Posted on 20 August 2021
When it comes to reasons to buy a ski property in Morzine, which sits at the heart of the massive Portes du Soleil ski area, there’s far more than just skiing. The resort is one of France’s premier dual season spots, with direct links up to the high, snow-sure slopes of Avoriaz.
Morzine is a well-known mountain biking spot, with a popular bike park at Avoriaz and gentler trails covering the Morzine/Les Gets side of the resort. As is the case with the skiing, park rats will be drawn to the jumps and death-defying terrain in Avoriaz while families enjoy speeding down to Les Gets for a spot of lunch on a sunny terrace.
The resort is larger than many Alpine favourites, and it’s one of a small number of places you could feasibly live throughout the year. Unlike neighbouring Les Gets and Avoriaz, Morzine is never entirely closed for the inter-season; there’s always a couple of bars and restaurants open, in addition to the supermarkets.
So, you’re looking for reasons to buy a ski property in Morzine? We can give you the lowdown on this pretty French ski resort.
Winter Seasons
Although Morzine itself sits at a fairly low altitude, it’s connected to high altitude Avoriaz. The Portes du Soleil ski area includes over 600km of slopes, including the famously steep Swiss Wall. Skiers and snowboarders can just as easily ski the intermediate friendly slopes between Morzine and Les Gets as the ski parks and steeper terrain at Avoriaz.
The ski area isn’t the best-connected in the French Alps, that honour still goes to the famous Three Valleys area. The Portes du Soleil does have a huge variety of slopes across the whole ski pass. It’s a wide, open ski area with easy skiing for beginners and some expert-level slopes that even the keenest skier will love.
The variety available is one of the best reasons to buy a ski property in Morzine. You are in the best possible position from which to enjoy the whole Portes du Soleil ski area. While the outdoor ice rink and small, charming village in Les Gets are classically pretty, and the variety of property for sale in Chatel is better than in Morzine, this resort is the largest and best known of the Portes du Soleil ski area.
Morzine is even home to the Rock the Pistes Festival, which is enormously popular and draws excellent acts each year. If you’re a live music fan, this festival will be a huge draw to the resort!
Summer Seasons
The Portes du Soleil, in summer, are generally home to the gentler, less endurance-focused side of summer Alpine tourism. Chamonix and St Gervais might have the multi-day Trail du Mont Blanc on the doorstep, but Morzine is home to activities for all the family. From mountain biking at the Avdriaz bike park to lake swimming, canyoning, rafting and a genuinely excellent golf course, there’s a reason Morzine is so popular.
If you’re looking for a good reason to buy a ski property in Morzine, the crazy golf and aqua park provide hours of entertainment for the kids. A multi-pass will give you access to the best of the resort’s many activities for an excellent price. Morzine might not be the home of France’s most famous multi-day hiking trail, but the resort offers more than enough to keep the whole family busy during a summer holiday.
As is the case in many Alpine towns during summer, Morzine has hot weather, stunning scenery, and a range of activities for all the family. Some activities you can enjoy with the whole family include water sports, scenic hikes, golf, and mountain biking. The kids will never get bored if you’re buying a property in Morzine!
Short Transfer Times
Morzine is a little over an hour away from Geneva Airport, giving it one of the easiest transfers in the Alps. Several transfer companies make the trip regularly through the winter and summer seasons. The Easybus transfer runs every hour during peak season. As does the sister company Alpybus, making this an excellent weekend ski destination.
With plenty of cheap transfer options, you won’t need to worry about planning each stage of your journey to the Alps weeks in advance. Hopping onto a bus that will take you straight to your door is a great reason to buy a ski property in Morzine!
That said, transfer options do reduce during the inter-season and when the resort is closed. The advent of COVID-19 has seen bus services reduce greatly. This is something you’ll need to consider if you’re visiting the Alps in the not too distant future. It’s as easy as pie to reach Morzine from Geneva under normal circumstances. That said, in the present climate, some planning is advised.
Properties in Morzine
As one of the larger resorts in the French Alps, properties in the centre of the town are usually apartments. There are chalets for sale further away from the centre, where you’ll find a garden and a far larger floor plan than you’ll be able to get in the centre of the resort. These larger chalets may not be ski-in ski-out, but they’re a great choice if you’re looking to relocate to the Alps full time.
Whether you’re looking for apartments or chalets for sale though, Morzine has options that buyers might be interested in. Plus, with Les Gets so close, you might choose to buy in the sleepier, quieter resort rather than busy, bustling Morzine. The Portes du Soleil ski area is enormously popular for a good reason! Wherever you choose to buy, you’ll find a welcoming community and some excellent skiing.
Chatel, on the other side of Avoriaz, is home to a huge amount of redevelopment. This resort isn’t as lively as Morzine or Les Gets, but if you’re just in it for the ski slopes, then this is always a good option to consider. That’s especially true because it shares slopes directly with Avoriaz.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to buy a ski property in Morzine. If you’re interested in buying here or somewhere else in the French or Swiss Alps, take a look at our selection of properties for sale. If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts. Happy house hunting!