Food and drink in Morzine
Given the size of the resort there is not a shortage of cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from. Alpine cheeses are a local produce, so many of the restaurants serve excellent fondue. If you are cheesed out, there are many spots serving grilled meats, burgers and sweet treats.
Le Clin D’Oeil on Rue de Bourg is French right to the core with a mouthwatering menu throughout the season. The owners originated from the South West of France so the cuisine can be described as ‘universal’ French, as opposed to Savoyard. Great for those who can’t visit France without having le canard a l’orange, but the restaurant also serves fondues, raclette and has a great value children’s menu.
La Grange is a hidden gem in Morzine serving delicious Savoyard dishes, including fondue and raclette in a traditional Alpine setting. Their dishes are made with fresh and local produce, with the menus changing depending on the season.
Up on the mountain the restaurants vary in cuisine and style. Changabang in Avoriaz is a great après burgers and beer kind of bar and sits in an easily accessible location opposite the summit station for the Prodains Express cable car. La Paika over towards Les Gets (you can find it on the La Turche blue piste) does famous BBQ dishes which you can enjoy on the sun terrace. However, it is advised that you should book in advance for La Paika because it’s so popular!
Après, bars and nightlife in Morzine
Morzine attracts a young and fun crowd to its après and nightlife scene but it is far from rowdy. If you are looking to sample a local specialty, then be on the lookout for Green Genapi- a liqueur made from Alpine mountain herbs.
Happy Hours Bar sits at the bottom of the Ardents gondola and has a great atmosphere with a multi-level sun terrace that captures the last few rays of the sun at the end of the day.
La Caverne bar in Morzine is one of the most popular in town, open from 4pm until 2am with happy hour, live music and DJs and a great variety of drinks behind the bar.
We wouldn’t be addressing the subject of nightlife in Morzine properly without mentioning Le Paradis. This basement club has an old discotheque charm with its iconic light up dance floor which made it famous amongst skiers and snowboarders in Morzine for years. Located on Route des Udrezants, Le Paradis has been a long-time favourite amongst the residents and guests of Morzine the Portes du Soleil.
Shopping in Morzine
Morzine has one main shopping street called Route de la Plagne which carves a straight line through town and is lined with sports shops, clothing boutiques, fashion, souvenirs, bakeries, delis and more. There is also a pharmacy along this street, and for those staying in self-catered accommodation you will find a Casino mini-supermarket here.
Relaxation and spas in Morzine
The large Parc des Dérêches sports complex in the centre of Morzine has an indoor/ outdoor swimming pool complex as well as a small spa and wellness area. Two dry heat saunas and two wet heat Turkish baths are open all year around along with the pools.
If you are looking for some serious indulgence then head to the Element Ame Energie Spa in Morzine, located on the Route de la Combe. The spa does a variety of different holistic treatments and alternative therapies including aromatherapy, cupping therapy and ‘Reiki’- a deep mindfulness therapy for a variety of different ailments. The spa makes an ideal place to come and unwind at the end of a day of skiing with massages, sports massages and further therapies for tired and aching muscles.
The Hotel Champs Fleuris has an outstanding spa nestled into its basement including a small swimming pool with a pressure fountain, a sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, sensoreil pool and a gym. The spa is free of charge for all guests of the hotel.
Arts, culture and events in Morzine
Morzine sits at the centre of the Portes du Soleil ski area which celebrates the fabulous Rock the Pistes Festival every year in March. With international artists from across the globe coming together in this area, each day of the festival different music acts are set up in a different areas of the extensive ski region. The festival has seen the likes of the British rock band Babyshambles in 2014 and Martin Solveig in 2023, amongst other famous international names.
Christmas in Morzine is definitely a special occasion. Each year there is two weeks of Village Enchanté where there are different festive activities being held in the resort. The festivities continue right into the New Year as well, Morzine comes to life on New Year’s Eve and many hotels offer gala parties, drinks and their own festivities.
Parc des Dérêches
The Parc des Dérêches sits in the centre of Morzine and is a large complex of sports facilities including a leisure centre, squash & tennis courts, a skateboarding park and more (many outdoor features are often closed during the peak ski season however, reopening when the snow thaws at Morzine level in the early spring). There is an indoor and outdoor ice skating rink, indoor swimming pools and a spa, as well as a gym with fitness classes being held. You can pay locally for entry and access to these facilities.
Heli-skiing
Although heli-skiing is not allowed in France, you can be picked up and taken over to Italy or Switzerland. Heli-skiing is a fantastic way of accessing the untouched off-piste and backcountry snow that isn’t easily accessed from the main pistes. Its a great outing for the adrenaline junkies out there. Speak to your Inghams rep in resort if you wish to arrange a helicopter ski excursion.
Snowmobiling
Spend your days on the pistes and then get ready to whizz around the mountain via snowmobile. You can either drive alone, or take a passenger with you. If you are interested in this activity, it can be booked locally via the tourism office.
Paragliding or speedriding
Discover a whole new way of experiencing the mountains, and change your perception of skiing forever. If you are brave enough, paragliding is a relaxed and open way of experiencing the beautiful Portes du Soleil from above. Whereas speedriding, a new activity that mixes parachuting, paragliding and skiing is an activity for the most adventurous of folk. All activites can be booked locally through the tourism office.
Winter walking
There are plenty of trails and routes across the Portes du Soleil ski area for snowshoers to explore, dipping and diving through woods and across rivers into areas where no skier or snowboarder can access.
Tobogganing
For children up to 6 years old, enjoy a secure area dedicated to sledging on the Pleney snow front next to the Mas-Verjus ski lift. Once the slopes close to skiers, you can sled down the 4-kilometer slope for an exhilarating descent down to the village.
Cross country skiing
Morzine offers 5 different cross-country skiing areas: The Manche Valley area, Le Pleney/Chavannes, Super Morzine/ Avoriaz, Montriond Lake. Access to the cross-country routes is free throughout Morzine-Avoriaz unless you plan to use the ski lifts, then you will need a lift pass. Suitable equipment for these activities can be hired and you can arrange an excursion with an ESF instructor through Inghams.
Please note: check with your insurance policy that these kinds of activities are permitted.
