The February school holiday are here! So we’ve created a handy list of our favourite must-do activities across Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz. Let the fun begin!
Morzine
FAMILY FUN
Morzine is host to its very own ice hockey team – The Penguins! They play several games a week at the Skoda Arena, including friendlies and league games. For an inexpensive and exciting night out for the whole family get down there and show your support. Go Penguins!
MOUNTAIN FUN
The Pointe du Nyon and Chamossiére offer some epic skiing close to home. With the best panoramic views and a selection of fast red and black descents, Morzine’s two largest skiable peaks are not to be missed. The plateau at the top of the Pleney is also the perfect location for a picnic, and provides amazing views of the one and only Mont Blanc.
FOOD
Heading into its second season, the Bec Jaune Brewery serves up a fine selection of excellent homemade and organic food, as well as their own craft beers. With a great selection for carnivores and herbivores alike, it’s a refreshing change from meat, cheese, potatoes and mass-produced lager.
APRES
Hosting the biggest après party in the Portes du Soleil, Le Tremplin on a Wednesday afternoon is not to be missed. Rock up in your ski gear from 4pm and dance ‘til its dinnertime. Just follow your ears.
NIGHTLIFE
Once you’ve been back to your chalet and stuffed down your nightly wine-fuelled calorie binge, you’re likely to want to head back out into the night. Next-door neighbours The Cavern and Le Tibetan Café offer two very different atmospheres in one easy location. Le Tibetan, with its atmospheric lighting, comfy sofas, world-art and table service offers a sophisticated venue for a mojito or two. The Cavern is the other end of the spectrum. Loud sing-a-long pop classics, disco lights, a large dance floor and a whole lot of fun.
Avoriaz
FAMILY FUN
Everyone agrees that freestyle is a huge part of modern skiing and snowboarding, so what better way to learn those death-defying manoeuvres than as a family? The Burton Riglet Park in Avoriaz offers all the thrills and spills of the larger snowparks but is a fraction of the size and danger. Also check out the Burton Kids Parkway and the Baby Stash, both of which are situated under the brand new Proclou chairlift.
MOUNTAIN FUN
At 2277m, Mossettes is the highest lift-accessed peak in the area. Straddling the French-Swiss border, Mossettes offers great skiing down both sides and stunning views of the Dents Blanches (2759m) and Dents du Midi (3257m) mountains.
The infamous Pas du Chavannete piste, commonly know as the ‘Swiss Wall’ is another must do. Classified as an orange piste (too extreme to be called a black), The Wall presents you with a ‘once you pop you can’t stop’ drop in, followed by a near-vertical kilometre of man-high moguls. Advanced applicants only. The faint hearted or ‘sane’ among your group can take the lift down. There’s absolutely no shame in that whatsoever.
FOOD
The Wild Horse Saloon brings a slice of the Wild West to your alpine holiday and has a great American themed menu; racks of ribs, burgers and steak. This place has the meat you need!
APRES
At the main Avoriaz intersection at the top of the Plateau chairlift, The Yeti is in the perfect place to gather your comrades and relax with a drink after a hard day on the hill. It’s not the craziest of après spots, but with epic views, regular live music and some of the last sunrays to hit the Portes du Soleil, it’s the obvious option for an after ski beverage.
NIGHTLIFE
The Place is open until 2am, with live bands and DJs every day and when ten shots cost you just €15, why wouldn’t you?
Les Gets
FAMILY FUN
The town centre ice rink is a great place to get those little knees warmed up, whilst up on the mountain the amusingly named Grand Cry piste is a dedicated Native American themed kids zone, with mini moguls, a tiny banked slalom and wild animal safari.
MOUNTAIN FUN
Lurking off to the far right of the piste map, Mt Chery may seem to have few runs and fewer lifts. But don’t be fooled, this skier’s paradise misses the heavier traffic of the main resort and offers a fine selection of reds and blacks, plus a nice snowpark which has a good range of kickers and rails for all abilities.
FOOD
Mammas Restaurant & Que Tal Tapas Bar has a double hit of great food options. Situated below Chalet Le Boomerang, the menu is compiled of traditional sit-down tapas dishes, and the restaurant regularly hosts BBQs and hog roasts, as well as having a full fast food take away. Not many places can claim to cater to such a large range of tastes and appetites.
APRES
At Bar Le Après Ski the name says it all. Sitting at the bottom of the main Chavannes piste, Le Après Ski does exactly that: après!
NIGHTLIFE
Igloo chalet club claims to be the oldest discothèque in France and its record collection boasts over 60 years of Euro Pop to back it up. The bar is open until 5am; although we can only recommend you don’t take advantage of the late finish so as not to ruin the following day’s skiing!
