What's new in Morzine winter 2018/19

One very interesting new development is the construction in Chatel of a snowfactory by Technoalpin. They use a brand new method of producing artificial snow and they can produce snow at up to zero degrees Celcius, instead of the usual -2 degrees, meaning that even when it is too warm for the traditional snow cannons to operate, Chatel will still have the ability to produce snow.

The process is much more expensive than traditional snow cannons but, as well as being able to produce snow at higher temperatures, they also used significantly less water, meaning that the levels of the reservoirs will be less of an issue. In theory this snow could be transported around the Portes Du Soleil early in the season if there is not enough snow cover elsewhere, for example, the nursery slopes on the Pleney. Hopefully, however, it will not be necessary to produce artificial snow and there will be plenty of real stuff to go around.

As well as the new snow making facilities, there have been a few improvements made to lifts for the coming winter. The very, very slow three person Lechere lift in Lindarets, which was built in 1985, has been replaced with a fast six man chairlift which will provide access to the Mossettes chair which leads over to Switzerland. Over in Switzerland, the Morgins Foilleuse lift has been upgraded to improve the links between the different resorts of the Portes Du Soleil. Both these developments will be of special interest to skiers wishing to attempt the full Portes Du Soleil circuit.

A new Folie Douce bar will be opening on the slopes in Avoriaz this winter. The Folie Douce bars are legendary throughout the Alps for their huge apres ski parties. Skiers will be able to dance the afternoon away before skiing down to the bottom of Prodains and getting the bus back to town.

The proposed redevelopment of the centre of Morzine is still in the planning stages but there has nevertheless been plenty of new developments going on in town in the lead up to winter. Mamma's, Morzine’s most popular takeaway, is now under new ownership and work is continuing to completely revamp the restaurant in time for winter. Expect a new look and new menu when it reopens in December. The Paradis nightclub has been renamed and rebranded this winter. The new bar will be called Laurys and offer a huge selection of cocktails made for you by expert mixologists. It promises to bring a touch of glamour and elegance to Morzine.

The Cottage hotel and bar, located at the bottom of the Pleney lift, is no more. Always popular for apres drinks in winter and post biking beers in summer, it closed its doors for the last time at the end of last winter. It has been completely demolished and new apartments are set to be built on the site. The K-9 cafe, located on the Route De La Plagne, opened towards the end of summer and offers coffee and bacon sandwiches, a selection of English sweets and an expert dog grooming service. If you don’t have a dog of your own to get groomed, you can always pop in and take one of the resident dogs out for a walk.

Huski began to deliver high-quality, ready-made meals to chalets and apartments last year and they've already become the go-to service for many visitors when organising their self-catered Morzine holidays. Much more affordable than a private chef but equally as easy and delicious, Huski's ready meals will now be delivered all over the French Alps.

They've also enlarged their range on offer to include fresh Savoyard-inspired meals made daily at their HQ in Bourg St Maurice, plus new brands, expanding their vegan and free-from options, as well as their choices for kids and babies. The ordering process could not be easier, just choose whatever you want for your ski week online and they'll deliver to your accommodation, ready to be heated up in the oven or the microwave.