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Introduction
Morzine and Avoriaz are neighbouring, but very different ski resorts in the Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the world's largest ski regions with 650km (407 miles) of mostly lift-linked piste on either side of the French/Swiss border.
Both resorts have grown to international significance, and to relatively large dimensions, with about 20,000 tourist beds each. However they are very different in style and heritage. Morzine is one of the original ski resorts in the Alps, with skiers coming here for more than 80 years. It is located at quite a low altitude but built in a traditional chalet style.
Avoriaz stands 800 vertical metres (2,625ft) above Morzine and celebrated its 40th birthday in 2007. It was purpose built to a futuristic design although using traditional wood and sloping roofs in order to blend in to the surrounding environment. Avoriaz is also France's first and only car-free resort and has recently been emphasising its environmental credentials.
Both resorts have grown to international significance, and to relatively large dimensions, with about 20,000 tourist beds each. However they are very different in style and heritage. Morzine is one of the original ski resorts in the Alps, with skiers coming here for more than 80 years. It is located at quite a low altitude but built in a traditional chalet style.
Avoriaz stands 800 vertical metres (2,625ft) above Morzine and celebrated its 40th birthday in 2007. It was purpose built to a futuristic design although using traditional wood and sloping roofs in order to blend in to the surrounding environment. Avoriaz is also France's first and only car-free resort and has recently been emphasising its environmental credentials.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: Morzine: 1,000m (3,281ft); Avoriaz: 1,800m (5,905ft).
Top elevation: 2,277m (7,470ft).
Base elevation: 1,000m (3,281ft).
Number of lifts: Morzine-Avoriaz: 36; Portes du Soleil: 207.
Number of runs: Morzine-Avoriaz: 47; Portes du Soleil: 286.
Average annual snowfall: 9m (30ft).
Where in the world?
Avoriaz and Morzine are located by the Swiss border in the French Alpine region of Haute Savoie in the southeast of the country.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid December until mid April.
Both resorts are at the heart of the Portes du Soleil which largely lift-links the skiing at 12 mostly traditional villages on either side of the French-Swiss border. The skiing is not quite fully interlinked or it would be more widely acknowledged, as it claims itself to be, as the world's biggest ski area. Its runs total 50km (31 miles) more than the Trois Vallées, popularly regarded as the world's biggest as all its runs are lift-linked, but who's splitting hairs?
Needless to say, with such a huge area there's a vast choice of terrain, with Avoriaz offering the most snowsure slopes and Morzine investing heavily in snowmaking.
The ski area between the two resorts is known as Super Morzine, but those staying in Morzine may instead opt for an area on Mt Ranfolly, shared with another neighbour, Les Gets, whilst from Avoriaz it is easy to head over to the Swiss resorts like Champéry, with brave skiers having the option of taking the infamous Wall black run down (many others descend on the chairlift).
Both resorts are at the heart of the Portes du Soleil which largely lift-links the skiing at 12 mostly traditional villages on either side of the French-Swiss border. The skiing is not quite fully interlinked or it would be more widely acknowledged, as it claims itself to be, as the world's biggest ski area. Its runs total 50km (31 miles) more than the Trois Vallées, popularly regarded as the world's biggest as all its runs are lift-linked, but who's splitting hairs?
Needless to say, with such a huge area there's a vast choice of terrain, with Avoriaz offering the most snowsure slopes and Morzine investing heavily in snowmaking.
The ski area between the two resorts is known as Super Morzine, but those staying in Morzine may instead opt for an area on Mt Ranfolly, shared with another neighbour, Les Gets, whilst from Avoriaz it is easy to head over to the Swiss resorts like Champéry, with brave skiers having the option of taking the infamous Wall black run down (many others descend on the chairlift).
Beyond the slopes
Both resorts have a wide range of activities off the slopes. At Avoriaz there's a cinema, bowling, ice rink and a fitness centre.
Morzine's indoor ice rink stages national league ice hockey matches as well as providing leisure skating. The resort also also has bowling, a games bar and two cinemas.
Outdoors there are sleigh rides, winter hikes, snowshoeing, dog sledding, hang-gliding, helicopter tours, paragliding, snowbiking and snowmobiling. An unusual option is the opportunity to scuba-dive beneath the ice in a frozen lake.
Morzine's indoor ice rink stages national league ice hockey matches as well as providing leisure skating. The resort also also has bowling, a games bar and two cinemas.
Outdoors there are sleigh rides, winter hikes, snowshoeing, dog sledding, hang-gliding, helicopter tours, paragliding, snowbiking and snowmobiling. An unusual option is the opportunity to scuba-dive beneath the ice in a frozen lake.
Family fun
Both resorts are well equipped for families with good nursery provision (both accepting babies from age three months) and a choice of high quality children's ski schools.
Avoriaz has built a particularly strong reputation here with its Village des Enfants (in the centre of the village, between the main horseshoe ring of buildings) which offers a host of activities beyond skiing, including even skijoring for children, where they are towed on skis behind a pony.
Avoriaz has the added attraction of its safe, car-free status, whilst Morzine has the traditional resort charm and wide choice of off-the-slope activities.
Avoriaz has built a particularly strong reputation here with its Village des Enfants (in the centre of the village, between the main horseshoe ring of buildings) which offers a host of activities beyond skiing, including even skijoring for children, where they are towed on skis behind a pony.
Avoriaz has the added attraction of its safe, car-free status, whilst Morzine has the traditional resort charm and wide choice of off-the-slope activities.
Retail therapy
Although there are about 20 shops covering all the basics in Avoriaz, Morzine is much the better destination for shoppers with 100 or so choices, thanks to its status as a long-established market town dating back to well before the arrival of winter sports.
Morzine's wide selection includes stylish boutiques, jewellers and chocolatiers. You also have the option of taking an empty backpack and skiing over to one of the Swiss resorts such as Champéry for Swiss souvenirs.
Morzine's wide selection includes stylish boutiques, jewellers and chocolatiers. You also have the option of taking an empty backpack and skiing over to one of the Swiss resorts such as Champéry for Swiss souvenirs.
Après ski
Both resorts can get lively, perhaps more notable in Avoriaz as French purpose-built resorts are rarely so animated. There are eight bars here including Le Yéti (plateau entrée-station) and Le Shooters (place du Snow).
In Morzine the Action Sport Café (avenue de Joux Plane) has Internet connections and games machines.
The one nightclub in Avoriaz is Le Yak (Centre Commercial Snow) whilst Morzine has Le Laurys (60 route des Udrezants).
In Morzine the Action Sport Café (avenue de Joux Plane) has Internet connections and games machines.
The one nightclub in Avoriaz is Le Yak (Centre Commercial Snow) whilst Morzine has Le Laurys (60 route des Udrezants).
Eating out
Avoriaz has around 20 restaurants, predominantly serving French mountain staples or pizza. However La Table du Marché (Hôtel des Dromonts, place des Dromonts) has set high standards for its innovative gourmet cuisine thanks to the efforts of award-winning owner/chef Christophe Leroy.
Morzine has a slightly bigger dining selection with about 30 eateries including Italian and Indian as well as a wide choice of traditional French establishments. La Grange (chemin de la Couttetaz) has two dining rooms, separating smokers and non smokers. Regional cuisine is served after a welcoming home-made aperitif, the ginger kir royal.
Morzine has a slightly bigger dining selection with about 30 eateries including Italian and Indian as well as a wide choice of traditional French establishments. La Grange (chemin de la Couttetaz) has two dining rooms, separating smokers and non smokers. Regional cuisine is served after a welcoming home-made aperitif, the ginger kir royal.
Getting around
Skis, feet and horse-drawn sleighs are the main way of getting about in Avoriaz. Morzine also has a relatively compact centre but a bus service links the wider area and there are more than a dozen taxi operators. A cable car descends from Avoriaz to a midway point above Morzine which is served by the village bus service.
Splashing out
Take an hour-long ride on board a hot-air balloon. As your route depends to some extent on wind direction the operators cannot guarantee exactly where you'll land but they do promise you'll be collected and returned to resort. Available through Caméléon (website: www.cameleon-organisation.com).
Accommodation
Luxury
Au Coin de FeuBritish-run slopeside luxury chalet with service the priority, offering various rooms including a honeymoon suite with four-poster bed and Jacuzzi.
2740 route des Ardoisières, Les Covagnes, Morzine
Tel: (04) 5074 7521.
Website: www.chillipowder.com
Moderate
Hôtel des DromontsThe original Avoriaz hotel, now refurbished and complete with a gourmet restaurant, graded 3-star.
place des Dromonts, Avoriaz
Tel: (04) 5074 0811.
Website: www.christophe-leroy.com
Budget
Hotel L'Ours BlancSunny location, 500m (1,600ft) from the Super Morzine cable car and the Parc des Sports Centre. A pleasant little hotel with a family atmosphere.
Les Bois Venants, Morzine
Tel: (04) 5079 0402.
Website: www.oursblanc-morzine.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Geneva (GVA).
Distance to resort: 90km (56 miles) to Morzine; 105km (65 miles) to Avoriaz.
Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes to Morzine; 1 hour 30 minutes to Avoriaz.
Nearest railway stations: Cluses; Thonon-Les-Bains.
Distance to resort: 30km to Morzine; 45km to Avoriaz (from either station).
Driving time: 40 minutes to Morzine; 1 hour to Avoriaz (from either station).
Distance to resort: 90km (56 miles) to Morzine; 105km (65 miles) to Avoriaz.
Driving time: 1 hour 10 minutes to Morzine; 1 hour 30 minutes to Avoriaz.
Nearest railway stations: Cluses; Thonon-Les-Bains.
Distance to resort: 30km to Morzine; 45km to Avoriaz (from either station).
Driving time: 40 minutes to Morzine; 1 hour to Avoriaz (from either station).
Website
This resort is good for...
Snowboarders, Intermediates, Après ski, Environmental awareness, Beginners, Non-skiers, Experts, Families, Snow reliability
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