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The best things to do in Morzine in Summer – by travel expert Katja Gaskell
Morzine is a huge adventure playground in summer. Discover the best things to do with top tips from Morzine expert, travel writer and blogger Katja Gaskell.
Katja’s top picks for Morzine summer activities
Freshwater swimming, endless walking trails, miles of mountain biking terrain and a plethora of outdoor activities just waiting to test your dedication to adventure – summer really is a special time in the Portes du Soleil! With so many exciting things to do, the hardest task can be deciding how to spend your days! To get you started, we sought the expert advice of travel writer at The Telegraph and author of Globetotting adventure blog, Katja Gaskell. A frequent visitor and big fan of Morzine, both to ski and enjoy summer adventures with her husband and three children, Katja knows the area well. We are proud to have her as a Bluebird on AliKats’ ambassador panel, which means we are in the lucky position to pick her brains on Morzine summer holidays.
Here are Katja’s top Morzine summer activities, along with some essential planning information for you to enjoy these adventures too.
Fly over the Portes du Soleil – Tandem Paragliding Adventure
Whether you come in winter or summer, a tandem paraglide is one of those bucket list mountain activities that you simply must try. A flight over the Portes du Soleil mountains promises stunning scenery and the opportunity to do some nifty aerobatics. We’ve flown with Antoine from Les Gets Adventure (one of the two brothers in this family run outfit) several times now and he’s even taken my youngest (then aged 6) up in the air.
On a tandem flight you are harnessed to a qualified instructor who takes the reins as you glide over the beautiful mountains and forest, before landing in a field far below. You can do this activity from several locations around the Portes du Soleil: take off 1600m above sea level from Super Morzine and climb over the Morzine valley, before landing near the Pleney; or soar into the sky of Les Gets from the summit of Mont Chéry, and spot Mont Blanc in the distance as you glide through the air.
Insider tip
Do you suffer from vertigo? Don’t worry, according to the Paragliding School of the Portes du Soleil, this shouldn’t be a problem on a tandem flight. This is because you have no connection with the ground and take-off is not a sheer cliff, but a very gradual grass slope of barely ten metres, hence the possibility of taking off in winter on skis. In paragliding, there is no sensation of falling vertically, you glide like a bird.
Essentials
The shuttle to the take-off site, the preparation of the sail and the flight is about an hour. You must wear hiking or tennis shoes, a fleece jacket or a windbreaker (it gets chilly up there).
Mont Chéry flight: Les Gets Adventure
Super Morzine flight: Paragliding School of Portes du Soleil
Paddle board & picnic – Lake Montriond
The emerald green waters of Lake Montriond, are without a doubt our favourite place to be on our summer holidays in Morzine. During winter months this freshwater lake is popular with ice divers who plunge beneath its frozen surface, but in summer the lake is taken over by swimmers, kayakers and canoeists.
We love to bring our stand up paddle board and a picnic and spend the day there. If this sounds like bliss to you but you don’t own a paddle board (or can’t bring yours on holiday), you can easily rent one from the water sports outfit, called Nauti Chill, on the edge of the lake.
Insider tip
You’ll find several tiny ponies resting under the shade of a tree. If you have little ones, who aren’t great walkers, renting one (around €10) is a lovely way to complete the circuit around the lake. For a longer hike of around 1h45 to a beautiful waterfall (not suitable for the ponies but great for older kids) take the trail from the far end of the lake into the forest and you’ll end up at the stunning ‘Cascade d’Ardent’. Find the route and map here.
Essentials
At the near side of the lake when arriving from Morzine, you’ll find a children’s playground, picnic tables, mini golf and a family bathing lake with a sandy beach for kids. If you’ve not had time to make a picnic, you’ll find a cafe serving sandwiches, ice creams and salads in the first parking area, and two Savoyard style restaurants around the lake. The far end of the lake is more serene, surrounded by forest with a large grass area for sunbathing.
Access and parking
The lake is just outside the village of Montriond and around 10 minutes drive or bus ride from Morzine village. To access the playground, kids beach, rentals and cafe, park at the first car park; otherwise carry on along the road and follow the sign to ‘Le Bout du Lac’ to more parking at the far end of the lake. There are public toilets at both ends of the lake.
Inflatable obstacle course on water – Wibit, Lac des Ecoles
If we’re not at Montriond Lake then it’s highly likely that we will be at the Lac des Ecoles in Les Gets. Every summer, a large inflatable obstacle course, the Wibit, is created, delivering a huge amount of fun for all the family. The main course for kids and adults over 1m20, is made up of around 40 modules with a giant slide, floating climbing wall, monkey cage and an ingenious human catapult! There’s even a mini Wibit course – complete with slides, jumps and a wobbly bridge – for young children from 5 to 8 years.
The Wibit course is located in the stunning Lac des Ecoles park, where you will find a bunch of facilities and attractions for families. If you have preschoolers in your family, next to the lake there’s a ‘splashpad’ – a playground with water fountains and statues – where little ones can splash around safely. Around the park there’s also bathing and swimming areas (lifeguarded during peak times), a playground, a pump track, ping-pong tables and self-service barbecues – it’s easy to spend the whole day here!
Insider tip
If members of your family are downhill mountain biking, VTT trails come right past the far side of the park (next to the restaurant) – so it’s a lovely spot to base your family for the day, and riders can pop in, have a swim and share a picnic before getting back to the trails.
Essentials
Access to the park and swimming area is free, however, booking and payment is needed for The Wibit course. Reserve a time slot for the Wibit course, open from 11am – 6:30pm everyday from Saturday June 29th to Sunday September 1st. Prices at €11 for the main course and €6 for the KidsPark (5-8 years).
Access and parking
From the Morzine upon arrival in Les Gets, follow the signs “Base de Loisirs – Lac des Ecoles”.The lake is 1.4km away on an uphill road. There’s free parking and bathroom facilities in the park.
Sleeping under the stars – Bivouacking with Hervé le Sobre
One of our all time favourite Morzine summer experiences has been bivouacking in the mountains. We joined mountain guide Hervé le Sobre for an overnight adventure that saw us sleep in hammocks under the stars. Leaving in the late afternoon, we followed Hervé into the mountains on a stunning sunset hike to reach the camp area.
We cooked sausages over an open fire, toasted marshmallows and woke at dawn to birdsong and a small deer passing by our campsite. It’s a wonderful experience to share with your kids and a sure way to recharge your batteries surrounded by nature.
Insider tip
A great adventure for wildlife fans, by daylight look out for Chamois (the only antelope native to the mountains in Southern Europe), marmots, and soaring eagles, whilst come nightfall listen out for hooting owls and other thrilling signals that nature thrives all around you.
Essentials
Book by phone 06.19.42.95.57 or email contact@alpirandovtt.com. From one day to four day adventures, Hervé le Sobre is apt at creating mountain hikes that suit all levels and abilities.
Treetop Adventure Parks – 3 awesome courses around Morzine
There are a couple of treetop adventure parks in Morzine that our family loves. Top of the list is the Cascade Adventure, located next to the spectacular Nyon Waterfall. This adventure course in the forest has a handful of exciting circuits for different ages and abilities, including a 400m thrilling zip line over the waterfall, plus a mini course and ‘fairy course’ for young children.
Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun: a 3-hour pass allows you to tackle up to 5 courses, including the new Tyro Ferrata – a concept that combines Via Ferrata (rock climbing on nodules inbuilt into the rock face) and zip-lines, allowing you to admire the canyon from above.
Another treetop course in Morzine, Indiana’Ventures, can be found along the river, a few minutes walk from the pool in the centre of the village. This is a great starter course and has 3 courses – juniors and adults, kids from 4 (over 1.05m) and kids from 2 years.
This summer there’s also a new contester for best treetop adventure course, which has opened up in Avoriaz: ‘Acro’Park’ is a forest obstacle course in the heart of the Lil’Stash. If you’ve ever skied or snowboarded in Avoriaz, you’ll recognise the Lil’Stash as the little brother of the Burton Stash snowpark, situated along the Proclou piste, and made for young riders and skiers to get their first hits in a snowpark. Well in summer this area is becoming a family hotspot. The treehouses, slides, ropes, giant banana swing and barbecue area make it a fun place to hang out in the shade of the forest. The Acro’Park, featuring bridges, walkways, nets, and zip lines, is the newest addition to this beautiful little spot and we can’t wait to try it out!
Insider tip
To scale up from rope courses to a water based adventure, take a guided canyoning tour from the Nyon waterfall. Abseil a huge gorge, jump into natural pools and slide and swim through the canyon of the waterfall.
Essentials
Cascade de Nyon treetop and canyoning: Cascade Adventure
Morzine treetop course: Indiana’Ventures
Acro’Park, Avoriaz: Acro’Park
Outdoor swimming pool with mountain views – Espace Aquatique de Morzine
Morzine’s swimming pool is another family favourite. This fantastic pool complex has an incredible 50m outdoor pool as well as a dedicated kids’ pool with slides and fountains for young children, an 80m twisty water slide for big kids (and their parents), and a bouncy castle. There’s also an indoor heated pool if you happen to be in town on a rainy day. The on-site cafe is a good option for lunch but there’s also a grassy lawn area where you can enjoy a picnic, plus a sandy volleyball pitch.
Insider tip
Look out for the outdoor pool party, when an entertaining DJ pumps out cheesy party tunes. Youngsters love this fun session on a summer’s afternoon (and thankfully for those enjoying a peaceful sunbathe, it only lasts an hour or so!). Of course mums and dads wanting to enjoy the fun from afar can seize the opportunity for a refreshing drink on the café’s sun terrace.
Essentials
Get there early (before noon) to benefit from a sun lounger on the concrete area around the pool, or you can find a spot on one of the grassy areas (and enjoy the views!). Don’t forget, in French pools, men need to wear swimming trunks (loose swimming shorts are not allowed, however boxer-style swimming shorts are fine). Click here for full spring and summer pool opening times.
For more ideas on things to do in Morzine in summer, check out our complete summer guide to Morzine. Discover more of Katja’s family travel tips and adventures on her blog Globetotting, or follow her adventures on Instagram here.
Image credit for Lac Montriond and Swimming pool image: @samingles
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