Winter in Morzine
Since its first ski lift opened in 1934, Morzine has retained its original Haute Savoie character, giving the town an authentic historical feel with all the convenience of a modern day resort with cool bars, trendy shops and fabulous restaurants.
Summer activities in Morzine
Deep in a little valley whose boundaries stretch as far as the Swiss frontier, Morzine is a village which is keen to preserve its gentle pace of life and authentic Savoyard charm. Right in the heart of the Portes du Soleil area, linked to Avoriaz, it is an ideal point from which to set out and discover a wealth of possibilities throughout all seasons for all ages.
Morzine started the commercial exploitation of slate back from 1734, however slate was then extracted from the cliff face, which dominates the valley of Prodains, as far back as the 15th century and is used as roof covering for the chalets and lofts. Since then, machinery and mining techniques have remained practically unchanged; yet five mines are still open today, supplying high quality materials for roof covering, tiling and souvenirs. Weekly guided tours are offered, to explain the history of each process and demonstrate the techniques used in working with slate which is well worth a visit.
Morzine has the appearance of a village from another time: wooden facades, carved balconies and slate-covered roofs, offerering all that you would expect from a bustling modern lively resort while holding onto the charm and hospitality of the traditional Savoyard village. Morzine offers the perfect combination of relaxation and gentle sightseeing with the excitement of thrilling activities. Try hiking, mountain biking and horse riding through the stunning scenery, relax amongst the flora and fauna, birds and mammals. Appreciate the historic villages, colourful street markets, friendly people, local culture and history on offer and surrounding area whilst fully involving yourself in the Savoie lifestyle.
Morzine has many excellent restaurants offering a wide range of gastronomic experiences from traditional mountain dishes such as fondues, raclettes and pierrades to haute cuisine, pizzas, pastas, fish and steaks. Local fish are trout, perch and the famous Fera du Leman, a fish that is only found in Canada and Lake Geneva. Also offered are the traditional cured meats, sausages, pates, cheeses and terrines. Recommended wines of the region are Montmelian, Pinot de Savoie, Gamay de Savoie and whites such as Seyssel and Crepy.
Morzine has a quaint market on Wednesdays selling fresh local produce, gifts and clothes. There are many specialty shops offering local sausages, cured meats, cheeses and pates not forgetting the patisserie and chocolatiers! Worth a visit is an authentic cheese-making farm, or visit the cheese factory in town. Morzine has a perfect blend of traditional shops selling Savoyard fare, gifts, traditional pottery, wood and slate sculptures which are all hand made locally.
Morzine is the perfect summer destination because there is something for everyone of all ages, activities include:
* Valley Hikes (Morzine has the greatest amount of ski lifts open in the alps during the summer!)
* Mountain Biking (miles of mountain terrain over into Switzerland and beyond!)
* Ice Skating
* Parapenting
* Hot air ballooning
* Gym
* Massage
* Spa
*Yoga
* 13 tennis courts
* Olympic size swimming pool
* Two golf courses
* Adventure park
* Easy access mountain restaurants
* Lake-side walks
* Village heritage walks
* Helicopter rides
* Canyoning
* Festivals and carnivals
* Cheese making demonstration
* Slate mining visit
* Art exhibitions
* Shopping bars and restaurants
* Weekly market
* Day trips Thonon, Annecy, Chamonix and Geneva
* Attractive towns and places of interest within one hours drive
* Public bus available to Thonon
There are many other local historic places to visit in the Portes du Soleil, all within half an hour of Morzine, such as
* The ancient mountain goat village of Les Linderets
* The old abbey ruins at St-Jean-d'Aulps
* The well-preserved abbey at Abondance
* The spectacular Devil's Bridge Gorge
*Museums, chateaux, cheese farms, vineyards and old slate mines
Located just one hour from Geneva airport and with so much to offer, what more could you want from a summer holiday?