Top 10 Things To Do In Morzine
Morzine is a fantastic ski resort located in the massive Portes du Soleil ski area. It is a family-friendly resort, but it offers something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned pro, beginner, or group of young friends or want a relaxed time, Morzine has it all.
Every year there's something new to experience. So, here are the top 10 things to do in Morzine to make the most out of your visit on and off the mountain.
1. Explore The Portes Du Soleil
The Portes du Soleil is the world's largest ski area, measuring 650km. It also straddles the French-Swiss border; therefore, you have a lot to explore during your stay in Morzine.
Morzine's location makes it easy to access all the Portes du Soleil has to offer. Morzine's ski area is linked with neighbouring Les Gets. Together they offer lovely tree-lined runs suitable for beginners and intermediates. But there are some great areas for advanced skiers and snowboarders, such as the Freeride Zone.
However, if you head in the other direction and catch the Super Morzine lift, you get to Avoriaz. This purpose-built ski resort is pretty unique and offers some great slopes for all levels.
From Avoriaz, you can access the rest of the Portes du Soleil. For example, you can head to Chatel or over the border to the quieter slopes of the Swiss resorts.
If you fancy a challenge, you can do the Portes du Soleil circuit. This is a route that takes you through most of the resorts so you can experience what each has to offer. Start your circuit early in the morning, as you'll get stuck if you leave it too late when the lifts close.
The Portes du Soleil has some incredible off-piste too. Much of it is accessible from the lifts, but there are some gems if you're willing to put some effort in. You can hike to some great spots or use touring equipment. Either way, we recommend that you book an instructor or guide to show you the best places to go. Check out Avoriaz Alpine Ski School for some knowledgeable, English-speaking instructors.
2. Snowshoeing
You don't have to charge around on planks to appreciate Morzine and its surrounding areas. Snowshoeing is a popular pastime that allows you to see the landscape at a slower pace.
You can hire snowshoes and head to one of the many trails and routes on your own. But the best way to go snowshoeing in Morzine is to book a snowshoe guide.
Days Away Adventures will take you to their favourite places that Morzine's visitors rarely see. They will tell you all about the local wildlife, and hopefully, you'll see Chamois, Vultures, and Marmots.
You can join in sociable snowshoe walks, book a private guide, and even go for evening tours, finishing off with a fondue under the stars.
3. Ski With Eagles
In recent years, Morzine has introduced a unique skiing experience. Head to Nyon, the mountain that dominates Morzine's skyline, to ski with Eagles and other birds of prey.
There are regular birds of prey displays, but you can book a session to ski down the mountain with a bird of prey gliding just above your shoulder. This is a wonderful thing to do, especially on a sunny day, followed by a drink on a sunny terrace.
While you're on Nyon, head to the very top. There's a viewing platform perched on the mountainside, giving you incredible views of the valleys and peaks surrounding Morzine.
4. Other Animal Experiences
Animal lovers can enjoy Morzine in other ways, too. For example, there are a few options for dog sledding, which is a fantastic way to see the snowy forests while a team of dogs race along the tracks.
If you like horses, why not combine them with skiing with ski Joering? This is when you hold on to a harness and get pulled along by a horse around a track. Ski Joering can be as energetic or as calm as you like; either way, it's a unique activity to experience on a skiing trip.
5. Enjoy Morzine's Après And Nightlife Scene
Morzine has a fantastic après and nightlife scene. It is also pretty varied, so there is something for everyone.
Après starts at about 4 pm with many bars serving happy hour drinks. You can have a quiet drink or really get stuck into it with lively bars featuring DJs and live music.
You can continue your après with what's known as "après après." The liveliest bars keep the momentum going all evening, with some staying open until late. There's only one nightclub in Morzine, but it is open until 5 am if you have the stamina.
Morzine is home to many restaurants too. In recent years the selection has improved immensely, with a variety of cuisines available. There are some great restaurants serving local Savoyard specialities, but you also expect world foods, pizzas, top-notch burgers, vegan food, and steaks.
6. Look Out For Events
Morzine hosts many events throughout the winter. These could be small family-friendly affairs spanning to large music festivals.
When you book your trip to Morzine, check out what's on during your stay. You may be lucky enough to visit during the Rock The Pistes festival. This free festival is where artists perform on stages built on the slopes all around the Portes du Soleil. At the same time as Rock The Pistes, Avoriaz hosts Snowbox. Snowbox is a big event that sees big-name DJs and artists perform.
You can also expect to see some great sporting events in and around Morzine. For example, the Ladies Night Tour sees some of France's finest female slalom skiers go head-to-head in a floodlit parallel race on the Pleney homerun.
7. Alta Lumina
Head to Les Gets to Alta Lumina for a great thing to do with kids in the evening. Alta Lumina is a magical experience that involves walking through a forest decorated with lights. As you walk through, you follow a series of holograms that tell a story accompanied by music.
Wrap up warm, take a flask of hot chocolate and stroll through the forest. At the end, you get to make your own music with various contraptions that light up the trees.
8. Paragliding
Paragliding is a great way to see the valley and surrounding peaks from the air. And with the incredible landscape around the Portes du Soleil, it's hardly surprising that paragliding is very popular in Morzine.
There are a few options for paragliding, but it's best to book a tandem flight with Morzine's paragliding school. They offer a few options for flights. For example, you can just have a simple flight from the top of Super Morzine back into the village or choose the "sensation" flight. The sensation flight gives you a more lively experience as your pilot makes some gravity-defying and stomach-churning manoeuvres.
You land on the Pleney side of the valley, close to the bars and restaurants. So you can easily head into town to enjoy an après flight drink.
9. Night Sledging
Night sledging may sound like a tame and fun thing to do with kids, but it's a little more interesting than that. Once the Pleney gondola has closed for skiers at the end of the day, it's time to go sledging.
You're given a sledge and a head torch before your safety briefing at the top of the mountain. You then race with about 30 people to various stopping points down a deserted Piste B, the main blue run back into Morzine.
Charging down a ski slope in the dark with a load of other people is absolute carnage and hilarious. You follow your guide through various forest cut-throughs and down the steepest sections of the run while a medic skis behind you with a stretcher.
You arrive at the bottom of the slope in front of the Tremplin bar, which is ideal for joining the après party.
10. Ice Hockey
Morzine has its own ice hockey team, Les Pingouins. The team is made up of many homegrown and international players, and they are great to watch, especially as the ice rink at the Palais du Sport is in the centre of town.
Ice hockey games are great to watch after an early dinner, and there's a bar to keep you refreshed while watching the action unfold.
Tickets are available from the Tourist Office or on the door at the ice rink. To see the dates of the fixtures, visit the website. Hockey Morzine
Final Thoughts
These are our top 10 things to do in Morzine, but this list only scratches the surface. We didn't even mention ice diving, helicopter flights, swimming, snowmobiling, and outdoor ice rink.
Whatever you like to do during your winter holiday to the mountains, Morzine and its surrounding resorts will undoubtedly have something for you. It's best to book any excursions and activities in advance, as availability can be limited, especially in peak weeks.
To book a winter ski holiday in Morzine try our accommodation in Morzine or check out one of the other villages near Morzine such as Les Gets, Avoriaz or Chatel
