Morzine Resort Reviews
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Visitor reviews for Morzine Ski Resort
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
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March 25, 2013
Andy Mullett from United Kingdom
Helped that we choose what we were told was the second best week of the season!
Had a very mixed party of twelve, including one complete beginner and a couple who decided to do some snow-shoeing, and we all thoroughly loved the holiday, despite a big dump of snow during the first couple of days which made things very heavy on the pistes (but great for those of us who want to explore a bit).
The basic Pleney area is pretty crowded with ski-schoolers, as were the slopes above Les Gets, but we spent a lot of time in the Chavannes area. Great reds on both sides of the valley and had one totally uncrowded day at Mont Chery, the highlight being lunch in the top restaurant (Les Grandes Orson); excellent food and great views to Mont Blanc.
Had a couple of days in Avoriaz, found the runs much more crowded than in Morzine, but good skiing once we got over the border into Switzerland - but give the long blue into Morgines a miss unless you want a long pole! One place we wished we'd stopped for lunch was the second (very small) restaurant down the very long red (Rapaille) into Gran Paradis - the fondue being eaten in the sun looked and smelt lovely, the sort of place you dream of finding on the slopes.
We stayed in a lovely chalet (Chez Nous) but it was high up under the Super Morzine chair - luckily we were hiring skis from SkiSet in town so could keep stuff in their bootroom - if you had had to carry skis or boards back up to the chalet it would quickly have become less than fun! The lesson is check out exactly where you're staying - it can be a long steep trudge back home!
Holiday arranged through skiline.co.uk who were most helpful in sorting everything out for us.
As we were flying EasyJet we hd a mid-morning flight out, so could sort out skis etc before we started, and then had a late flight back so we could ski until 4pm on day of return - effectively an extra day's skiing as the transfer time is so quick to Geneva.
Thoroughly recommend it!
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Morzine Ratings
Based on 44 votes. Vote
Access: 4.6
(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Morzine.
Public Transport: 4.5
(1) There are no buses or taxis to Morzine, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
Scenery: 4.6
(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.
Accommodation: 4.9
(1) No places to stay in/near Morzine, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
Cheap Rooms: 4.1
(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.
Luxury Hotels: 4.4
(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Morzine.
Ski in/Ski out: 4.4
(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.
Childcare: 4.5
(1) There are no child care facilities at Morzine, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
Snowsure: 4.2
(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Morzine is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.
Snowmaking: 4.3
(1) Morzine relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
Snow Grooming: 4.9
(1) There are no snow groomers at Morzine, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Morzine are groomed daily.
Shelter: 4.4
(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Morzine is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
Nearby options: 4.6
(1) If snow conditions are poor at Morzine, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.
Regional rating: 4.3
(1) Morzine usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
Lift Staff: 4.7
(1) The staff at Morzine are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Morzine are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.
Crowds/Queues: 4.0
(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
Ski Schools: 4.9
(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.
Hire and Repairs: 4.9
(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
Variety of pistes: 4.9
(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Morzine has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.
Beginners: 4.6
(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
Intermediates: 5.0
(1) No intermediate terrain at Morzine, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.
Advanced: 4.7
(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
Snow Park: 4.4
(1) Not even a kicker at Morzine, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.
Off-piste: 4.3
(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
Cross-country: 4.3
(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Morzine, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.
Luge/Toboggan: 3.8
(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Morzine has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
Mountain Dining: 4.7
(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.
Eating: 4.7
(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
Apres-Ski: 4.7
(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.
Other Sports: 4.7
(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
Entertainment: 4.3
(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.
Winter Walks: 4.5
(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
Ski Pass Value: 4.4
(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.
Value (National): 4.3
(1) Overall, Morzine is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
Value (Global): 4.5
(1) Overall, Morzine is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.
Based on 44 votes. Vote
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January 25, 2013
jason from United Kingdom
First trip to PDS was 12 - 19 Jan 2013. Group of 8 friends. Stayed in an apartment booked through resa-morzine. Great value and v handy for Pleney lifts, Tremplin bar etc. Snow was excellent due to a large drop the day before arrival and smaller top-ups during the week. I think the lower, busier slopes around Morzine town could be a little sketchy otherwise. Great blue runs in Les Gets, Nyon and back down to Morzine. Nice testing reds both near the tops and lower down, although the lower ones got a little hard in the afternoons. Ski Morzine/Les Gets on cloudy/snowy days and head up to Avoriaz for the sun or if snow not so clever in Morzine. Crowds around first lifts soon disperse as you venture further out. Easy to ski from Morzine to Les Crosets in Switzerland and back by lunch if you can ski blues easily and get the SuperMorzine at 9am.
Drink in Le Tremplin between 4 and 7 ish in your ski kit (cold but great crack), have a meal/snooze/shower then head for the Tibetan for a flatliner or two 'til 11 then downstairs to the Cavern for table dancing 'til you fall off.
Good place all round. -
November 26, 2012
Sean from Germany
Morzine is a great venue for groups with various levels of skiers and non skiers (as you can always meet up for lunch).
With the whole of the Port de Soleil for the taking no problem with variety.
Bass is great for all levels and ages, really good one on one lessons. Yes, you pay more but still worth it.
The snow institute is also very good.
Come on snow. -
March 29, 2012
Chris Leeks from United Kingdom
I returned from Morzine on 27th March 2012. The temperature in the resort in the sun was in the mid twenties, but as the sun went over the crest of the hill the temperature fell. This meant a slight refreeze and combined with the hard work of the piste bashers a great day's skiing beckoned the next day. Although the spring conditions meant it was better to get out on the slopes early and maybe finish a little earlier.
From Morzine you can take the Pleney lift and ski above Les Gets, or take the super Morzine and ski through Avoriaz and on to Switzerland. A bewildering choice of skiing offering many skiparks and the infamous Swiss Wall, which is not for the feint hearted.
The town had a relaxed, unpretentious feel with plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. We had a full Porte de Soleil pass which gave us ample choice of slopes. We particularly enjoyed the reds around Avoriaz. The resorts were all connected well with clear sign-posting and a bus service.
Having skied Les Trois Vallees and Paradiski I think would have to rate Porte de Soleil as my favourite of the large ski areas.
I shall return next winter.
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March 11, 2012
Tyler from United Kingdom
I spent a week in Morzine w/c 29th Jan. The skiing was superb. Perfectly pisted snow if a little cold at times (-22!) The local ski area of Morzine and Les Gets has plenty of piste to keep you occupied for a week. My advice would be head away from the front of the Pleney. All the blues are full of ski schools and the reds were sheet ice. Over in the other bowls near Les Get or Nyon there were lots of lovely empty blues and reds through the trees with a couple of more difficult reds and blacks if you want to test yourself! You can also get the Super Morzine bubble up to Avoriaz. There are some excellent blues at the top of the lift. Lift queues were minimal and organised. The food on the mountain wasn't too expensive. I would suggest the smaller mountain restaurants over the big self service affairs as they all had home cooked food at much lower prices.
I'd certainly recommend this resort and I'll definitely be going back. -
February 28, 2012
Al Sweet - Bristol from United Kingdom
I have been skiing in Morzine once or twice a year for the past dozen or so years and love it. The variety of runs, restaurants and apres-ski is amazing.
As our budget, group size and accommodation needs have changed over this time we have always been able to easily find something in Morzine to suit our exacting standards. It is also an easy flight (Bristol-Geneva) and transfer (1 hour Geneva-Morzine) or a 10-12 hour (including channel crossing) 600 mile plus 60€ in tolls each way drive (we drive these days as it tends to be cheaper for a family car load).
We have been taking the children along for the past 6 years and have tried various ski schools et al but the only one that I would highly recommend, having been with them for the last 4 years, is The Snow Institute ran by Sally and her team. The children have consistently received only the best instruction and childcare and the kids have loved every minute of their time with TSI. This has resulted in them being able to out ski their folks for past couple of trips!
Of course there is always the occasional gripe......why does the petit train stop for an hour at lunchtime?. Why is there so little in town car parking? etc, etc. But these are easily outweighed by the positives that Morzine has to offer.
We will be back again in early April having already done a week in January. Bring it on!
'Le ball de chien".
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February 19, 2012
Ben Watts from United Kingdom
Just got back from France, and thought if anyone was skiing this year or in the future with kids etc, and looking for lessons, it was worth going through some of the options;
The British Ski School is the best for kids, but you need to book early – Search for BASS Morzine for their website.
BASS ski schools have smaller class sizes (plus one on one lessons – which are fantastic), the kids classes are a max of 5-6 kids, they all speak English, and they really look after the kids
Why not use the French Ski Schools?
ESF (Escole Ski Francais) (aka - The Red Coats),
These guys are a nightmare, the kids classes sizes are 10 or more (I counted 15 in a class), they lost kids twice while we were in France, most instructors do not speak great English, and conversing with little ones is not great “shouting at a 4 year old in French to get up is not helpful”…
The ESF school have set up another Ski School to try and copy the BASS schools, it is called “The Snow School”, basically they choose their best English speakers, put them in a different coloured jacket and charge 20 euros an hour more!, what’s more you could have a lesson with a guy from The Snow School in the morning for 70-80 Euros, and then have a lesson with the same instructor in the afternoon with an ESF Jacket on for less. (The two offices are next door to each other)
Henry (6yrs) had 3 private lessons this year (2 hrs each), and came back smiling from every lesson, did his Polar Bear, Bronze, Silver, and Stage 1, and then proceeded to ski with me in the afternoons, I could hardly keep up, he just wanted to ski through the trees and over jumps
Brilliant!
Ben Watts - Norfolk UK
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January 31, 2012
Catherine Penneck from United Kingdom
We stayed in Les Gets in early January and booked our 5 year old in with BASS, absolutely fantastic, our son had a great time with Lesley, couldn't rate them highly enough.
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January 22, 2012
Nigel Birch from United Kingdom
I'd go with BASS everytime.
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January 17, 2012
Mr Jones from France
Andy Cavet who works for Les Gets Snowsports is a superb instructor. He taught my children (who had never skied before) for a week and by the end they were whizzing round the mountain no problems!!!
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January 16, 2012
Sara from United Kingdom
@Sara - The Snow Institute is great (they teach our kids, who are 9, 6 and 3). Just google them
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January 03, 2012
Wayne from United Kingdom
Morzine is great and staying at Savoie Flair Chalet Symphony made it even better. Stayed over Christmas and Robin and Alex were excellent hosts in a wonderful chalet. Could not recommend the chalet and resort more.
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December 19, 2011
Julie from France
Morzine is great. Lots of soft snow and power and more forecast!
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December 19, 2011
James from France
Dont worry the snow is awsome - knee deep on the stade into Morzine. Don't believe what you read in the English press!!!!!
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December 18, 2011
JP from France
I'm in Morzine now and there is snow everywhere..today we ski'd to Avoriaz as the whole Porte du Soleil was open, powder everywhere, it's epic...
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December 17, 2011
DEALAN YOUNG from United Kingdom
Arriving in Morzine 26 Dec for 5 days. Mixed reports on snow. Can anyone give me an update? Some reports of poor snow, some reports of good snow. Are lifts open and if not when do they open?
[note from the editor: this post will remain in place for a short time]
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December 05, 2011
James from France
The papers are behind the times. Snow down to 1100m and lots more forecast. Stores for the snowmakers also filling up fast.
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November 25, 2011
James from France
Enjoy the beautiful sunny crisp autumnal days because ...... snow is arriving in Avoriaz after the weekend on Wednesday and it snows continuously from then on through Sunday with around 80cm of snow forecast to Monday morning. Morzine has sunshine until a little light rain on Wednesday turning to snow overnight and then continuous snow from next weekend. Woo hooo!
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October 17, 2011
Tom from United Kingdom
We stayed in Morzine last February with a group of friends in a catered chalet run by Treeline Chalets. It was the best place that I have ever skied and possibly one of my best holidays (thanks Treeline). The resort itself is only at 1000m so I was slightly worried especially with the snow last year but it was absolutely fine, in some ways much nicer than staying at a higher altitude resort. The first lift at Prodain takes you straight up to 1800M and you are always skiing above this! We have just booked our holiday back there this year!
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August 18, 2011
david welsh from United Kingdom
We visited Morzine in beginning of Feb 2011. The snow was a bit icy as the sun was out for 6 days!!
I have skied plenty of resorts over the years and this is up there with the best of them. We stayed with the company Alpine Ski and Golf who made our stay even better.
The resort itself is great; plenty of small bars (no probs watching the footy) good night life if you want it but quiet when you don't!
There is a massive variety of runs to be had even if there were some that were closed due to lack of snow. So don't panic if you are looking at conditions leading up to your hols and the web cams arn't showing much snow, I guarantee there will be plenty to ski on.
We are going back again in Feb 2012. Can't wait. -
July 12, 2011
James Doyle from France
Just a comment on summers here. Great for a Brit who likes to talk about the weather. When it's sunny it is hot - 29 today. Then occasionally we get a massive thunder storm, get cool, clears the air and then it's hot. So not wall to wall sunshine everyday but it never stays cloudy for more than a couple of days. The mountain and road biking is fantastic and there's always something going on. Not to everyones taste I know but this weekend it's the European Harley Davidson Festival and Status Quo are playing outside the Tourist Office on Saturday night on the biggest stage I've ever seen! If you fancy a bit of Blue Grass come to the Bar National the Saturday after that - featuring a fantastic harp player - Me! Go on you know you want to.
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March 30, 2011
S Brittle from United Kingdom
Having skied many resorts in France we consider the Portes du Soleil ski area to be the best! There is always somewhere to ski, even if conditions are poor, as the area is vast and well-groomed. We stay in St Jean D'Aulps just out of Morzine as it is quieter and more relaxed but has very good amenities and a beautiful local ski area. Alpine-Adventure provides a service second to none! Wonderful hosts and accommodation. Will be returning as soon as possible!
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March 25, 2011
John from United Kingdom
Aways use BASS not ESF when in Morzine. Very good instructors and lessons for kids!
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March 24, 2011
ann from United Kingdom
To all those who know Morzine well, or perhaps don't! Visit the newly refurbished 'Le Chaudanne'. 5 mins walk down Route de la Plagne from tourist office. Tasteful new wine bar in stone and wood basement and great new restauarant. Food thankfully not changed. Still superb as ever.
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March 24, 2011
ann from United Kingdom
Just as an add on to the comment on buying an area pass daily, wouldn't personally recommend myself. If you're good skiers and go to Avoriaz, you will want to cross several areas in one day. We often do Avoriaz first thing then shoot over into Switzerland and do all the villages right over to Morgins and back, when conditions good.
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March 21, 2011
Ade from United Kingdom
Just spent a week in Morzine in the Viking. The conditions were not ideal, but that's the chance you take I suppose going so late in the season. Despite the lack of snow, the runs were well prepared and the local population, be it lift attendants, shop keepers, hotel staff were very friendly and helpful.
My only complaint would be the level of "instruction" afforded by ESF. Booked the kids in to ski school, which, due to the numbers and lack of instructors was more like a creche! The instructor the kids had was very unhelpful and in fact downright rude, refusing to even acknowledge the kids when they tried to say thank you (in French!) I take on board all the comments as to speaking the local language and as a group we all have reasonable French, with the exception of the kids. Language barriers aside, a smile is universal!
Despite the "instruction", I would recommend Morzine and the surrounding area as a great place to visit at any time of the year. -
March 07, 2011
sara from United Kingdom
The best house is in Le Biot, chez Lory!
Easy access each day to Avoriaz, Morzine, Le Gets, Neon, Chatel, or a number of resorts all within 15 mins drive. With the largest number of ski runs in the world, Portes de Soleil is the best for skiing!!
Tip - buy your pass on a daily basis...some resorts are much cheaper than others! Works out much cheaper than a full pass for the whole area!
Take a picnic for your lunches...lots of great spots to stop and watch the world go by...do some "extreme deck-chairing"!
Off there in 2 days time...yippeeeeeee! -
March 07, 2011
Andy from United Kingdom
Morzine is an excellent resort, to be recommended.
I have just finished a week there and had an excellent time.
It has that traditional feel to it and if you want the "Big Brash" feeling, Avoriaz is just up the road.As for the English language skills of the local population, I think one previous poster put it quite succinctly when they questioned the likelihood of finding a bus driver in the UK, even in a tourist area, speaking French or German, or anything apart from English, for that matter!
Blithely going around expecting everyone to speak English for the lazy Brits is not conducive to building an amicable relationship with the host country. When was the last time you a heard a foreign language announcement, issued by the airport, (not an airline) at Heathrow?
I pass through Heathrow often, and I'm still waiting.... -
February 15, 2011
aidan from United Kingdom
But i thought they understood you if you shouted?
just joking - before i get the self righteous lot on the attack.
Morzine is a great Town and beautiful to ski in, think people should always have due respect when they are guests in others countries.Have a go at a bit of french while you are there- otherwise how much time did you waste in school? Vast majority of french people react positively when you make the effort.
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January 17, 2011
Jeremy Pack from United Kingdom
Morzine is a great vast ski area, 650km of pistes and if you're thinking about skiing here, do it! But be sure to check the latest daily video update first at morzineweather.com
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