The Skiers' Guide to Morzine: Expert Analysis & Reviews
Ranked 132nd of 230 Ski resorts
Overall Rating
Value for Money
Après Ski
Off Piste
Eating Out
Accommodation Options
Overview of Morzine Ski Resort
Morzine sits in the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area in the French Alps, just over an hour from Geneva airport. This charming alpine town combines traditional Savoyard character with access to one of Europe's largest interconnected ski domains.
Unlike purpose-built resorts, Morzine is an authentic mountain town with year-round residents, giving it a genuine alpine atmosphere. The resort connects directly to neighboring Les Gets and provides access to higher-altitude Avoriaz via the Super Morzine gondola.
With an overall rating of 4.27 from our community, Morzine particularly excels in family friendliness (4.64), accommodation quality (4.54), and dining options (4.46). The resort's elevation ranges from 1000m at the base to 2466m at its highest point, offering a vertical drop of 1466m across its varied terrain.
As Richard, an advanced skier in our community notes: "Great choice of runs with easy access to other resorts. Après ski is highly recommended. Local villages with traditional French shops are well worth visiting."
The Skiing in Morzine
Morzine offers 30 designated runs: 3 beginner, 14 intermediate, and 11 advanced, creating a well-balanced ski area that caters particularly well to intermediates. The lift system is extensive with 7 gondolas/cable cars, 32 chairlifts, and 30 drag lifts connecting the various sectors.
The resort scores strongly for intermediate skiers (4.32), with our reviewers frequently mentioning the wide variety of cruisy, tree-lined pistes. Advanced skiers rate it 4.29, appreciating the more challenging terrain available, especially when venturing toward Avoriaz.
One Snomad community member, Emily, notes that "Morzine is great for people of all abilities, there is a mixture of all runs from the central lifts. This means it's great for mixed groups."
The resort has two main access points - Pleney on one side and Super Morzine on the other - giving skiers options to explore different sectors. While its lower altitude can occasionally affect snow conditions, the easy connection to higher Avoriaz ensures reliable skiing throughout the season.
For those seeking challenges, Anthony, an advanced skier, recommends: "Morzine and surrounding ski areas have so much to offer. Lots of different runs for all abilities. Full PDS Pass gives you access to 625km of runs."
Eating Out in Morzine
Morzine earns an impressive 4.46 for eating out, reflecting its excellent culinary scene both on and off the mountain.
The resort offers an outstanding variety of dining options, from traditional Savoyard cuisine to international alternatives. Many reviewers highlight the quality and range available, with Kate noting: "Morzine is great for self-catered stays as it's a proper town with a supermarket, lots of eating out options and plenty of places for a drink."
Mountain restaurants receive particular praise, with Fiona commenting: "Lots of lovely mountain cafes and restaurants, you are spoilt for choice." The town itself has everything from cozy traditional places serving cheese specialties to more contemporary dining options.
Ruby specifically recommends: "If you're in Morzine and are looking for affordable tasty food with great service go to Chez Shafty."
The Après-Ski in Morzine
Morzine scores a strong 4.32 for après-ski, offering a lively but not overwhelming scene that appeals to a wide range of visitors.
The town has a good selection of bars with varied atmospheres. Several reviewers mention bars like Happy Hours, which Ella, an intermediate snowboarder, describes as "my happy place!". Happy Hours, accessed via dropping down from Avoriaz to the Ardent gondola is well worth a visit, just remember to not miss the last bus back into Morzine. On Wednesdays, their liveliest day, the bar itself often organises their own shuttles so you can keep the party going!
Ross, an intermediate skier, shares: "Bec Jaune was a highlight for après and a solid range of beers too."
The variety of options means Morzine caters well to different groups, from families wanting a quiet drink to those looking for more energetic nightlife. Caroline, an advanced skier, summarises: "Great town - great apres and lots of restaurant options."
Families in Morzine
Morzine ranks exceptionally high for family friendliness with a score of 4.64, making it one of the top family resorts reviewed by our community.
The resort's gentle learning areas, excellent ski schools, and child-friendly facilities receive consistent praise. Heather, an advanced skier, notes: "Great resort for whole family. Lots to do for any non-skiers. Lovely resort that has a nice town feel to it rather than being purpose-built."
Beyond skiing, Morzine offers numerous family activities including ice skating, swimming pools, and indoor play areas. The town's layout is reasonably navigable for families, with good transport links between different areas.
Vicki confirms this reputation: "Morzine is a very family-friendly resort, but at the same time has a good après-ski scene. A wide range of runs for the more advanced skier to the beginner."
Accommodation in Morzine
Morzine scores highly for accommodation with a rating of 4.54, offering diverse options across different budgets.
The resort features everything from luxury chalets and hotels to more affordable self-catering apartments. Unlike purpose-built resorts, accommodation is spread throughout the town rather than concentrated around lift bases.
While not strictly ski-in/ski-out (as noted by several reviewers), Morzine has an efficient free bus service connecting different areas. As Mark explains: "Nice town with lots of accommodation options... Gondola & lifts all walkable & buses every 7 mins that take you everywhere."
Some accommodations are within walking distance of the main lifts, while others require using the bus service. Kate notes: "Staying in Morzine gave us access to Les Gets and Avoriaz with trips over the border to Switzerland very doable."
The authentic village setting means accommodations often have more character than in purpose-built resorts, with many traditional chalets and converted farmhouses available alongside more modern options.
Morzine Pros: Why the Snomad Community Loves It
According to our users' reviews, their favorite things about Morzine are:
- Access to the vast Portes du Soleil ski area - Many reviewers highlight the extensive terrain and excellent connectivity to neighboring resorts like Avoriaz, Les Gets, and even Swiss resorts. Richard, an advanced skier, mentions the "great choice of runs with easy access to other resorts."
- Charming alpine town atmosphere - The authentic village feel is frequently praised. As Elaine, an intermediate skier from the UK, notes: "Lots of accommodation choices in Morzine itself" while others appreciate its traditional character compared to purpose-built resorts.
- Great après-ski options - A vibrant selection of bars and restaurants features prominently in reviews. One advanced snowboarder, Tyler, describes the "happy hours chaos" while more family-oriented visitors appreciate the range of dining options.
- Family-friendly environment - Heather, an advanced skier, states there's "great resort for whole family. Lots to do for any non skiers," with many other reviewers echoing this sentiment.
- Quick transfers from Geneva - Multiple users mention the convenience of Morzine's location, with James noting it's "just over an hour from Geneva, making it perfect for a quick getaway."
Morzine Cons: What Snomad Skiers Say Could Be Better
Based on our Snomad community feedback, here are the five most common negative points about Morzine:
- Low altitude concerns - Several users mention the resort's relatively low elevation (base at 1000m) leading to unreliable snow conditions. Anthony, an advanced skier, notes that "Snow cover has been mixed in some years as the resort is a little lower than others," while many reviewers mention needing to head up to Avoriaz for better snow.
- Lift system limitations - Some users point to older lifts without wind shields and the need to choose between two different gondolas (Pleney or SuperMorzine) which are on opposite sides of town. James, an advanced skier, mentions this split layout as one of the "only downsides."
- Morning and afternoon congestion - Ros, an advanced skier, highlights that "Lifts to get out to the bigger ski area can be very busy in mornings, as is the route back in the afternoon." Several users note that popular areas like Pleney can get crowded.
- Limited advanced terrain - Niamh, an advanced snowboarder, points out there's "not the best resort for snowboarders - lots of flat terrain and T-bar button lifts!" while Joshua notes "not enough blacks" for expert skiers.
- Transportation challenges - Harrison, an intermediate skier, finds it "annoying that you have to rely on buses to make full use of the ski area," and several users mention the bus service stops early, limiting evening access to the town center from outlying accommodations.
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Reviews
Morzine FAQs: Skiers' Most Asked Questions
Is Morzine snow-sure?
Morzine sits relatively low at 1000m, which can challenge snow reliability during milder winters. Our users frequently mention needing to head up to Avoriaz (1800m) for better conditions. Richard, an advanced skier, notes "snow cover has been mixed in some years," while Amy, an expert snowboarder, points out that Morzine "can suffer snow shortage in bad seasons." Many reviewers recommend getting the Portes du Soleil pass to access higher, more snow-reliable areas when conditions aren't ideal.
What mountain range is Morzine part of?
Morzine is part of the French Alps, specifically located in the Chablais Alps range. This ski resort sits at the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, bridging France and Switzerland. The Chablais Alps, with their distinctive limestone peaks, create a stunning backdrop for winter sports while offering a diverse skiing experience from forest-lined runs to high mountain terrain.
When does the ski season start and end in Morzine?
The ski season in Morzine typically runs from mid-December to mid-April, though this can vary depending on snow conditions. Several Snomad users mention that being a lower altitude resort (base at 1000m), Morzine can sometimes struggle with snow coverage later in the season. One user, Andrew, notes that March skiing required snow cannons on the lower runs, while others recommend January and February for more reliable conditions.
Is Morzine good for beginners?
Morzine is great for beginners with gentle, well-groomed slopes perfect for learning. Snomad users consistently rate it well for novice skiers (4.33/5). Ruby, a first-time skier, called it "beginner friendly with nice variety." Kate noted it's "great for beginners" with "relaxed" learning conditions. The resort offers excellent ski schools and plenty of wide, forgiving blue runs to progress on, though some slopes can get busy during peak times.
Is Morzine good for intermediate skiers?
Morzine is excellent for intermediate skiers, with our users highlighting the extensive network of cruisy blue and challenging red runs. The resort scores 4.32/5 for intermediates, with reviewers praising the variety of terrain. Ross, an intermediate skier, notes "the extensive range of blue runs provided more than enough adventure and challenge." When connected with the wider Portes du Soleil area, intermediates have access to over 600km of varied pistes perfect for progression.
Is Morzine good for advanced skiers?
Morzine offers decent options for advanced skiers, though some users note it lacks extensive black runs. The strength lies in its connectivity to the wider Portes du Soleil area. As Richard, an advanced skier mentions, there's "great choice of runs with easy access to other resorts." When snow conditions are good, advanced skiers can enjoy off-piste options and challenging terrain. Consider heading to Avoriaz for more advanced terrain when Morzine's lower altitude affects snow quality.
Is Morzine good for expert skiers?
Morzine itself has limited expert terrain, with only a few black runs. However, it's part of the massive Portes du Soleil area, giving experts access to more challenging terrain in Avoriaz and beyond. Some Snomad users note that while the resort doesn't have abundant black runs, the off-piste opportunities can satisfy advanced riders. Expert snowboarder Tyler calls it "chaotic" (in a good way) with opportunities to "rip some powder" and "tear through the trees."
Is Morzine good for non-skiers?
Morzine offers plenty for non-skiers. The charming traditional alpine town has an excellent selection of shops, restaurants and cafés to explore. One Snomad community member, Nia, mentions there are "plenty of food and drink options" for all budgets. Activities include ice skating, winter walks, and watching local ice hockey matches. The well-connected free bus service makes it easy to navigate around town and even visit neighboring resorts for additional non-skiing experiences.
Is there snow at Christmas in Morzine?
Morzine's Christmas snow can be variable due to its lower altitude (1000m-2466m). Some Snomad users mention the need to rely on Avoriaz (1800m) for better conditions during the holiday period. However, Isabell, who visited during Christmas week, reports they "were blessed with lots of powder" and found the slopes wonderfully quiet. Snow reliability increases as you head higher, with many lifts connecting to more snow-sure areas within the Portes du Soleil region.
Where should I stay in Morzine and what type of accommodation is available?
Morzine offers diverse accommodation options across several areas. In town center, you'll find traditional chalets and boutique hotels within walking distance of both the Pleney and Super Morzine lifts. The Pleney side area provides convenient ski-in options when snow conditions permit.
The Montriond/Prodains area offers quieter lodging with bus access to lifts. Self-catered apartments are popular, as Anthony, an advanced skier, notes, "Morzine is great for self-catered stays as it's a proper town with a supermarket and lots of eating options."
What's the best way to get to Morzine?
For international travelers, Morzine offers exceptional accessibility. Geneva Airport is the primary gateway, with transfer times of just 75-90 minutes by road. Our users consistently praise this quick connection, with Elaine noting the "reliable 1.25 hour transfer from Geneva." Several shuttle services like Alpybus operate regular routes. Alternatively, you can reach Morzine by train to Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains stations (both about 30km away), followed by a bus or taxi to the resort.
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