The charming town of Morzine is an ideal base for people of all ages and acts as the perfect gateway to some of the most fantastic skiing on earth . At little over 1 hour from Geneva Airport there are no long transfers to endure and visitors arrive swiftly in a winter wonderland in this traditional community with unique hospitality. The town boasts better facilities than most ski resorts due to its long historic development from a farming community, and there really is something for everyone both on and off the slopes. A rolling programme of investment and improvement in the last few years has brought new lifts, new pistes, better snow cannon coverage and an impressive new swimming complex, but this is tempered by strict planning laws so as to ensure that this gem of a resort remains true to its Savoyard roots.

The slopes of Morzine are linked to neighbouring Les Gets and between them they offer more terrain than many resorts without needing to leave the local area. Thrill-seekers and those looking for the security of high-altitude skiing will take comfort from the close proximity of Avoriaz, Morzine's sister resort that sits high on a plateau at 1800m, but for many first time visitors to the area a local lift pass will suffice.

The top of the Pleney gondola is perfect for novices with a wide open beginner area in a suntrap at 1600m,and progression to gentle blue runs is well thought out with many scenic trails through the forest leading back to the town centre. With a little more confidence comes the chance to see more of the area and Morzine-Les Gets is ideally suited to building up mileage on intermediate pistes. Groups with mixed abilities will enjoy La Rosta with its excellent restaurant (La Rosettaz) and 4 pistes of varying difficulties that start and end in the same places. The slopes of Nyon are often overlooked by ski schools and so tend to stay quiet but on a clear day it is worth skiing the Aigle Rouge red run from the summit for the views that stretch all the way to Lake Geneva and the Swiss Jura. Advanced skiers may struggle for a whole week without branching out in to the wider Portes du Soleil but the two runs from the top of the new Chamossiere lift (a fast red and a bumpy black) will certainly get the blood pumping. Otherwise it is always worth crossing the town of Les Gets to access the deserted mogul fields of Mont Chery where powder can remain untracked in to the afternoon.

Resort altitude: 1000m