2026-03-04
Morzine in winter: skiing, activities and resort life
What to do in Morzine in winter? Skiing the Portes du Soleil, dog sledding, night sledging, a frozen lake, Rock the Pistes and village nightlife: everything that makes Morzine a resort worth experiencing, well beyond the slopes.
Winter in Morzine is much more than a ski holiday. This traditional Savoyard village of 3,000 year-round residents, connected to the Portes du Soleil and its 600 km of slopes between France and Switzerland, offers one of the most complete winter experiences in the Alps. BARNES Portes du Soleil, now present in both Les Gets and Morzine, takes you through what makes the resort so vibrant once the snow has fallen.
The Portes du Soleil ski area
From the centre of the village, two gondolas open access to the entire domain. Le Pléney serves the Morzine-Les Gets sector and its 120 km of runs. Super Morzine leads directly to Avoriaz, the gateway to the international Portes du Soleil: 12 interconnected resorts between France and Switzerland, 200 ski lifts, a highest point at 2,260 m at the Pointes de Mossettes.
Snow coverage is one of the area’s strongest assets. The microclimate influenced by Mont Blanc delivers an average of over 7 metres of cumulative annual snowfall. The domain is equipped with 750 snow cannons and around 100 groomers.
What to do in Morzine beyond skiing?
Winter in Morzine extends well beyond the slopes. The village and its surroundings offer a wide range of activities for all profiles, from families to thrill-seekers. For a full overview, see also our selection of winter activities in the Portes du Soleil.
Ice rink, swimming pool and ice hockey
The Parc des Dérèches, right in the heart of the village, brings together a range of activities: a 56 x 26 m indoor ice rink, an outdoor rink on the Place du Baraty (with bumper cars on ice), an aquatic centre with 8 pools, an indoor climbing wall, and an equestrian centre along the Dranse river. It is also home to the Pingouins de Morzine, the local ice hockey team whose matches have become a fixture of the season.
Ski joëring and dog sledding
Ski joëring (being pulled on skis by a horse) can be enjoyed from the Parc des Dérèches in Morzine or the Col de Joux Verte, accessible from Avoriaz via the Super Morzine gondola. For dog sledding, Inuit Experiences (by La Patte Nordic) offers outings from Les Gets (Mont Caly) and Avoriaz (Col de Joux Verte), where each participant drives their own team of three dogs.
Night sledging on Le Pléney
Night sledging on the Pléney B run offers a 5 km descent through the darkness, with helmet and headlamp provided. Open to ages 12 and up (8 and up when accompanied by an adult), it rounds off the evening options and is one of the resort’s most popular winter activities.
Outings, events and village life
Beyond outdoor activities, Morzine in winter stands out for its village atmosphere, seasonal events and evening entertainment.
Lac de Montriond in winter
A few minutes from Morzine (a free shuttle connects the village to the lake during the season), Lac de Montriond freezes over completely in winter. The landscape is striking: a vast white expanse framed by vertical cliffs. Activities include cross-country skiing (free, from the lake to the hamlet of Ardent), snowshoeing, and even ice diving with certified instructors. Torchlit night walks around the frozen lake, followed by mulled wine, are a seasonal ritual.
Rock the Pistes
Every year in March, the Rock the Pistes festival turns the Portes du Soleil into an open-air concert venue. For a full week, dozens of concerts take place on temporary stages set up on the slopes, between 1,500 and 1,800 m altitude. Access is included with the ski pass. Find all the details in our dedicated article.
WOODY: a new kind of après-ski
For evenings off the slopes, WOODY opened between Morzine and Saint-Jean-d’Aulps (Route des Grandes Alpes). The venue combines bowling, laser tag, karaoke, darts, axe throwing, arcade games, a bar and restaurant, with live sport broadcasts. A solid après-ski option, particularly on bad weather days.
Experience winter in Morzine with BARNES
BARNES has opened its new agency in Morzine, at 185 rue du Bourg, to support property projects as close to the ground as possible. The team knows every neighbourhood, every micro-market, every building in the resort.
For a tailor-made stay, BARNES offers a selection of seasonal rentals in Morzine: premium chalets and apartments, close to the centre or at the foot of the slopes. For those who decide to settle permanently, BARNES also supports buying projects, with a selection of exceptional properties for sale in Morzine.
