Morzine in winter: skiing, activities and resort life

Morzine is not your typical ski resort. A traditional Savoyard village of 3,000 year-round residents, connected to the Portes du Soleil and its 600 km of runs across France and Switzerland, it offers far more than lift access once winter sets in. BARNES Portes du Soleil, now present in both Les Gets and Morzine, walks you through what keeps the resort buzzing all season long.

600 km of slopes between France and Switzerland

Two gondolas leave from the village centre, opening up the entire ski area. Le Pléney connects to the Morzine-Les Gets sector and its 120 km of runs. Super Morzine heads straight to Avoriaz, the gateway to the Portes du Soleil international network: 12 linked resorts straddling France and Switzerland, 200 ski lifts, and a high point of 2,260 m at the Pointes de Mossettes.

Snowfall is one of the area’s greatest strengths. A microclimate shaped by Mont Blanc produces an average of over 7 metres of cumulative snow each year. The ski area also relies on 750 snow cannons and around 100 groomers. The 2025–2026 season runs from 20 December to 6 April for Morzine-Les Gets, and through to 19 April for Avoriaz.

Far more than a ski resort

Winter in Morzine stretches well beyond the slopes. The Parc des Dérèches, right in the centre of the village, packs in a surprising range of activities: a 56 x 26 m covered ice rink, an outdoor rink on the Place du Baraty (complete 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 the home ground of the Pingouins de Morzine, the local ice hockey team whose matches have become a must-attend event each season.

Ski joëring – being towed on skis by a horse – sets off from the Parc des Dérèches or the Col de Joux Verte. Dog sledding is new for winter 2025–2026, with the launch of Inuit Experiences: each participant drives their own team of three dogs. Night sledging down the Pléney B run (a 5 km descent, helmet and headlamp provided, ages 12+) rounds out the after-dark options.

Frozen lake, mountain concerts and village nightlife

Just a few minutes from Morzine, Lac de Montriond freezes over entirely in winter. The setting is dramatic: a vast white surface framed by sheer cliffs. You can cross-country ski for free from the lake to the hamlet of Ardent, snowshoe along the shore, or even try ice diving with certified instructors. Torchlit evening walks around the frozen lake, rounded off with mulled wine, are a time-honoured local tradition.

In March, the Rock the Pistes festival transforms the Portes du Soleil into an open-air concert venue. From 15 to 21 March 2026, over 35 concerts take place on temporary stages set up on the slopes, between 1,500 and 1,800 m altitude. Entry is included in the ski pass. Among the confirmed acts for this 14th edition: Superbus in Morzine on 15 March, Boulevard des Airs in Châtel on the 17th, and Neg’ Marrons in Morgins on the 21st.

For evenings off the mountain, WOODY opened in 2024 on the Route des Grandes Alpes between Morzine and Saint-Jean-d’Aulps. The space brings together bowling, laser tag, karaoke, darts, axe throwing, arcade games, a bar and a restaurant, with live sports on screen. A reliable après-ski option, especially when the weather turns.

Experience winter in Morzine with BARNES

We have opened our new agency in Morzine, at 185 rue du Bourg. Our team is rooted in the resort and knows it inside out, from the village centre to the surrounding hamlets.

For a tailored stay, we offer a curated selection of seasonal rentals in Morzine: high-end chalets and apartments, close to the centre or at the foot of the slopes. And if you’re thinking of settling here for good, our consultants can guide you through the buying process, with a selection of exceptional properties for sale in Morzine.