1 – Transfer time
No fewer than 10 airlines fly directly to Geneva from the UK. Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz are the closest major ski resorts to Geneva, making the transfer time around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Compare that with the three hours (plus!) you’d spend on a transfer to the Three Valleys or Espace Killy and you can see why the area is so popular with families, weekend groups and everyone else too! You’ll be sipping a vin chaud before you know it.
2 – Micro climate & snow record
No, it’s not a myth. Our three resorts sit slap bang between the glacial summit of Mont Blanc and the ginormous water mass of Lake Geneva. It’s a scientifically proven fact that this gives us lots of powder days. Avoriaz may be one of the highest ski resorts in Europe, but Morzine & Les Gets certainly aren’t. However, only a fool should assume that low altitude means poor snow. According to Igluski.com, Les Gets (at 1172m) and Morzine (at 1000m) had a better average snow depth throughout the winter season than Courchevel, Meribel, Courmayeur and Mayrhofen. Our favourite ‘low lying’ resorts don’t do too badly at all.
3 – Price
Here’s an idea. Add up the cost of five key holiday spends during one day of your holiday. Let’s go with your accommodation, equipment rental, lift pass, a meal and a beer. Last winter Trip Advisor compared these same costs in ski resorts across Europe. Using the very same criteria set by Trip Advisor, Morzine would appear 3rd on the list, with a total cost of £120.26 per day. Les Gets would be in 4th place with a total of £133.07 and Avoriaz appeared in 15th place with a total of £190.33. All three resorts were significantly cheaper than the likes of Chamonix (£209.83), Tignes (£289.68) and Val d’Isere (£290.92).
4 – Skiing for all abilities
One of the best things about Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz is the variable terrain. Combined, the three resorts have 14 green or beginner runs including the ‘Premier Glisse’, a dedicated beginners area in Avoriaz, 74 blue runs, 69 red and 23 black, which makes the area suitable for all standards of skier or snowboarder.
5 – Apres
Avoriaz has always had a huge après scene, but once upon a time in Les Gets and Morzine, après consisted of a few tame beers with your ski instructor then home to bed. To say that things have changed would be an understatement. Winter Wednesday nights in Morzine have never been the same since a local DJ started the Basscamp après party at Le Tremplin, right at the bottom of the Pleney piste. The party is huge and unmissable. Le Apres Ski Bar in Les Gets started a similar, terrace shaking party last winter, bringing a whole new après vibe to the resort.
6 – Tradition & Authenticity
Morzine and Les Gets were both farming villages first, and ski resorts second. The charm and character of holidaying in a traditional French mountain village aren’t lost during the winter season either.
7 – Something for all budgets
The three resorts get their fair share of uber-rich and you’ll find chic restaurants and wine bars in each to celebrate a special occasion. At the other end of the scale, all three welcome an increasing population of seasonaires each winter, which means there’s a cheap burger bar or creperie at almost every turn.
8 – Links to Portes du Soleil
It’s arguably the largest ski area in the world with 650km of marked piste spread over two countries, 14 valleys and 400 square miles. The claim is contentious however, when you speak to folk over in the Three Valleys, who like to believe that their 600km of ‘linked’ piste makes them the true world champion. Regardless, Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz offer fantastic links to the rest of the resorts in the Portes du Soleil and the price of a full area lift pass knocks spots off the other large ski areas.
9 – Resort facilities and services
Morzine has a new swimming complex, offering indoor swimming and spa facilities all winter long. Avoriaz has its water theme park, Aquariaz. There’s outdoor ice skating to be enjoyed in all three resorts. And that’s before we mention the huge investment currently being made in new ski lift infrastructure and links between resorts. Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz truly are developing resorts.
10 – Activities for non skiers
To name just a few ideas, folk who don’t ski or snowboard can enjoy snowshoeing, parapenting, night sledging, ice diving, spa treatments, yoga and pilates and a good old boozy lunch on one of the many piste side restaurants that can be accessed on foot.
Get booking…!
