Published on 05 Jan 2026

Reading time: 2 min.

From the 2025–2026 winter season, it is officially forbidden to smoke on ski slopes, in ski lifts, and in lift queues in all French ski resorts, including the Morzine ski area. This rule is now part of French legislation and applies to everyone, both visitors and professionals.

What is the legal basis?

This ban results from Decree No. 2025-582 of 27 June 2025, published in the Official Journal, which extends the smoking ban to new outdoor areas, notably sports facilities accessible to the public, Légifrance . The text specifies that certain uncovered areas of sports facilities, such as ski slopes, chairlifts, gondolas, and lift queues, must be considered smoke-free areas during their operating hours, Santé.gouv.fr.

👉What this means in practice

👉Smoking is prohibited:

  • On all ski slopes within the ski area (including while skiing)

  • In ski lifts

  • In lift queues

  • In uncovered areas of sports facilities while they are in operation

👉 Smoking remains permitted:

  • Off the slopes or outside practice/queue areas (for example, in village streets)

  • On certain designated terraces of restaurants or cafés

  • In specific smoking areas, if these are set up by the operator

Why was this law adopted?

This measure is part of a national public health and environmental protection initiative, with clear objectives:

✔ Protect everyone’s health, especially children and young people, by reducing exposure to smoke in frequently used public spaces.

✔ Reduce cigarette butt pollution, one of the most common types of waste found in the mountains and on ski slopes.

✔ Harmonise regulations across France, taking into account changing practices and visitors’ expectations.

Penalties

Failure to comply with this ban may result in sanctions:

  • A fixed fine of €135 for offenders
  • Possibility of higher fines in case of repeat offenses or aggravating circumstances

📍 Application in Morzine

As a responsible tourist resort committed to a clean, safe, and enjoyable ski area, Morzine enforces this national regulation throughout its ski domain. We therefore invite you to respect this ban during your stay.

👉 Designated smoking areas may be available outside the ski area (for example, in the village or on certain terraces). Please use them and dispose of cigarette butts in the ashtrays provided.

Thematics