The Fun Guide: Where to Ski with Kids in Morzine
There are lots of factors involved in taking kids on a skiing holiday, but if you’ve ever done it before, you’ll know that when it comes to success on the slopes, it’s all about having fun!
For mum and dad, that means keeping things simple and being well prepared. If there’s one thing you don’t need on your first few days of your family skiing holiday, that is lots of faff on figuring out where’s best and safest to ski with your kids. That’s why we’ve shared our best tips on where to ski as a family, from tiny tots to teenagers, we’ve done your homework for you.
First runs (beginner areas)
You’ve got your little shredder kitted out with the cutest, tiniest board or pair of skis you have ever seen, now where do you go to get them started?
The great thing about Morzine’s beginner areas is that they have magic carpets. Kids can easily shuffle onto these enclosed rolling carpets and stand with little assistance as it takes them to the top. This is a far less daunting option than drag lifts and also keeps little ones out of the cold and wind while they are on the lift.
There are two excellent beginner areas with magic carpets in Morzine. The Pleney beginner slope sits at the top of the Pleney bubble, to the left of the large hotel. There is a large open flat space where kids can get to grips with moving around on skis before using the magic carpet. From the top you join a green run with a comfortable gradient for learning to ski. A plus of this area is that once kids are comfortable on this slope it is a gentle progression onto the green accessed via the nearby Belvedere chairlift.
The Nyon ski area also has a beginner area with a magic carpet, which can be a good option on busy days. This shorter run is the perfect introduction for little tots trying boarding or skiing for the first time. What’s more, as you won’t want to push it on the first few days and tired little legs will need a rest, it has the added bonus of being next to an excellent restaurant, which has its own soft play area and is home to the Les Aigles du Léman (winter bird of prey park with daily falconry shows). This whole area can be accessed (with or without skis) via the Nyon téléférique from the Nyon car park, making it a great place for the family to meet up.
Fun runs (greens and blues)
Now your kids are finding their feet – they have mastered stopping and started to link their turns – where to next? This is where things get really fun!
First off, from the top of Pleney head up the Belvedere chairlift, this will give you access to a lovely inviting green run, plus several easy blues. You can then hop on the Nabor lift, which takes you to ‘Pinguins Parc’ a gentle and fun penguin themed kids area with totem poles, arches and a giant xylophone.
Next stop, head over to the forest to check out Chemin des Zou Zou. Kids can look out for statues of life-sized animals on the side of this 2km run, which zig zags its way through the trees – but shush, lets keep the unicorn as a surprise!
Once kids have mastered these blue runs, its likely they’ll have the skills and stamina to ski a little further afield. Les Gets has more great areas to explore, including The Grand Cry, a North-American-themed ski park comprising of green runs, with fun small, safe tracks to the sides of the piste dipping in and out of the trees so children can explore safely; and The Milka run, an easy blue with endless tracks into the trees off to the sides.
If heading to Avoriaz, Les Proclou and Super Morzine area has lots of interlinked greens and blues. This is also where you will find ‘Lil’ Stash’ – an awesome play area in the woods with treehouses, ropes, a super fun slide and a giant banana swing. This place has a serious fun factor and is not one to miss.
Finding adventure (blues, reds and beyond)
So your kids have eclipsed ski school, are full of beans from their new found freedom and are starting to overtake you on the slopes, don’t fret, Morzine has loads to keep adventurous kids and teenagers on their toes.
The Portes du Soleil is simply epic for skiing as a family. There are miles and miles of blues and plenty of nice, wide sweeping reds – in fact, with a Portes du Soleil pass, there is no need to ski in the same place twice! There are also over 30 snow parks, so adventurous young skiers and freestyle riders will never get bored. The Burton Stash, accessed by the 6-seater Prolays chairlift, is a massive favourite. This natural freestyle course is scattered with wooden sculptures, modules, including a picnic table to slide across, and loads of secret runs through the trees.
For our complete guide on where to ski in The Portes du Soleil, please have a read of our ski guide, which breaks down each area of the ski resort by skiers ability level.
At AliKats, we are geared up for family skiing holidays, to find a beautiful Morzine ski chalet to call home for your holiday, check out our catered and self-catered chalet options. Need childcare or ski school? We work with the best companies in Morzine, you’ll find everything you need here.
A Guide to skiing in Morzine for beginners
Morzine Avoriaz has so much to offer beginner skiers and snowboarders. We asked the instructors at New Generation ski school to share their top tips and advice for those getting geared up for their first ski trip in our fantastic resort.
Continue reading...A Guide to Morzine for non-skiers
When thinking about winter holidays in the mountains, you might naturally assume that skiing is the only real activity to enjoy. Afterall, the whole point of coming to the mountains is to ski down them, right? Wrong. Not only are the mountains a vast, beautiful landscape which can – and…
Continue reading...3 luxury ski chalets in Morzine for Christmas 2023
Don’t wait for Santa to make your Christmas dreams come true; upscale Noël this year by treating your loved ones to a stunning Alpine chalet in pretty Morzine, a French resort in the heart of the epic Portes du Soleil ski area. Surrounded by snow packed peaks with endless opportunities to don…
Continue reading...How to plan a group ski trip
A group ski trip is the ultimate way to holiday with your favourite people. Whether it’s a reunion with the school buds, a big family get together, or a getaway with the ladies/lads, skiing ticks all the boxes. It’s got thrills, the great outdoors, a fantastic apres scene, and a…
Continue reading...Chalet Holidays in Morzine