ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN MORZINE
Indoor Activities
Explore the village’s many shops and boutiques; alongside the many ski and snowboard shops, you’ll find places to buy local cheeses, charcuterie and hams or artisan-made chocolates. Along the way you’ll find plenty of patisseries and bakeries to sit and relax with a coffee and a delicious treat.
Morzine has an indoor swimming pool with great facilities for children. It’s a great way to spend a rainy afternoon and there’s a decent café on site. If you like the idea of relaxing by the pool then why not check out one of the many spas Morzine has to offer. If you fancy something a bit more active then there are numerous gyms to choose from, which offer a variety of fitness classes, you’ll also find yoga and pilates studios dotted around the village. Morzine is a real wellness hub!
For sports fans or those who just want something a bit different go catch the local ice hockey team, The Penguins, in action. It’s a brilliant atmosphere and fun for all the family, although be aware the games can go on quite late into the evening. Matches take place every Saturday night throughout the winter season at the Palais des Sports, and sometimes on a Wednesday evening too. When ice hockey isn’t being played you can enjoy ice skating indoors - there is also outdoor iceskating in the town square.
Outdoor Activities
You don’t need to be on skis or a snowboard to explore the mountains. Snowshoeing is a wonderful way of to see the mountains and the dramatic scenery. Or try your hand at cross country skiing, there are five different cross country skiing areas to choose from! To see the mountains from the sky then take a paragliding tour, you can also try your hand at speed skating which combines paragliding and skiing. Once of the most unforgettable ways to see the mountains is via a helicopter tour, this is a truly special experience.
If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, there are plenty of winter walking trails in the village too; the woodland walk next to the river Dranse is absolutely stunning and easily accessible for all. Or follow the river upstream towards the Nyon waterfall for a spectacular sight. Another spectacular place is Lake Montriond; a dramatic, cliff-lined alpine lake situated about 6km out of Morzine town. Buses run regularly and drop you off right at the lakeside car park. Walk around the lake or explore beneath the surface with an ice diving experience. Afterwards, warm up with a hot chocolate (or something stronger!) at one of the lakeside cafés. Another way to enjoy the beautiful scenery is to take a horse drawn sleigh ride around the charming old town of Morzine.
For a completely different experience head of to the Point de Nyon restaurant and experience the eagles of Lac Leman where you can sit with wild birds of prey and enjoy a coffee whilst owls, buzzards, and condors fly around you. The birds come from the bird park, Les Aigles du Léman, near Thonon-les-Bains. A real treat for everyone. Another great family friendly activity is night sledging, once the slopes are closed Morzine opens a 4-kilometer sledging slope for a thrilling descent down to the village. Alternatively, head over the town square to find the outdoor ice-skating rink.
If you fancy something a bit more adrenaline fuelled then explore the valley on a sled dog tour. If you prefer a bit more horse power behind you then snow mobilling might be more up your street! You can also try mountaineering and ice climbing, or for a a truly unique experience head over to Châtel (full Portes du Soleil pass required) and try the Fantasticable Zip Wire, you’ll find yourself flying head-first along a 1200m cable, with incredible views over the Plaine Dranse valley below you. Your skis follow behind you so you can clip in and carry on once your flight is over!
Day Trip
Nestled at the foot of the mountains is Thonon-Les-Bains, on the shores of Lake Geneva. A day trip is easily doable, it’s on 30km away and there’s a bus from Morzine which takes you directly there. It’s a great option to explore another part of this beautiful alpine region if you want a break from the slopes.
Events
ESF Torchlight Descent: Every Tuesday evening at 6pm, the ESF ski school instructors put on an impressive torchlight descent down the main Pleney slope, followed by a fireworks display. It’s an unforgettable experience that kids will absolutely love.
Market day: Be sure to visit Morzine’s local market, which offers a variety of quality stalls selling local produce, groceries, homewares, and clothing. The market is held every Wednesday morning from 8am to noon in the Carrefour car park, below rue du Bourg.
Rock The Pistes: An annual music festival held in the Portes du Soleil ski area. It’s a week-long event that takes place between the end of March and the beginning of April. It’s one of the largest music festival in the Alps, featuring big-name artists, DJs, and niche bands performing throughout the day across multiple resorts in both France and Switzerland. Festival-goers can ski from one performance to the next or, for non-skiers, take a gondola or chair lift to each concert. As long as you have a ski pass/ pedestrian pass you can attend for free!
To book a ski holiday in Morzine, get in touch with one of our Ski Experts on 023 8020 6971 or email sales@skiweekends.com