Winter events in Morzine and Les Gets

Winter 2019/20

It’s true that most people flock to Morzine and Les Gets in the winter for the fabulous skiing and snowboarding, but there are plenty of other things to do too. Whether you’re a non-skier, want something to do on a bad weather day, or just fancy a change, here are some of our favourite winter activities.

Warm up and work out in the pool

Your OVO Network chalet may have its own pool, but if it doesn’t, you can still enjoy a swim. There’s a 25m pool and plunge pool at the Parc des Dérèches in Morzine, and you can even relax in the sauna afterwards. This is a perfect pool for serious swimmers, but there’s a great family-orientated water park in Avoriaz with slides, rapids, a tropical jungle and a hot tub with mountain views!

Find Out About Parc des Dérèches
Read About Aquariaz

Hit the gym

You don’t have to let your training routine slip just because you are away from home. Mountain Rehab, based at the Aiglon hotel in Morzine, boasts a fully-equipped gym, as well as Pilates, yoga, massage and sports physio. And if you can’t get to them, they will come to your OVO Network chalet! There are plenty of hotels that offer spa complexes too if you’d rather relax and take it easy - try Le Dahu or Le Samoyede.

Read More About Mountain Rehab

Retail therapy 

As the popularity of the Portes du Soleil resorts has grown, so too has the selection of shops! You can easily while away a day shopping in Morzine or Les Gets, where you will find great sports shops, gift shops, chocolate shops, delicatessens and clothes stores. Try Le Refuge de Marie Louise in Les Gets or Chez le Miladiou in Morzine for local produce. Many of the shops shut for a long lunch from noon to 2pm - a great excuse to enjoy a long relaxing lunch in one of the many restaurants.

Discover Refuge de Marie Louise
Read About Chez le Miladiou

Sledging, day or night

Sledging is a great activity for families, and there are plenty of places to choose from. In Morzine, head for L’Aubergade Hotel at the foot of the Pleney. It has a huge outside area with a bar and a sledging run - bring your own sledge or hire one from a local sports shop. There are sledging areas for children in Les Gets - try La Chavanne or Les Perrieres, but remember that sledging is not allowed in the ski areas.

For an experience you won’t forget, why not try night sledging? When all the skiers have gone home, head for the slopes with a guide, strap on your head torch and off you go! These events are organised by Indiana’Ventures, who provide the sledge, the headtorch, a lift pass and a guide to make sure you are safe over the 4 Km descent.

Read More About Indiana’Ventures
Discover Sledging in Les Gets

Get your skates on

Whether you’re a novice or an expert, the outdoor rinks in Les Gets and Morzine are a great afternoon out for all ages. Children can get around with the help of a penguin stability aid - unfortunately there aren’t any big enough for adults! If the weather’s not great, there’s an indoor rink at Morzine.

Visit Morzine’s Ice Rink
Read About Ice Skating in Les Gets

Catch a film

The Cinema Rex on the Rue du Bourg in Morzine shows films in French and English.  Children will find something they like during the day, and there is plenty of choice for adults later on. They get all the latest releases - check the website to see what’s on and which language it is being shown in.

Discover What’s On

Ice Hockey

For a night of fast-moving sporting action, head for the ice rink in Morzine - the Pingouins play most weeks. Make sure you wrap up warm though!

Find Out More about Hockey

Want to know what's on during your stay in Morzine and the surrounding areas? Take a look at our list of things to do in the area, including Avoriaz, Les Gets and Champery too.

We have tried to provide the latest information available at the time of writing.

 

Markets

Les Gets - Thursdays, 8am to noon

Morzine - Wednesdays, 8am to 12.30pm

DECEMBER

December 22-23, Meet Father Christmas

Morzine

Meet the big man before Christmas outside the tourist office in Morzine. He’s there from 11am to noon and 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the Sunday, and from 5-6pm on the Monday.

Find Out More

December 22 to January 3, The Enchanted Village of Morzine

Morzine

The spirit of Christmas fills the village for two weeks, with a packed programme of events to celebrate the holidays. Parades, treasure hunts, children’s workshops and shows, fireworks and much more make Morzine a very special place to spend Christmas. And, best of all, it’s all free! The full programme is available on the website.

Read About Morzine’s Christmas

December 20-27, Father Christmas lives in Les Gets!

Various locations, Les Gets

There’s a big build-up to Christmas in Les Gets, culminating in the arrival of Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. There’s a Christmas market, children can enjoy story-telling, and there are festive fetes, fairs and fireworks in the nearby villages.

Discover Christmas in Les Gets

December 31, Torchlit descent

Morzine

Gather at the foot of Le Pleney to watch the ESF ski instructors’ torchlit descent, and raise a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate - bring your own cup or buy a reusable one from the tourist office.

Read About the Torchlit Descent

December 31, New Year’s Eve

Various locations, Morzine

If you’re planning a night out you will be spoiled for choice, with bars and restaurants offering music, parties and special menus. Most people head for the centre of town as midnight strikes for the firework display. Don’t forget to book if you have a particular restaurant in mind, as most places will be busy.

December 31, New Year’s Eve fireworks

Les Gets

The first firework will go off at 7pm, getting the party started. Bars and restaurants throughout the village will be celebrating, so make sure you get in early to book your table!

Find Out More

JANUARY

January 14, La Grande Odyssee dog sledding competition

Les Gets

Teams of dogs and mushers compete in Europe’s biggest race across 14 resorts, which this year includes Les Gets (Jan 14). Check the website so that you know where to be and when.

Read About La Grande Odyssee

January 29-30, Women’s European Alpine Cup

Morzine

The village welcomes some of the world's best women skiers, who will compete on the Pléney piste in two giant slaloms, a real treat to watch. The finish line is in the heart of Morzine, allowing spectators to get up close and personal with all the action. The European Cup is the gateway to the World Cup, with established competitors racing alongside new talent alike.

Find Out About the European Cup

Our chalets in Morzine and Les Gets

FEBRUARY

February 12, 19 and 26, Red Ski Show

Les Gets

Ski instructors from the ESF Les Gets will entertain, with torchlit descents, spectacular skiing, piste grooming and rescue demonstrations, as well as fireworks. Enjoy a mulled wine or a hot chocolate while you watch the show. Check the website as times vary.

Read About the Red Ski Show

February 22, Speed skating initiation

Plateau de Nyon, Morzine

Try your hand at speed skiing on a private slope with Xspeed ski tour. 10am to 4pm.

Discover Speed Skating

MARCH

March 1 and 8, Speed skating initiation

Plateau de Nyon, Morzine

Try your hand at speed skiing on a private slope with Xspeed ski tour. 10am to 4pm.

Discover Speed Skating

March 4, Red Ski Show

Les Gets

Ski instructors from the ESF Les Gets will entertain, with torchlit descents, spectacular ski, piste grooming and rescue demonstrations as well as fireworks. Enjoy a mulled wine or a hot chocolate while you watch the show. Check the website as times vary.

Take a Look at the Red Ski Show

March 15-21, Rock the Pistes

Portes du Soleil resorts

This music festival takes place every year on the slopes of resorts across the Portes du Soleil. And it’s totally free, as long as you have your lift pass! Organisers are expecting 28,000 people this year, with five live concerts and over 50 apres-ski concerts. Check the website for the latest line-up, and to see who is playing where.

Read About Rock the Pistes

March 21-28, Snowboxx

Various locations, Avoriaz

Take a music festival, add plenty of snow and a carnival, and you get Snowboxx. World-class freeriders and DJs head for the resort for a fun-packed week. Past guests include Stormzy and Basement Jaxx - check the website to see who you can expect this season.

Find Out About Snowboxx

Choose your Accommodation

If you've found some interesting events, why not take a look at our range of gorgeous hand-picked chalets in the Portes du Soleil.

We have a wide variety of options from large group chalets to luxury chalets with pools and more. We're sure you'll find something perfect for your next visit.

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