Snowboard Morzine

Off the slopes

Morzine is a busy and friendly town that maintains the traditional charm of an alpine village. As a working town not a purpose built resort there are great facilities and lots of activities to keep you entertained whether you need a break from snowboarding or just want to enjoy the surroundings.

Activities

Shopping: Morzine has a variety of shops from the traditional, selling souvenirs and pottery to more modern snowboard specific and clothing shops. Most shops are open until 7pm for a post riding spree if you’re feeling flush.

Restaurants: Morzine has a number of restaurants offering the traditional mountain dishes such as raclette or fondue to pizzas, steaks, curry or even burger bars, there is something to suit taste.

Snowshoeing: Access areas of the mountains unreachable by piste and get fantastic views, whether you don’t want to snowboard or just fancy a change. Equipment hire and guiding is available locally.

Skidooing: This après-ski activity includes transport to Pras-de-Lys only a short drive away, lessons on how to use the machines and is a great experience for any game enough.

Taboggoning: Apres-ski sledging down the Pleney is fun for all and more exhilarating than it sounds.

Ice skating: There is an indoor ice rink in Morzine, perfect for families or with mates on a bad weather day.

Parapente: Fantastic views over Morzine and a great experience as you ride the mountain thermals under a parachute with a qualified instructor.

Hot air ballooning: A once in a lifetime activity and an exciting way to get a birds-eye view of the mountains. (This activity does need to be pre booked)

Gym: If the mountains aren’t enough then there is a well equipped gym in Morzine for those that never tire.

Massage: After a hard day of snowboarding or any other activity you try then book a massage and this mobile service means a trained masseuse will visit you where ever you’re staying.

Walking: There are a number of walks in and around Morzine ranging in length and difficulty whether you fancy a stroll around Lac du Montriond or a village heritage walk.

Sleigh rides: Ride around town in your own horse drawn sleigh complete with bells.

Helicopter rides: Treat yourself an awesome journey around the mountains by chopper. Not many people can say they’ve had the pleasure

Weekly market: Morzine has a lovely market every Wednesday morning selling local produce, fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, gifts and clothes. It is situated at Place de la Poste near Champion supermarket.

Cinema: Morzine has 2 local cinemas that show English films twice a week

Ice hockey: Morzines premier league ice hockey team plays twice a week on Wednesday nights for friendlies and Saturday night for league matches at the Palais du Sport

Day trips: If you fancy exploring further afield then Thonon, Annecy, Chamonix and Geneva are all great places to visit and are within one hours drive from Morzine. Alternatively there are public buses and taxis available.

Services

Babysitting: Child minding services are available in resort for approximately 10€ per hour. Jack Frosts and Powder Babies are British childcare companies which operate in Morzine and offer this service.

Banks: The banks in Morzine are generally open Tuesday to Friday: 09.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00, and Saturday 09.00-12.00. Banque Populaire Savoisienne & Banque Lyonnaise are situated opposite the tourist office on Route de la Plagne. Credit Agricole is in the Place de l’Office du Tourisme. These banks all offer foreign exchange and have cash machines.

Chemists: There are two pharmacies in Morzine one at the top of Rue du Bourg, and one in the Place de l’Eglise by the Marie (town hall). They are generally open from 9am-12 noon and 2-7pm.

Church: The Roman Catholic church in Morzine is in the Place de L’Eglise and normally has services on a Saturday evening and a Sunday morning. Services are lead by the Reverend Alan Dupenloup and the times are available at the church entrance.

Credit cards: Most credit and debit cards are accepted in Morzine but you must now know your pin code. It is usually possible to withdraw money from the cash machines on UK cards.

Emergencies: In case of an emergency dial 18.

Internet access: You will find internet access in Slope Style on Rue du Bourg and the Tourist Office.

Library: The library in Morzine has a small selection of English books and is opposite the church.

Local radio: Can be found on 97.9 FM. The morning weather forecast and early evening “What’s On” is in English and there are other English programmes on in the week.

Local TV: Morzine TV is only available in French along with the other French TV channels.

Massage: We are able to offer Swedish and deep tissue massage and will visit your accommodation.

Medical*: If you need to visit the doctor or dentist please take all your documentation with you. Doctor Julien speaks English and is very pleasant. He requires payment up front and will issue a receipt for you so that you can claim any payments back from your insurance company when you return to the UK. Dr Julien is situated opposite the Tourist Information Office in the Immeuble Le Socali. His phone number is 0450 75 99 17. If you are unable to pay them please contact your MEDICAL ASSISTANCE COMPANY marked clearly on your insurance policy. They may be able to send payment guarantee. If you visit the hospital please take your passport as they may need a copy. Please let your Resort Manager know should any medical situation occur. There are also four other doctors in Morzine. Their contact details are available from the tourist office. If you would like some help in a medical situation do not hesitate to phone Kate.

There are many dentists located in Morzine. Mr Bonvalet (0450 791704) and Mr Calba (0450 791596) are both on Taille de Mas de Nant Crue. Mr Charriere (0450 791501) is situated on Chemin de la Vieille Plagne, Chalet Les Prodains. Mr Dangas (0450 790824) is situated opposite the laundrette. Please note that usually only emergency dental work is covered on holiday insurance policies.

*Please bear in mind

Whatever the injury you must have a “Fitness to fly” certificate.

If you need extra seats for an arm / leg injury you must contact your insurance company.

The majority of Doctors do not accept the E111, however you should carry this (or the new European Health Insurance Card) with you, since hospital costs can be very expensive, and the production of E111 or your EHIC, can reduce the amount you have to pay directly to the health provider.

Money exchange: All of the banks and the post office offer foreign money exchange.

Newspapers: Most newsagents sell British newspapers and magazines although they are usually always a day old and quite expensive. There are newsagents situated on Route de la Plagne and in the Place de L’Office du Tourisme.

Out of hours: Our Resort Manager is available on her mobile phone to help you in any difficult situations or emergencies.

Parking: There are three big car parks in Morzine as well as on street parking. All are ‘pay and display’. The big car parks are situated by the Tourist Office, under the Pleney and next to the church.

Physiotherapy: There are qualified physiotherapists in Morzine whether you’ve sustained an injury or your body just needs maintenance.

Post office: The Post Office can be found at Place de la Poste.
Stamps are also available from shops which sell postcards although usually you cannot buy the stamps without buying postcards! Post boxes in France are yellow.

Police (Gendarmerie): In the unlikely event that you have something stolen, you will need to obtain an official police report. The Gendarmerie is located in the Place de la Poste.

Public toilets: There are public toilets at the town hall, in the Pleney lift station, next to ESF and near to the Office du Tourisme.

Restaurants: Morzine has many restaurants offering a wide range of gastronomic experiences from traditional fare such as fondues raclettes and pierrades to haute cuisine, pizzas, pastas and steaks. Enjoy the delicious flavours which can be heightened by the addition of Savoy wines.

Shops: The shops stretch outward from Place de L’Office du Tourisme in all directions! They are generally open between 09.00-12.00 and 14.30-19.00 seven days a week.

Supermarkets: There is one large supermarket in Morzine called Champion which is situated at the Place de la Poste. There are two smaller supermarkets called Proxi and Shopi situated on Route de la Plagne. If you have your own transport there is a larger Champion supermarket situated 10 minutes drive away from Morzine.

Taxis: It is possible to prebook taxis in Morzine. There is an English taxi company for late night taxis called Mountain Cabs as well as other French taxi operators.

Tourist Office: You will find this at the Place de L’Office du Tourisme. It has a weather forecast pinned up in English and a welcome with free hot chocolate and cheese tasting on Saturday afternoons.

Transport: There is a free navette (bus) operating on six routes around Morzine. Routes and timetables will be included in your welcome pack.

Weather information: This information can be found posted inside the Tourist Office. Ski Morzine staff also get daily weather updates.