What’s new in Morzine and Avoriaz this winter?

For winter 2026/27, Morzine and Avoriaz are gearing up for another exciting season at the heart of the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest ski areas in the Alps, spanning the French-Swiss border with more than a dozen interconnected resorts and an extensive network of pistes. Set within this spectacular mountain playground, the neighbouring resorts offer two distinctly different Alpine experiences: Morzine is a traditional, lively mountain village at 1,000 metres, known for its wooden chalets, local heritage, restaurants and strong year-round community, while Avoriaz sits high above the valley at 1,800 metres and is renowned for its pioneering, car-free architecture and exceptional access to the slopes. Together, they offer an appealing mix of authentic village life and high-altitude adventure, with skiing and snowboarding complemented by a wealth of winter experiences, family activities, après-ski, gastronomy and wellness. This winter, both resorts will build on that offering with new accommodation, experiences and initiatives, while continuing to champion innovation, local identity and more sustainable ways to experience the mountains.

Avoriaz celebrates 60 years of doing things differently

This winter, Avoriaz celebrates its sixtieth anniversary, six decades since a bold idea transformed a remote mountain plateau into one of the Alps’ most distinctive resorts. Founded by Olympic downhill champion Jean Vuarnet, property developer Gérard Brémond and architect Jacques Labro, Avoriaz opened in 1966 with a radical vision: a car-free resort designed entirely around the mountain and the freedom of skiing. From its distinctive timber-clad, mimetic architecture and ski-in/ski-out streets to horse-drawn sleighs replacing cars, Avoriaz has never been afraid to challenge convention. That pioneering spirit has continued throughout its history, from welcoming snowboarding when other resorts were still sceptical, to opening France’s first permanent snowpark in 1993 and creating the first European Stash with Burton. Today, as Avoriaz enters its seventh decade, the resort is looking firmly to the future, with new projects, experiences and sustainability initiatives continuing to evolve the destination while staying true to its founding philosophy of innovation and audacity. For Avoriaz, sixty years is not simply a moment to look back, it is an opportunity to keep imagining what the mountain can become.

Morzine: a winter destination with more to discover

Morzine continues to prove that a ski holiday can be about far more than time on the slopes. Set at 1,000 metres in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, the lively Alpine village combines traditional chalets, independent shops, restaurants and a strong local community with two fast gateways to higher-altitude skiing, an increasingly valuable advantage as snow conditions become more variable. For 2026/27, visitors can expect a growing programme of immersive experiences, from skiing alongside a white-tailed eagle and joining ski patrollers for the first turns of the day to night-time ski touring, avalanche-safety workshops and winter yoga. Families are also firmly in focus, with the new La Folie du Dahu Explore Game transforming the mountains into a giant, open-air mystery adventure, while a growing collection of hotels and restaurants is bringing fresh energy and style to the village. Away from the pistes, Morzine’s commitment to its local identity remains central, from traditional gastronomy and century-old distilling to initiatives supporting rail travel, circular fashion and food-waste recycling.

Accommodation

Opening of Cabane du Col de Cou

Opening in October 2026, the new Cabane du Col de Cou will offer a year-round mountain refuge on the Franco-Swiss border, between Morzine, Samoëns and Champéry. The historic Col de Cou crossing has been used for centuries, with the former customs post now being transformed into a simple, authentic guarded refuge. The project was launched by the municipalities of Champéry, Morzine and Samoëns in 2022, with construction beginning in spring 2023, and the refuge will welcome its first guests ahead of the 2026/27 winter season. Set at the crossroads of three major Alpine destinations, its off-the-beaten-track location provides an appealing alternative to traditional resort accommodation, particularly for skiers and winter travellers seeking a more authentic and immersive mountain experience.

Completed Renovation of Le Tremplin

Another new addition for winter 2026/27, Le Tremplin will enter an exciting new chapter when its doors reopen in December following a major refurbishment. A Morzine institution for almost a century, the property has long been a social hub for locals and visitors alike, from morning coffee and lunch to après-ski and dinner with friends. Alongside the renovation of its restaurant spaces and terrace, Le Tremplin is introducing 13 upmarket suites, combining contemporary Alpine style with the character and heritage of the original address. Offering a more elevated stay while retaining its longstanding sense of place, it will provide a stylish new base in the heart of Morzine, with suites sleeping up to four people from £366 per night.

Garance part of the Mont-Blanc Collection

Also launching in December 2026, historic central Morzine address Les Airelles will be reborn as Garance under the Mont-Blanc Collection. While its original façade has been retained, the property has undergone a major transformation into a contemporary Alpine retreat, with elegant rooms, a brasserie inspired by local terroir, a Nordic spa, wellness and yoga spaces, and communal areas designed to bring together guests of different generations. Balancing the character and sense of place of a long-established Morzine address with the design and facilities of a modern mountain retreat, Garance offers a fresh take on Alpine hospitality, with rooms from €220 per night.

Renovation of Pierre & Vacances Capella Residence

Capella, an iconic address in Avoriaz at 1,800 metres, is entering a new chapter following a major renovation that combines redesigned comfort, ski-in/ski-out access and spectacular views of the Dents Blanches mountains or Avoriaz village. All 143 apartments for four guests have been fully refurbished, while the reimagined common areas now include a new south-facing indoor pool overlooking the surrounding peaks. The transformation also places sustainability at its heart, with improved insulation and significant energy-efficiency upgrades designed to reduce the carbon footprint of a stay by 50%, demonstrating how more energy-efficient accommodation can be delivered at altitude.

Activities

La Folie du Dahu: A New Family Adventure

This winter, families can discover “La Folie du Dahu”, an outdoor Explore Game on the Nyon Plateau. Armed with an interactive tablet, families and friends follow a walking route, solving puzzles and tackling seven challenges as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of the legendary Dahu. With 216 possible scenario combinations, the experience offers a fun and interactive way for children and adults to explore the Nyon Plateau.

Renovation of La Chapelle Snowpark

More than thirty years after Avoriaz pioneered France’s first permanent snowpark, its freestyle scene continues to evolve with the launch of a new-look chill area at La Chapelle this winter. The second phase of the “Marches de la Chapelle” project will create a vibrant meeting place around the park, where visitors can ride, watch the action, socialise or enjoy sunset sessions. The space will also host concerts, DJ sets and events throughout the season, while a new skate ramp will allow riders to swap skis and snowboards for skateboards, with snow cleared from the area throughout winter. The new space is set to open at the beginning of the season, with an official launch planned for December.

Black Chapelle Nights Return

Black Chapelle Nights are returning to Avoriaz this January, giving freestyle fans the chance to experience La Chapelle snowpark after dark. Following the success of last winter’s inaugural sessions, the park will once again light up for several evenings, combining floodlit riding with music and a vibrant atmosphere. Offering a completely different way to enjoy the snowpark, Black Chapelle allows riders to keep the session going long after the lifts have closed.

New Picnic Spot Plan Brazy

New for this winter, Plan Brazy is set to become a new chill-out spot in the Arare sector, offering spectacular views of the Dents du Midi. A new picnic area, sunny terrace and rooftop overlooking the peaks will provide the perfect place to pause between runs, soak up the sunshine and enjoy the scenery, with plenty of space to linger, relax and perhaps even sneak in a post-ski nap.

Sustainability at the heart of the mountains

Sustainability continues to shape the way Morzine and Avoriaz are developing as mountain destinations, with both resorts taking practical steps to reduce their environmental impact while encouraging visitors to make more conscious choices. In Morzine, the AlpinExpress Pass, developed by the Montagne Verte non-profit organisation, rewards visitors arriving by train with benefits at around fifty partner businesses across the valley, from accommodation and restaurants to lift passes and activities, making low-carbon travel part of the holiday experience. The resort is also embracing the circular economy through Montagne Verte’s second-hand shop, where ski and outdoor clothing and equipment are given a second life, while BioCyclette collects food waste from local restaurants by electric cargo bike before it is converted into biogas. In Avoriaz, sustainability has been embedded into the resort’s DNA since its creation, with no new tourist beds added since 2015 despite visitor numbers continuing to grow. The resort has held the Flocon Vert sustainability label since 2021 and, since 2024, 100% of piste-grooming operations have been powered by renewable HVO fuel, cutting CO₂ emissions by 82%. More recently, Avoriaz was awarded the Destination d’Excellence label in autumn 2025, recognising its high standards of visitor experience alongside its ongoing commitment to sustainability. Together, the two destinations demonstrate that protecting the mountains can go hand in hand with creating richer, more responsible and rewarding experiences for visitors.