MORE DETAILED FAQ HERE.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL TO AND FROM MORZINE FROM THE UK?
Getting to Morzine is very simple and there are many options from driving to flying to catching a train. If using any Southern UK airport you can expect a flight time of 1.20hrs followed by a transfer to resort from Geneva of the same time. Driving from Folkstone using the Eurotunnel is so simple, once you arrive in Calais it’s a 7/10hr drive down. French roads are excellent and expect to pay roughly 80 Euros in Tolls. If renting a car from Geneva Airport, when you land rent from the Swiss side which is slightly more expensive but SO much easier.
See our full travel advice here.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE TO MORZINE FROM THE UK?
Remember that it is a legal requirement in France to carry a warning triangle and spare bulbs and that the Motorway speed limit depends on the weather. On Autoroutes the speed limit is 130km/hr (81mph) except during rain when it reduces to 110km/hr (68mph). Speeding fines are expensive and must be paid immediately to the traffic police if you are stopped. Yes, the toll booths know if you have travelled between them in excess of the speed limit.
See our full driving advice here.
WHAT ARE THE NEAREST AIRPORTS TO MORZINE?
There are four main airports that service the French Alps. The closest and most commonly used for Morzine is Geneva (Switzerland). You can also fly into Chambery, Lyon St-Exupery Airport, and Grenoble. Your onward journey to Morzine will be more expensive if you choose to travel into any other airport than Geneva.
HOW DO I GET FROM GENEVA AIRPORT TO MORZINE?
Good transfer services exist at all the main airports for the Alps. A whole host of private companies offer minibus transfers (shared and private) or hiring a car is probably the quickest way to get to resort. Public transport using buses and trains are also available but can take a great deal longer to get to your destination. A recommended company you could try are Skiidygonzales, who offer a discount to MTB Beds clients.
See our full flying advice here.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO COME MOUNTAIN BIKING IN MORZINE?
The main MTB season runs from June through to September when the majority of the lifts are open. Weather permitting, June, September and up to the end of October are good months to mountain bike as trails are quiet and the temperatures are cooler. Some resorts very close by like Champery, Morgins and Pila in Italy are easily accessible by car and Morzine is a great base for your accommodation and holiday. Many lifts run from June through to the beginning of September, with the full Portes du Soleil network open in July and August.
the most up to date lift information can be found here.
WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO GO TO MORZINE?
- June: + Quiet, trails are fresh, early season stoke, weather historically reliable.
- June: - Quiet, dig crews may have been lazy, can have limited lift choice.
- July: + All lifts open, season in full swing, trails still fresh(ish), not school holidays yet.
- July: - Can be busy, weather historically the most unreliable.
- August: + Usually scorching, secret tracks often all up and running.
- August: - If dig crews have been lazy some tracks can be beat up, school holidays.
HOW MANY LIFTS ARE THERE IN MORZINE?
Morzine is in the heart of one of the world’s biggest MTB areas, the Portes du Soleil. With 12 linked resorts offering a network of 24 chairlifts and cable cars, all equipped to take mountain bikes. There is an 80 km circuit on the French/Swiss border and dozens of downhill runs for all levels and abilities. As Morzine is in a valley, most of the Portes du Soleil’s cycle tracks that start at the top of cable cars and chairlifts lead back down into Morzine. In the village itself, there is a real MTB buzz, with all the necessary services,specialist bike shops with qualified staff, and great après-MTB scene.
WHAT IS THE BEST BIKE TO BRING TO MORZINE?
There are many different routes/areas which are suited to different types of mountain bikes so if you’re an experienced rider then you’ll undoubtedly be bringing your own mountain bike with you and you'll already know your preferred terrain. However, if this is your first mountain biking experience and you’re not familiar with the lingo or sure of the differences between a cross country (XC), trail, freestyle or downhill bike or whether to take the hardtail or full suspension option see our bike rental page.
We wrote an article on this very question, found here.
WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE DO I NEED IN FRANCE?
We recommend that you have insurance both for your equipment and emergency medical expenses, please check that your insurance will cover a holiday specifically for mountain biking, many don’t and most travel insurance policies will not cover you for downhill mountain biking.
Although locked storage is provided, please ensure that you have adequate insurance for your equipment - sadly thieves have been known to operate in this area.
We recommend Yellow Jersey Cycle insurance http://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/
Their insurance provides cover for downhill mountain biking for leisure. Downhill mountain bike racing is excluded under their policy. They consider downhill mountain bike racing to include timed events which begin at the top of a mountain, and finish at the bottom. This exclusion does not apply to mountain bike races which involve elements of riding down hills, such as cross country or enduro events, or recreational downhilling.
CAN YOU SUGGEST ACTIVITES FOR CHILDREN IN MORZINE?
Morzine is very much a family-friendly resort and welcomes children of all ages. From things that you can do as a family to activities that the children can go off and do with their new 'holiday friends' you will find plenty to keep everyone happy. Much more information on Activities can be obtained form the tourism office.
See our article on activities beyond mountain biking here.
Can you suggest some hiking routes to try?
If you come to Morzine in the summer (and between you and I, you really should) chances are you'll want to get your walking boots on and go on a ramble or two. Morzine offers some beautiful walks for all standards, from gentle rambles to challenging hikes, you can enjoy the mountains just as much in summer as in winter .Much more information on Hiking can be obtained form the tourism office.
