Historians chart the phenomenon of apres-ski back to ancient times in Scandinavia, but more likely, the apres-ski that you know and love was born in Chamonix during the first Winter Olympics in 1924. Competitors would gather for wine and lounge music after their days competing on the slopes. Doesn’t that sound civilised?
But apres-ski is evolving. Whilst opportunities to dance on tables in your ski boots are plentiful across Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz, there’s also a long list of wholesome, family-friendly activities to bridge the gap between your final run of the day and dinner. Here are some of our favourites.
Alta Lumina – An enchanted night walk
One of the most impressive and memorable ways to spend your apres-ski hours, Alta Lumina in Les Gets plunges you into an imaginary world or storytelling, light and music. As darkness falls in the forest above the village, families gather to walk the Alta Lumina trail, discovering the adventures of a travelling music maker who takes flight in a hot air balloon. The story is told through holograms, video projection and original sound effects, creating a magical experience for all ages. Alta Lumina is particularly special during the winter season as the snowfall adds to the experience. Each visit lasts around an hour, the site is easy to a access wit a nearby car park or using the free bus service. You’ll need to book your spaces in advance at altalumina.com
Hockey Club Morzine-Avoriaz – An unmissable night out
It matters not whether you understand the rules of ice hockey, because a night watching our local Penguins team at the impressive Skoda Arena is thrilling from start to finish. Hockey Club Morzine-Avoriaz play in D1 of the French national league and the team includes a long list of superb, home grown talent in addition to star players from Sweden, the USA, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. During the winter season the team host exhibition matches each Wednesday evening for you to enjoy, they also play their competitive league and cup matches every other Saturday evening, usually to a packed out crowd. A night at the hockey is an unmissable winter holiday experience and a fantastic atmosphere is guaranteed. Check the fixtures list and reserve your tickets online at hockey-morzine.com.
AvoKart – Thrills and spills guaranteed
This is the perfect evening entertainment for those of you who still have plenty of energy after a day on the slopes, and it’s not for the faint hearted. As the ski lifts of Avoriaz close for the evening and darkness draws in, you’ll climb aboard a three-wheeled kart equipped with hydraulic breaks. It’s designed to have a very low centre of gravity, giving it excellent handling on snow. After a short briefing at the top of the Prodains telecabine, a 3.2km descent with a 600m elevation drop awaits. You’ll zoom down the closed pistes to Prodains in your group with guaranteed thrills along the way. The minimum age for AvoKart is 18 during the winter season and descents take place between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Book online at skipass-avoriaz.com and don’t forget to wrap up warm!
Luge 4 Saisons – The ultimate adrenaline rush
As the name suggests, this giant rollercoaster through the forest in Les Gets is open all year round, but it offers a particularly thrilling experience during the winter season. Until 7pm each day you can ride the toboggan, which departs from the Perrières sector of the village. Secured into the sledge – either as a pair or alone – a hoist pulls you to the top of a 1,100 metre track with a vertical drop of 104 metres and an average descent gradient of 14.5% at speeds of up to 40km/h. The good news is, you’re in charge of the breaks and it’s easy to control your speed if you’d prefer a more leisurely journey through the forest. Children must be aged three or over, children aged over eight can descent alone. There’s a fantastic snack bar at the Perrières too! For more information head to lesgets.com/en/4-seaons-sled
Walk into the Wilderness – The mountains from a different angle
Early evening is a wonderful time to head into the mountains but it’s important to take an experienced and qualified mountain expert with you. The team at Easy2Ride in Morzine includes a collection of experienced snowshoe and ski-touring guides and they’re available to book for private adventures, off the beaten track, as the sun sets. Spot wildlife trails, see the mountains from a different perspective and enjoy a quiet moment as the stars begin to twinkle. Conclude your adventure with a warm drink and a stunning view before the exhilarating descent back to Morzine. For more information head to morzineski.fr
Aquariaz – Warm up in the tropics
Aquariaz is an all-singing, all-dancing water park at 1800m and it offers one of the most entertaining ways to spend your apres-ski hours. It’s open each day between 1.30pm and 7.30pm and inside you’ll discover water-based play zones for children of all ages, including a lazy river lined with tropical trees, a water splash pad, a climbing wall, an outdoor jacuzzi with breathtaking views of the peaks and the star of the show – the sidewinder – a water half pipe that’s sure to have you screaming. Located in the centre of Avoriaz, Aquariaz is easy to access and there’s a handy gadget on their website so you can anticipate how busy it’s likely to be at any given time. For more details head to avoriaz.com.
