January 24 2011
We have been skiing in Morillon for the last 4/ 5 years and love it so much. There is something for everyone. When we arrived this year, we were a bit concerned as there was not a lot of snow, but the pisteurs worked very hard and kept the pistes in excellent condition and the snow canons were on every night, which made the next day skiing fantastic. No long queues for the lifts.
We went out there again middle of March and the pistes were once again excellent in the morning, but it was heavy going in the afternoon. Very rarely do you have to queue for the lifts, but this time because a lot of runs were closed due to lack of snow, most people headed towards Flaine where there was more snow. Therefore, you are bound to get the long queues. When there is plenty of snow and all the runs are open, there is never a problem with queuing for the lifts. Morillon caters for all abilities and it is great for families with young children. Can't wait to go again next season.
Just returned from a half term week in Morillon village. Snow acceptable and situation nice enough although it is a bit of hike in the morning and the queues to get back in the afternoon can get quite long on a sunny day. Skiing very intermediate and you really need to get over to Flaine to find the interesting runs and noticeably better snow. Queues for the lifts not too long but the pistes were the most crowded I've skied on in the last 30 years preclude going back at half term. Far less people about in 3V or Espace Killy.
We have been skiing in Morillon (Les Esserts) at least twice a year for the last six years, sometimes as a small family but usually a large group of around 25. There is nowhere better for the skiing - mixed ability, good runs, usually fantastic weather, great mountain restaurants, 265km of piste - need I say more. We stay at Chalet Morillon - great staff, fantastic food, transfers included, good prices. Only one bar in the evening but it is great - very friendly, excellent Kia Royale: beer, cocktails, music, pool table etc -
We have just booked the flights to go again this March - bring on the snow.
Firstly, unlike a lot of reviews we have only been to Morillon once: Christmas/New Year 2010/11. It was snowing when we arrived and the conditions were good for the first two days and not very busy. We had no more snow for the rest of our stay and the slopes were very busy. Even at higher altitudes the snow became thin with rocks and grass showing through. On the busier, narrower pistes it was treacherous especially when returning to resorts due to the conditions and sheer number of mixed ability skiers. Conditions became very icy also, even on the lauded Green Marvel. On the links to Flaine there were a lot of moguls, again causing chaos with the mix of abilities. The grading of some runs was especiall puzzling, we've done easier blacks in some French resorts. Unfortunately, a lot of the reds were closed which we usually prefer.
Having said all that the scenery is spectacular, the quieter runs in Les Carroz excellent and the village pleasant and quiet.
We have been to Les Gets and St Gervais before and preferred those resorts but with more snow and at quieter periods I'm sure this area would be great. I have friends who have been to Flaine and really enjoyed it.
My family have been skiing in Morillon for over 20 years, I learnt in the resort when I was four and would never dream of skiing anywhere else. The people are wonderful and so good with the children. Yes, there is not much apres-ski but when you are there to ski and enjoy the wonderful surrounding do you really need that?
We are off out again in a couple of day and cannot wait to see all the familiar welcoming faces.
Please ignore another's comments about Morillon, they are too clinical and are in the minority.
We have been skiing here as a family since 2004 and this is the best kept secret resort in the French Alps.
Just spent 1st day of 2010/2011 season skiing all day in powder, sunny skies no crowds or queues. Alone in the beautiful Grand Massif senery.
All the other posts say it all. Enjoy!
Have just returned from a marvelous 2 weeks in Morillon 1100 (Les Esserts). The holiday included the half-term break. Although there were queues at Morillon they were no worse than any other resort we have been to. However, ski school does make the chair lifts busy at 10am and 2pm; the Bergin lift is much quieter than the Sairon. Morillon has a huge amount of wide runs that are suitable for all levels. The three children in our group had a fantastic time. Not much in the way of apres-ski at Morillon but several restaurants to choose from. Excellent supermarket and boulangerie that were reasonably priced even with the rate of exchange at the moment. Would thoroughly recommend it to any intermediate and beginner skiers.
I am off to Morillon in a couple of days with the kids. First time for them but I have been there with some mates 3 times. The Grand Massiff has some of the best varied terrain in the Alps. There are lots of trees in Morillon, Les Carroz and Samoens. Flaine has some excellent runs.
The green marvel in Morillon is probably the prettiest run I have ever been on and I have been to Val, Sainte Foy, Meribel, Corvecval, Chamonix, Alpe d' Huez, Ischgl etc.
Old lifts but Monday-Thursday the slopes are often empty. It feels like your own private mountain. Really safe for kids. I worry about taking my kids to places such as Val where the slopes are busy with fast idiots.
I would recommend Morillon to anyone, with or without kids and if you want just a nice drink and meal after the days skiing/boarding then there is enough to keep you very happy. The mountain food is good as well.
If you experience Morillon & the Grand Massif at Christmas & New Year, I defy you to find any resort which is not stuffed full at these times. Yes, there was a queue for the lifts but nothing compared to the queueing I have done in larger resorts like Val d'Isere all season long. I thought that was normal until I came to Morillon. Since then, there has been virtually no queues, we have boarded runs completely to ourselves & there has been some brilliant off-piste just to the side of the runs which we went back to again & again & still there was fresh snow. As for the size of the lifts, this part of the Grand Massif has no need for huge 8 seater lifts; at 1100 the 4 seaters are more than enough & the Sairon lift is easy to get on & off; perfect for beginners. There is more than enough skiing to keep a beginner occupied without needing to take the smaller lifts to the top. Even as an experienced boarder, our favourite run in Morillon is the green 'Marvel' run which winds through the trees from the top of the Sairon lift back down to Morillon 1100. You can dodge in & out of the trees & on & off-piste; hours of entertainment. Just remember that there are beginners on the run too.
Morillon Village itself is pretty but small; family orientated with a full entertainment calender provided by the Tourist Office at both Morillon Village & 1100, with shows for children, fire juggling etc. There is a brilliant farmers market on a Wednesday evening where you can virtually eat a meal just walking from stall to stall. I recommend the apperatif stall. My favourite is the Apperitif Cerise Noir au Piment; cherries with a slight kick. The village itself sits at 690m. Our chalet is at 800m & we go down the mountain to get to Morillon. The bar 'Au bon Coin' is in the perfect place opposite the lift for an apres-ski stop, although 'La Puzze' is also a nice bar for this. There are a few restaurants in Morillon Village; we like 'La Tourne Pierre', but for more variety head for Samoens.
Morillon is ok but it's mainly geared up for the French tourists.
The lifts are pretty old in comparison with other resorts e.g. 2/3 & 4 seated chairlifts around the Grand Massif. Queuing can be a major problem from Morillon 1100m upwards, especially in the mornings.
If you plump for the lower village then the runs going down tend to run out of snow and you have to queue for the lift to get down the mountain.
Go if you get the timing right..but there are better places in the Mont Blanc regions.