the magic of the portes du soleil

Morzine is an incredible resort with a huge ski area. The Porte du Soleil has all of the sporting activities, food experiences and stunning surroundings that you should look for in the alps. Sympathetic to families, whilst also offering challenges for those in search of adrenalin fuelled skiing. The cafes, restaurants, wine bars and clubs cater for every crowd. Taxis, child care services, tourist offices, pampering spas and cultural experiences make sure you have everything you could need. We are utterly biased but completely in love with Morzine. Speak to our concierge team or our in resort staff to help you make the most of this fabulous ski resort.

Morzine History

Traditionally Morzine’s background was in agriculture and slate mining and whilst a lot has changed in the last hundred years the town has not lost any of its old charm or forgotten its history. The local slate is evident across many of the town’s chalets and unlike many other ski resort’s, Morzine has not surrendered to high rise hotels and apartments.

The introduction of the Pleney lift in the 1930’s encouraged the first recreational skiers to the area – previously skiing in its early forms was reserved solely for transport and farming. Once a week a floodlit demonstration of the history of skiing in the area happens on the Pleney slopes and it is well worth a visit (not least for the free vin-chaud).

In the following years, new lifts were built on Nyon and Chamossiere to react to the growing interest in Alpine skiing. Then in 1960 the people of Morzine started the major development of Avoriaz into a “Savoyard Colorado”, the modern design was heralded a huge success and the notoriety of the area grew. Good relations with nearby Champery and Les Crosets were established and soon the linked ski are of the Portes du Soleil was born.