Your best Morzine tips

<p>We’re heading out for 2 weeks from next week. Just done the 5 non-consecutive days (it was 6 days last year!) booking for the 4 of us which gets a 10% discount. We have the lift cards from last year so that saves €3 each: Works out at £25 per person per day which is great for a big area of lifts. If 5 days isn’t enough then we’ll just do another day at the end. We don’t just go to ride, lots of swimming, exploring by chairlift on the multipass, day trips to Thonon or Annecy etc. I’m happy just sitting with an Aperol in the sun watching the paragliders!</p>

Just in the airport on our way back from our first Alps trip. One week in morzine/pds and the next with white room. It was so good! Week in morzine absolutely battered us though, braking bumps are very unkind on hands! White room was so cool to be able to experience proper huge mountain trails and descents, would go back in a heartbeat. The exposure on some of the trails took some getting used to though!

Also, I regret not getting any merch while I was out there. If anyone who is in morzine or will be going at some point would be willing to pick me up an avoriaz bike park t shirt from the super morzine lift pass office I would be so thankful. PM me if you would be able to and I'll send the cost + an extra 5 and whatever postage would be!

Im just back from a holiday near Chatel, with 2-3 days in Morzine in that time. I only rode it on my last day, but the new blue and red trails below Avoriaz (towards Morzine) are utterly outstanding!

Also just back from a week riding there.

Never stayed in morzine as we’ve always stayed is les gets so we stayed in one of the alplitude chalets after a recommendation on here which was great - best location and lovely place. Highly recommended.

8 mtb and 2 roadies went. The mtb was 3 dads, 4 kids and a non dad. For the ones who hadn’t been before it was great, really bought their riding on and they’re dead keen to go again.

here’s a pic of my lad (14) on widowmaker. that almost made my wife a widow 🤣

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we stayed in one of the alplitude chalets after a recommendation on here

Probably my recommendation. Great company.

Anyone know the best place in morzine to get a valve core removal tool? Managed to loosen my fork valve by overtightening the shock pump, think I've managed to fix it by sticking a tubeless prong in and twisting but would like to give it a nip up with a proper tool to be sure!

@ebennett I've always used Startline. They are along the main road beyond Super M. Once they've sorted their daily rentals they tend to be accommodating for walk ins.

@tetrode I'm there in a couple of weeks. Drop me a message if you're still not sorted. I'll definitely be picking up the new Bike Morzine 'Pleney Bangers' t shirt.

How about people's best non Morzine tips... I'm doing a week in PDS, then a week in the van so no ties for accommodation or travel.

I'm thinking along the lines of Pila, La Thuille, Les Arcs, La Clusaz.

I had hoped to do a couple of days with White Room but they're too busy to fit any extras. Any tips for somewhere similar?

I'd head along the Aosta valley, start at Cervinia, do a day there then work my way back along via Pila, La Thuile then head over the Col Du St Bernard to Les Arcs

Park up here in Cervinia: https://goo.gl/maps/fWb1VGNgZLo5kAyHA

Here in Pila: https://goo.gl/maps/hpvrqSXneLSvvi5K7

And here in La Thuile: https://goo.gl/maps/cL3AJidWLbZnG2EeA

I’m there in a couple of weeks. Drop me a message if you’re still not sorted. I’ll definitely be picking up the new Bike Morzine ‘Pleney Bangers’ t shirt.

Thanks Mark! Will send you a message.

I had hoped to do a couple of days with White Room but they’re too busy to fit any extras. Any tips for somewhere similar?

I don't know of similar to white room but I can definitely recommend the trails around Les Arcs and La Thuile if you manage to get over there. La Thuile bike park especially was amazing to me, if you like techy enduro style bike parks it's an absolute blast.

Tignes is worth a days riding if you're near La Thuile/Les Arcs, mostly for the views but also good bike park riding.

@ebennett I’ve always used Startline. They are along the main road beyond Super M. Once they’ve sorted their daily rentals they tend to be accommodating for walk ins

Thanks Mark, managed to get one off a bloke servicing their bike outside the apartment!

I’m thinking along the lines of Pila, La Thuille, Les Arcs, La Clusaz.

La Thuile is stunning with amazing trails - much more singletrack/natural/enduro stuff than Les Gets & Morzine.

The day I arrived they were holding a round of the Italian national enduro series, that sort of tells you everything.

La Thuile is my favourite bike park. It’s designed by psychos though.

It’s got both types of mountain biking. Tech and steep.

Since i cant seem to open new threads I'll ask here....
Anyone know if there is a ban on bbqs in the alps at present?

Driving there on the weekend for am indefinite amount of time. Prob four weeks or so.... Although not just on the French side

Planning on visiting La Thuile again, maybe Pila.

Thinking of arriving in Les Arcs and fanning out from there.

GF likes flow trails and steep stuff where it's a case of ride or crash, if you know what I mean.

Not planning on using the lifts each day because #money and I need to burn off all the Bavarian beer I've consumed the last few weeks.

What are the must-do trails that we shouldn't miss out on?

How much is a day pass and do the tickets cover just one lift or the entire area?

We're there in the van and plan on moving about a bit. Have spare tyres, brake pads, even a crank if needed.

A season ticket for PdS costs 407€....does that cover all of the French alpine bike parks?

No just the PDS so Morgins Champery Chatel Morzine Les Gets as the main ones with a few little bits extra - have a look at a lift map all should become clear. It would be great if someone did a multi resort pass but doubt doubt it’d be viable.

I wouldn’t want to be riding up out of Morzine without an e-bike but if you tried Les Gets it might be ok for a few days

In Les Arcs, the off piste and the stuff back down to the valley bottom are the most fun IMO. Black 8 is a classic.

La Plagne also has loads of off-piste natural riding, for both of them you need to ask a local really.

Mont Jovet is a classic big mountain day out starting in La Plagne.

Meribel Ridge is a world class descent IMO.

Basically just in that area there’s enough to fill four weeks, especially if you’re pedalling up.

Not a great deal of flow outside the bike parks though. It tends to be narrow, with varying levels of steepness, exposure and technicality.

There is a bike bus from Bourg st Maurice bus station to La Rosiere bike park or continue up to Col de Petit St Bernard, 6 euro. Then different options riding back to BsM (eg San Bernardo into Dreamcatcher or Hannibal from the col) or hop over to La Thuile.

There are also free busses from the Aime Aire de Chainage at to La Plagne 2000 or Montalbert for easy-ish access to Mont Jovet. The balcony trails to Bride les Bains and the river trail along the Doron can take you to Moûtiers for train back to Aime or BsM.

Dré Val (7) from Plage Bellecote is fun, don't bother with Bois de Croizelin (34), bit like Route 66 in Les Arc.

Agree La 8 in Les Arc is fun and the Trailforks black trails into the valley are steep and tech in places. I also enjoyed A2 from top of Transarc 2.

Season ticket for Paradiski summer is around 200 euro, covers Les Arc and La Plagne.

Can't wait to go back!

We got back on Sunday from a week in the Alps. My first in 11 years because parenting. 4 days based in Bourg-Saint-Maurice then 3 in Morzine. I'm much more at home on tech/steeps than the park stuff but I hugely enjoyed riding a mix of both and progressing my jumping and berm riding a fair bit.

For me, the Les Arcs natural stuff was a big highlight, I remember "Double Header" down to Bourg but also loads of unmarked trails in amongst the marked ones higher up. We also rode some lovely similar stuff alongside the park riding at La Plagne and Meribel, riding down to the valley floor from both was for me as good as the resort riding above.

On arrival in Morzine I felt it might not be for me, but I loved it. Similar highlights to others on the thread, and not really Chatel because nearly all of that is too big for me. Weirdly I liked the steep mess to get you home under Super Morzine, although that might be a combination of the flattering jumps above it and the promise of beer below. And I had a happy afternoon just repeating the Pleny black. Couldn't hack the jumps on the red but some alternative lines made it more my cup of tea.

We took DH bikes. I'm glad I did because on mine I'll take more on, can come up short on stuff, and I just love riding it. But I can totally see why most ride lighter bikes and some have recommended Enduro over DH (I guess those people are more seasoned park riders). Personal preference I think.

You guys are making me jealous. Is there camping available or is it not worth it and as expensive as an apartment?

A group of us are looking at going out at the start of September. Thanks for all the tips guys, hopefully get to see the DH world cup at Les Gets at the same time.

Just arrived for 2 weeks of family fun, some riding some mooching and swimming and exploring.
Random question for the regulars/locals…is there anywhere reasonably local where you can see Marmottes easily? I know it’s not the highest or quietest part of the Alps so unlikely but I have a couple of kids who’d love to see one. Either from a lift or on a walk that’s easy to access from a high lift somewhere.

Lift out of Le Crosets has always been best in my experience. Lift from Lindarets towards Azoriaz can be pretty good too. They like a good sunbathe on the boulders

http://Under the Swiss Mossette lift there are a lot of burrows. I've seen the furry little critters there a few times.

I have no clue what just happened to my post.

Parked up between Lake Geneva and Morzine in a valley with surprisingly good 4G reception.

We want "enduro" style trails (think La Thuile) or long flow lines. Not overly keen, not biked, for full on DH or massive jump lines. What is there in Morzine area?

What lifts does Morzine ticket cover?

Weather tomorrow is pants anyways, so I'm doing some paperwork crap. Wednesday should be decent, albeit a little windy.

Might go for a ride in the afternoon climbing under our own steam.

#redwine

Right..... Two days in Morzine and I'm sick of ******g berms.

Really very little variation in the trails down to Zore lift.

Ride one trail a couple of times.

Berm, jump, berm, berm, berm, jump, berm, berm, jump, berm, berm, berm, jump, jump, berm, berm....

Bored of that, let's try another line.

Berm, berm, berm, jump, jump, berm, berm, jump, berm, jump, jump, berm, berm, berm, jump.

ad infinitum..... No one stand out trail. All very similar.

I found myself thinking about what to eat rather than concentrating on riding.

Add to that the insane queues for the lift and I jacked off that area because it just wound me up.

Red and black down to Lindarets were unfortunately closed. Rode the blue which was OK because there were stones which at least made it feel alpine.

The blue (Chesery) is a joke. Complete waste of time. 250m vertical on a fireroad to finish. BS.

At the end of yesterday I discovered the trails going from the golf course down to the Proclou lift. The red and the blue were fun, more enduro style with rocks, roots and some natural kickers and drops (and some ladders) to contend with.

Didn't get down the bottom to ride in Morzine valley.

Overall not that taken by the place. Don't quite understand the hype.

Overall not that taken by the place. Don’t quite understand the hype.

Sounds like you've missed everything recommended in this thread.

😅 Probably.....

You did it wrong. I've been there a dozen times and I always find new things to terrify myself on.

We want “enduro” style trails (think La Thuile)

Overall not that taken by the place. Don’t quite understand the hype.

That's my feelings on the place too. Very bike-parky, admittedly it was ~ 15 years ago that I went. But once I'd discovered the other alpine trails, La Thuile, Tarentaise, Beufortain etc I don't have any desire to go back to Morzine.

That’s my feelings on the place too. Very bike-parky, admittedly it was ~ 15 years ago that I went. But once I’d discovered the other alpine trails, La Thuile, Tarentaise, Beufortain etc I don’t have any desire to go back to Morzine.

There is enduro/natural stuff in the Morzine/Les Gets area but you might need to pedal a bit or go off the beaten track.

One such trail was 'Monkeys ass (to goat village)' which was on a slightly hidden turning off the Panorama trail. If you don't know it was there you'd ride by it easily. There's a reason I went on a guided trip.

Overall though, I agree that Morzine is mainly bike park stuff, there's much better places too ride if you don't want that.

Definitely seemed a lot more bermy this time compare to previous trips.

For me, I'd much rather do stuff over on the Swiss side. A hiking route off to the left off the superhighway en route from Morzine to Lindarets is much more interesting than the bermy red/blue from the Col to Lindarets. Mossettes back towards Lindarets... but beware... there WILL be hikers on the bike-only section rather than the parallel hike-only section.
If you don't mind a pedally fireroad section then one of the Les Gets XC loops (Chappelle Jacquicourt?) has a proper rooty bit (actually too many roots for me when they were wet), and eventually meets up with the French National DH course.

Anyone interested in some unused PDS lift passes?Due to a collarbone break my son’s pass and one adult pass have only been used for 2 days.

We’ve got an adult pass for 3 non-consecutive days (up until the end of the season) and a youth pass (16-25 yrs) for 3 non-consecutive days until the season ends too. Both were 5 day non-consecutive passes and have only been used for 2 days each.

We’ve done some maths, how would £120 sound for both? Value is £180. We leave Sat so could meet up or could leave with our hosts to be picked up (not far from the far side of the wobbly bridge).

*there is a small chance our hosts might already have sold them but I haven’t seen them yet and don’t want to leave this any longer!

Don’t want to leave tomorrow! (definitely not a stealth bump!)

When’s the best time to visit Morzine?

2 months ago

I’d heard it was busy at the beginning of July?

Now is a good time. Queues are likely non-existent. He braking bumps will likely still be there, mind.

Honestly... I've spent the last six weeks visiting various parks between Morzine, via Pila and La Thuile, down to Valloire and Briançon (although I missed the last day of Serre Chaviler) and Morzine was the low point.....

Low point of Morzine was followed by Valloire, but the non bike park trails made up for it and it was less than half the price of a day in Morzine.

When’s the best time to visit Morzine

Lifts open in June and close early September. Peak weeks are French and English school holidays.

While there's certainly plenty of better riding in other resorts, what Morzine has is a vibrant social scene all summer long. I've ridden plenty of alpine resorts that have better riding but the villages or towns are absolutely deserted with most shops and restaurants closed up for summer and very few tourists.

"Morzine" is a catch all term for a huge area but the town itself is fantastic. Lots going on for non bikers and just a great place to spend time. The trails are IMHO great. I'd happily bang out laps of the Pleney black all day every day with no complaints. There's loads more riding in the PDS if you want to explore. For me, it really does everything for what I want from summer alps riding. Loads of riding options during the day and loads of apres riding options plus a ton of non biking stuff for anyone who isn't riding

People criticise Morzine because it's the popular choice. Especially on STW because everyone is so unique and couldn't be seen to hold such mainstream opinions. But it's popular for all the reasons mentioned above. It's one of the few towns that isn't a total ghost town in the summer months. 'Morzine' is just the central point of a vast area with loads of lifts and if you're based near town you can usually roll home when disaster strikes. Plus if you drive there it's an easy day out to somewhere else for a change of scenery.

Disclaimer :The official trails are a bit dull and repetitive. Lots of smooth flow trails and endless berms with massive breaking bumps. Most of the 'jumps' are just trail centre style speedbumps, although they have started building actual kickers in recent years. You have to go off the map for all the really interesting stuff. I've been there a dozen times and feel like I've barely scratched the surface. I'm frothing to go back after a long break.

This week will be a fun week to go if you want to play 'chase the world cup racer'.

Lifts open in June and close early September. Peak weeks are French and English school holidays.

While there’s certainly plenty of better riding in other resorts, what Morzine has is a vibrant social scene all summer long. I’ve ridden plenty of alpine resorts that have better riding but the villages or towns are absolutely deserted with most shops and restaurants closed up for summer and very few tourists.

“Morzine” is a catch all term for a huge area but the town itself is fantastic. Lots going on for non bikers and just a great place to spend time. The trails are IMHO great. I’d happily bang out laps of the Pleney black all day every day with no complaints. There’s loads more riding in the PDS if you want to explore. For me, it really does everything for what I want from summer alps riding. Loads of riding options during the day and loads of apres riding options plus a ton of non biking stuff for anyone who isn’t riding

I agree.
If you are family and want quieter, stay in Les Gets. It has the school lake for swimming in post ride and has less nightlife, but accesses all the same trails.

@kramer I'd say early July is best. Season starts in June but they don't open everything at the same time. August tends to be busiest and trails will have had loads of traffic already. Sept has more chance of rain and lifts starting to close (although they do appear to be getting better at lengthening the season). Avoid the Harley Davison festival if you plan on staying in Morzine.

Honestly… I’ve spent the last six weeks visiting various parks between Morzine, via Pila and La Thuile, down to Valloire and Briançon (although I missed the last day of Serre Chaviler) and Morzine was the low point…..

You've already admitted you ignored all the tips and advice in this thread, so it seems a bit counter productive telling people Morzine was the low point.

There is very good reason Morzine is the default European go to for both weekend warriors and the best riders in the world.

“Morzine” is a catch all term for a huge area but the town itself is fantastic

This is the important bit to note. I refer to "Morzine" as a base for riding the huge area the (admittedly more expensive than most) lift pass covers - Morzine, Les Gets, Chatel, Morgins, Champery etc

Holy thread resurrection...

I've been to Morzine before (lucky me) and ridden with mates who have been many times, but this year for a bit of piece of mind I'd like to plot some previous Strava rides on an old-school paper map. Plus some suggestions from this thread. My thinking is I'd get some context before I go, as well as having a backup in the camelback when I'm there. Plus I wouldn't be wholly reliant on others to suggest a ride each day. 

Sooo, would this one cover most of the wider Morzine area? We will go over to Switzerland one day to do the ex Swiss DH run I'm sure, but for us being based in Morzine and using just lifts (i.e. no other transport), would that cover most runs?

Cheers

Yeah, that'll cover pretty much everything. Only thing missing is possibly some of the Swiss side and if you do the Samoens route (but that needs a drive back)

I must admit I'm a map fan but didn't really find that map that useful for riding. It's great for hiking but the riding is so terrain driven. Won't hurt though and maybe helps focus what you want to do a little.

The Vtopo guide has IGN (French version of Ordnance Survey) maps for each of the routes in it. My copy is quite old and looking at the Vtopo website it seems that the new edition includes gpx files too. Best of both worlds it seems.

https://uk.vtopo.com/products/vtt-portes-du-soleil

Thanks both!

Not much to add but I'd give my left nut for a sunny weekend on Pleney right now.

I’d give both.