Surrounded by fir-covered slopes and towering peaks, Morzine is the largest ski resort in the famous Portes du Soleil ski circuit, a 650-kilometre winter sports wonderland linking 14 resorts in France and Switzerland.

With a charming ancient church at its centre, this authentic Savoyard market town offers plenty of quality accommodation, fabulous shopping and exhilarating walks. As a typical French town and not a purpose-built resort, Morzine has all the regular facilities you could need, such as a nursery, banks, supermarket and post office.

With 67 lifts servicing Mozine’s 81 slopes, you will not be waiting long in all but the busiest times of the season. Morzine’s pistes are geared towards beginners (54 per cent) and intermediates (36 per cent); however, there are some challenging runs for experts in the remaining 10 per cent, with the vertical drop being 1,460m and the longest run 11kms.

There are also many off-piste options to choose from, as well as hundreds more runs in the surrounding Portes du Soleil ski region. Boarders can practise skills in the snowboard park and head for the snowboard Mecca of Avoriaz higher in the valley. Cross-country skiers can also look forward to the extensive 47-kilometre system of well-marked trails. A single ski pass allows access to the entire system of lifts at Les Portes du Soleil, so the skiing and boarding opportunities are endless.

Morzine has dozens of aprčs-ski activities to keep visitors of all ages occupied when they are not hurtling down the slopes. Skiing and snowboarding alternatives include mono-skiing, ice-skating, paragliding, bowling, ice-climbing, sleigh riding, curling, snowshoe walking, and a range of exercise options at the sports centre.

Fabulous restaurants are another appealing feature of the resort. Lovers of traditional fare will discover not only the traditional fondues and braserades but also the more unusual dishes of Berthoud, Diots or Farcement, with their delicious flavours heightened by the addition of Savoy wines, followed by sumptuous Morzine cheeses. For night owls, Morzine has an excellent selection of bars, clubs and discos.

The season for skiing at Morzine runs from December to April, with the best snow falling between February and March. Either extreme of the season is a good time to pick up bargains, as is mid to late January; however, at these times the snow is less reliable.

The ski resort is situated only 65kms from Geneva-Cointrin Airport, while those arriving by train can use Cluses station, which is on a TGV line. Both the airport and train station have regular bus services to Morzine.