Morzine
Morzine has a huge appeal to a broad spectrum of guests: Families love the convenience of town and perfect learner slopes, Skier's love un-ending choice of pistes of the huge Portes du Soleil, Snowboarders love the snowparks of Avoriaz and tree lined powder runs, Party-ers can't get enough of the Mutzig and apres ski, Weekenders enjoy the short transfer to Geneva and non-skiers love the choice of activities and charming feel of town.
History
Traditionally Morzine's background was in agriculture and slate mining and whilst a lot has changed in the last hundred years the town has not lost any of it's old charm or forgotten it's history. The local slate is evident across many of the town's chalets and unlike many other ski resort's, Morzine has not surrendered to high rise hotels and apartments.
The introduction of the Pleney lift in the 1930's encouraged the first recreational skiers to the area - previously skiing in it's early forms was reserved solely for transport and farming. Once a week a floodlit demonstration of the history of skiing in the area happens on the Pleney slopes and it is well worth a visit (not least for the free vin-chaud).
In the following years new lifts were built on Nyon and Chamossiere to react to the growing interest in Alpine skiing. Then in 1960 the people of Morzine started the major development of Avoriaz into a "Savoyard Colorado", the modern design was heralded a huge success and the notoriety of the area grew. Good relations with nearby Champery and Les Crosets were established and soon the linked ski are of the Portes du Soleil was born.
Town Centre
Walking around the town is a pleasure, with plenty to see: the old streets reveal farm houses untouched for two hundred years next to tasteful contemporary renovations, boutiques and shops stock everything from the latest chic winter-wear to traditional gifts such as wines, cheeses and in our opinion one of the best chocolatiers we've ever seen.
The restuarant's in town offer a diverse selection of local and European cuisine, which on the chalet hosts day off we are happy to recommend and book for you. The local specialities of Raclette (melted local cheese with charcuterie and salad), Pierre Chaud (meat cooked on a hot stone) or good simple steaks have to be tried, especially with some great red wine. However there is a Michelin starred gastronomic venue for something a bit different or fantastic pizza restaurants for a simple and delicious options.
The town is a great place to watch the world go by, with a number of cafe's, wine bars and pubs. If you want something a bit more lively there are a number of bands that play apres ski gigs around town and late night drinks and dancing are well catered in a number of bars if you've still got the stamina after a hard days skiing and chalet dining.
Useful links
Morzine tourist website www.morzine-avoriaz.com
Piste Map www.tgski.co.uk/piste-map.html