Come and explore the Morzine ski area but this time leave the skis behind and put snowshoes on instead!
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the French government’s decision to bring the ski lifts to a halt, mountain professionals and tourists had to adapt to the situation.
Service providers reorganised themselves so they could still welcome tourists and provide a wide range of activities. Your winter holiday wasn’t the usual one you were used to. But just because it was different doesn’t mean it wasn’t just as good. Other ways of enjoying the mountains were introduced and one of them was snowshoeing outings.
So what is so special about a snowshoeing hike? The obvious answer is that it’s an opportunity to completely disconnect from everyday life, to embrace the great outdoors and admire exceptional views of the mountains all around you.
Snowshoeing hike from Morzine
There are plenty of hiking trails around Morzine that are suitable for snowshoeing. It’s easy to find the marked-out trails departing from the village. They are easy to follow and don’t involve any particular difficulties, so the whole family can enjoy the snow. Our mind particularly turns to the Sentier du Renard (fox trail) or the other family-friendly walks along the river Dranse at Dérêches Park.
There are also some great trails further up into the mountains, which present opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and even Mont-Blanc. There are so many to choose from!
Hiking trails suitable for everyone
Do you need to be ultra sporty or know the mountains like the back of your hand to really make the most of a snowshoeing hike? Does it take time to get to grips with the equipment? You’ll be surprised to see just how easy this activity is. The equipment is lightweight, easy to get used to and this activity is by no means reserved for the pros. Quite the contrary in fact. Snowshoeing hikes are a great way for the whole family to enjoy the mountains and the picture-perfect, snow-covered landscapes. You’ll have access to the best views in the Portes du Soleil ski area.
Set off and explore the sheer beauty of nature, go at your own pace, follow the trails or why not venture off the beaten track?
Snowshoeing has most definitely become an unmissable activity for your winter holiday in the mountains.
Snowshoeing guides available for your outing
To set off on an adventure in the mountains in complete safety, don’t hesitate to call upon a professional guide for your snowshoeing outing. The guide will share all their top tips to help you get to grips with the equipment, and will also take you to all the best places for this activity. With them by your side, make the very most of the winter wonderland around the Morzine ski area. They will take you to places where you can admire exceptional views and discover the untouched, immaculate natural environment and local wildlife.
While out exploring, you will most likely be lucky enough to see signs of the presence of Alpine ibex and chamois that live in our mountains. The snowshoeing guides will be there to tell you all about these animals and how they live in the mountains through the seasons. The guides are mountain specialists and they’ll share their extensive knowledge with you. Using binoculars to observe the south-facing slope, which is the sunny side of the mountains, you might be able to see the animals roaming about in their natural habitat, if you’re really lucky!
Snowshoeing is an activity that is easy to do with your children
You don’t need to be a great athlete to enjoy a snowshoeing hike. It is suitable for everyone and doesn’t require any complex technical knowledge. That’s why snowshoeing outings are often recommended for families. There’s something suitable for everyone and you can go at your own pace.
A snowshoeing hike is all about taking the time to admire your surroundings. People of all ages will be amazed by the forests, landscapes and sheer diversity of the wildlife all around.
When we go to the mountains for a winter holiday, it’s generally all about skiing and we don’t always consider other activities. This year, the holidays are taking a different turn and there are plenty of other activities on offer so that holidaymakers can enjoy the mountains in a different way. A snowshoeing hike can be an opportunity to explore the mountains, whether it’s your first time here or not. So why not treat yourselves to this unforgettable experience as a family, in the midst of the snow-covered mountains? It’s a great activity that is suitable for all ages. We absolutely recommend embarking on an exploration of this natural environment that is still largely untouched.
Snowshoeing hikes and free Nordic activities guide
Thanks to the Morzine Nordic activities guide, available to download for free or you can pick a paper version up from the Tourist Office, you can browse ideas for routes and plenty of information about the various places you can go snowshoeing. We recommend going to Dérêches Park close to the centre of Morzine, to the Valley of La Manche or Le Pleney.
5 ideas for snowshoeing in and around Morzine
1. The Crêtes de Zore (Zore ridges)
Easy outing with some great views from Avoriaz-Zore
Difference in altitude: Flat path
Duration of the trail: 2 hrs 45 there and back
On this route between Morzine and Avoriaz, there are superb views of the surrounding peaks, Mont-Blanc, Morzine valley and the resort of Avoriaz. Don’t forget your camera, you’ll regret it if you don’t bring it. The route is fairly flat which means it’s suitable for the whole family, even the little ones.
2. Super Morzine
A pleasant walk up over the highlands of Morzine
Difference in altitude: Flat path
Route duration: 20 min to 1 hr 15 depending on the chosen loop trail
This is most certainly the biggest and most beautiful Nordic area of Portes du Soleil! This is a high-mountain sector (between 1,500 m and 1,800 m in altitude) with groomed trails for pedestrians and a fantastic cross-country skiing area. Perched up on a mountain plateau, this is the perfect place to explore on foot, with the ideal sun exposure and combination of wild sections through the forest and the more lively sections alongside the downhill ski slopes. The trail can be reached from Avoriaz (La Falaise neighbourhood) or from Morzine using the Super-Morzine gondola lift and the Zore chairlift. This winter, with the ski lifts being closed, there’s a free shuttle service from Morzine to Avoriaz.
3. Dérêches
Woodland trail alongside the river Dranse from the Palais des Sports in Morzine. Easy to reach from the centre of the village.
Difference in altitude: Flat path
Duration of the trail: 20 min to 1 hr 15 depending on the chosen loop trail
Dérêches Park is a stone’s throw from the centre of the village and can be reached via the lift next to the Super Morzine ski lift, via the Chemin du Coulet or from the lower part of the village. The pool complex marks the entrance. This trail is easy to get to if you’re coming as a family. You’ll be walking along a flat path and you can choose the duration that suits you, from 20 minutes to 1 hr 15 if you’re feeling brave.
The children will love the walk around Dérêches Park as there’s a children’s playground and horse riding centre there.
The path is completely safe and doesn’t necessarily require snowshoes. You can choose the duration of your outing by using the various bridges dotted along the way.
4. The Sentier du Renard (fox trail)
Easy walk along the river Dranse to Nyon
Difference in altitude: +180 m to Érigné
Duration of the trail: Up to 2.5 hours, there and back
Along the entire route, there’s a permanent exhibition about the life of the fox and its natural habitat. The children will love it! The adults won’t be left out either and will enjoy admiring the beautiful Nyon waterfall which is fairly close to Nyon car park. It’s definitely worth the short detour!
5. Sentier de l’Érigné in Chardonnière
This trail departs from Erigné (Valley of La Manche)
Difference in altitude: – 150 m
Duration of the trail: 2 hrs there and back
Erigné is at the heart of the Valley of La Manche. There are no ski lifts in this wild valley that stands at an elevation of between 1,100 m and 1,400 m, and it is the perfect place for Nordic activities. There is a great cross-country ski slope there and a snowshoeing trail. The area was recently given a makeover and a play area and sledging run were added, much to the delight of the children. Next to these new additions, there’s a huge igloo with some animals from the mountains around it for the children to come and meet.
This trail can be followed from the centre of Morzine along the river Dranse in the direction of Nyon, or you can drive straight to Erigné. Another even easier solution is to use the free shuttle bus (route E) and go as far as the terminus.
All these snowshoeing hikes are listed and detailed in the Morzine Nordic activities guide that you can download and then plan your holiday as best you can. Don’t hesitate to stop by the Tourist Office for any extra advice.
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