What’s new this winter in Morzine?

Home to exciting activities and old-world charm, the village of Morzine can be found in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area at 1,000 metres altitude. Skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes from 9 December 2022 until 24 April 2023 – fly to Geneva Airport and arrive in Morzine 90 minutes later, or travel by train (the closest station, Cluses, is less than 30 minutes away). As well as 600 km of pistes linked by 209 lifts, guests can try snow shoeing, sledging, caving, winter walking, and even skiing with an eagle.

This winter, discover brand-new chalets, explore the completely renovated kid’s park, relax at a new spa, and make the most of the snowy mountains. Morzine is also leading the way in green practices: having been awarded the prestigious Flocon Vert in 2021, the resort is committed to implementing solid measures to protect the environment and preserve the Alpine landscape with short-and-long-term projects.

Please find some more information about what’s new in Morzine below.

AliKats adds three new chalets to its bespoke collection, and achieves zero food waste
Catered Chalet Riviere (sleeping 10), and self-catered Chalet Alpaga 1 (sleeping 12) and Chalet Alpaga 2 (sleeping 11) will open for skiers and snowboarders in December 2022. Chalet Riviere is in the quiet village of Montriond, a short drive from Morzine, whereas Chalet Alpaga 1 and Chalet Alpaga 2 are situated minutes from the Super Morzine gondola in the thick of the characterful resort. All three chalets have been built using local wood and stone, and feature fantastic living spaces, modern kitchens, spacious bedrooms, elegant bathrooms, welcoming balconies, warming hot tubs, useful ski and boot rooms, speedy Wi-Fi, and plenty of luxurious touches. More importantly, all three chalets will use 100% renewable energy thanks to air source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and electricity from energy from river fed dams. Plus, AliKats achieved zero food waste and was carbon neutral and waste neutral last year – an incredible feat, especially in the Alps!
A week’s stay at Chalet Riviere, during the 2022/2023 ski season, costs from €8,330 total (for 10 people) on a catered basis.
A week’s stay at Chalet Alpaga 1, during the 2022/2023 ski season, costs from €5,500 (for up to 12 people) on a self-catered basis.
A week’s stay at Chalet Alpaga 2, during the 2022/2023 ski season, costs from €6,100 (for up to 11 people) on a self-catered basis,
AliKats (+44 (0)203 514 6012, www.alikats.eu)

The Boutique Chalet Company adds two spectacular chalets to its high-end portfolio
The Boutique Chalet Company is a luxury chalet operator providing tailor-made luxury ski holidays in the French Alps. Ready for the winter season, the company has added catered Chalet Goldilocks (sleeping 10-12) and self-catered Penthouse Mathilde (sleeping nine). Chalet Goldilocks will wow guests with its mesmerising views out of the floor to ceiling windows. Based 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Morzine, it’s ideal for lively nights out and cosy evenings in. Aside from all the usual mod cons, the chalet features a cinema room, cocktail bar, and private garden. Penthouse Mathilde is in the middle of Morzine, just 500 metres from the Super Morzine lift and moments from the resort’s restaurants, bars, and shops. The interior finishes were conceived by the international designers, Laughland Jones, and guests will love the outdoor dining area and hot tub, plus the open plan living, dining, and kitchen area – perfect for socialising after each day on the slopes.
A week’s stay at Chalet Goldilocks, during the 2022/2023 ski season, costs from €7,900 total (for up to 10 adults and two children) on a catered basis.
As week’s stay at Penthouse Mathilde, during the 2022/2023 ski season, costs from €3,300 (for up to nine people) on a self-catered basis.
The Boutique Chalet Company (020 3588 6001, https://theboutiquechalet.com)

Sit back and relax in the new spa at Hotel Neige & Roc
Found between Morzine and Avoriaz, the plush and stylish four-star Hotel Neige & Roc will open a brand-new spa this winter, which will be available to guests and non-guests. The spa will offer bespoke treatments and quality products; expect organic and natural ingredients. Enjoy a day away from the slopes and time at the new spa, including a dip in the outdoor Swedish bath.
Day prices cost from €95 pp.
Guests staying at the hotel can choose from 30 elegant rooms and make the most of an indoor and outdoor pool, a bubbling hot tub, and delicious cuisine.
Hotel Neige & Roc: http://www.neige-roc.com/en/

Wild card: SERMA, the Avoriaz lift company, has a new shelter that will move around the ski touring pistes when needed. Those staying will find a table and benches, plus a solar panel for electricity. The construction can be used for comfort when transitioning, or even a place to spend the night… 

Discover the new recreational ski areas in Morzine
Morzine ski area has invested €200,000 to improve its recreational areas, making them more educational and fun, plus recruited two members of staff to keep them in perfect-working order throughout the ski season. Youngsters will love the giant xylophone, totem poles, arches and more at the Pinguin Park, and the statues of mountain animals, and new information panels and signposts, at the Chemin des Zouzous. Guests new to the sport of skiing or snowboarding can glide down the remodelled beginner slope called La Chouette (meaning owl). Named with Hedwig, from Harry Potter, in mind, guests can also meet Hedwig’s ‘niece’, and other birds of prey, at restaurant Les Aigles du Léman. Thrill seekers will enjoy the bigger snowpark at the top of Raverettes chairlift – new modules, rails and jumps have been added to ramp up the fun. And those after a long descent can head to 1000D – starting from the summit of Nyon, ski or snowboard down 1,000 metres of piste without having to board any lifts…
Morzine: www.ski-morzine.com/HIVER

A greener future for Morzine
The impact of tourism on the environment is a major concern for Morzine and its stakeholders; the town hall and the resort’s businesses are taking tangible action to limit the impact of winter sports on the world.
Well aware of the climate emergency and the immediate need to change tourism habits, the resort was awarded the Flocon Vert in 2021, which recognises destinations that demonstrate commitment to a sustainable development policy. With this accolade, it’s continually working with its public transport systems, creating new pedestrianised areas, improving walking and cycling routes, helping local businesses make better decisions, and reducing the amount of waste created. In this vein, holidaymakers will be happy to know that the Place de l’Office de Tourisme will be entirely pedestrianised this winter.
In addition, the community of Morzine started Montagne Verte in 2019, a non-profit association with a simple mission: develop solutions for the region of Morzine to reduce its environmental impact. Together, they are trying to establish more commercial train lines to the mountains to reduce emissions linked to plane travel and have opened a charity shop selling good quality second hand clothes and gear in the town.
Morzine is also working with Jacques-Olivier Travers on a unique concept – a wildlife park in Nyon solely dedicated to birds of prey (and releasing key species back into the Alps, such as the white-tailed eagle). Guests can race against an eagle on the slopes and watch some inspiring displays of falconry to help fund this fascinating programme.
Back on the slopes, SERMA is working on reducing the impact on the ski area; this winter, the organisation is increasing the renewable energy supply by installing solar panels on Chaux Fleurie chairlift at Lindarets.
And Morzine-Avoriaz has partnered with CLIMSNOW to assess the reliability of snow, changes in temperature and snowmaking reliability, and to quantify the impact of snow management techniques to plan good investments based on projection of the future state of the snowpack.
Finally, Morzine was awarded a star in the Michelin Green Guide earlier this year (June 2022) in recognition of its Flocon Vert label. To gain this star, the village was assessed on its reputation, heritage, beauty, welcome, quality, and more…