 Poster: A snowHead
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We've never stayed in Morzine for a ski holiday. How accessible is the Super-Morzine side?
e.g.
Is it a scrum for the lift in the morning?
Do you have to use the lift to descend?
ISTR, skiing there once (a long time ago) that it was very flat. Is this true?
Should we just ignore that side and focus on Pleney/Les Gets?
Many thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The super-morzine lift gives you access to Avoriaz (and Chalet) and takes roughly 20/30 mins from Morzine to Avoriaz but that involves 2 lifts and some of that is skiing time. The lift is the same as any other I've experienced when "uploading", there will be pinch points when its busy but no more than anywhere else.
Yes you have to download back to Morzine but you ski the whole way from Avoriaz so I don't see it as hinderance at all. I stayed in Morzine for a week in 2022 and had the best skiing/conditions going that side rather than the Pleney, but that's my personal opinion. I wouldn't ignore it though, worth a day so you can decide for yourself, but I think you'll be going back once you do.
Not sure what you mean by "flat". Assume you mean the green run (Seraussaix) to get to the final lift (Proclou) into Avoriaz? Its not the worst green I've been on and its a good way to stretch the legs in the morning.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Under normal conditions you only get something that you'd really call a "queue"/"scrum" at the top of the S-M at the end of the day when everyone who's stopped for a cheeky vin chaud/beer realises the lift closes soon (though it tends to keep running till the queues gone, rather than slamming the shutters down dead on time so you actually have to try quite hard to face phoning a taxi). First thing there will be a short queue of people waiting for the lift to open and after that normally just a couple of people ahead of you to get to the turnstyle.
Non-normal conditions (generally Half Term/if there are any issues with lifts or snow on the Morzine-Les Gets side/the S-M is having technical issues) you can get a queue back down to the roundabout - but is normally quite a civilized queue rather than a scrum. Generally if the queue's long enough to make you say "Ugh!" when you see it you're better off heading to a bus stop, either the one outside "Alan Bike and Ski Shop" to go to Prodains (first stop after Pleney so bus usually empty if everything good on the Morzine-Les gets side) or pop across the wobbly bridge and the stop just to the left for Ardant (technically the bus will be going 'the wrong way' - but that just means it should be empty you you'll get seats!  ).
Morzine town is a proper town so very low and enough snow to ski the whole way down is very rare (the farmers who settled it wanted to be near the pasture but not snowed in for 4 months of the year after all) and as a south facing slope trying to keep snow on it is a fight just not worth fighting. As a result yes, you do need to download the S-M - but a coupe of nice bars at the top for a sun-downer (though keep an eye on that last lift time and try to go at least 15min early and you'll beat the last minute queue).
The Seraussaix run in the morning is just dull but 'fine' for even snowplow skiers. Boarders, especially beginners...not so much as you need to spend a lot of time running flat so risking catching an edge. Coming back is a lot better than it used to be/probably was last time you went. It used to be Seraussaix chair/flat run/Baron drag to get to Zore - but when the Seraussaix chair was replaced it was also extended so it's now a "not too flat" run direct to Zore.
The "just stay on the Morzine-Les Gets" side is really a question for you/your groups ability level and skiing 'style'. Most advanced skiers who like to start early/end late and spend as much time on skis as possible will likely feel they've skied out the Morzine-Les Gets area after a couple of days. On the other hand beginners/early intermediates would be fine, as would more advanced skiiers who are more into a slow breakfast/regular coffee stops/a long lunch/back home and drinking Rose before the run has set.
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@LittleRob, there’s sometimes a bit of a queue at Super M in the morning but it’s not usually too bad (although we never ski half term). The pinch point is Proclou which is where the Super Morzine traffic meets the beginners on the run of the same name.
If there’s a queue at Super M you can always hop on a bus to Prodains (every 7 minutes, takes about 10/15 mins) and get the gondola up direct to Avoriaz.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ughgh! I'd actually managed to blank the Proclou queue from my memory until you mentioned it @andy from embsay.
Catch the S-M soon after it's opened and you're fine. Have someone faff around and hit it 30 to 45min later and while the S-M queue is OK you know Proclou will be a scrum when you get there.
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@Mjit, the slope under the S-M bubble (if that’s what you’re talking about) is not a piste! Ever!
(Although I knew someone who did ski it, can’t be the only one). But tree trunks and a few crossings of the Avoriaz road make it rather unattractive.
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@under a new name, I wasn't suggesting it was but rather making the point that even if there was a run there it would be closed more often than it was open due to lack of snow. Hell the last couple of seasons they've struggled to keep the Zore run down to the top of the S-M open half the time!
Like you I also know someone who has skied it (something like once in 20 seasons in Morzine). Personally having seen what's there when it's 'snow free' I don't think I'd ever try it, even if there was enough snow!
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Morning queues are always worst when there are families trying to get to ski school, and in Morzine it looked to me as if that is entirely focussed on the Pleney side. There was just a short queue for the turnstile at Super Morzine.
The return is more of a problem, if it is a nice day a lot of people want to ski as long as possible and turn up at the top lift station about the same time. It can easily take half an hour before you are on. Unless you are prepared to stop earlier you just need to chill and accept that; the alternatives of heading for Ardent and the bus (or presumably Prodains but we didn't try that) didn't end up any quicker once you took into account the bus trip.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Mjit, ah, it came across to me as suggesting it might be skiable  (it really isn't). He wasn't called "George" was he? Would have been '87 or '88 or so ...
| Quote: |
| the last couple of seasons they've struggled to keep the Zore run down to the top of the S-M open half the time |
That's pretty much default in any season. Very low, +/- south facing ...
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| under a new name wrote: |
| Quote: |
| the last couple of seasons they've struggled to keep the Zore run down to the top of the S-M open half the time |
That's pretty much default in any season. Very low, +/- south facing ... |
Very early/late in the season, yes it's always been the case. The last couple of years they've struggled to keep it open in late Jan/Feb!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| j b wrote: |
| Morning queues are always worst when there are families trying to get to ski school, and in Morzine it looked to me as if that is entirely focussed on the Pleney side. There was just a short queue for the turnstile at Super Morzine. |
Yep, 99% of people staying in Morzine with children in ski school will be dropping them at the bottom of the Pleney...then trying to get on the gondola at the same time as their children's ski school group so carnage Half Term weeks. If you're lucky they'll open the La Crusaz chair and you can use that + Mouilles to get up the top, but even that can get a significiant queue. If you want to ski the Morzine-Les Gets side during Half Term week and don't have children to drop at ski school hopping the N(?) but around to the Nyon gondola will probably give you an emoty bus to an empty gondola.
| j b wrote: |
| The return is more of a problem, if it is a nice day a lot of people want to ski as long as possible and turn up at the top lift station about the same time. It can easily take half an hour before you are on. Unless you are prepared to stop earlier you just need to chill and accept that; the alternatives of heading for Ardent and the bus (or presumably Prodains but we didn't try that) didn't end up any quicker once you took into account the bus trip. |
Personally if I was avoiding the S-M download queue I'd do the (ignoring the very bottom, usually really nice) run down to Prodains and catch the bus from there rather than Ardent, especially on a Wednesday. Strangely there really isn't much at the bottom of Prodains so, while the slopes are open at least rarely a queue for the bus (but might be different when the Follie kicks out and a hoard take Prodains down). You have Happy Hours right next to the piste in Ardent with their main party night on (seasonare night off) Wednesdays so each bus can see a stampeed of people who've been drinking Scary Cocktails since 3pm. But again bar the last bus or two you should still get a seat so not THAT bad.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Mjit, it's actually fairly common.
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@andy from embsay, is right, the Proclou queue is likely to be larger than the SM queue, but, as @Mjit, says, the earlier the better for that. I quite like that way, rather than getting the bus to Prodains, as it gets the legs going and at least feels like you're on the slopes earlier.
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You know it makes sense.
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@porkpiefox, we’re out at Pied de la Plagne so we get the U bus in, so very often just get off outside Alan’s and get on an empty Prodains bus almost immediately - then skis on and down Crôt as far as the Grandes Combes chair (or “the secret lift” as my kids call it, on account of the fact it never has a queue) - up that then you can head anywhere in the Avoriaz bowl, Switzerland either via Chavanette or download the chair, or over into Lindarets via Cubore (the red on the Lindarets side can be a bit spicy).
@Mjit, We like a pint at the top of Super M, especially the new bar that’s opened below the Grenouille, but the outdoor bars at the bottom of Prodains are making quite an effort now with music and the occasional DJ, so we’ll generally come down both ways interchangeably.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Tue 24-09-24 15:50; edited 1 time in total
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
@porkpiefox, we’re out at Pied de la Plagne so we get the U bus in, so very often just get off outside Alan’s and get on an empty Prodains bus almost immediatey - then skis on and down Crôt as far as the Grandes Combes chair (or “the secret lift” as my kids call it, on account of the fact it never has a queue) - up that then you can head anywhere in the Avoriaz bowl, Switzerland either via Chavanette or download the chair, or over into Lindarets via Cubore (the red on the Lindarets side can be a bit spicy).
@Mjit, We like a pint at the top of Super M, especially the new bar that’s opened below the Grenouille, but the outdoor bars at the bottom of Prodains are making quite an effort now with music and the occasional DJ, so we’ll generally come down both ways interchangeably. |
Yeah @andy from embsay that's a bit different, as you're already getting on a bus, so I can see why you'd do that. If I was staying in central Morzine and walking to the lift, I wouldn't do that, but I can see why you would, or equally why you might head round to Ardent. I, too, like a pint at the top of the SM, it's a nice spot with more than one decent option for a beer.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Ardent no good for us as the M bus doesn’t go through town (you have to walk over the bridge or do some shenanigans down near the Mairie), so other than my kids and their mates going to Happy’s on a Wednesday we don’t go up or down from there - so Super M and Prodains for us.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| andy from embsay wrote: |
| Ardent no good for us as the M bus doesn’t go through town (you have to walk over the bridge or do some shenanigans down near the Mairie), so other than my kids and their mates going to Happy’s on a Wednesday we don’t go up or down from there - so Super M and Prodains for us. |
Ah ok, I assumed you could get it on its way there. To be fair we mostly stay in Avoriaz with the kids these days, but whenever I'm out there with friends we tend to stay in Morzine.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| porkpiefox wrote: |
| andy from embsay wrote: |
@porkpiefox, we’re out at Pied de la Plagne so we get the U bus in, so very often just get off outside Alan’s and get on an empty Prodains bus almost immediatey - then skis on and down Crôt as far as the Grandes Combes chair (or “the secret lift” as my kids call it, on account of the fact it never has a queue) - up that then you can head anywhere in the Avoriaz bowl, Switzerland either via Chavanette or download the chair, or over into Lindarets via Cubore (the red on the Lindarets side can be a bit spicy).
@Mjit, We like a pint at the top of Super M, especially the new bar that’s opened below the Grenouille, but the outdoor bars at the bottom of Prodains are making quite an effort now with music and the occasional DJ, so we’ll generally come down both ways interchangeably. |
Yeah @andy from embsay that's a bit different, as you're already getting on a bus, so I can see why you'd do that. If I was staying in central Morzine and walking to the lift, I wouldn't do that, but I can see why you would, or equally why you might head round to Ardent. I, too, like a pint at the top of the SM, it's a nice spot with more than one decent option for a beer. |
The chalet I most often use in Morzine is under 150m from the S-M...but if we need to get to Avoriaz sooner rather than later, to meet our off piste guide for example, we'll walk 50m to Alan and catch the bus to Prodains as it's deffinetly quicker.
And I'm a traditionalist a the top of the S-M, so it's "The Swamp Frog" (La Grenouille du Marais). Outside till the sun drops behind the mountain if its nice/inside toasting by the fire if its cold.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Mjit wrote: |
| porkpiefox wrote: |
| andy from embsay wrote: |
@porkpiefox, we’re out at Pied de la Plagne so we get the U bus in, so very often just get off outside Alan’s and get on an empty Prodains bus almost immediatey - then skis on and down Crôt as far as the Grandes Combes chair (or “the secret lift” as my kids call it, on account of the fact it never has a queue) - up that then you can head anywhere in the Avoriaz bowl, Switzerland either via Chavanette or download the chair, or over into Lindarets via Cubore (the red on the Lindarets side can be a bit spicy).
@Mjit, We like a pint at the top of Super M, especially the new bar that’s opened below the Grenouille, but the outdoor bars at the bottom of Prodains are making quite an effort now with music and the occasional DJ, so we’ll generally come down both ways interchangeably. |
Yeah @andy from embsay that's a bit different, as you're already getting on a bus, so I can see why you'd do that. If I was staying in central Morzine and walking to the lift, I wouldn't do that, but I can see why you would, or equally why you might head round to Ardent. I, too, like a pint at the top of the SM, it's a nice spot with more than one decent option for a beer. |
The chalet I most often use in Morzine is under 150m from the S-M...but if we need to get to Avoriaz sooner rather than later, to meet our off piste guide for example, we'll walk 50m to Alan and catch the bus to Prodains as it's deffinetly quicker.
And I'm a traditionalist a the top of the S-M, so it's "The Swamp Frog" (La Grenouille du Marais). Outside till the sun drops behind the mountain if its nice/inside toasting by the fire if its cold. |
Yep, it's a cracking spot there, especially when the weather's good and you can sit outside.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@porkpiefox, it’s also quite snug on a crappy afternoon with vins chauds
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@under a new name, also the best omelette in the PdS
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| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| @under a new name, also the best omelette in the PdS |
That means you could sit outside eating the best omlette while looking out over the valley to the home of the worst omlette.
Do not get an omelette, or if you can help it anything else for yhat matter, from the self service restaurant at the top of the Pleney on the Morzine-Les Gets side!
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| Mjit wrote: |
| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| @under a new name, also the best omelette in the PdS |
That means you could sit outside eating the best omlette while looking out over the valley to the home of the worst omlette.
Do not get an omelette, or if you can help it anything else for yhat matter, from the self service restaurant at the top of the Pleney on the Morzine-Les Gets side! |
They only thing I got from there was a liquid lunch!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Roscoe wrote: |
| Mjit wrote: |
| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| @under a new name, also the best omelette in the PdS |
That means you could sit outside eating the best omlette while looking out over the valley to the home of the worst omlette.
Do not get an omelette, or if you can help it anything else for yhat matter, from the self service restaurant at the top of the Pleney on the Morzine-Les Gets side! |
They only thing I got from there was a liquid lunch! |
That more or less describes the omelette at the top of the Pleney, yes 
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Thanks for all the replies in here (I can see its getting busy now!). It sounds like Morzine might not be the place for us as we'll have a beginner in ski-school, and like the Avoriaz area.
Options seem to be:
Avoriaz though, since we're driving, this seems to be more of a hassle (perhaps I'll post a separate question rather than get this one off-track)
Chatel, which we've skiied before, but not with a beginner, so I don't know how that works out (we drive most days up the valley)
Somewhere else entirely.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you're staying in Avoriaz, it has a main car park to use so can't see that being a problem if you're driving. You'll get a Cat to your accommodation from the Tourist Centre (next to the car park) so wont need to worry about the luggage.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@LittleRob, just go up via Prodains - it’s the quickest way to get to Avoriaz for lessons anyway. The buses are every 7 minutes and the gondola is super efficient. Depending on who the lessons are with they may meet outside the gondola or maybe on the plateau, which is one short (though currently very slow) lift away.
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It's possible that if we get a place with parking, that just driving to Prodains wouldn't be that much hassle (we wouldn't be doing it every day).
I'll have to think about it.
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You know it makes sense.
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@LittleRob, I certainly wouldn’t drive to Prodains - you have to pay for a start, and it gets full fairly early in busy weeks - and if it does they won’t even let you up the road. The buses are really good - we always have a car with us but we never drive anywhere in Morzine.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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If you have a fit and healthy, independent adult you could stay in Morzine/ski school in Avoriaz. The first day would mean; bus to Prodains/gondola up/hike up through town to the ski school meet. Day 2/3 would be; bus to Prodains/gondola up/chair or drag lift to ski school. Day 3/4 onwards they will likely be able to; S-M gondola up/ski to ski school. You'd probably only need to help them day 1 but it's extra hassle and an earlier start than just staying up in Avoriaz though.
And while you can leave your car at the bottom of Prodains for the week/take your luggage up in the gondola for most people it's probably easier/more convienient to drive up. And if you do drive up it's reasonably well organised - unless you arive behind a load of stupid people. In theory you get to the resort, slip into a drop-off bay and check people/bags out the car, then driver takes the car straight to either the underground of (slightly cheaper/further walk) outdoor car park, when the driver gets back you phone either a hourse drawn or piste basher taxi (and even quite late on transfer days there are staff there organising things who will make the call for you). You can end up queueing for a bit to get to the drop-off shed though as "chuck everything out of the car and get out the frigging way ASAP" seems to confuse a lot of people. Last time I was there I'd pulled up next to a car mid drop-off/unloaded/drove to the car park/parked the car/walked back...and the same car was still there, still mid drop-off. FFS, what's wrong with some people...?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Unless you have budget constraints, not sure why you wouldn't stay in Avoriaz if that's where you want to book ski school and like that area? The added faff of having to do that commute twice a day would not be appealing to me.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The only other real reason would be nightlife.
Compared to other purpose built, mountain top resorts in france Avoriaz really isn't too bad, with a choice of bars and restaurants, and more importantly restaurants you want to go back to. Very good cheese shop too with a range of fondou mixes/fondoue kits available for hire from the Carrefour. It can't hold a candle to the nightlife down in Morzine though, but that food or drink based.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Agreed! Avoriaz gives you nice dining options but if you fancy letting your hair down, Morzine is much better. The Cavern is great if you’re after a boozy sing along to live music! And don’t might sweating in your ski gear if you’re doing proper apres!!
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FAQ
