What’s so good about Morzine?

   Ongosa have been tapping into their network of local professionals to find out what makes Morzine such a popular family destination over February half-term.

One of their carefully selected and specially recommended ski instructors, Sally from The Snow Institute, gives advice on how to make the most of Morzine and neighbouring resort, Les Gets amongst the masses of British skiers this half term, as well as her personal tips on lunch spots, and where to ski when.



What’s so good about learning to ski in Morzine?
“There’s a great beginner area, at the top of The Pleney, for everyone who can access it via the Pleney Telecabine in the centre of town. This means that everyone gets to experience the mountain as most ski lessons begin there. There’s a new magic carpet with a nice beginner green nursery slope to learn on too. You’ve also got the penguin run which is great; it has tunnels, obstacles and jumps for kids to enjoy. Then you can ski through the Chemin des Zou Zous route which is great for kids. It has a flat winding road which travels through the trees all the way down to the bottom on the mountain with animals to be seen along the way.

What makes Morzine so popular at half-term?
“Morzine is very much a family-friendly resort. On the slopes there is a lot of cool runs for kids. Off the slopes, there are lots of activities that kids who don’t ski can enjoy. Morzine’s tourist office really make an effort throughout the season, hosting events, theatre shows, and activities in the centre of town for children to get involved in. The result is the resort has a warm, lovely feel to it, with a great mixture of ski terrain for the whole family to enjoy.

READ ON....

7 Excuses to Visit Les Portes du Soleil

 STORY BY Megan Hughes 

A hugely popular ski area, Les Portes du Soleil is one of the top destinations in the Alps. Here at InTheSnow.com we are giving you a rundown of 7 reasons why you NEED to visit Les Portes due Soleil this year.

1. Size Matters

With over 650km of marked piste and 196 lifts, Les Portes du Soleil is one of the largest ski areas in the world. It boasts over 300 runs, 2/3 of which are either red or blue, meaning that skiers of every level will be able to enjoy themselves with an abundance of runs to ensure good variety throughout your visit. Due to the immense size of the ski area, there are good pre-marked trails and circuits that are often popular with holidaymakers due to the ease that comes with their being well signed. If you prefer to make your own routes however, this is simple too thanks to a free app that creates and plans routes based on your ability level and preferences.

You could spend a whole season there and never get bored, so whether you’re thinking of heading off for a week’s holiday or working a winter season, Les Portes du Soleil will provide you more than enough pistes to play with.

2. Superb Snow Parks....READ ON

 

         Why Morzine France should be your next Ski destination

By melbtravel

When asked what my favourite ski resorts are around the world, Morzine France is always in my top 5. It is a resort that suits all types of groups from family ski holidays to a bunch of friends flying in for a weekend. It offers a wide range of activities on and off the slopes and also has a large selection of restaurants and pubs to cater for your needs. Not to mention it is part of one the biggest ski areas in the world, Portes de Soleil, with over 650kms of runs and is only around an hour and a half from Geneva airport. Because of this, it is fast becoming incredibly popular with British skiers/snowboarders.

Out of the 12 resorts that make up the Portes du Soleil ski area, Morzine is the largest and probably the most convenient in regards to resort hopping. It is one of the reasons why I have been here on several occasions during the ski season. It is also the only resort, where I have ever experienced extreme weather conditions from -26 with arctic winds to thunder and lighting while skiing.

READ ON...

The Joys Of Off-Piste Skiing In Morzine

  

Words and photos  from Avoriaz Alpine Ski School.

Les Portes du Soleil ski area is one of the biggest linked networks in the world.  With more than 650 km of marked pistes and about 200 lifts in total, spread over 14 valleys and about 1,036 square kilometres (400 sq mi), this Alpine wonderland is an absolute paradise for skiers and snowboarders.

But There Is So Much More

What I described above is just the groomed pistes and lifts. These cover only a small percentage of the terrain you can ride. Once you start exploring the off-piste, you encounter a lifetimes’ worth of adventure and good skiing and snowboarding.

Why is the Portes Du Soleil so good for off piste?

Les Portes du Soleil sits at the northwest corner of the Alps. The prevailing direction of incoming storms is from the northwest, so our local ski area is the first major set of mountains the storms will hit. This creates a microclimate offering more snowfall than other regions of the Alps. One of the best ways to make use of this extra snowfall is to explore the off-piste. The ideal goal is to make the first tracks in untouched powder snow. Whilst this is not always the case, when it does happen, it’s the best feeling ever.

Why go off piste?

Skiing and snowboarding off piste can offer a whole range of snow types and challenges. Using good technique to manage the changing conditions is very rewarding and makes for fantastic memories exploring the mountains.
You can also find more solitude, escaping the traffic of the pistes and experiencing the more wild areas of the mountain. As if stepping back in time, see the mountains as they were sculpted by nature.

What do I need to know?

The backcountry comes with a set of very serious hazards which must be acknowledged and planned for. Cue the fascinating arts of mountain safety and avalanche awareness. Learning about terrain shapes, gradients and aspects, snow pack, the effects of wind and temperature, forecasting, avalanche types, safety equipment and emergency procedures is an enjoyable challenge which must be undertaken to explore off-piste and backcountry environments.
Then there are the joys of Ski Touring and Split boarding. By attaching climbing skins, we can use our skis and snowboards to walk uphill in the snow, allowing us to explore mountains wherever we like. Either tour up to a peak from the top of a lift and access premium snow or explore a completely different mountain or valley, away from the ski area.

Join Us On One Of Our Courses

At the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School, we love skiing and snowboarding off piste and have dedicated much of our lifetimes to exploring and enjoying the Morzine/Avoriaz landscapes, which is why we want to share it with you. In early 2020 we have three courses running designed to get you started in the off-piste.

Why the Portes Du Soleil keeps solo skiers coming back!

 Why the Portes Du Soleil keeps solo skiers coming back!

The solo ski experts at The Ski Gathering tell us what is attracting first-timers and veteran solos to Morzine, Avoriaz and Les Gets.

Across the board, solo travel has grown enormously in recent years, mirroring a general trend in ‘independent’ and socialising hobbies. Today, people use apps and websites to find flatmates, meet gym buddies, arrange car shares… and plan their solo-travel adventures.

This is particularly noticeable with ski holidays, where solo travellers are increasingly making their mark. Some solos prefer to ski alone, enjoying the total freedom of the mountain. But most see it as a social opportunity to meet other skiers or boarders and avoid paying the empty-bed supplement. For the latter group in particular, the Portes du Soleil has become a focal point in the solo travel revolution. Why is that?

It’s Perfect for Mixed-Ability Groups

It’s Day One of your solo ski holiday and you’re heading out with a group of people you’ve never skied with before. Head for the Les Gets Bowl - the perfect starting point for mixed-ability groups. Here, five lifts serve twelve interconnecting pistes of varying levels of difficulty. Perfect if you all want to try out different slopes but still meet for the lift ride back up or a swift vin chaud.

The speed demons can head straight for the steep Tulipe red run off the Ranfoilly lift; the less flamboyant can find their feet on the more slow-and-steady Reine des Pres.

Beginners won’t be left out

Resorts like Les Gets and Morzine are perfect for beginners. Friendly people, great ski schools, plenty of beginner slopes, and an easy(ish) descent back into resort. While you’re having lessons, the rest of the group probably won’t be too far away, so meeting up for a long social lunch is still on the cards.

Find time for yourself

One of the best things about solo travel is having the total freedom to do what you want, when you want. You can opt out of group activities and blaze your own trail any time you like. For an afternoon in your own company, intermediates and advanced skiers should head over to the back of Mont Chery in Les Gets. It’s so quiet over there, you can virtually have the mountain to yourself. Soak up the silence and get away from it all for the afternoon.

Looking for an adventure

Solo travel is all about creating unforgettable experiences, so set your alarm and have a crack at the Portes du Soleil ‘Loop’. A big day even for serious skiers, this will take you around the perimeter of this, the world’s largest ski area. Probably not one for snowboarders or inexperienced skiers, this is a demanding day’s exercise and you’ll probably need a guide who knows the way without consulting a pistemap. But those who finish the Loop will never forget the experience. Or stop bragging about it.

Have a guide show you the backcountry off-piste

If you’re traveling independently but are not joining a group of solo skiers, a week can be a long time to ski in splendid isolation. One way to break this up is to get lessons or a guide. The Portes du Soleil has vast off-piste skiing opportunities which are essentially off-limits without an experienced guide, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Explore the road less travelled while getting a bit of company for a day.

Discover hidden treasures

If you’re skiing with other solos, you will probably soon forget that you ever travelled out on your own: we often say that solo travel holidays are for groups of friends who haven’t met yet. A great way to cement this kind of dynamic is to discover new things together, and the Portes du Soleil has plenty of hidden treasures for you to seek out. One example is ‘Les Lindarets’, better known as The Goat Village. Named after the many goats which fill the village in summer, this magical location could scarcely be more picturesque and is the perfect spot for a lunchtime stop-off. It’s a skier’s heaven.

Those looking for an equivalent hell might head for the Swiss Wall. Only to be attempted by the most experienced mogul skiers, this near-vertical drop marks the entry point into Switzerland. Ski or snowboard down it, or watch in admiration from the chairlift to meet up at the bottom. You’ll need a head for heights either way.

So, if your group can’t make it this year, or your friends just won’t even try skiing this winter, there’s really no excuse for stayi

7 Excuses to Visit Les Portes du Soleil

 STORY BY Megan Hughes 

A hugely popular ski area, Les Portes du Soleil is one of the top destinations in the Alps. Here at InTheSnow.com we are giving you a rundown of 7 reasons why you NEED to visit Les Portes due Soleil this year.

1. Size Matters

With over 650km of marked piste and 196 lifts, Les Portes du Soleil is one of the largest ski areas in the world. It boasts over 300 runs, 2/3 of which are either red or blue, meaning that skiers of every level will be able to enjoy themselves with an abundance of runs to ensure good variety throughout your visit. Due to the immense size of the ski area, there are good pre-marked trails and circuits that are often popular with holidaymakers due to the ease that comes with their being well signed. If you prefer to make your own routes however, this is simple too thanks to a free app that creates and plans routes based on your ability level and preferences.

You could spend a whole season there and never get bored, so whether you’re thinking of heading off for a week’s holiday or working a winter season, Les Portes du Soleil will provide you more than enough pistes to play with.

2. Superb Snow Parks....READ ON

16 Reasons Why Morzine Is the Perfect Winter Holiday Destination for Families

 

It’s always tricky to find the ideal destination for a family ski or snowboard trip. There’s so much information out there and it’s a big responsibility to ensure that the whole family really enjoy their holiday.

This trip needs to be absolutely brilliant… so no pressure!

More Mountain's advice would be to make your search as simple as possible. Compile a wishlist of what you need from your perfect family ski holiday destination. Now look for somewhere that ticks as many of those wishes as possible.

Morzine ticked quite a few wishes for the Telegraph Newspaper. It was given 5 out of 5 for families in their ski resort review of 2016.

What Are the Challenges of Finding a Family Friendly Resort? READ ON...

Driving To Morzine

 Morzine is just over an hour from Geneva airport, but with the uncertainty of air travel, many people will be driving to Morzine. Located in the Northern French Alps, Morzine is one of the closest ski resorts to drive to from the UK.

Driving to Morzine gives you lots of flexibility, but more importantly, it will keep you and your family safer and more isolated than taking the plane. With this in mind, in this post, we are going to go through some practical information about driving to and through France. We will also go into what we and the ferry companies are doing to keep your mind at rest.

Getting To France From The UK

The great news about driving to France is that there is a multitude of options to suit you. Which option you choose will depend on where you are located in the UK, your budget, the ferry or train times, and your personal preference.

Crossing The Channel By Ferry

Hopping on a ferry at Dover and arriving in Calais just 90 minutes later is one of the most popular ways to travel to France from the UK. There are more than 20 ferry crossings per day, allowing you to take your car to France. Once onboard, all you have to do is relax, eat, drink and wait for your arrival to France.

If Dover isn’t the closest south coast port to you, you have other options. You can embark at Portsmouth, Poole, Plymouth, and Newhaven to other French ports like Caen, Dieppe, Dunkerque and, St Malo.

DFDS is one of the main cross channel ferry companies. One of the things that you will be most interested in is how flexible their booking policy is. You can see their up to date Coronavirus Travel News here: Covid-19 Update DFDS    READ ON