Morzine and Avoriaz are two neighbouring ski resorts in Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the world’s largest ski regions spread over in France and Switzerland (it has twelve resorts in all). Geographically, these two resorts are located in Haute Savoie region in southeastern France, close to the Swiss border.

History:

Avoriaz is located in the heart of Portes du Soleil (a region in the Alps). Avoriaz is located at altitude above Morzine, one of the skiing towns that had got its first lifts in the early 1930s. It was around 1965 when former French downhill Olympic champion Jean Vuarnet was given the task of developing the skiing of Morzine and he came up with the plan of setting up a new skiing area on the north of the Hauts Fort mountain and the Fornet-bowl. Lift connections were later set up to connect east and south, creating in the process a vast linked skiing area.

Skiing at Morzine-Avoriaz:

While Avoriaz offers snowsure slopes (thanks to its higher location), Morzine invests more in snowmaking. The skiing area between the two resorts is called Super Morzine. Those staying in Morzine can opt for Le Pleney/Les Chavannes while those from Avoriaz can ski at the Swiss resort of Champéry. The skiing season season in these resorts continues from mid December until mid April.

Other activities:

• Trekking, golf, mountain biking are popular summer activities at Avoriaz (it is a car-free zone)
• Movie watching, bowling, ice rink, fitness centre
• At Morzine, the popular indoor activities include, beside movie watching and bowling: National League ice hockey and leisure skating.
• Sleigh rides, winter hikes, snowshoeing, dog sledding, helicopter tours, hang-gliding, paragliding, snowbiking and snowmobiling.
• Scuba-dive beneath the ice in frozen lake
• Child care:
  Nurseries to cater to babies from three months onwards. There are also children’s ski schools. Village des Enfants at Avoriaz which offers skijoring activities for children (towed on skis behind a pony).
• Shopping:
  Morzine has traditionally been a reputed market town and even today, it is a more popular shopping destination than Avoriaz offering stylish boutiques, jewellers and chocolatiers.
• Hot-air balloon ride (destination depends largely on wind direction) (contact Caméléon; web site: www.cameleon-organisation.com).
• Après ski:
  Le Yéti, Le Shooters and Le Yak are popular bars/nightclubs at Avoriaz while Le Laurys, Action Sport Café are frontline pubs/nightclubs at
• Eating out:
  Avoriaz has around 20 eateries that serve French mountain food and pizza. La Table du Marché has a high reputation of serving rich and variety dishes. Morzine, on the other hand, is home to around 30 eateries that serve Italian and Indian and traditional French fare. La Grange is a notable outlet.

Morzine-Avoriaz Accommodation:

Morzine has around 50 hotels while Avoriaz has a slight lesser list of options though it is not far back.

• Au Coin de Feu (luxury chalet)
• Hôtel des Dromonts (original Avoriaz Hotel)
• Hotel L’Ours Blanc

Reaching Morzine-Avoriaz:

• By air:
  Geneva is the nearest airport to Morzine-Avoriaz. It is 90 km from the former and 105 km from the latter spot.
• By rail:
  Cluses andThonon-Les-Bains are the nearest railheads to the resort.
• Distance to resort:
  30km to Morzine; 45km to Avoriaz (from either station).

Getting around:

In Avoriaz skis, feet and horse-drawn sleighs are the main modes of transportation while in Morzine, it is the bus and taxi service that constitute the main transportation. A cable car facility is also available.