Morzine

With access to 650 km of slopes, spread across 12 villages in France and Switzerland, the vast Portes du Soleil area offers near-limitless skiing for all levels. Morzine’s local pistes are on both sides of the valley – on one side is terrain shared with Les Gets and topped-off by the Pointe d’Angolon (2080m), while on the other is Super Morzine and the remainder - the greater part, in fact - of the Portes du Soleil. Each option has rapid gondola access.

As you’ll discover, it’s hard to convey on a piste map just how big the combined ski area actually is, although getting around is becoming steadily easier as lifts are upgraded. Skiing from Morzine not only brings rapid access to Les Gets but also to Avoriaz, beyond which lie the respective delights of Les Crosets, Champéry, Champoussin and Morgins in the Swiss sector. Intermediates will have no problem getting over there, while débutantes have enough dedicated facilities closer to home to get them off to a confidence-building start.

Although continuing to develop its skier accommodation, Morzine remains a year-round, working village and a refreshing contrast to higher-altitude purpose-built resorts. The look is unmistakably Savoyard, although with a conspicuously-Anglicised feel, at least in winter. If you’re looking for somewhere Brit-friendly then look no further.

Fresh snowfalls transform the bustling heart of the village into a near-seamless link between the ski areas on each side of the valley. Getting between them doesn’t take long on foot, although getting around the valley floor from less centrally-located accommodation involves shuttle-bus journeys, so check timetables to avoid long waits outside peak times.

Ease of road access and an unstuffy, down-to-earth vibe have brought Morzine a deservedly loyal following among UK-based skiers, who have all that cross-border terrain close at hand, just waiting to be tracked...

A Famille Plus Montagne resort, Morzine provides activities and services for all age groups, plus skiers with a disability. Mixed-ability groups will find variety locally, and there’s some great cruising terrain to help build fitness before you commit to clocking-up real mileage around the Portes du Soleil. Above the sector shared with Les Gets, for example, are steep-and-deep (but generally wide) Red-graded runs, ideal for raising both fitness and technical abilities. There are Blues here as well, for less experienced skiers or those who prefer to take it easier, plus a whole lot more intermediate terrain past Avoriaz and across the Swiss border. For independent travellers, there are lots of accommodation options, the emphasis being on chalets, although there are some very comfortable, welcoming hotels, too.

Snowboarding

Cross-Country Skiing

Handiski...