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There are some very well-considered and constantly evolving plans to develop the mountain areas of both Morzine and Les Gets in the coming years. The focus is on improving access to the mountains throughout the seasons, lessening the dependance on the winter season and varying snow conditions. We can expect our mountains to look more like leisure areas, rather than simply ski resorts, in the decades to come.
We’ve previously presented these plans in our magazine, on our social media channels and within our weekly Source_Files mailer and in this post we’ll round up everything we currently know about the planned future developments in Morzine and Les Gets.
Morzine
A brief background; Morzine’s mountain area (by this we mean the pistes and ski lift infrastructure) has been operated by a private company since its creation in 1934. Every 25 years the contract to manage the mountain area comes up for tender and this practise is replicated in ski resorts across the Alps. Large, public companies such as the Companie des Alpes (operators of resorts such as Tignes, La Plagne and Meribel) can bid to take over the management of a mountain area, alongside smaller, locally-owned companies. Ultimately, it’s up to the town hall in each mountain village to determine the most successful bid. A private, locally-owned company called S.A. Pleney have operated the mountain area in Morzine since 1999 and the contract expired in 2024. After (we can imagine) much wrangling, a new company named Domaine de Loisirs de Morzine (DLMorzine) was formed to take over the management of Morzine’s mountain area, just in time for the Winter 24/25 season. Comprised of the old operating company plus new partners, including Sofival, owners of the Avoriaz lift operator SERMA, DLMorzine were given permission to operate the mountain area for the next 25 years.
Explaining the decision to award the contract to DLMorzine, Morzine’s Mayor Jean-François Berger stated that this investment is necessary…
“So that Morzine is no longer dependent on skiing”
€115 million over the next 25 years
This was the big headline when the new contract was announced. DLMorzine have committed to spending €115 million on development projects within the Morzine mountain area during the contract term with a focus on four seasons tourism. It’s expected that the majority of this money will be spent in the next 8-10 years to future-proof the resort. Projects in the pipeline include:
– The Nyon Express – A brand new telecabine connecting the centre of Morzine (next to the Hotel la Clef des Champs) with the Nyon Plateau in time for the Winter 28/29 season. This new route would include a mid station close to the current Fys base station before continuing to the plateau. The objective here is to get skiers higher into the mountains, quicker and it supports some of the excellent developments on Nyon in recent years.
– The replacement or retirement of some older chairlifts is also expected to be part of the plan. When a mountain area removes older ski lift infrastructure, this is a laborious task as the foundations for pylons, etc must be removed.
– An extended Morzine bike park will see new areas of the mountain open up for the summer season. This summer we’ll see the Charniaz Express chairlift open for the first time, giving access to new trails in this area, and easier access into neighbouring Les Gets bike park. Other developments, such as a Skills Bike Park and new beginner-friendly trails will be added to Pleney and we can expect to see more developments in the seasons to come.
– Two giant zip lines (similar to the excellent Fantasticable in Chatel) are also planned, spanning the Nyon plateau and Pleney. The first is expected in time for 2027 and the second in 2031. Combined, these two zip lines are expected to be one of the largest in the world.
– Improving accessibility to the mountains is also a focus. There are plans to introduce a mountain cart experience, using three-wheeled motor-less racing carts and also a Swincar, which is an all-terrain electric vehicle.
– Last but not least, plans are underway to develop a rail-based luge on Pleney, similar to the four-seasons Coaster in Les Gets.
– A final statement of intend within these plans was a commitment to environmental sensitivity – each project will be analysed carefully to ensure it’s need is balanced against sustainability. This is not ‘development at all costs’.
As you might imagine, each of these ambitious projects will require various planning approvals, environmental studies and consultations. If and when progress is announced we’ll share the updates here.
Les Gets
Despite its slightly higher altitude and a good, snowy season during 2024/25, Les Gets is a resort also battling the impacts of climate change and snow scarcity. Here, the mountain area is operated by SoleGets, a locally-owned company that saw off the likes of Tony Parker (yes, the basketball player)’s Infinity Nine Group when tendering for the 25-year contract to operate the ski lifts and pistes.
SoleGets have been very busy planning the future of the Les Gets mountain area and at a public meeting on Monday 14th April they presented their master plan.
€100 million over the next 17 years
At the heart of this development is the town hall’s ‘Programme d’aménagement touristique durable’ (Sustainable Tourisme Development Program), as clarified by deputy mayor Simon Bergoend:
“We’re trying not to make any mistakes. We don’t want to chase pipe dreams or colossal projects”
The presentation was sector-specific, outlining how each area of the Les Gets mountain will be developed and adapted in the face of a warming climate and higher visitor expectations.
– Overall, €75 million will be invested in winter sports infrastructure and water management. A large part of this project will include expanding the existing reservoirs around the ski area once a study has been completed. The objective is to deliver water to fuel snow canons in a resourceful way that doesn’t waste supply. And from next winter, water in the Mouille aux Blés reservoir will be dedicated to village water consumption rather than the production of artificial snow.
– On the Chavannes sector, the focus will be on enhancements for beginner skiers. At some point in the next 17 years the Stade ski lift will be removed, redirecting skiers to the higher altitude points in the estate, whilst the Chavannes chairlift will be updated. Guaranteeing snow coverage into the village while prioritising the ski-in, ski-out nature of the Gentiane piste will be a focus and at the same time the Bruyère piste will be remodelled to preserve both natural and artificial snow coverage. Further priorities will include guaranteeing the links between Les Gets and Morzine.
– The Rosta / Nauchets area of the mountain area is described as the resort’s ‘snow loft’ – even in the worst seasons, skiers will find snow here. Improvements are planned to the Violettes slope, the old Rosta chairlift, in addition to the Grains d’Or chairlift, will both be replaced by one brand new eight-seater with a total investment of €11 million. A reminder that the Rosta chairlift is now 33 years old, making it one of the oldest in the Portes du Soleil. It’ll be replaced by a high-speed alternative, whisking skiers to the top in less than three minutes.
– In the Perrieres sector, investments will be made to ensure skiers can descend on the chairlift in future years, should the snowline retreat quickly.
– Mont Chery is considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Les Gets mountain area, yet few skiers actually visit the area during the winter season. To tempt skiers to cross the village, the existing gondola lift will be replaced using the Grains d’Or lift from over in the Ranfoilly bowl at a cost of €4 million. A new blue run will be created from the summit of Mont Chery in an effort to disperse skiers from the busier sectors.
– €15 million will be invested in summer activities, promises SoleGets – that amount represents 15% of the companies entire annual turnover and they hope to increase this proportion to 20% in the years to come. A leisure area will be developed around the lake on Mont Chery, with walks and activities for families and children encouraged. Trails for people with reduced mobility will also be a focus.
– New mountain bike trails will also be developed on Mont Chery, opening access to the famous World Cup track and the creation of a new blue run.
– An indoor complex in the Perrières area is also planned.
Avoriaz
As the highest resort in the Portes du Soleil, skiers flock to Avoriaz throughout the winter season. The peaks above the village regularly rank as the snowiest in the French Alps. Here, the mountain operating company is SERMA (Société d’Exploitation des Remontées Mécaniques d’Avoriaz, or more commonly, Avoriaz Domaine de Montagne) and their contract ends in 2032. SERMA have already fulfilled the investment obligations of their current contract in Avoriaz, leaving many wondering how any upgrades, replacements or enhancements in the mountain area could be possible before 2032. In collaboration with the town hall of Morzine-Avoriaz, amendments are now being planned and we can expect to see some new projects in the years to come.
It’s important to understand that these proposals are subject to a lot of clearance, validation, feasibility studies and what not.
Improvements to the Plateau Sector
A replacement to the current Plateau chairlift is proposed in order to give beginner skiers, holiday makers and pedestrians quicker and easier access to the pistes and connections above Avoriaz, carrying people in both an upwards and downwards direction. This improved ski lift would also offer a much-needed alternative to the situation at the Tour chairlift, which is currently the only route connecting the Arare and Chavanette sectors to Avoriaz, Lindarets and beyond. The town hall of Morzine-Avoriaz have approved this project in principle, further permissions must be sought but it’s likely that this development could be implemented in the short term.
The Super Morzine
Construction of a large reservoir is already underway on the Super Morzine, the objective of which is to secure snow coverage in this area in the years to come. The town hall of Morzine-Avoriaz asked SERMA to prepare a report on the future life span of the Super Morzine telecabine, which is often regarded as the work horse of the village. Although it came into service in 1987, it remains a reliable connection in the medium term, thanks to effective maintenance projects over the years. Preparatory work is now underway to suggest a replacement for the Super Morzine lift at the start of the new operating contract in 2032.
A New Morzine-Avoriaz Link
Once upon a time there was a plan to build a brand new telecabine connection between the centre of Morzine (at the top of the rue du Bourg) and on to the existing Prodains 3S, giving skiers quicker access to Avoriaz. This project was called EMA (Express Morzine Avoriaz), a tunnel beneath Morzine, connecting the Pleney and the new base station was also part of the plan. For various reasons the project was dismantled but the current municipal council plan to relaunch a discussion on this connection, based on the same route (but without the tunnel). “To prepare for our future, and continue the sustainable development of our region, we believe it is essential to once again consider a direct connection using cable transport between Morzine centre and Avoriaz” states the latest update from the Mairie de Morzine-Avoriaz. The last time this project was proposed there were some very strong opinions on both sides; this time a public consultation will take place and a public vote will be offered; the people of Morzine will decide whether this project goes ahead or not.
