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

Village versus altitude station: two worlds

The distinction between Morzine and Avoriaz structures understanding of the entire area. Morzine is a valley-floor village, crossed by the Dranse, with stone chalets, a 19th-century church, and shops open year-round. Avoriaz is an experimental station, designed as a pedestrian zone with no cars, at 1800m, accessible only by cable car from Morzine or by road from below.

In practical terms, for a ski holiday:

Morzine suits families and couples who want a lively village in the evening, restaurants and atmosphere, and who are happy to spend a few minutes on a lift to access the domain.

Avoriaz suits skiers who want absolute ski-in/ski-out, stepping out of the chalet on skis, without transport constraints.

Access to the domain from Morzine

Three main entry points:

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

The Super-Morzine, a cable car from the centre, rises towards the Zore and Avoriaz sector.

The Prodains Express, a modern cable car at the foot of the Avoriaz cliff, is the fastest access to the high-altitude station: less than 5 minutes’ climb, nearly 600m of vertical. This is the route taken by most skiers staying in Morzine heading to the high-altitude pistes.

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

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

Some signature routes:

The Mur Suisse, a steep black run on the Chavanette side, one of the most iconic pistes in the domain.

The Avoriaz-Châtel link via Lindarets, the “village of goats”, a gastronomic stop mid-route.

Morzine, historic capital of skiing

Morzine has hosted the Alpine World Cup several times, for men and women, between the 1970s and the early 2000s. The resort also has a long ice hockey tradition: 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 downhill touring event that draws several thousand riders each June.

Who it suits

Morzine attracts:

Families, for the lively village atmosphere and accessible domain.

Intermediate to advanced skiers, who explore the variety of 600km over several days.

British clientele, historically very present in Morzine (chalets operated by UK tour operators), with a marked English-language après-ski scene.

When to visit

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

For mountain biking and summer, July-August are the peak months, with mechanical lifts open 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 is purchased online or at the resort, with options for day, stay or season passes, and a choice between “France only” or “complete Portes du Soleil” versions depending on your use.