Morzine Sports & Outdoors

Morzine has an ice hockey squad that plays in both exhibition matches and league events at the big ice rink in the valley. You'll see posters advertising the fixtures all over town. Matches are split into 3 20 minute periods and last about 3 hours. With unlimited substitutions the action is fast and furious and much easier to follow in real life than on TV. It's a full contact sport, so crashing your opponent into the side hordings is fine - hitting him with the stick sin't allowed though. In most ice hockey matches you're also pretty much guaranteed that a fight will break out at one point, sometimes serious, sometimes just handbags. All in all it makes for a great spectacle.

In the winter skiing and snowboarding dominate Morzine. It's part of the massive Ports du Solei ski Area which comprises a whole series of linked resorts. Morzine's achilles heel is its altitude (1,000m) which measn its the first to suffer if things turn warmer. However I was here in the 2006/07 'heatwave' season when all the alpine resorts were suffering badly and still got a good week's skiing in. The trick is that Morzine is linked to the much higher resort of Avoriaz by both a ski link (Super Morzine) and a bus transfer then a cable car - they both take about 30 mins. Even if the snow is good in Morzine I'd recommend a day out in Avoriaz as it offers some great runs for all levels of experience, including the infamous Swiss Wall.

Equipment: Morzine has plent of shops to rent or buy ski equipment. If you need new boots then I'd highly recommend The Caribou shop - ask for James who's a French Canadian and knows just about anything there is to know about boots. They've got a massive range (upstairs) and are bound to have something to suit your ability, feet and fashion sense.

OK I admit I didn't actually do it. But I did see quite a few madmen who had launched themselves off the top of the ciffs at Avoraiz and were gently floating to earth. The way to do it, if you have no previous experience of strapping a large parachute to your back and jumping off a 700 foot cliff, is to go 'tandem'. This involves strapping yourself to a burly French bloke, who is in turn strapped to the parachute, and who jumps off the cliff with you.
This experience can be yours for a mere 60 euros. Or a course, around 350 euros at the end of which you can jump off a cliff all by yourself. Oh, preferably with your parachute.

Spectacular cleft (aboyt 60 m deep) with a small natural bridge, " the devils gateway"; which was used in the past as a shortcut to reach the nearby village, but which also was very dangerous: if one fell down, it was the shortest way to hell.

Nearby is Lac Montriond, a favourite with tourists and locals alike as a naturally formed lake used for recreational boating and swimming. In a beautiful setting, it has a couple of restaurants overlooking the water.

The place is called like this as many years ago, a farmer pretended having found gold here. Many envied him and tried their chances, but never, any gold ever was digged up.
From the town hall, follow the Fox path (sentier du Renard) along the Dranse river and you'll end up at the Nyon waterfall (+-1h15). Cross the parking an there you go to "les Mines d'Or" (1h30) where you have this beautiful view on the Mines d'Or lake. About 20 to 25 km but it is really worth it.
In summer you can reach les Mines d'Or by car too. Parking is available.

Guides are available at Maison de la Montagne next to the tourist office

http://www.altitude-montblanc.com/maison_de_la_montagne/

Take the cable-car to Super Morzine, from where you have a wonderful view on Morzine. Follow the path at your left hand to La Crète de Zorre. Then the path to the Belvedere through thousands of alpine flowers. At the Belvedere the view on the Montriond Lake is breathtaking. Go back until you cross the path to la route des Crètes, until you arrive again to the cable-car station. Hehe you made a 25 km trip. Nice isn't it ?

Located just a stone’s throw away the centre of the resort, this is a safe signposted itinerary, on the side of the mountain, equipped with a handrail system, steps, and footbridges, allowing one to climb up the rock face to the summit in complete safety. Magnificent view over Avoriaz.
A physical aptitude and suitable equipment are the minimum requirements.
This itinerary is free of charge, however, it is advisable to use the services of a professional high-mountain guide.
• Prices : adult : 32 €, child : 30 €
including supervision and the necessary climbing material.

• Information & Booking :
Maison de la Montagne : +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16