Morzine Ski Weekends: 8 Reasons it’s the Ideal Short Skiing Break

Oct 04, 2024 BY Luke Rees

Why is Morzine the ideal short skiing break destination? Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, this picturesque village is part of the massive Portes du Soleil ski area. Meaning, you can explore one of the largest ski domains in the world during Morzine ski weekends.

Morzine Ski Weekends image by Atlas Ride Co

With its charming Alpine atmosphere, excellent ski facilities and easy access from Geneva Airport, Morzine is an ideal destination for a short ski break. Whether you’re an experienced skier or a beginner, Morzine offers excellent ski slopes, vibrant après activities and a wide variety of accommodation.

Why Morzine is the Ideal Short Skiing Break

Here’s why Morzine is the perfect place for a short skiing or snowboarding getaway.

Cheap Flights to Geneva

One of the biggest advantages of Morzine is its proximity to Geneva Airport (GVA), which is just 80 kilometres away. This makes it incredibly accessible for international travellers, especially those flying in from the UK and Europe.

Geneva Airport is serviced by numerous budget airlines. Having just checked, a family of four can fly London to Geneva the weekend before Christmas for just £200.

There are frequent direct flights from major cities, including London, Paris and Amsterdam. Early morning and late evening flight options are perfect for Morzine ski weekends. This also makes corporate ski breaks in Morzine extremely popular.

Off-piste one of the 8 Reasons Morzine's the Ideal Short Skiing Break image by Atlas Ride Co

Short Transfers to Morzine

The transfer time from Geneva to Morzine is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car. If you fly out early morning you can be skiing or snowboarding in the afternoon. On the way home you can get a full day on the slopes before taking a late flight home.

Several transfer companies operate direct shared shuttle services or private transfers plus hiring a car is not too pricey. The short transfer time makes it easy to squeeze in a weekend or short skiing break without wasting hours in transit.

Portes Du Soleil = Vast Varied Ski Area

Morzine is part of the Portes du Soleil, one of the biggest ski areas in the world. Stretching across the border of France and Switzerland it is easy to explore it all.

  • 600 km of skiable terrain
  • 208 lifts across the area
  • 39 green, 130 blue, 105 red, and 33 black runs
  • 10 snow parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders
  • Morzine itself has more than 120 kilometres of local pistes

For those looking to make the most of a short skiing break, the variety of runs is unmatched. You can explore 12 resorts within the same ski area, including Les Gets, Avoriaz and Châtel in France plus Champery and Morgins in Switzerland.

Morzine Ski Weekends 8 Reasons it's the Ideal Short Skiing Break image by Atlas Ride Co

The Portes du Soleil caters to all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. For beginners, Morzine has several easy green and blue runs, particularly around the Pleney area next to the village.

Intermediate skiers and snowboarders can enjoy long, enjoyable blue and red runs that take you across multiple resorts. If you’re more advanced, you’ll appreciate the black runs, mogul fields and snowparks.

The off-piste options are seriously under rated. There are huge areas of backcountry between the different resorts, plus snow does not get tracked out as quickly as other areas. Check out this morzine freeride snowboarding holiday review to find out more.

Ease of Getting Around

The Pleney cable car in the centre of town provides is the gateway to the Morzine-Les Gets ski area. The top of the Pleney is fantastic for beginner skiers with gentle green and blue runs. From here you can access the rest of the skiing into Les Gets on tree-lined slopes, with scenic vistas of Mont Blanc.

To explore the wider Portes du Soleil you can take the Super Morzine gondola from the centre of town. This takes you towards Avoriaz via two chairlifts, there are some fun easy runs along the way that are perfect for beginners and intermediates.

Snowpark at Avoriaz one of the 8 Reasons Morzine's the Ideal Short Skiing Break image by Atlas Ride Co

At 1,800m, Avoriaz is the highest resort in the area, so enjoys better snow than Morzine. From Avoriaz you can access advanced slopes including the Swiss Wall. The efficient lift infrastructure, means you can  ski a Portes du Soleil circuit in a day and rarely spend time in queues.

Morzine also operates regular free buses that link different areas of the town. Buses also take you to Prodains, where you can quickly reach Avoriaz, Ardent that speeds up the time to Lindarets Valley and Chatel and buses direct to Les Gets.

Great and Varied Accommodation in Morzine

Morzine offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. Whether you’re looking for spacious catered chalets or cosy apartments, the village has plenty to offer.

If you’re seeking high-end, comfortable lodging, Chalet Atlas is a top recommendation. In a prime location the large twin/double en-suite rooms, modern amenities and stunning views make it the perfect place to stay in Morzine.

Chalet Atlas guests can enjoy the hot tub and a sauna. The quality catering is prepared by professional chefs. Available for short skiing breaks in Morzine, Chalet Atlas ensures a comfortable and memorable stay.

Catered Chalet Atlas in Morzine

Excellent Après Ski

Morzine has a varied après-ski scene that suits all. The village has a good atmosphere with plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants catering to all needs (check out this vegan ski holiday review) and nightclubs. Whether you want to party hard or to relax with a drink after a day on the slopes, Morzine ski weekends offer a wide range of options:

  • La Folie Douce: Dance in your ski boots to live music and DJ sets while soaking in panoramic mountain views. La Folie Douce is famous, and the venue in Avoriaz is hard to miss (follow the thumping beat!).
  • Le Tremplin: Located at the base of the Pleney gondola, Le Tremplin has a large outdoor terrace with DJs and live music. Please note the hotel is closed for renovations in the 2024/25 season, but rumours have it they have a pop up bar in its place – phew!
  • Bar Robinson: A no thrills establishment famous for its strong “Mützig” beer and laid-back atmosphere. Bar Robinson is a locals favourite – beware if you visit for you probably won’t leave for a few hours…
  • Bec Jaune Brewery: Great locally made beers, lovely food and the perfect place for chilled out pub vibes.
  • Opera Nightclub: For those looking to continue the fun into the wee hours, L’Opera doesn’t open until midnight and closes at 5am. Bring your dancing shoes.
  • Cavern Bar: Another late night venue, but opens from 4pm-2am. The Cavern often has live music and themed events.

Apres during Morzine Ski Weekends image by Atlas Ride Co

Other Activities in Morzine

While Morzine is primarily known for its skiing and snowboarding, there are also plenty of other activities. If you’re travelling with non-skiers or simply want a break from the slopes, you can enjoy:

  • Ice Skating: Morzine has an outdoor ice rink in the centre of the village in a picturesque setting.
  • Snowshoeing: Explore the beautiful winter landscape on foot by taking a guided snowshoe tour through the nearby forests and valleys.
  • Spa and Wellness: After a long day of skiing, many visitors enjoy unwinding in a spa. Parc des Dérêches offers an aquatic centre with a sauna, hammam, and Jacuzzi—perfect for soothing tired muscles.
  • Ride something else: Rather than skis or snowboard how about you ride a snowmobile, horse or go dogsledding.
  • Paragliding: Tandem flights are available year round taking off from the mountains and landing on the edge of the town.
  • Nordic/cross country skiing: There is a network of ‘ski de fond’ (as it’s known in France) tracks available, you can even get lessons or a guided tour.

Authentic Alpine charm

Despite being part of a large ski area, Morzine retains its authentic Alpine charm. The village may have become a town, but is full of traditional wooden chalets, boutique shops and quaint restaurants serving local Savoyard cuisine. It is a year round village, not a purpose built resort.

Review of Morzine freeride snowboarding holiday in Portes du Soleil

Looking for a quintessential Alpine experience with easy access to world-class skiing? Morzine strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modern amenities.

Morzine Ski Weekends: Conclusion

Accessible, a vast ski area that caters to all, excellent après and diverse accommodation. Morzine is the perfect destination for a short ski break or long weekend. From beginner to expert Morzine delivers on the slopes, while the charming village ensures you’ll have a cracking time off them.

But proximity to Geneva Airport is why Morzine is perfect for a short skiing break. There are multiple relatively cheap flights throughout the day, so you can tailor a visit around your availability to maximise slope time.

If you’re considering Morzine for your next ski or snowboard break, be sure to check out Chalet Atlas for a vibrant, welcoming and comfortable stay. Whether you’re looking to ski-to-the-max, relax or enjoy the lively village, you’ll find everything you need for a perfect Alpine escape in Morzine.

We hope you found this guide to Morzine ski weekends an inspiration. Check out this article comparing ski weekends vs one week skiing holidays to find out how a short break maximises time on the snow vs annual leave used.

 
Avoriaz, Chatel, France, Les Gets, Morzine, Portes Du Soleil, Rhone Alpes
Skiing, Snowboarding
Apres Ski, Short Breaks, Weekend
Travel Articles
 

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