Les Portes du Soleil
Morzine is one of 13 resorts within the Portes du Soleil, a large region of the Alps between Mont Blanc in France and Lake Geneva in Switzerland, popular for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. The region offers 650 km of marked runs and about 230 lifts in total, spread over 14 valleys and about 400 square miles.
All the following resorts can be reached in a day’s circuit skiing from Morzine:
Avoriaz
Avoriaz is the most modern area of the Portes du Soleil. Perched atop dramatic cliffs, this 1960's resort is unusually attractive amongst those built during this era, featuring wooden buildings of a distinctive character and a car-free policy.
Avoriaz's altitude makes it the resort out of the 12 major resorts in the Portes du Soleil to have the best snow.
Châtel
A typical Savoyarde village on the border with Switzerland. The village stretches from Lac de Vonnes (near the border) down to centre. There are three main ski areas in the village, the nearest being Super Châtel, the others are Linga and Pre - La - Joux, the latter being the most convenient for the Portes du Soleil. There are a number of bars and restaurants but the village is rather low key in terms of brash nightlife. For more information visit the tourist office website.
The resort lies at 1200m but many of the slopes are north facing and do retain the snow throughout the season.
Morgins
Also part of the Portes du Soleil, but located in Switzerland, this village has kept some of its traditional charm and is not as crowded as the larger resorts in France. A fantastic holiday location for families with what must be the friendliest Swiss locals you've ever met. The resort is not a large skyscraping hotel type of place. Rather a mix of small traditional chalets owned by local Swiss families and several chalet operators. The village has a ski torch light descent each Wednesday during the winter which is open to all.
Les Crosets
A very small resort in the Portes Du Soleil again located in Switzerland. It is easily reached by skis from Chatel and Avoriaz. It too also has a microclimate and allows splendid views of the Dents Du Midi. The famous Swiss wall (a black mogul run) can be reached from Les Crosets.
