Snowboard Morzine

The resort

Morzine is situated in the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area covering parts of France and Switzerland and is located between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. The area compises 650 km marked pistes making it the largest in the world and includes the resorts of Les Gets, Avoriaz, Chatel, Morgins, Torgons, Champoussin and Les Crosets.

The snow record is excellent as we are within the Mont Blanc weather system and this coupled with an advanced snow making system means the pistes are well covered from December right through to the end of April.

Due to the massive area covered by the Portes du Soleil there is enough terrain for every body, from beginners to pros.

Beginners

There are numerous beginner slopes easily accessible from Morzine for those just starting out, with 41 green runs and 109 blue runs available to practice on.

Lessons are readily available that can be booked in advance or organised in resort and high quality rental equipment is available in resort from The Park snowboard shop (www. ).

Intermediates

There are hundreds of varied pistes throughout the whole area whether you want a challenge or just to cruise around. Practice jibbing around on wide pistes or tree lined runs, big bowls and the ability to cover the whole Portes du Soleil area on blue and red runs.

Advanced

There are challenging pistes and runs throughout the area including 110 red runs and 28 black that will keep you progressing. If you’re feeling energetic the full day Portes du Soleil circuit covers 80km of Piste and 2 countries whilst not using the same lift twice!

Snow Parks

There are 5 main parks in the Portes du Soleil ranging from beginner to pro; 2 in Avoriaz (the baby park and the big park), Les Crosets (often featured in snowboard mags), Chatel and Mont Chery. The parks generally all feature kickers, rails, boxes, spines, hips and wall rides and last year there was a big step up built in Les Crosets. There are also plans for a slopestyle course in Avoriaz this winter. Les Crosets and Chatel also have half pipes and Avoriaz has a super pipe. For those feeling the need for some aggressive riding there are also 5 border crosses in resort.

Freeriding

As the Portes du Soleil covers a huge area there is massive scope for freeriding and due to a slightly lower altitude there are plenty of trees around in whiteouts to improve visibility. For those lazier individuals loads of the off-piste is readily available without having to hike. Terrain includes wide open powder fields, steep colouirs and plenty of cliffs and cornices to drop. Off piste riding is at your own risk and you’ll need to check if you have insuranece cover but freeride lessons are available in resort.

The Portes du Soleil consists of:

• 2 Countries; France and Switzerland
• 14 Villages
• 650km pistes on one lift pass
• 2466m highest piste
• 206 ski lifts
• 41 green slopes
• 109 blue slopes
• 110 red slopes
• 28 black slopes
• hundreds of kilometres of freeride
• 90 mountain restaurants
• 5 snowparks
• 3 half pipes
• 5 boarder crosses
• 50 peaks

The Portes du Soleil also offers the lowest price lift pass per kilometre in the world (3p per km per day) and was voted 5th best ski resort in The Daily Telegraph Travel Awards, 2001.

Heliboarding

Unfortunately this is banned in France but due to Morzines close proximity to Switzerland and Italy, heli-boarding is available for additional costs. Prices include transfer to site helicopter ride and guiding down mountains such as Mont Blanc.

Night Riding

Is available every Thursday night on the Pleney slopes, for those of you who have some energy left in your legs! This is free with your lift pass.

Discovery circuits

There are 12 circuits coded to the different levels of riding and take around 2 ½ hours each. Simply follow the bear, white rabbit, jackdaw, ibex or reindeer to cover many pistes within your level. Simply ask for a discovery route guide.

Ski pass

A season's ski pass will cost you €706 (about £500) for the 2005/06 season.