Morzine is a great resort of beginners

Are you a beginner skier travelling to Morzine for the first time? We hope so because we’ve got everything you need to know for your first ski trip in Morzine. From our recommendations on where to start, the best cruisey blue runs for practising turns and places to stop for a break. And we’ve even created accessible routes for you to follow as a beginner skier in Morzine.

We’re a ski school based in the Alps with 25 years in the biz. Over 11,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.9/5. We’re not just here for a good time; we’re here for a long time, and we’ve built trust with every turn on the slopes. We know Morzine and the Portes du Soleil ski area like the back of our hand. Let’s get started in planning your first trip to Morzine.

Three quick tips for a first-time skier in Morzine:

1) Take your time buying a lift pass. Many of the beginner areas are free to use. If you’ve booked lessons, check with them first to see if you’ll need a pass for your first day. You can always buy a lift pass midweek when you require it.

2) Book your ski rental beforehand to reduce stress on your first ski trip to Morzine. Ski Mobile will come to your accommodation on your day of arrival to deliver and fit your skis for you. This means you don’t have to visit the ski shop and wait in turn to get your skis fitted.

3) Book ski lessons. If you want to get moving on the mountain in a safe environment, then taking a ski lesson is the most efficient way to progress and enjoy your holiday. Find various group or private ski lessons and prices in Morzine here.

Getting started: Your first experience on snow.

Search for “Zones Débutants,” otherwise known as beginner’s areas, on the Morzine piste map, as this is where beginners start. These designated zones are cordoned off from the faster skiers, providing a safe space where beginners can learn and practice without worry.

The four main ski areas beginners need to know about:

1. Pleney
2. Nyon
3. Super Morzine
4. Ardent

These gondolas sweep you off the valley floor and into the various beginner-friendly ski areas on the mountain.

1) Pleney Beginner Zone

Pleney’s beginner area is at the top of the Pleney gondola, which you can hop straight from the centre of Morzine. It offers an expansive flat space, plenty of fun tree-lined blue runs to enjoy and an enclosed rolling carpet lift (known as a magic carpet) with a gentle gradient. Perfect for learning to ski for the first time.

Piste B, C and D are good options and can all be accessed at the top of Pleney, visible on your right, as soon as you get off the gondola.

Once you feel confident turning in the Pleney area, you can progress to the Nabor and Belvedere chairlifts. From Pleney, the Belvedere chairlift leads to the top of a green run.

Nabor: Our favourite blue in Morzine

The Nabor run is a vast yet gentle blue slope starting from the top of Pleney, which provides a more extended route home for beginners. This long cruising piste is perfect for practising new skills and building rhythm.

Pleney is also a good option if the weather is terrible, as the trees provide some visibility, and you can get back into town pretty quickly for a vin chaud if it gets worse.

2) Nyon Magic Carpet

Nyon offers an excellent space for beginners with a magic carpet lift. It has various blue and red runs linking to Pleney and Les Gets. On a clear day, from the top of Pointe de Nyon, you can see Lake Geneva in one direction and Mont Blanc in the other. But be warned, there are only red runs down from the top of the Pointe.

The most significant advantage of skiing in Nyon beginner zone:

It’s often less crowded than the Pleney side during peak weeks, and for those staying around Nyon, hopping on the Nyon cable car provides swift access to the Birds of Prey restaurant if you need a break.

3) Super Morzine

The Super Morzine lift is a fast bubble lift on the opposite side of the town to Pleney. This lift gains you access to Avoriaz. Avoriaz has some great runs, and it usually boasts better snow as it sits at a higher altitude than Morzine, so it’s well worth a visit.

It takes about 30 minutes to get to Avoriaz, and you can use this itinerary to get there:

Start in Morzine

●     First, get on the Super Morzine bubble

●     Take the Zore chairlift

●     Choose between skiing down cruisey blue or green runs

●     Hop on the Proclou chairlift

There is a whole network of blue runs to choose from. Head up to Col de Fornet or Chavanette and take in the view. Ski down to Les Brocheaux or Lindarets and explore the area. Or stay higher, jump on the Lac Intrets chairlift, and make the most of the interconnected blue runs on that side of the mountain.

4) Ardent

From the Ardent parking area you can jump on a fast bubble lift that takes you directly into another ski area called Lindarets – this is a great starting point to access the slopes of Chatel, Avoriaz and Switzerland. You can ski to Lindarets from Morzine via a network of green and blue runs, but you can also drive there or take a bus, jump on the Ardent bubble and be in the heart of the Portes du Soleil in just a few minutes.

There are some fantastic blue runs, our favourite being from the top of the Lindarets chair, nicknamed Star Wars. This run is an excellent blast through the trees down to the bottom of the Ardent bubble, which will leave you buzzing with adrenaline.

Another bonus of learning to ski near Ardent is the Happy Hours bar at the bottom of the lift. It also has tasty food and gets lively for Aprés drinks if you’re still on the mountain later into the afternoon.

Our favourite blue run in Lindarets?

Prolays is an easy, vast blue with a nice gradient, ideal for practising turns, making it a firm favourite amongst our instructors. It’s quite a long run, making you feel like you’re travelling down the mountain, starting in Avoriaz and ending in Lindarets.

Are you holidaying with more experienced friends? Share this guide to skiing in Morzine with them to get your group of mixed abilities moving around the mountain from day one.

Ready to learn to ski in Morzine?

We hope this guide makes you feel more confident as a beginner skiing in Morzine for the first time. What have you got left to do? Find a beautiful chalet to base yourself in and get ready to hit the slopes, easy peasy.