Morzine and the Portes du Soleil: 600km of cross-border skiing from an authentic Savoyard village

Village versus mountain resort: two worlds

The distinction between Morzine and Avoriaz is fundamental to understanding the area. Morzine is a valley-floor village, crossed by the Dranse, with stone chalets, a nineteenth-century church, and shops open year-round. Avoriaz is a purpose-built resort, designed as a traffic-free pedestrian zone at 1800m, accessible only by cable car from Morzine or by road from below.

In practical terms, for a ski stay:

Morzine suits families and couples seeking a lively village atmosphere in the evening, restaurants and social life, and who are content with a short journey to access the ski domain.

Avoriaz suits skiers who want absolute ski-in/ski-out convenience, departing directly from their chalet on skis, without transport constraints.

Access to the domain from Morzine

Three main entry points:

The Pléney, a cable car at the centre of the village, provides access to the Pléney-Nyon sector, on the Morzine, Les Gets side.

The Super-Morzine, a cable car to the north, rises towards the Avoriaz sector and enables the link to Aiguille des Champeys.

The Prodains Express, a modern cable car at the foot of Avoriaz’s ridge, is the quickest access to the high-altitude resort: 4 minutes’ ascent, approximately 1000m vertical drop. This is the route taken by most skiers staying in Morzine to reach the alpine pistes.

The Portes du Soleil: 600km of cross-border terrain

The domain connects the French resorts of Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Châtel, Saint-Jean-d’Aulps, Abondance, La Chapelle-d’Abondance and Montriond with the Swiss resorts of Champéry, Les Crosets, Champoussin, Morgins and Val-d’Illiez. A single pass gives access to the entire domain.

Some notable itineraries:

The Mont Chéry circuit, a Morzine, Les Gets loop that provides a quiet day away from the busiest ski routes.

The Mur Suisse, a steep black run near Chavanette, one of the domain’s most distinctive pistes.

The Avoriaz, Châtel connection via Lindarets, the “village of goats”, a convivial stop mid-journey.

Morzine, historic capital of skiing

Morzine has hosted several Alpine Skiing World Cups, including downhills and giant slaloms, benefiting from the technical pistes of Pléney. The resort also has a long tradition of ice hockey: the Morzine-Avoriaz Penguins compete in the French championship.

In summer, the area shifts to enduro mountain biking, with the Pass’Portes du Soleil MTB, an annual cross-border stage racing event that draws several thousand riders each June.

Who it is for

Morzine appeals to:

Families, for the lively village setting and accessible ski domain.

Intermediate to advanced skiers, who can make the most of the variety across 600km over several days.

British clientele, historically well represented in Morzine (chalets operated by UK tour operators), with a distinctly English-language après-ski scene.

When to visit

Winter season from mid-December to mid-April. Morzine’s snow cover (at 1000m) is less reliable than Avoriaz’s (at 1800m), but the connected domain ensures skiability even when the valley floor lacks snow.

For mountain biking and summer activities, July and August are the peak months, with ski lifts operating for bike transport.

Planning a stay in Morzine

AEC Collection selects and represents premium chalets and apartments in Morzine and Avoriaz. The Portes du Soleil pass can be purchased online or at the resort, with daily, weekly and seasonal options, and a choice between “France only” or the “full Portes du Soleil” pass depending on your needs.