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Morzine for Skiing & Snowboarding
| Skiing & Boarding in Morzine |
Morzine is perfectly positioned for exploring the vast ski area of the Portes du Soleil. Whether on skis or a board there really is something for everyone, whether it be the cruisey reds and blues of Morzine or the snowparks of Avoriaz.
The Portes du Soleil ski area is enormous with 650km of piste and plenty of off-piste besides. Comprising 14 resorts over France and Switzerland, the lift system of 209 lifts allows skiers to cross borders freely and enjoy this winter adventure park. |
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| Skiing & Boarding in Morzine |
Morzine is perfectly positioned for exploring the vast ski area of the Portes du Soleil. Whether on skis or a board there really is something for everyone, whether it be the cruisey reds and blues of Morzine or the snowparks of Avoriaz.
The Portes du Soleil ski area is enormous with 650km of piste and plenty of off-piste besides. Comprising 14 resorts over France and Switzerland, the lift system of 209 lifts allows skiers to cross borders freely and enjoy this winter adventure park. |
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last updated 14-Oct-2008 |
| Morzine Ski Area |
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Morzine has many runs accessed via the Pléney télécabine and a number of télésièges; TS de la Crusaz, TS des Mouilles, TS d’Atray and TS des Fys. The runs are an even mix between blues and reds, the latter spanning the intermediate ability levels whereby some would maybe constitute black status if they were not running directly into resort.
The red Piste R, Piste F and Piste A runs above Morzine town are steep but generally wide and are perfect for the advancing intermediate skier/boarder. All can be repeated multiple times using the télésiège d’Atray after initially reaching the Pléney plateau via the télécabine. Piste J is a black run gaining its status as a function of dropping steeply down the mountain adjacent to the lift line. Piste H does likewise but is more frequently pisted, it runs into the Le Stade floodlit red and onward directly into Morzine at the foot of the Pléney Télécabine.
... see "Morzine & Portes du Soleil Ski Area" for more
Morzine & Les Gets Piste Map
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last updated 14-Oct-2008 |
| Insider's Guide To Skiing the Portes du Soleil... |
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With such a big ski area to explore, it's sometimes good to have a little bit of inside information… For your pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite runs throughout the Portes du Soleil and suggested some itineries for you to try. There are also sections on where to find the best off piste, where you're most likely to find the quietest pistes, and where to find the nicest mountain restaurants for lunch. Happy exploring! ... see "Where to go in the Portes du Soleil for..." for more |
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last updated 14-Oct-2008 |
| Snowparks in Morzine & the Portes du Soleil |
Morzine and the wider Portes du Soleil has such a wide variety of terrain it is ideal for both skiers and boarders spanning the ability range from absolute beginner to advanced off-piste hero.
Avoriaz was one of the first resorts to welcome snowboarders with open arms and a legacy of this is that the scene is still strong to this day. There are two freestyle parks in Avoriaz; Snowpark de la Chappelle and Snowpark Arare plus, as the name suggests, a rather large half pipe opposite the Prodains telepherique known as the Superpipe.
Snowpark de la Chappelle is located under the Express Proclou lift adjacent to the car park. And right by the horse stables (for dragging the sleds around town) so you get the smell of the country whilst spinning those threes! This is an ideal park to develop your airborne skills as the jumps range from easy green through to fairly advanced blues. They come in rows of three so you get three jumps per run through the park before returning via the TK Chapelle drag lift. Fortunately it’s a rather sedate affair and will not rip your arms off leaving you sprawling on the floor for the amusement of the lift operator and the too cool for school crew in the queue. Keeping with the beginner to advancing intermediate park rat theme the other features are not too fear inducing and give you a chance to develop your skills without a do or die attempt at something way above your ability range. The rails, boxes, A frame and spine are not too far from the ground should it all go horribly wrong. For this reason the park is known as the baby park, despite this there are still plenty of riders performing some top draw moves, if not quite extreme channel standard, impressive none the less.
Snowpark Arare sits above Avoriaz and is accessed via the Express Lac Intretslift and the Bleue du Lac blue run. This is an altogether more serious affair. All the features are big in every way; air, height, speed and most definitely skill. The Red jumps are considerably bigger than the blues in the baby park; it’s quite a step up to clear these and another thing altogether to perform rotations, back flips, rodeos and the like. But that’s what you’ll see plenty of people doing up here. Whatever you do speed is your friend, the landings are perfectly graded, the only problem is if you bottle it and come up short, you’ll definitely get squashed on landing and lose an inch or two in height. The rails too are in another league; there is some drop if you get it wrong and don’t make the landing transition and jumping up onto the feature is a leap of faith the first time. There is also a Bordercross on the Arare area which is suitable for everyone.
The Superpipe is big. We're talking really BIG! Now 120m long (from 100m) and with 6m high walls (previously 3m) it takes some commitment to drop into. But there are plenty of good riders around making it look all too easy getting well clear of the top of the lip and performing tricks and spins to boot. With these latest changes in dimension to The Superpipe, it now means that the resort can host official pipe competitions.
New in January 2008 was "The Stash" - a 100% natural snow playground based on the US concept of the same name. Created in conjunction with Burton, the Avoriaz Stash run is the only one of its kind in Europe and it comprises 3 slopes of varying difficulty, punctuated with hidden wooden obstacles that riders happen upon with each descent. You have to ski or snowboard down the same slope many times to discover all the concealed modules. Suitable for everyone, the 3 slopes join up halfway down at a hidden cabin in the Lindarets forest, and then separate again to continue snaking through the pine trees. The message behind The Stash is one of environmental protection and preservation with the whole area being left unpisted and all the obstacles are made entirely from wood. (Total length = 1300m, vertical drop = 470m).
For kids and beginners, there is also the Trashers Snowpark in the Falaise sector of Avoriaz, with small jumps, slides and obstacles upon which to find your feet. Or you may like to try the "Canyon Slope", a piste that follows the natural terrain of the Pschott Canyon with banked turns, bumps and dips providing great fun for all the family.
The natural terrain in and around Avoriaz is abundant but mainly above the tree line. The Secteur Chavanette is probable the biggest natural fun park around. You can freely scope out the multiple lines as you take the Express du Fornet lift to the top of the ridge line marking the French/Swiss boarder. Natural half pipes, kickers, drop offs are everywhere you look.
Les Crosets offers a big Snowpark in the mold of Snowpark Arare above Avoriaz - more of an advanced affair. The park lies under the TS Les Crosets II out of the centre of Les Crosets and is well worth the visit for some truly big jumps and features. To return home simply get on the TS des Mossettes and you are back in the Linderets valley with only one more lift from making it home to Morzine.
To see more of these snowparks for yourself, click on the link below for an interactive map and helicopter video footage of each area.
Interactive Maps & Video's of the Avoriaz Snowzones
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last updated 14-Oct-2008 |
| Cross Country Skiing (Ski de Fond) |
 | | 'Classic' Style |
Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. There are two different techniques – classic and skating. Classic is the easiest for beginners; you simply place your skis in two parallel groves, push off and glide around the trails. Skating is more energetic and a slightly harder skill to grasp; you push your feet out to either side as though you are ice skating and use your poles simultaneously to gain momentum.
You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics from most ski schools or private instructors. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges! The skis are lighter and slimmer than downhill skis and the boots are much softer and more comfortable.
The tranquility of cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing is perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. It is a great form of aerobic exercise and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes, while the relaxed pace makes it a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings!.
 | | 'Skating' Style |
Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the 90km of cross country (ski du fond) trails that are spread across the Manche Valley, Morzine-Avoriaz, Lake Montriond and Pléney-Chavannes.
ESF Morzine run twice daily cross country ski excursions (including transport) at 9.30am and 12.00pm. |
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last updated 2-Jul-2008 |
| Handiski (Skiing for the Disabled) in Morzine |
Morzine, as are the rest of the Alpine resorts, are improving year on year in their approach to making skiing more accessible to people with disabilities. This year they are offering special rates to disabled skiers:- Half Day - €8
- Full Day - €12
- 6 Days - €60
- Season - €155
This rate also applies to one accompanying person. You may be required to produce a card or certificate proving disability of 80%.
ESF Morzine have specially trained instructors and a range of sit-ski equipment that enables them to teach anyone who is partially sighted, hard of hearing or has learning difficulties or a physical disability in complete safety. They offer private lessons and equipment hire, for more details and enquiries please see here.
For details of which lifts and areas provide the best access please enquire with the Portes du Soleil Lift Company.
For those of you interested in visiting the Portes du Soleil, Sym Concept specialises in organising holidays for people with disabilities. Transport, accommodation, sports and activities are some of the many aspects that they can help you with to make your holiday accessible and enjoyable. You can find their contact details on our Tourist Services listings page.
For more information on the latest developments in snowsports for the disabled please take a look at Disability Snowsport UK. |
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last updated 14-Oct-2008 |
| Equipment & Clothing Guide |
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Have you literally got 'all the gear' but have no idea what to do with it?? Unless you want to look like Posh Spice on the slopes, knowing a bit about your skis/snowboards/bikes/transceivers etc will help you avoid being any old Wannabe... Having the right equipment for your chosen activity will help ensure that you get the best possible introduction to your sport (if you are a beginner), or speed along your learning curve if you are looking to improve. The easier and quicker you learn, the more pleasurable your experience will be! In this section, you will find guides to help you select the most appropriate gear for your sport and ability, as well as some insider knowledge on the "must have" kit for this coming season. ... see "All the Gear But No Idea...?" for more |
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last updated 13-Oct-2008 |
| Skiing Tips & Techniques |
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We have teamed up with one of our top ski school instuctors to produce guides on ski technique. The articles featured here include learning how to carve and how to conquer moguls. To ensure you get the most out of your time on the piste, check out our Ski & Snowboard School Listings and perfect your skills! ... see "Tips and Techniques - Skiing" for more |
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last updated 21-Jan-2008 |
| Snowboarding Tips & Techniques |
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Improve your snowboarding style with our helpful techniques tips section, brought to you courtesy of Keith McIntosh at Alpinelines. It's often the smallest thing that makes all the difference to your riding! ... see "Tips and Techniques - Snowboarding" for more |
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last updated 28-Apr-2008 |
| Lift System & Passes in Morzine |
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With such an extensive lift network in operation both summer and winter, it makes sense that there are a wide range of lift pass options available for the skier or boarder, mountain biker and pedestrian. ... see "Morzine Lift System & Passes" for more |
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last updated 14-Oct-2008 |
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