MORZINE, FRANCE
Morzine is a long-established French resort, popular for its easy road access, traditional atmosphere and gentle tree-filled slopes, where children do not get lost and bad weather rarely causes problems. For keen piste-bashers wanting to travel the Portes du Soleil circuit, the main drawback to staying in Morzine is having to take a bus and cable-car or several lifts to get to Avoriaz and the main circuit.
Morzine's local slopes can suffer from poor snow conditions. Such problems can, however, be avoided by taking a car. A little-used gondola awaits at Ardent, a short drive from Morzine; from there, you can tour the circuit clockwise via Châtel, missing out Avoriaz (which is often crowded). If local snow is poor, a car means you have the alternative of visiting nearby Flaine, a resort far better than Avoriaz at coping with crowds looking for snow.
| What's Great | What's Not-So-Great |
| + Part of the vast Portes du Soleil lift network + Larger local piste area than other Portes du Soleil resorts + Good nightlife by French standards + Quite attractive old town - a stark contrast to Avoriaz + One of the easiest drives from the Channel (a car is very useful here) + Few queues locally (but see minus points) | ? Takes a while to get to Avoriaz and main Portes du Soleil circuit ? Bus-ride or long walk to lifts from much of the accommodation ? Low altitude means there is an enduring risk of poor snow, though increased snowmaking has helped - Low altitude or inconvenient nursery slopes ? Not a great resort for experts ? Weekend crowds
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