Resort Guide

We have written this guide to ensure that you get the most out of your winter holiday in Morzine. Our guide contains information on restaurants (on and off the mountain); getting around town; a few bars to visit; the world class snow parks; a few cool local shops and useful telephone numbers.

Featured Activity

Ice Hockey
Morzine has one of the best Ice Hockey teams in the League. Les Penguins play most Wednesdays during the season at the Palais du Sport which is located near the centre of Morzine. Tickets sell out quickly as this is very popular amongst the locals. If you have never seen an Ice Hockey match it is definitely worth watching a game

Restaurants

There are many good restaurants in the Porte du Soleil region. We have put together a short but not definitive list for you to try.

Avoriaz

Changabangs
This is a very popular hangout for snowboarders. The coffee and the chicken wraps are very good. It’s also a very easy place to meet during the day, especially if some of your group are on foot. Getting there: Go down the steps at the top of the Prodains Cable car and walk in the direction of 11 O’Clock for about 20 meters. Easy! +33 (0) 450 740639

Chez Flo
Enjoy a refreshing beer or a glass of rose on the terrace in the sunshine and spot the big air in the half pipe – happy days! The waitresses and waiters provide a friendly and efficent service and the food is consistantly good. This is probably one of the easiest places to meet a large group for lunch. Getting there: Go down the steps at the top of the Prodains Cable car, head to 11 o’clock and walk down the piste for about 40m. Easy! +33 (0) 450 741994

La Reserve
If you are looking for an extra special meal in the evening then La Reserve specialises in rich french cuisine and has a fantastic wine list. Getting there: Head towards La Falaise area of Avoriaz and La Reserve is on the bridge which crosses the piste which heads down towards the Prodains lift. +33 (0) 450 740201

Les Gets

La Rositas
We think that La Rositas provide the best food on the mountain in the Porte du Soleil region – this is a must for at least one lunch. The menu is by far the most extensive so whatever your taste you will find it here. Our choice…hmmm… too difficult as its all great! Getting there: Take the Rosta lift which is at the furthest point in Les Gets. At the top of the lift turn left – ski past the restaurant on the left and literally 20 metres further on, you will find La Rositas on the right.

Les Linderets

Linderets is a great place to meet for lunch as it is easily accessible to blue boarders / skiers and above.

Les Marmottes
This is a cosy restaurant which serves great pizzas, salads and soups…. and wine. We have spent many late afternoons in here – a particular favourite of a friend of ours who insists on visiting Les Marmottes at least three times in the week. Getting there: From the top of the Prodain Telepherique ski down to the Express du Tour chair -> Come off the chair…, and ski down until you come to a junction where amongst others you can make a right hand hair pin turn, follow this around and keep going on the road until it naturally starts to turn down hill -> follow this run all the way in to the Linderets bowl. Ahead on the right you will see a row of restaurants -> Les Marmottes is nestled amongst these.

The Goat Village
Beyond Linderets you will find the Goat Village – this is a very popular area as it has a great choice of restaurants in a very idyllic setting – if you can’t decide, try La Terrasse.

Morzine town centre

La Chamade
Without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Morzine. You will spend about 40 euros per head but it is well worth it. Don’t order individual starters otherwise you will never make it through your main course. All the food is beautifully presented. If you like plain food, this is not for you. Getting there: From the Office du Tourisme walk down the Route de La Plagne – about 30 metres along you will see the wooden animal carvings which surround the restaurant. +33 (0) 450 79 13 91

La Clin d’Oiel
This is a very popular choice with English visitors. The food and service is always good and you don’t have to pay the earth – normally you will run up a bill of about 25 euros per head. Ludo, the headwaiter will always pick you a good bottle of wine. Getting there: Behind the infamous Dixie Bar. +33 (0) 450 790310

L’Etale
The Etale is the busiest restaurant in town and for good reason. The range of food is very extensive and extremely good value. A good choice for meat eaters and pizza lovers.Getting there: In the centre of town next to the Buddha Bar. +33 (0) 450 790929

La Combe a Zorre
This is a very popular restaurant in the centre of Morzine. It is particularly popular with Barry the Jazzman who lunched most days in here – he recommends the Lamb and the oven cooked pizzas. Getting there: Opposite the Office du Tourisme. +33 (0) 450 79 15 06

A few bars to visit

Avoriaz town centre

Globetrotters
This is a cosy, mellow bar good for a beer and a catch up at the end of the days skiing / boarding. Getting there: Take Green 46 on the Avoriaz map – ski until you get near to the bottom of Village Des Enfants (on the right). Globetrotter’s is located on the left near Shooters.

Shooters Bar
Normally very lively with Dutch, Swedish and English party goers. They did have an oompah band but we have only seen the DJ more recently. Normally ends with dancing on the tables. Getting there: Take Green 46 on the Avoriaz map – ski until you get near to the bottom of Village Des Enfants (on the right). Look left and you will see the Shooters sign.

Les Prodain

La Kinkerne
First impressions would probably stop most people entering this typical French Bar but once you enter, you will be sure to return… so do not be deterred by how it looks from the outside. At the end of the day it normally gets busy with local guides and instructors and takes on a lively atmosphere. It is a great bar for enjoying the sunshine and a ‘demi’ of Gold at the end of the day and the staff and owners are always extremely ‘gentil’ and friendly. Getting there:  Take the run (or lift) down to La Prodain -> follow the road for about 30 metres towards Morzine and it can be found on the left.

Morzine

Morzine has a great selection of bars to choose from, here are a few that you should try and visit during your holiday.. if not to have a beer, at least to soak up the local atmosphere.

Bar Robinson
You have got to go to Bar Robinson for a Mutzig – the only beer on sale! This is a small French bar run by two old ladies and a gentleman and is only open until 19:00. It is very popular with the local pro-riders as it is relatively cheap and the beer is strong. When put to the vote it won – “our favourite for an après beer” award!
Dixie Bar
Normally gets lively about 17:30 before the Irish band play. If you want to play pool, watch the football or après to an irish band it is probably the best place.

The Cavern
… gets absolutely rammed most nights of the week – the best night to be in there is Tuesday. It is good for après but we prefer it as an evening venue. The DJ gets the place rocking.

The Buddha Bar
Good for après ski giraffes. A very friendly bar with a cool interior. They have a pool table but by 22:00 it is normally being used as a seat as every bit of space is used up. If you can get a table you won’t have to fight your way to the bar.

The Crepu
A lively bar in the centre of town, great for cocktails, Belgium beer and good tunes.

Snow parks

You will find snow parks in Avoriaz, Les Gets and Les Crosets.

Avoriaz is known worldwide for providing the best parks and pipes in Europe – you will not be disappointed.

The big boys park can be found underneath the TK Arare lift. The kickers in this park are big – the red jumps do not compare to most other resort reds they are a lot bigger so make sure you hit them fast enough to clear. If you are not a confident park rider only enter this park as a spectator. At the bottom of the park is a hut surrounded by deckchairs where the music is always pumping out. This is a cool spot to hang out and watch some of Europe’s best do their stuff.

If you want to hit some green or blue kickers head to the snowzones under the TS Brocheaux lift in Avoriaz or go over to the Les Crosets bowl in Switzerland which has a mixture of blue and red kickers.

The board park over at Les Gets can be found on Mont Chery – they have some easy rails, a spine and a good fun box in addition to some red and black kickers. If you want to practise in a quiet area this is the spot.

Always wear a crash helmet and protective clothing in the board park!

Cool Independent Shops

Avoriaz has lots of good shops but the best snowboarding shops are found in Morzine.  For a small, but good selection of kit in Avoriaz you can try Changabangs.

Changabangs – Avoriaz
Good for snowboard repairs, gloves and hats plus they also stock a good range of Bonfire outerwear.

SlopeStyle – Morzine
Sells the best brands like Forum, AG, Gravis, Burton….. really nice chilled shop with very good staff. JP has been in resort for over 12 years so his riding experience is awesome.

Useful numbers

Tourist Offices
Morzine +33 (0) 450 747272       
Avoriaz +33 (0) 450 740211       

Emergency Services
Ambulance 15
Police 17
Fire Service 18

Morzine Medical Services
Doctor Julian (Opposite Office de Tourisme) +33 (0) 450 75 99 17       
Nurse (route de La Plagne, opposite L’Hotel le Cret) +33 (0) 450 79 10 11       
Pharmacy (Garnaud & Muller rond-point de la Crusaz) +33 (0) 450 74 70 23       
Pharmacy (rue du Bourg) +33 (0) 450 79 00 40       

Avoriaz Medical Services
Medical Centre (Le Pas du Lac) +33 (0) 450 74 05 42
Pharmacy (Village du Festival) +33 (0) 450 74 01 41

Morzine Taxis
The Mountain Bus Company +33 (0) 620 71 98 44       

Avoriaz Taxis
Avoriaz Cabs (24/7)+33 (0) 450 74 01 55       

Ski Schools
Ecole de Glisse+33 (0) 450 74 02 18       
Avoriaz Alpine Ski School +33 (0) 4 50 38 34 91      
Morzine Alpine Ski School +33 (0) 4 50 74 78 59

Getting around Morzine on the FREE bus

Bus A (From Morzine -> Prodains Rtn)

If you end up in Morzine at the end of the day it is very easy to get the bus back. The last bus runs back at 19:30 which you can get from opposite the Office du Tourisme or from the bridge in the old town near the Dixie Bar.
The bus driver will sometimes stop outside Chalet Christophe. If he stops be sure to tip one euro.

Morzine Centre -> Prodains (Bus A)
Depart Tourist Office between 08:30 and 18:00 every 15 minutes
After 18:00 depart 18:45 and 19:30

Prodains -> Morzine Centre (Bus A)
Depart Prodains lift between 08:30 and 18:15 every 15 minutes
After 18:15 depart 18:20, 19:05 and 19:45

Bus X and Bus A (From Nyon -> Prodains)
If you end up at the bottom of the Nyon cable car you will need to get two buses back to Prodains. The first bus will take you to Morzine

Morzine Centre -> Nyon
Depart Tourist Office between 08:20 and 17:30 every 20 minutes

Nyon – Morzine Centre
Depart Nyon lift between 08:30 and 17:40 every 20 minutes

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