Fancy going exploring? How about setting aside your standard skis for a while and trying something new, still on skis but Nordic ones this time! Nordic skiing, as its name suggests, originated in Scandinavia and is a combination of various practices to explore the mountains in a different way.
Morzine Nordic ski area is the perfect place to get a taste for Nordic skiing
Bbiathlon (sport combining Nordic skiing and rifle shooting) or to work on your skills in both disciplines. In Morzine, you can go Nordic skiing in the Valley of La Manche which is a wild valley without ski lifts, at an altitude of between 1,100 m and 1,400 m, and is the ideal place to try out Nordic-style activities. There is a great cross-country ski slope there and a trail for either pedestrians or snowshoeing outings. As this is a shared trail, pedestrians and those with snowshoes are asked to respect the markings for the cross-country ski slope (double tracks).
The footpath can be followed from the centre of Morzine or you can go to Erigné directly, either by car or using the free shuttle service (route E). The trail runs alongside the river Dranse and can therefore be reached from the many bridges dotted around the valley.
There are a few inns in Erigné and on the Mines d’Or lake trail where you can stop off and get a bite to eat or a drink.
There is a Nordic area in the Pleney-Chavannes sector (accessible via the Le Pleney gondola lift) at an altitude of 1,500 m and due to the location, this area boasts top-quality snow cover all winter. This is a very sunny sector with some fantastic views. At the Le Pleney viewpoint, there’s an orientation table and a fantastic view of Mont-Blanc.
SKI Passes
| Adult 26 – 64years | Child 5 – 15years | Young person 16 – 25years | Seniors 65years and + | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 18,50€ | 15,50€ | 16,50€ | 16,50€ |
| 6 days | 93,50€ | 75€ | 85€ | 85€ |
| 1 day Family | 56€ | 56€ | 56€ | 56€ |
Super Morzine & Ardent gondola lifts, Prodains 3S lift
Zore & Plateau chairlifts
Le Pleney gondola lift & Nyon cable car
Super Morzine & Ardent gondola lifts, Prodains 3S lift
Zore & Plateau chairlifts
Morzine Nordic skiing areas that can be reached via the ski lifts
In Morzine, two high-mountain cross-country skiing areas can be accessed with the cross-country skiing/pedestrian pass that you can purchase directly online or from the ski lift ticket office in each sector.
The first sector is on the north side of the mountains, in Le Pleney. Cross-country skiers can reach the Les Gets ski area via the Le Pleney gondola lift. The second sector is in Super Morzine on the south side, and the Super Morzine gondola lift will take you straight to Avoriaz. You can also choose to use shuttle A from the centre of the village and get to Avoriaz via the Prodains Express cable car. Another possibility is shuttle M (free-of-charge) from the centre of Morzine village which will take you directly to the Ardent gondola lift departure station.
From there, you’ll be able to use the ski lifts to explore the snow-covered mountains from the peaks. This way you will also have the chance to try local and Savoyard specialities at the mountain restaurants and meet the rest of your family there, who will just have finished their sensational day of skiing.
The passes are less expensive that the downhill skiing ones, making this a less expensive activity which is ideal not only for those looking for an alternative to downhill skiing, but also those with a limited holiday budget.
Morzine Nordic skiing areas that cannot be reached via the ski lifts
Remember that cross-country skiing on the marked-out slopes is free-of-charge. For example, you can choose not to use the ski lifts and take a free shuttle or your own vehicle to the Erigné Nordic skiing area and then ski for free on the cross-country ski slopes in La Manche valley.
Marked-out and completely safe cross-country ski slopes
The cross-country ski slopes in each sector of the ski area have been prepared, marked-out and made safe so that you can get the most out of your activity in Morzine, and across the entire Portes du Soleil ski area. We wish you a great stay and a fantastic holiday here!
