Thursday, December 31, 2020

Why Morzine France should be your next Ski destination

 


         Why Morzine France should be your next Ski destination



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.

Monday, December 28, 2020

The Joys Of Off-Piste Skiing In Morzine

 The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding

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?

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine ski school
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?

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine Ski School
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 joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine Ski Shcool
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

The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding - Avoriaz Alpine Ski School
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.
The joys of off-piste skiing and snowboarding

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Why Do People Go Skiing? – All the answers

 

Why Do People Go Skiing? – All the answers

why do people ski - cord
The question of why do people go skiing? Is a perfectly valid question. If you were to describe the process to someone that has never heard of skiing, it would sound pretty bizarre.
“We go out in the cold, attach planks to our feet, sit on a chair suspended above the ground that takes us to the top of a mountain. Then we do our best to slide down the mountain as fast as we can so we can get to the bar”.
Of course, there is more to it than that, but in a nutshell it is amazingly great fun! In this post I am going to go through all the reasons why we travel the world to slide around on snow. If you are a skier or snowboarder, you will understand what I am getting at. But, if you have never tried it, I hope that I will inspire you to give it a try, it is potentially life changing.

The Thrill

why do people ski - Miles







Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will experience the thrill of sliding on snow. Beginners will love the feeling of achievement when they have managed to make their first turns and complete a whole run successfully.

Saturday, December 19, 2020

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....

Monday, December 14, 2020

Why Morzine France should be your next Ski destination


         Why Morzine France should be your next Ski destination



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.

How Morzine is preparing for your winter holiday in Safety?

 

COVID-19 WINTER INFORMATION

Covid-19 : How Morzine is preparing for your winter holiday in Safety

Here is the latest information updated on our website
Accommodation & Booking
Morzine has a wide range of independent accommodation providers that are working together to agree specific cancellation conditions concerning the sanitary situation. If Morzine and Avoriaz are both closed or transport from your home country is impossible due to Covid-19, you will be refunded in full. More detailed information will be confirmed in mid-September.
Morzine Reservation is available to help you find and organize your stay in Morzine, with a wide range of apartments and hotels all applying this cancellation policy
Mask wearing is currently obligatory in common areas of all accommodation. All areas are regularly disinfected, and hand gel is available. Reinforced cleaning and disinfection protocols using appropriate equipment are in place, along with social distancing measures in any common spaces.
 
Travelling to resort
All minibus and taxi services are enforcing mask wearing during the journey and asking clients to use the provided hand sanitizer before entering the vehicle.
Morzine is one of the closest resorts to drive to from the UK, Holland, Belgium and Northern France. If you prefer not to use public transport you can find details of how to reach us by car on our travel page.
A lift system to feel safe
The Portes du Soleil ski area is partially open from the 11th of December, and fully open from the 18th.
New procedures were put into place across the Portes du Soleil this summer to ensure the safety of everyone. The lift companies implemented all health and safety measures specified by the government. The national operating body for ski areas will announce national guidelines this autumn, but we can expect to see similar measures for the winter. Currently the Portes du Soleil lift operators are not planning to reduce numbers on the lifts, but keep 100% of capacity this winter. Please check the latest news before travelling as restrictions could come into place if governments change the current rules.
 
Current planed safety measures on the Morzine-Les Gets ski area are as follows:
  • Wearing a mask is compulsory in the waiting areas, at boarding and on the ski lifts.
  • No limitation on the number of visitors to the ski area has been set to date.
  • Cancellation and total reimbursement of ski passes not used without proof*.
  • Cancellation and refund of Morzine-Les Gets season pass until the opening of the ski area (12 December).
  • You are encouraged to buy online to beat the queues and avoid contact with people –> Bonus: ski passes are cheaper on line 
  • Observe social distancing when queuing (ground markings in the waiting areas at the checkout).
  • Hand sanitizer will be available at checkouts and at the entrance to ski lifts.

Ski Schools
There is currently no planned limit on the number of skiers in group lessons, but masks need to be worn at the beginning of the lesson by everyone over the age of 11. In the booking offices and all interior spaces, mask wearing is obligatory, hand gel is available and all surfaces are regularly disinfected. All material used is also disinfected between each use.
Material hire
You will need to wear a mask in the shops, and hand gel is available. All material is disinfected between each rental.
Restaurants & bars
Restaurants will continue to follow government guidelines. Mask wearing is compulsory when not seated at your table, and seating has been arranged to ensure distancing of at least 1 meter between different groups. Hand sanitizer is available, and frequent cleaning and disinfection is carried out.
Free bus services
The buses will be operational but with special safety measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
Tourist Office Opening hours
The Morzine-Avoriaz Tourist Office is open Monday-Saturday in the autumn, and will open all day every day during the season. Access will be controlled with distancing measures, one-way circulation and marking on the floor. Sanitizer gel is available at the entrance...

 


Friday, December 11, 2020

Family Ski Holidays: The Ultimate Guide

 

Family ski holidays are great fun, but with a little planning and guidance, the experience can be made even better. In this blog we are going to give you loads of top tips and we will be covering the following topics to help you make your next family ski holiday one to remember:

Choosing The Right Ski Resort
When to Go on a Family Ski Holiday
Choosing Accommodation
Advice on Group Holidays
Skiing Holidays With Babies and Toddlers
Skiing Holidays With Young Children
Skiing Holidays With Teenagers
Kids Ski Lessons
Top Tips for Family Ski Holidays
Why Morzine Is Great For Family Ski Holidays

Choosing The Right Resort

Getting There

Sitting on a transfer bus with tired kids for a few hours can be pretty traumatic for everyone involved. Therefore, choose a resort that is less than two hours from from the airport. There are a few benefits of doing this:

– It is much more convenient
– You don’t start your holiday super tired
– There is less chance of being caught out by snow on the roads

Beginner Friendly Resorts       READ ON

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

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

Thursday, December 3, 2020

The Portes du Soleil App – 650k of pistes in the palm of your hand


 


As we all know, there are two types of phone app in the world – those that look pretty and seem like a great download at the time before becoming pointless and occupying vital space on your device, and those that are a damn good idea, full stop. The official Portes du Soleil app for iOS and android is the latter and there are some really handy updates for this winter season.  READ ON...

Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz

  Partying Hard In Morzine and Avoriaz ...