A Complete Guide to Morzine in Summer

Morzine is a popular French ski resort but it is also a great destination for a summer holiday. It offers a wide range of activities and attractions for everyone, from mountain bike riding and hiking to relaxing by the swimming pool or enjoying a round of golf.

Not to mention all the things you can do in the other resorts linked to Morzine in Portes Du Soleil with a multi Pass. Here is a complete guide to a Morzine in summer that includes activities for families and visitors looking for an adventure holiday. As well as lift pass info, accommodation, where to eat, how to get there and practical information.

Overlooking Morzine in Summer from the top of the slopes – Portes du Soleil France

I spent two weeks in the Portes Du Soleil, making my way across France to Switzerland during the summer season. I had been to Morzine in France a few times before but only in winter for skiing, so I was curious to see what else the village had to offer.

Morzine was my second stop during my trip and I was pleasantly surprised at how much there was to do during a summer holiday. 

Morzine in summer

In the summertime, Morzine transforms into a stunning mountain village surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. Morzine forms part of the Portes Du Soleil area, interlinking 12 resorts across both France and Switzerland. It is the largest and probably the most convenient in regard to resort hopping.

The French village of Morzine is located at an altitude of 1000 meters. It is only an hour and a half drive from Geneva airport, making it an accessible destination for a summer holiday or weekend trip.

Hiking up near the Golf course – Portes du Soleil France

Morzine summer lift pass

The summer season in Morzine starts early June to early September when the first cable car opens and the last one will close. There are different opening and ending dates for the various cable cars and lifts. However, they all roughly open at similar times and days during the Morzine summer holidays.

If you are going for a weekend or a couple of days, you can always check the tourism website for dates and weather. Whether you are hiking, bike riding, or enjoying one of the many other activities, cable cars can be used by everyone.

Lifts open during Summer in Morzine

• Pléney cable car  
• Nyon cable car and Pointe de Nyon chairlift: (pedestrians only No Bikes) 
• Summer sledge 
• Super Morzine gondola
• Zore chairlifts, Serrausaix, Lindarets and Chaux Fleurie 
• Prodains 3S 

Information point at the top of Morzine – Portes du Soleil France

Things to do in Morzine in the summer

Morzine is ideal for families and friends looking for an adventurous summer holiday. There is a large range of hiking routes, mountain bike park tracks, water sports, plus much more. In Morzine village, there is a swimming pool complex, tennis courts and wellness spa. For the kids, you can summer sledge, high ropes adventure course, mini golf plus much more.

If you decide that you want to mix it up, you can hike in Les Gets, go swimming in Morzine or head over to Morgins to bike ride. Here are my top things to do in Morzine during the summer holidays:

Go Hiking in the Mountains

Hiking in Morzine is one of the top things to do. Morzine-Avoriaz alone offers over 140 km of hiking trails suitable for all levels of hikers. You can explore the mountains, valleys and lakes while enjoying stunning views of the surrounding landscape and of Mont Blanc.

There are 19 operating lifts throughout summer that walkers can use to get up into the high-mountain without breaking a sweat. All you need is your backpack, reusable water bottle, walking shoes and your Portes Du Soleil lift pass. Lifts for hiking are great for people like me with a pacemaker/ICD, as I can walk without overdoing it. 

I suggest hiking over to the Goat Village and having lunch. It has some amazing restaurants and you can feed the local goats as they pass through the village. This is one of the best hikes with kids that should only take a couple of hours and you can use the lifts.

Paragliding Photo Provided By Office de Tourisme de Morzine – Crédits Sylvain Cochard

Bike Park Morzine – MTB

Morzine Town definitely has a mountain biking buzz about it, especially with all the people walking around in bike armour. The bike park Morzine is a mountain biking area spread across Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Les Linderets, Chatel, Les Crosets, Champery & Morgins linked by lifts.

You also have the Portes du Soleil mountain bike area that covers 650 km of marked routes and is the largest bike park in Europe. It also boasts Enduro tracks a kind of cross country type of mountain biking.

All MTB tracks are clearly marked via levels of difficulty by colours. It depends on your ability and confidence. To get around the different tracks, all you need is your Portes Du Soleil lift pass.

Bike Park Morzine is great for beginners as it has such a large variety of easy tracks. If you haven’t ridden before, there are a large variety of different guides and MTB schools for learning.

Bike hire in Morzine

Bike hire in Morzine is easy, as it is the top thing to do, there are plenty of speciality and bike rental shops all over. Just like in winter, accommodation in Morzine sometimes offers a discount on bike hire.

One of the coloured marked MTB tracks in the bike park Morzine

Water activities at the Swimming Pool & Lake Montriond

There are many water activities available in the village of Morzine, including those on the lakes and the river. Located near the village is Lake Montriond, where you can enjoy a variety of water sports, including swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating. In town, you have the Aquatic Centre, which is great for both families and friends, with a pool and water slide. 

If you are looking for adventure on your own or with a group of friends, then I suggest water rafting in the nearby Dranse River. The Aquatic Centre is included in your multi-pass. Please remember to bring your own towel and apply sunscreen.

Electric mountain bike riding – MTB

Electric mountain bikes can be used on the bike park Morzine tracks. They are great if you want to learn how to mountain bike or don’t have the physical stamina to ride all day.  

The tourist office provides a charging station for your e-bike. There are charging stations around the village as well. My guide Baud Laurent took me on an electric mountain bike on the tracks as I was relatively new to the sport.

It was very cloudy up high the day I went mountain biking. So we went up the Super-Morzine lift and we biked through the goat village onto Lac de Montriond.

Selfie while E-Biking on the bike park Morzine

Summer Luge (Toboggan)

Morzine summer luge (toboggan) is the perfect family activity if wanting an adventure. It twists and turns its way down the side of the Pleney slopes. It is easy to get to as it is located just at the top of the La Crusaz chairlift.

The sledge holds one or two people and you can buy 1 sledge ride or more. If you miss it in the summer the luge is open during the winter season too, like the one in Pays de Gex. The best bit is that you get a discount with your Multi-Pass. Make sure to wear sunglasses as you are riding, as the wind gets in your eyes. 

Compete or watch the Spartan Race

Watching or competing in the Spartan race through the forest and village is one of the top things to do in Morzine for everyone. It’s a challenging team race for men and women where you roll around in the mud and climb over and under obstacles in the middle of the French Alps. The score is worked out by the last person to cross the finish line. 

There are 3 different distances and obstacle courses, depending on abilities. There is even a separate course for the Morzine kids who want to compete. The obstacles are set up throughout the forest and in various parts of the village.

The Spartan Race is held annually during the summer in July or August. Teams have to have 4 or more members. Competitors need to have a good level of fitness to be included in the team ranking.

The winner going over the finish line – Morzine Portes du Soleil France

The Multi-Pass for Les Portes du Soleil activities

The best way to enjoy the Morzine summer activities is to get a multi-pass for your holiday. I used a Multi-Pass for my time spent in the Portes du Soleil and I thought it was a fantastic idea for saving money on a holiday. The multi pass gives you unlimited access to more than 50 activities in the 12 resorts.

As well as several discounts on other local businesses and services offered in the area. You will certainly never run out of things to do in Morzine. There are different types of Multi Pass available and they are super flexible. You can get a pass for a day, weekly or even weekends. There is the “holiday multi-pass”, “the day multi-pass” and “the multi-pass Portes du Soleil addict”.

Getting Morzine activities multi pass

It costs only 2€ a day for a Multi-Pass for visitors staying in a “multi pass” accommodation. For children under the age of 5, the Portes du Soleil multi pass is free. Making it ideal for a Morzine family summer holiday or holidaymakers on a budget. They can be purchased at the Morzine ski lift ticket offices.

What activities are included in your Multi Pass Morzine

Some of the things you can do in Morzine with a multi-pass include the following;

• Swimming at the aqua park,
• Using the cable cars for walking and hiking
• Playing mini golf at the crazy golf course
• Skating at the indoor ice rink,
• Catching the mini train, plus
• Playing tennis on the courts

The Multi-Pass Card – Portes du Soleil France

Where to eat in summer, Morzine

There are limited restaurants that are open on the mountain during the summer season. This is because Morzine is more popular in the ski season. However, the restaurants in the village are open all year round. Here are my best picks of restaurants in Morzine Village which are open in summer.

La Dez ‘Alp restaurant

La Dez ‘Alp restaurant is centrally located in Morzine town as it is not directly on the slopes, it’s open all year round. Decorated in a traditional yet modern Savoyard style, it has beautiful views over the village.

The restaurant serves all your typical French cheese dishes, like Tartiflette and Raclette. It also has a large selection of wines. It is one of my favourite restaurants in Morzine. I suggest asking the restaurant when you arrive if you can have a table near the window, to appreciate the views.

Le Bec Jaune brewery

Le Bec Jaune is a local brewery and restaurant located around 10 minute walk from the tourist office. They serve fresh homemade food like burgers, chips and vegetarian meals which you can enjoy with their house-brewed beer.

The restaurant prides itself on using as much as possible from local producers. Their menu changes regularly depending on what’s currently available locally. It’s best to make a reservation for dinner as they are popular.

Le Bec Jaune Morzine Portes du Soleil France

Morzine summer accommodation

Morzine is inhabited all year round and offers plenty of summer accommodation. As the largest of the 12 resorts, many holidaymakers use Morzine as a base for the rest of the Portes du Soleil area.

The selection of accommodation available for the summer season varies. There are luxury 5-star chalets, catered chalets, hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and even hostels. It is best to stay near one of the main chairlifts, like the super-Morzine.

Le Samoyede Hotel

I stayed at Le Samoyède Hotel during the summer in Morzine. It is located in the town centre across the road from the tourist office. Most amenities and summer activities are within walking distance.

Le Samoyede Hotel is a charming hotel, and Spa Chalet has a nice bar and restaurant on the ground floor. In the afternoon, I would sit at the bar and relax, taking in the surroundings. I had a spacious corner room with a huge balcony with views over Morzine and the ski slopes. The bed was super comfy, and the Wi-Fi worked well in the room, too. If you are mountain biking, the hotel has a locker room for your bikes.

• You must let Reception know if you want to use the Spa 30 minutes before you go.

Le Samoyede Hotel during the summer season in Morzine

How to get to Morzine in the summer

Geneva Airport

Getting to Morzine in the summer from the United Kingdom is pretty straightforward. That is why so many visitors go there not just for a week, but also for a weekend. You can get direct flights from most UK airports to Geneva, and the flight should take about 1hr and 30mins.

I use Easyjet to get to Geneva airport as they offer good deals, plus you have the option of taking additional items like mountain bikes. Then from Geneva airport to Morzine, you can get buses and trains, private or shared transfer or hire a car. 

Transfers to Morzine

Taking a private or shared transfer is the best way to get to Morzine from Geneva Airport. Although there are fewer transfer companies in the summer than in the winter season, you still have a good selection. Try companies like Intui Transfer, which does summer transfers.

Catch a train to Morzine

Alternatively, you can catch a train to Cluses or Thonon-Les-Bains, which takes around 30 minutes (30 km). Then, you catch a bus from either to Morzine, which takes another 1 hour, depending on traffic. This is the best option if you are on a budget.

Hiking in the mountains on a summer holiday in Morzine

Top Tips for Enjoying Summer Holidays in Morzine

Free Wifi; The tourism office in the centre of the village offers free wifi inside.

2.50€ Multi-Pass; Check to see if you are staying in a ‘Multi Pass’ accommodation and get a pass for as little as 2.50€ (or 2.5 CHF) a day.

Bus: A free shuttle bus operates within Morzine, serving the town on several different routes.

The Currency used in Morzine is the Euro, which can also be used on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soliel in Champéry and Morgins. 

Morzine summer temperatures can be a little unpredictable, take a lightweight waterproof jacket, especially for hiking.

Morzine Festival: A number of events, like the Harley Davidson festival, will be held in Morzine in summer 2023. Here is the link to see what’s on.

Lake Geneva If you are looking for things to do outside Morzine, I suggest Lake Geneva. It is less than an hour’s drive away and offers a variety of activities. 

Sustainable Travel; Take a reusable water bottle or a camel back to use to keep hydrated in the Alps. And they can be refilled and reused over and over again.

Hiking near the Golf Course on top of the mountains in Morzine

Other summer resorts in the Portes du Soleil

Looking for things to do in the other resorts linked to Morzine Portes Du Soleil during a holiday? Then I suggest the following summer guides for France and Switzerland.  

• Morgins, Switzerland – Top Things to Do
• Les Gets, France – What to do in summer
• Champéry, Switzerland – A detailed guide on things to do
• Chatél France – A summer guide of top things to do

Have you had a summer holiday in Morzine, France, before? Please let me know if I need to add anything more to my article.

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Disclaimer: I was on a press trip for the Morzine Tourism Office. All views are my own and based on my own experience.

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