many can be reached by non-skiers, too. The famous Village des Chévres is the perfect lunch spot to sit outside on a sunny deck and meet up with the rest of your party. Morzine in winter is thriving with bars and restaurants; and the nightlife and après ski in Morzine is a growing scene that includes live music, DJs, micro-breweries and nightclubs. Evenings can be as calm or as lively as you want, ranging from a relaxed aprés drink in the tranquil setting of a rustic Savoyard bar; to a night on the dancefloor taking you into the early hours of the morning.
© Sam Ingles – Morzine Tourist Board
Visit Santa in his grotto
Santa can be seen in Morzine in the lead up to Christmas but, for us, the most special event is to visit Santa at home in nearby Les Gets. Follow the clues and walk through the snowy woods and you’ll find Father Christmas at home with his elves, working on presents in the final days before he whizzes around the world in his sleigh. You can enjoy a guided tour from the elves before meeting the big man himself.
© Les Gets Tourist Board
Morzine Enchanted Village
Over Christmas, from late December to early January, Morzine Enchanted Village springs to life. Designed for families, the village hosts light shows, firework displays, face painting, kids’ workshops and much more for the kids to tell their friends about when they get home.
© Sam Ingles – Morzine Tourist Board
Rock the Pistes festival
Each March, excitement builds in the region for Rock the Pistes festival, a series of live concerts on the slopes of the Portes du Soleil ski area. This is one of the most spectacular settings for live music, where you can dance in your snow or ski boots at the top of a mountain, listening to incredible bands. The series of pop-up concerts are free, you just need to purchase a lift pass to reach the ‘venue’. The past line-up for Rock The Pistes includes Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Klaxons and Babyshambles.
© Portes du Soleil Tourist Board
Torchlit downhill run
In February, don’t miss the ESF charity torchlit downhill run. You can ski down the slopes by torchlight – purchasing a torch to raise funds for local charities. The atmosphere is electric and, if you don’t want to ski, it is an incredible sight to watch the lights zig-zagging down the mountain while nursing a hot drink in the village below.
© ESF Les Menuires
Paragliding
See Morzine in all its winter beauty with a paragliding session. We know the best instructors for a tandem flight and the photos you’ll get will be incredible! The flights tend to last between 15 and 40 minutes and, after the initial adrenaline rush, you’ll find it a peaceful and relaxing experience. There is no better way to get an aerial view of the Alps from 1200 metres up.
Night sledging
When night falls and the majority of skiers are enjoying après ski, take advantage of Pleney’s slopes for a night sledging session. Don a headtorch and enjoy the trails, while being supervised by the piste patrollers. Children aged 8-11 years must be on a sledge with an adult. This is one of the most fun things to do during a visit to Morzine in winter.
© 2018 Christie Sultemeier
Snowshoeing
Take a walk in the quiet, snowy mountains during a snowshoeing experience with a qualified instructor and guide. We can recommend a team to help you discover Morzine’s trails, guiding you through beautiful landscapes to help you learn about local nature and discover the scenic mountains.
Ice hockey match
Dress up warm and head to the Skoda Arena to see Morzine’s ice hockey team, the Penguins, battle it out with their rivals. The team currently competes in France’s third tier of national ice hockey – FFHG Division 2 and it’s a must-do if you love an electric atmosphere.
Horse-drawn sleigh ride
A horse-drawn sleigh ride during winter in Morzine is one of the most magical experiences. Wrap up warm and head to the tourist office to book your sleigh ride and explore the local area in style.
Snowmobiling
Whizz through the snowy forests high above Morzine village on a guided snowmobiling experience at sunset. If you don’t fancy driving yourself, you can sit on the back of one of the guides’ snowmobiles. We know the best companies for snowmobiling in Morzine, so ask us for details.
© Morzine Tourist Board
Husky sledging
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Your first job will be to help get the huskies ready, putting their harnesses on and bonding with them before your trip. They are big softies and want to be patted – but love to bark. You’ll be riding the sled in a standing position and be sure to keep your foot on the brake, as these dogs love to run. Powering through the forest powered by huskies is an unforgettable experience.
Ice skating
When winter arrives in Morzine, the ice rink is set up in the village square. Morzine is picture-perfect in winter, with Christmas lights strung through the branches of trees and a festive vibe lasting well into February. Morzine also has an indoor ice rink, the Skoda Arena, where you can go ice-skating or catch one of the local ice hockey games.
© Oliver Godbold – Morzine Tourist Board
Spa and wellness
If you’re staying in one of our Hunter Chalets with a spa treatment room, we can arrange for our spa therapist to visit you. We have a menu of massages and facials to choose from. We can also highly recommend the exclusive Sources de Chery day spa, around six miles away in Les Gets. We can arrange your day pass to experience the spa’s pools, relaxation rooms and sensory showers, and book treatments with their experienced therapists.
Day trip to Vallee Blanche
At Hunter Chalets we offer day trips, including skiing the Vallee Blanche; the longest, lift accessible, off-piste run in the world. We can organise everything from your mountain guide to your ski passes; and one of our drivers will chauffeur you there and back. This is a hugely exciting day trip recommended for fully competent black run skiers.
Birds of Prey experience
Discover the beauty of the birds of prey with daily shows, falconry courses, white-tailed eagle exhibitions and the unique experience of going downhill skiing in the company of an eagle. For more information, visit the Morzine Avoriaz Tourist Board site.
© Morzine Tourist Board
AvoKart
If you like thrills, we’ve got just the activity for you. Try AvoKart in nearby Avoriaz for a fun race down the mountain this winter.
After a briefing and with safety equipment provided, get on board this 3-wheeled vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes for a long descent of 3.2km and 600m of difference in altitude. Our concierge team can help you book onto a session during your stay with Hunter Chalets. Ask us for more details.
© Avoriaz Tourist Board
Ice climbing
Take to the ice walls with ice axes, crampons and ice screws, while adopting moves and techniques similar to those used in rock climbing. The discipline combines fun, technique and intense sensations. Whether you’re a beginner, occasional climber or an expert, ice climbing offers a unique and thrilling experience.
Ski Joëring
This is a sport that combines skiing and horse-drawn carriage driving. A horse or pony pulls the skier. Holidaymakers and locals alike can enjoy this unforgettable experience, surrounded by forests and breathtaking views of snow capped peaks. Prices start from €42 and sessions are usually 1 hour long after an initial 20 minute introductory session.
© Les Gets Tourist Board
Biathlon
Biathlon combines cross country skiing with laser shooting. ESF Morzine offer the sport of biathlon as an initiation or a group session. The lessons last approximately 150 minutes and children as young as eight years-old can participate in lessons.
© ESF Morzine
