Mountain Layout — Skiing

Here is a larger, more detailed map.

Morzine-Avoriaz is a good base from which to explore the Portes du Soleil area. Where to begin? As well as easy access to the Les Crosets/Champoussin sector via the Swiss Wall, Avoriaz has easy access to Plaine Dranse, which has perhaps the most enjoyable and varied skiing of the region. The slopes directly above Avoriaz will challenge skiers of every level. Another plus: Avoriaz has been aggressively replacing older lifts with high-speed quads and six-seated lifts, which make lines rare here. You can easily spend a couple of days just on the Morzine/Les Gets slopes, which offer a nice mix of terrain and are especially popular with families. Beginners go to Le Pleney, which is a one-stop ascent by tram or cablecar. Nyon has a nice mix of black, red and blue descents. Chamossière has outstanding views, good long black runs and some fine cruising through the Col de Joux Plane. Le Ranfolly has four side-by-side red runs while La Rosta is ideal for parties of different abilities. Mt. Chéry, reached by a ground connection from the Les Gets base, is best for advanced skiers.

Some of the most enjoyable and challenging skiing of the entire Portes du Soleil is best accessed from Morzine and Avoriaz. In France: Pointe de Nyon, Chamossière and Col du Fornet; and in Switzerland, Planachaux, Grand Paradis, and Champéry are all classic higher altitude alpine peaks, each with difficult descents. There are many places in the Portes du Soleil where a simple 15-minute hike can get you expert couloirs and powdery bowls. If you are looking for the most expert terrain in these mountains, plan to go with a an avalanche-savvy guide. Otherwise, try The Wall of Death between Avoriaz and Switzerland. Appropriately named for it’s difficulty, this descent can be exciting. It can be skied by an intermediate when the snow cover is good because there are broad segments for traverses and turns. Fearful skiers can take the chairlift down. The Swiss Wall at the top of Chavanette in Switzerland is another difficult decent. Be sure your knees are up to it, though, because this run is one of the longest mogul fields in the area. Be forewarned that the lifts on the Swiss side have not been updated like their French counterparts. When skiing from one side to the other, allow plenty of time to return. It’s a long, expensive cab ride back if you get stuck.

In Morzine there is night skiing and riding at the Pléney from 8 –10 p.m. It is free for anyone with a lift ticket.

Mountain rating
The sheer size of Les Portes du Soleil allows for anyone to find his or her niche at the areas. A good mixed bag of skiing opportunities awaits, and most trails can be enjoyed by an intermediate. With wide, above-treeline slopes and trails that descend to the village through the forest, this region lets you enjoy the full experience of skiing. Morzine is a very good place for beginners — relaxed and wide-open. The variety of lifts and terrain makes sometimes less than challenging runs interesting.

Avoriaz has some of the best beginner facilities in the Portes du Soleil region. For experts, Avoriaz has what locals call sauvage or wide open, all-terrain, all-condition descents. In-termediates will never have to ski the same run twice. (See Mountain rating in the Swiss Portes du Soleil section.)