The Ski Area
Morzine is in a valley and is split between two areas of the Portes du Soleil. On one side of the vallery there is the spectacular Avoriaz with its jagged mountains and the main bulk of the Portes du Soleil ski area. This side is high and offers an array of slopes from tree lined beginners runs through to some steep and deep runs for the advanced. The choice of back country off –piste skiing and snowboarding is endless. On the other side of the Morzine valley you will discover the picture perfect slopes of Morzine and Les Gets. With views of Mont Blanc and a good choice of varied slopes there is something for everyone on this side of the valley.
In recent years there has been a huge investment made into the lift systems of the Portes du Soleil, and Morzine has benefitted from this influx of funds. With the brand new high speed lift from Prodains to Avoriaz you can access Avoriaz in just 4 minutes. There is also the new lift in the centre of Morzine taking you to the top of the Pleney.
Beginners
Both Morzine and Avoriaz have ideal nursery slopes. With professional tuition , beginners will soon gain the skill and confidence to venture up the mountain to explore some of the gentle, tree lined pistes.
Intermediates
The Portes du Soleil opens up an enormous wealth of oppurtunities with blue and red runs inter-linking the whole area with wide open runs and tree-lined pistes. You can ski a different region of the Portes du Soleil each day for a week, and still you will not have skied the whole area. Sit down with Darren or one of our staff one night and they will show you where to ski the famous Portes du Soleil circuit. A round trip of over 80kms in which you ski through thirteen resorts in both France and Switzerland all in one day.
Advanced
With a multitude of mogul fields, powder bowls and steep black pistes, which include the infamous “Wall” and an abundance of off-piste areas, even the most advanced skier would be hard pushed not to be impressed! We are able to direct you to some wonderful off-piste areas like the “Vallee de la Manche” and some hidden valleys that are, well, let’s just say well-hidden! The Portes du Soleil has been our playground since 1997 and even now we are still discovering new off-piste routes and lines that we never knew existed.
Snowboarding
Welcome to the Snowboard capital of Europe! Les Portes du Soleil has eight dedicated snowboard parks, three half-pipes and 6 boarder-x courses, not to mention vast amounts of off-piste areas and powder couloirs to get the adrenaline pumping in even the most hardcore rider.
Remember that by pre-booking online the prices are 20% less than if you were just to walk into the shop.
If any members of your group have their own kit and would like it serviced before use you can book a service online and AMR will collect it when you arrive and deliver it back fully serviced in time for your first day on the slopes.
Ski Hire
We recommend our Morzine Ski Hire shop, All Mountain Rental, for all your ski and snowboard rental requirements.
Their Equipment is of the highest quality and we have found their service to be excellent. You can check out the equipment on their website All Mountain Rental. You can then reserve it online quickly and easily and they will then deliver it to wherever you are staying when you arrive or you can simply walk to their shop in the centre of Morzine and pick up your ready prepared equipment. The online reservation ensures you get the right equipment put aside for you. They bring spare boots with them to the chalet or apartment or if you’ve got your own boots they will adjust the bindings to fit. This service really does take the hassle out of ski hire. You pay in the resort and they will collect all the kit at the end of your stay. The equipment is always fully serviced, boots are dried and disinfected after each use and the range covers kids helmets through to race skis and randonee equipment. During the reservation process select the Great Escape as the operator and you will then be able to select where you are staying from a list of all our accommodation.
We do not recommend a local area lift pass unless you are a complete beginner, as it restricts you to just the Morzine/Les Gets sector only and some of the best skiing is found in the Avoriaz sector. Also if you opt for the local pass and then try to upgrade this pass for Portes du Soleil for one day then you end up paying for a full area pass on top of the local pass which works out to be much more expensive than just buying a full area pass (Portes du Soleil) to begin with. With the Portes du Soleil pass it is a little bit more but you get to ski the other 75% of the Portes du Soleil. With the local pass you only get to ski 25% of the Portes du Soleil but it is three quarters of the price of the Portes du Soleil full area pass.
Lift Passes
Portes du Soleil Lift Pass Prices 2019/2020
- Adult 6 day = €285
- Child 6 day = €214
- Youth 6 day = €257
- Senior 6 day = €257
- Under 5′s are free
Children classed aged 5 through to 16 years inclusive (compulsory identity card from 12 years onwards)
Youth classed aged 17 to 19 years inclusive
Senior classed aged 65 years and over
There is an additional 3 Euros per person for the hands free card.
Note that lift passes can be booked through us in advance (3 days or more and only Portes du Soleil or Avoriaz passes). No pre-payment is necessary. Payment in resort can be made by credit card and there is no credit card charge. Just pre-book with us and then when you arrive in resort your Portes du Soleil lift pass is waiting for you at your chalet or apartment. No need to go and wait in line in the cold with everyone else!
Ski and Snowboard Schools
Morzine and the Portes du Soleil have a great reputation for being a resort for all levels. From beginners through to expert and freestyle the resort of Morzine and the expansive ski area has something for everyone.
There are a number of ski and snowboard schools available in Morzine and Avoriaz. Through our many years experience we have learnt what works well for one client may not work well for another and so we are here to talk through your requirements and advise on the best possible solutions for you as an individual or your group or your family. We have compiled a list of options available but please feel free to talk through with us any of your requirements in order to make the right decision.
When it comes to booking ski lessons then it is best to initially look at where you will you want to base yourself. Morzine or Avoriaz? We suggest Avoriaz for the majority of guests, as this is where the main bulk of the Portes du Soleil ski area runs from. However, for beginners, families with young children who are beginners and for the much more hesitant skier who knows they will not want to travel through the mountains that much then we would recommend looking at Morzine specific ski schools.
Morzine specific Ski Schools
Easy2Ride - An international ski school with a great reputation and good value. Based on the Pleney slopes in Morzine.
British Ski School Morzine (BASS) - This ski school is based on the Pleney Slopes in Morzine. The British Alpine Ski & Snowboard School, believe in a system of small groups, with intensive and involved teaching sessions – and the maximum level of enjoyment! Adult maximum group size-6 Children maximum group size-8.
ESF Morzine - This ski school is based on the Pleney Slopes in Morzine. The office is directly opposite these slopes. Beginner & Improvers group lessons are cheaper than the British ski schools however as is often the case you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a personal service then it is better to choose one of the smaller independent companies.
The Snow Institute - Offering tailor-made lessons that suit you and your family's needs to get the most from your holiday and your time on the slopes.
Avoriaz specific Ski Schools
Reach Your Peak - A small independent school offering high quality English speaking ski tuition in Avoriaz and Ardent. Their aim is to help you achieve new levels in your performance, be it advancing from the nursery slopes to conquering the bumps. Reach Your Peak is run by Herve Gaillard. He speaks fluent English and is particularly great with those who are more hesitant. Highly recommended. Personal service.
Avoriaz Alpine Ski School - A progressive ski school offering innovative small group lessons, operating from both Ardent & Avoriaz. Maximum group sizes of 8.
ESF Montriond - The French ski school operating from Ardent. Beginner & Improvers group lessons are cheaper than the British ski schools, however they do not seem to have a restriction on children’s class sizes, especially during the high season weeks. Very good value private lessons. They offer a Piou Piou club for little ones.
ESF Avoriaz - Meeting point at the top of the brand new high speed lift from Prodains to Avoriaz. Group and private lessons.
Freedom 2 Ski - A personal and professional team of instructors offering private lessons, small group lessons for children and teenagers and off piste workshops. Operating from both Ardent & Avoriaz. Maximum group sizes of just 6.
Evolution 2 - Award winning ski and adventure school. Great for group and private lessons.
Snowboard Schools –Morzine and Avoriaz
Mint Snowboarding - Private, Group & Kids Snowboard lessons in Morzine and Avoriaz. Children can learn from 2 years of age!
Please contact us for advice & to find out the most appropriate ski school for your chalet location. Please note that we are unable to book lessons for you as the ski schools like to discuss your requirements directly with you.
Note: Children aged under 5 do not require a ski-pass.
Extra Activities
SNOW MOBILES & NIGHT TOBOGANNING
After the day’s skiing and all the lifts have shut, you have the opportunity of returning to the slopes for some nighttime adventure in the form of tobogganing and mastering the art of snowmobiling.
THE VALLEE BLANCHE
One of our more popular excursions we offer is a day trip to Chamonix to ski the fabulous “Vallee Blanche”. A magical off-piste wonderland of towering rock spires, crevasses and ice seracs. Starting from an altitude of just under 4000 metres, you will ski 22km off-piste, finishing on the “Mer de Glace” (Sea of Ice) glacier. An experience not to be missed!nnWe employ a Chamonix mountain guide for the day that will provide all the relevant safety equipment, avalanche transceivers, climbing harnesses, etc.
Minimum requirements: Competent on red runs, an understanding of off-piste skiing with a little experience and a sense of adventure!
SNOW SHOE WALKING
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the pistes with a snowshoe trip into the wilder areas of the Portes du Soleil ski area. Snow shoeing is easy to learn, especially if you enjoy hill walking, and a great way to give your leg muscles a break from the stresses that skiing and snowboarding put them under.
OVERNIGHT IN A MOUNTAIN REFUGE HUT
For those that like something a little different from their holiday, why not stay overnight in a refuge hut in the middle of the mountains on the border of Switzerland (normally booked on the chalet staff night off). Your stay will not only include your evening meal and breakfast, but they also have an in-house bar to while away the silent night. You will have the opportunity to experience some midnight tobogganing when the warden floodlights the piste. The refuge is surrounded by ski runs so you will be the first on those untouched slopes the following morning!