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Morzine for Skiing & Snowboarding
| Ski Areas in Avoriaz & the Portes du Soleil |
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The Portes du Soleil ski area is vast with 650km of piste and offers something for everyone. Comprising 14 resorts over France and Switzerland, the lift system of 209 lifts allows skiers and borders to freely enjoy this winter adventure park.
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| Morzine Ski Area |
Morzine has many runs accessed via the Pleney telecabine and a number of teleseiges; TS de la Crusaz, TS des Mouilles, TS d’Atray and TS des Fys. The runs are an even mix between blues and reds, the latter spanning the intermediate ability levels whereby some would maybe constitute black status if they were not running directly into resort.
The red Piste R, Piste F and Piste A runs above Morzine town are steep but generally wide and are perfect for the advancing intermediate skier/boarder. All can be repeated multiple times using the telesiege d’Atray after initially reaching the Pleney plateau via the telecabine. Piste J is a black run gaining its status as a function of dropping steeply down the mountain adjacent to the lift line. Piste H does likewise but is more frequently pisted, it runs into the Le Stade floodlit red and onward directly into Morzine at the foot of the Pleney Telecabine.
For less experienced skiers/boarders the better options are the blue runs Piste B, Piste C, Piste N which describe a less vertiginous route down the face of the Pleney ultimately emerging at the telecabine of the same name. Although an easier grade these runs still offer entertainment for the more accomplished skier with ample opportunity to carve big fast turns and straight line the flatter sections in a racer tuck.
A little further afield are the large ski areas under the Pointe de Nyon and Chamossiere, the former being the highpoint of the Morzine ski domain at 2012 meters. On a clear day this peak offers views over to the Hauts Forts, the Col du Cou and the ridgeline marking the border with Switzerland. The latter shows off Mount Blanc and the Aiguilles and is a truly spectacular view.
Dropping from the Pointe de Nyon the red Aigle Rouge is initially a steep switchback run reminiscent of an Alpine mountain pass. For the more experienced there is opportunity to short cut the switchbacks via steep off piste drops rejoining the piste and your less experienced friends. This run gives way to the bumpy Aigle noir to the skier’s right or for those wishing to preserve their knees the wide fast Combe red both converging at the bottom of the TS de la Pointe. Alternatively continue on the Chamois red into the trees joining the Lievre blue and follow all the way to the telepherique de Nyon. Rather than access this area via the Pleney and onwards to the Grand Pre ski area and the Troncs telesiege, park at the TPH de Nyon, there is always ample space and the lift accesses the Nyon area directly.
For beginners the Nyon Plateau has a number of wide open blues from the TK du Lavouet which graduate to slightly more demanding blues (they are narrower) leading to the Troncs telesiege; Lievre and Paquerages.
Chamossiere is a smaller area but has a couple of top quality runs from the summit; Creux and Arbis. The former is a un-pisted bump strewn steep drop under the TS Chamossiere lift line. The latter an only slightly less demanding red run, super steep and a little narrow at the top giving way to wider less steep gradients perfect for big super G carves lower down the slope, a little bit of everything in one ski run. The latter returns to the Grand Pre and the TS des Tetes which is the lift accessing the higher Chamossiere area.
On the opposite side of the Morzine valley the Super Morzine telecabine and onwards to the Express Zore ultimately lead on to Avoriaz but in the immediate vicinity sport a number of excellent blue runs namely Zore and Tetras. These two are wide but relatively steep in places, particularly the former and are perfect for advancing beginner/intermediates and those wishing to hone there technique.
Les Gets’s immediate ski area offers two lifts, the Chavannes Express and the telecabine des Chavannes. The latter services the beginner area above the Chavannes offering the wide but not so gentle gradient of Bruyere and the Gentiane. Many more runs are available over in the Chavannes bowl serviced by five lifts; Nauchets Express, TS Mouille au Chat, Ranfoilly Express, TS Rosta and Grains d’Or Express. There are multiple blues, reds and blacks in the bowl offering something for every level of experience and ability. All the runs converge on the lifts at the centre of the bowl making this the perfect area to spend the day, or longer, with a mixed ability group. |
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last updated 18-Dec-2007 |
| Beginner Ski Areas in Morzine |
Morzine is ideal for absolute beginners and advancing beginners alike with a multitude of blues for all tastes.
Ski school is directly out the front of the exit of the Pleney telecabine so you’ll quickly learn the surrounding area during your lessons. The TS du Belvedere takes you from the Pleney to the top of the green run enabling you to work on that snow plow after school. For those graduating to easier blues then there are lots of options; Piste B, Piste C, Piste D all head down to the bottom of the Pleney telecabine but Piste B takes the most leisurely and longest route down the mountain meaning you’ll not encounter any steep sections as you build your confidence. Piste C and Piste G are serviced by the lifts TS des Fys and TS d’Atray respectively and have steeper gradients for advancing beginners to work on their technique.
The Super Morzine telecabine and the adjoining Express Zore service two excellent blue runs; Tetras and Zore. The former has a steadier gradient than the latter; both are long runs perfect for honing that technique.
Over in Les Gets the ski school meets near the foot of the Chavannes telecabine outside the ESF offices adjoining the Maries office. For absolute beginners your lessons will begin here graduating to the little drag lift to take you a little further up the hill once you have cracked that snow plow. Once you have a little more experience then you may meet ski school or practice your homework on the long wide blues from the top of the Chavannes Express. For those building confidence then stick to the Gentiane it is super wide and possible to find a quiet section away from the worry of other riders. Return to the top using the TS de la Croix. If you’re gaining in confidence continue on the Gentiane to the foot of the Chavannes Express for a quick ride back to the top, emerging next to the TS de la Croix to meet up with your less experienced friends. The Bruyere also departing from the top of the Chavannes is for the improving beginner and takes a slightly different trip back to the bottom of the Chavannes Express.
As with Morzine and Les Gets Avoriaz is ideal for beginners with a range of blues from absolute to improving beginner;Proclou, Seraussaix, Qu’mont, Gernes. It also has more demanding blues so don’t get caught out on these if you are still building confidence and skill; Stade d’Arare, Bleue du Lac and Bleue d’Arare. |
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last updated 15-Feb-2008 |
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