MORZINE FAQ`S

How do I get to Morzine?

Morzine is located close to Geneva (55-miles), which is also the closest international airport in Switzerland. Many low cost and European airlines offer regular well priced flights from most major EU hubs.

There is no main rail link to Morzine from Beneva or Paris, the most efficient way to travel is by road. From the airport the options to get to resort are - transfer, car rental, bus or taxi. There are a number of transfer companies that regularly go between Geneva and Morzine. The main access road is the A40 or 'white motorway'.

Car rentals are available in and around Geneva Airport on both the French and Swiss sides. Be aware of the Swiss road taxation badges (required for all vehicles traveling on the Swiss motorways). The Swiss car rental companies will have these included in the price, but the French may not. You will want to be sure to check before reserving a car. The drive time, depending on the time of year and the traffic, usually takes about 90 minutes.

Airport transfers are also available. There are quite a few companies that offer these services regularly to Morzine in winter and summer months.

If you plan to travel by train, the closest train station is in Cluses, a 30-minute drive away, around 22 miles. Cluses Station is served by a TGV line and connections to France, Switzerland, the Eurostar and the rest of Europe are available here. A bus service runs from Cluses train station to Morzine.

How do I get around Morzine?

Morzine is right at the heart of the beggest ski area in the Alsp - the Portes du Soleil. With 403 miles of pistes spanning across France and Switzerland the area is vast. Getting around is pretty simple once you arrive.

Pleney Gondola offers access from the very center of Morzine into the linked areas of Pleney, Nyon and Les Gets, providing a wide variety of routes. Mozine's central bus stop is situated across the road from the gondola. The Pleney gondola does link to several of the local areas, however it does not link directly to the Avoriaz/Portes du Soleil area: instead, you hop on Le Petit Train to the SuperMorzine gondola.

Located next to the impressive suspension bridge in the centre of Morzine, you’ll find the SuperMorzine gondola. Often locals called it the SuperM. The lift takes you to the Avoriaz, Switzerland and Chatel parts of the Portes de Soleil.

The moment you step out of the gondola exit, you’ll spot the Zore chairlift, which you take up to the top of SuperM. From here you can take a short walk to admire the surrounding views or can get straight onto the mountain. SuperM has two interconnecting blue runs: Zore and Tetras.

From the top of Zore chairlift, when you turn right you immediately spot signs pointing you in the direction of the link to Avoriaz and the surrounding Portes du Soleil area. It’s an easy connecting blue route with a narrow, gentle slope and long corners – make sure to build some speed at the start though: there isn’t much of a gradient and it’s fairly easy for a snowboarder or novice to get stuck on the flatter terrain. Keep left and you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the Proclou chairlift, which takes you up and straight over into Avoriaz.

Link Between the Pleney and SuperMorzine gondolas: Getting to and from the two gondolas couldn’t be easier with the use of Le Petit Train. It’s a free shuttle service running from 8:45am until 5:30pm, which transports you from the foot of SuperMorzine gondola directly to the bottom of the Pleney gondola, clearly marked with signposts so you can’t miss the “departure” and “arrival” points. You stack your skis/boards in the spaces provided, take a seat on the train and relax on a five-minute journey between the two skiing hotspots. It also drops and picks up in key places around the village. During slope opening times, the train runs continuously.

For further information refer to Getting Around - Morzine.

What is Morzine like to ski?

With five green and 23 blue runs, Morzine is an ideal destination for beginners and lower-level intermediate skiers. Since easy slopes tend to be near the base village, natural snow conditions can be variable, but the resort makes up for this with a thorough network of snow guns.

Morzine is one of 14 resorts in the massive Portes du Soleil ski area which stradles the France-Swiss border.

What is the resort village of Morzine like?

Morzine is a traditional market town that has tastefully evolved into the ski resort that it is today. When you go for a walk around the town you see a range of 'low-rise' chalet roofs coating the treelined valley and a pretty church spire at the old town center. Although Morzine has a clear and definted town center it also has a couple of sister villages just out of town, Essert-Romand is further up the valley and Montriond is an adjoining valley with its stunning lake of the same name. The grand Morzine suspension bridge to Montriond is a pretty sight and suits the town well.

If you like a lively resort center, Morzine will not disappoint. You’ll find a range of shops, plenty of places to rent skis, and plenty of bars and restaurants.

What is the food and drink like in Morzine?

Food and drink on the piste is generally reasonable with the usual ski resort markup from your average cafe but nothing extreme. There are plenty of lodges with good local and pub food and drinks to suit all tastes. If you enjoy a bite out on the slopes, it’s nice to take a trip down to the lovely village of Les Gets. There are all kinds of cafes and restaurants there, see our recommendations for the one that’s worth the visit.

Where is the best places to stay?

Morzine has retained its traditional styling by allowing only wooden low buildings (mostly chalets) and there are lots to choose from. Being a real town means it’s not been positioned with access to the slopes in mind and being also a town comprising of chalets dotted around the valley margins, location is really important in Morzine. It also comes down to your priorities. If you want to stay right in the middle of the action but don’t mind a short walk to the lifts, the resort town center is the place to be. If you want to be very near the lifts and a walk from the town center, Chalets like Mountain Heaven’s Chamois d’Or are ideal but rare.

What is the language spoken in Morzine?

French is the official language spoken in Morzine. As a hugely popular international tourist destination you may find that many restaurants, bars and hotels English is spoken also. However, if you decide to travel into the surrounding, more rural villages, or happen upon a restaurant off the beaten track then it's a good idea to brush up on your French. It's best to learn a few phrases and pick up a good English-French guidebook or app on your phone to help you get around. And familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

What is the currency in France? Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

In France, the currency is the euro, and travelers can exchange their dollars for euros at the airport exchange booths or kiosks throughout the region. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. When it comes to tipping, visitors should note that service charges are usually included on restaurant bills, though it is common to round out the bill with a small tip. Tipping hotel staff a euro or two for their services is also customary.

What should I do if I need medical assistance?

In an emergency dial 112 is the general emergency services number or 114 for hearing assistance.

The nearest hospitals to Morzine and Avoriaz are Cluses (7.5 miles) and Thonon (21 miles).