Visiting Morzine in summer- it’s not just a winter ski resort
From late June to early September, the popular ski resort of Morzine transforms into a magical summer mountain getaway. Not only is there a packed calendar of events, the scenery at this time of the year is simply breathtaking.
Since Morzine forms a part of the famous Les Portes du Soleil ski area which covers as many as twelve resorts between Lake Geneva in Switzerland and Mont Blanc in France this extremely popular winter ski destination has now become an outdoor summer playground of the Alps. Surely one of your best options for the ultimate Alpine ski holiday.
While the mountain peaks in the background and the wooden chalets in the forefront are the same, the gloves and ski jackets are swapped with sunglasses and shorts and the snow on the pistes is replaced by bright wildflowers in full bloom.
Moreover, you can easily book a luxury hotel by taking advantage of the discounted prices and enjoy a low-budget break even if you are traveling with the whole family and kids in tow. One thing is however assured that there will be plenty to keep everyone occupied in Morzine during the summer.
Walking and hiking
From a short stroll along river Dereches to a longer hike to the Lindarets goat village, there are miles and miles of exceptional walking trails in Morzine to suit all abilities. Moreover, cable cars operate throughout the summer to further increase the walking options.
Opposite the church in Morzine there is another leisurely amble available to Le Renard and further along the river to Nyon Falls. For skiers who have skied in Morzine during winter there will be an added nostalgic feeling of having walked in areas where they have actually skied upon.
The paths have yellow sign posts which tell you where to go, but they indicate time rather than distance which can be a bit confusing at times. There are no shops or cafes along these paths, so it is advisable to carry snacks and a reusable water bottle.
Mountain biking
If there ever was a mountain biking area to experience then the Portes du Soleil region will be the number one choice of bikers hands down. For those who are longing for the adrenaline rush of hurtling down the snow covered slopes in winter, mountain biking affords an equally heady alternative during summers.
You have the option of hiring a bike in Morzine itself or carrying your own,but whatever your choice you must remember the ground in summer is hard and you must have adequate protective gear.
Over a hundred biking trails link Morzine with Chatel, Les Gets and Avoriaz, with slopes graded in colours the same as the pistes. Bikers can use the lifts to carry their bikes up the mountains,and from there choose any trail they wish to cycle down hard.
Swimming
Swimmers will have it good in Morzine during summers being one of the biggest leisure complexes of the Portes du Soleil area. Not only is there a heated Olympic size swimming pool, with smaller areas for children with water slides.
Entry into the swimming area is free with those who hold a Morzine MultiPass but a French law does not permit men to swim without wearing the proper swimming attire, So do not forget to pack your trunks or else head to the vending machine if you want to swim.
There are also a number of options for swimming in the clear water lakes around Morzine, either in Les Gets or Lac de Montriond where there is a small pool area , complete with lifeguard and all.
Morzine activities for kids
There is no dearth of activities for kids in Morzine from bouncy castles to paddling pools and tons of swimming. Also there is a long park which runs along the river that has excellent infrastructure for a riding school and tiny ponies, especially a favorite of the kids.
Toddlers to teens have activities catered to their demands,whether it is ziplining or a trip to the treetops in the adventure park with bridges and three sections reserved for children of all ages.
Apart from all this there is a state park having basketball, tennis and street hockey facilities. For a summer sledge run, children can ride to the top of the La Clusaz chairlift and speed down the two different trails of varying difficulty levels.
Adventure sports in Morzine
Adrenaline seekers will enjoy their summers in Morzine for a number of reasons.First of all there are unlimited adventure sports to be enjoyed and several agencies that can book anything catered to your liking.
You may choose to go whitewater rafting on the Dranse river between May and September or else go caving, canyoning or rock climbing. For the ultimate exhilarating experience, take the Fantasticable, a 3 km long thrill a minute zip line ride across Chatel, which can reach speeds of up to 100 km/ hour.
The more hardy souls who wish to view Morzine from a different perspective,take the parapenting ride from the Pleney cable car and hop off with an instructor and get a recorded video of your antics. Even if you are not good at heights,the mesmerising views will leave you coming back for more.
Around Morzine
Without doubt, the mountains are the mega attraction of Morzine, but beneath these stunning mastiffs there are many other activities for those who fancy something different, like for example, a ruined abbey at St Jean d’Aulps and the museum in les Gets, not to forget the goat village of Les Lindarets where you can watch the milking of the goats and yaks at the end of the day.
But first visit the old town to see Morzine from a different perspective.Cheese lovers can also visit a traditional village fruit farm to gain a first hand knowledge of the art of cheese making and spend some time viewing the cheeses maturing cellars.
Day trips are a perfect way to explore the area around Morzine, especially if there is a car available on hand. Head to the lovely medieval walled village of Yvoire or visit the world famous mineral water factory of Evian.
Beach lovers can take a break on the white sands of Excenevex or the beaches of Anthy-Sur-Leman. There are plenty of grassland beaches dotted with local restaurants which are worth a visit as well.
Finally Morzine itself is home to a large number of events in summer,some which are just for one day and some which are held every week.Activities range from the European Harley Davidson festival to welcome drinks at the tourist office and workshops for children.
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