Food & local scene
Budget: Mountain hut meals €12-18. Boulangeries for sandwiches.
Local specialties: Tartiflette, raclette, fondue, reblochon, Savoyard wine, génépi.
Destinations
FR
MORZINE & LES GETS
Morzine-Les Gets is the mountain biking capital of Europe in summer and part of the massive Portes du Soleil ski domain (600+ km of pistes across France and Switzerland) in winter.
7
Sports
3,002 ft
Elevation
3,000
Population
Morzine-Les Gets is the mountain biking capital of Europe in summer and part of the massive Portes du Soleil ski domain (600+ km of pistes across France and Switzerland) in winter. The lift-served bike park system (Bikepark Les Gets, Pleney, Super Morzine) is legendary, with trails from beginner flow to UCI Downhill World Cup courses. Winter delivers extensive skiing for all levels. Add rock climbing, paragliding, hiking, canyoning, whitewater rafting, and trail running. A purpose-built mountain adventure town.
7 sports to explore
ADVENTURE SPORTS IN MORZINE & LES GETS
Mountain BikingJun–SepBike parks open mid-Jun. DH, enduro, XC.SkiingDec–AprPortes du Soleil — 600+ km pistes.HikingJun–OctCol de Cou, Lac de Montriond.ParaglidingJun–SepTandem from Pleney, Avoriaz.CanyoningJun–SepCanyon de la Dranse, Nyon.RunningJun–SepUltra Trail du Haut Giffre.Whitewater RaftingMay–JulDranse river.
Leave no trace
TREAD LIGHTLY
- Lift-served biking reduces trail erosion vs.
- illegal trail building.
- Support trail maintenance.
- Use resort shuttles.
From people who've been
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
The details that make a trip to Morzine & Les Gets go smoothly, from our original guide.
Skill levels
Incredible progression — Les Gets green bike trails to Morzine Super Morzine black runs. Ski terrain from beginner (Pleney) to expert (Swiss Wall, Avoriaz). Canyoning from beginner to advanced.
Apps
Portes du Soleil app, Trailforks, Strava, Bergfex.
Year-round
Yes — summer biking, winter skiing. May and Nov are dead zones (lifts closed).
The hit list
TOP SPOTS
The places you can't miss in Morzine & Les Gets, best rated first.
Mountain Biking★ 4.8
Portes du Soleil Biking
intermediate600+ km of marked trails across multiple villages. World's largest lift-accessed bike area.
Mountain Biking★ 4.7
Trail de Nyon Descent
advancedTechnical singletrack with rock gardens and berms. Long descent with exposure.
Mountain Biking★ 4.6
Les Gets Pump Track
beginnerPurpose-built circuit for skill development. Ideal for learning fundamental techniques.
Hiking★ 4.5
Mont de Nyon Hiking
intermediateAlpine meadow ascent with village views. Cable car option for descent.
Climbing★ 4.5
Chablais Climbing
intermediateBolted crags with limestone formations. Mix of single and multi-pitch routes.
Climbing★ 4.5
Bostan Climbing Wall
beginnerOutdoor climbing wall with multiple routes. Training area accessible to beginners.
Mountain Biking★ 4.5
Alpine Lake Cycling Loop
intermediateRoad cycling around pristine mountain lakes. Scenic pass route with few cars.
Plan the trip
GETTING THERE
Transfer: Alpybus, Skiidy Gonzales, BensBus — GVA to Morzine from €25. Car rental: Not essential (resort is self-contained) but useful for exploring Portes du Soleil. Winter tires/chains required Nov–Apr.
Airports
- GVAGeneva80 km · 1.5 hours drive
80 km / 1.5 hours. Primary gateway.
- LYSLyon220 km · 2.5 hours drive
220 km / 2.5 hours.
Field notes
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
What a trip to Morzine & Les Gets costs, what to sort out ahead of time, and how to stay safe.
Permits & reservations
Permits & passes
Multi-Bike Pass (Portes du Soleil) ~€40/day. Ski Portes du Soleil pass ~€58/day.
Entry, health & culture
- Entry & visas
Schengen zone.
- Health
Bike fitness for DH (arms/core). Ski fitness. No altitude issues.
- Local culture
French. English very good (large British expat community — Morzine is basically bilingual).
Stay safe
Bike park
Bike park — full face helmet and armour.
Trails are maintained but…
Trails are maintained but technical sections demand skill.
Cold & snow
Winter avalanche risk in off-piste.
Canyoning through licensed…
Canyoning through licensed operators only.
Honest take
THE GOOD & THE REAL
Why Morzine & Les Gets
2- Ride the Pleney DH World Cup track — descending the same course the pros race, through roots, rocks, jumps, and berms with the French Alps panorama unfolding below. Then beer and tartiflette at Bec Jaune. That's Morzine.
- The lift-served bike park system (Bikepark Les Gets, Pleney, Super Morzine) is legendary, with trails from beginner flow to UCI Downhill World Cup courses.
Know this
2- Bike park weekends Jul–Aug are busy. Midweek much quieter. Ski: Christmas/Feb school weeks.
- Bike park — full face helmet and armour. Trails are maintained but technical sections demand skill. Winter avalanche risk in off-piste. Canyoning through licensed operators only.
By Sport
SEASON BY SPORT
| Sport | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Biking | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Skiing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ |
| Hiking | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — |
| Paragliding | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Canyoning | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Running | — | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — |
| Whitewater Rafting | — | — | — | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | — | — | — | — |
✓
Peak~
Shoulder—
OffPeak — Go now
Jul–Aug (biking), Christmas–Feb (skiing).
Shoulder — Strategic
Fewer crowds. Some lifts open.
Avoid — Skip it
Conditions less favorable for primary activities.
Where to Stay
NEIGHBORHOODS
Morzine Centre
$-$$Village core, lifts, restaurants. Family-friendliness: 9/10.
Les Gets
$-$$Neighbouring village, own bike park, slightly quieter. 9/10 families.
Montriond
$-$$Lake village between Morzine and Avoriaz. 7/10.
Avoriaz
$-$$High altitude, ski-in/ski-out, car-free. 7/10.
On the Ground
LOCAL RESOURCES
storefrontGear Shops
- TwinnerMTB, ski
- DH Bikesfull suspension DH bikes
- Doorstep Skisgear rental
tourGuide Services
- Mint Snowboardingyear-round instruction
- Morzine Mountain AdventuresMTB guiding
- Haute Savoie Aventurecanyoning, paragliding
restaurantFood & Drink
- Bec Jaunecraft brewery + burgers
- Le Coup de CoeurSavoyard
- Hideout Hostelsocial hub
- La Fruitièrecheese dairy restaurant
- Tartifletterestaurant
- Savoyard winerestaurant
- L'IglooLes Gets
Plan it
GO TO MORZINE & LES GETS.
You've got the field notes. Time to put it on the calendar.