Morzine has built its reputation as both a winter and summer resort. These are the two main seasons in Morzine that bring tourists to the town every year. Winter and summer in the mountains are very different from one another and the mountains are very different depending on when you visit.
The winter snows generally start falling in October. Whilst there might be rain in Morzine the higher slopes will start to see snow. Depending on the temperature snow might fall in town although this will usually melt quickly.
The Winter in Morzine
By November snow will be starting to settle on the peaks around Morzine. The temperature will have dropped significantly. By mid December there will be enough snow for the lifts to open for the ski season. The low temperatures mean that the snow cannons can be used to top up the snow if there has not been enough snowfall.
Temperatures can vary massively throughout winter. There can be high winds, blizzards and temperatures dropping to -25 degrees but there can also be warm and sunny days, especially towards the end of the winter season. It is important to be prepared for all conditions when visiting. The weather can change very quickly in the mountains.
Travel to and from Morzine during the winter
The weather can also affect travel to and from Morzine. There can be flight delays due to bad weather and the roads can also suffer due to storms. It is essential to bring snow chains and be able to fit them. It is also a good idea to add extra time to any planned journey in or out of resort as traffic slows down if the roads are icy.
Snow and skiing during the winter
Whilst Morzine itself is not particularly high the surrounding mountains, particularly in Avoriaz, are amongst the most snow sure in Europe. For the 2011-2012 winter season Avoriaz had the highest snowfall of the whole Alps, with 11.7 metres of snow falling.
The advantage of a lower altitude is that when the weather closes in the trees on the lower slopes offer some shelter from the storms and skiers and snowboarders can still get out on the mountain, although high winds can affect the higher ski lifts and they sometimes close for safety.
During the coldest weeks of winter the pavements in town can become icy so it is a good idea to bring suitable footwear and to walk carefully to avoid any accidents.