We wanted to know where the best off piste areas are in Morzine so we asked our friends at Hunter Ski Chalets for their tips...
Cosy authentic chalets, well-groomed pistes and thick coverings of snow, all wrapped within a sphere of stunning scenery and nature's tranquillity; there is no better way of escaping life's stresses. For advanced skiers, going off piste is the ultimate therapy. When it comes to these areas, the vast Portes Du Soleil ski domain has plenty of great spaces to take advantage of, from the sides of the pistes and into the backcountry. This is hardly surprising when you take into account that the Portes Du Soleil ski area is one of the biggest winter playgrounds in the world, with 12 linked resorts on either side of the Franco-Swiss border, more than 650km of marked pistes and about 200km lifts in total spread over 14 valleys.
If you’re new to skiing and aren’t even aware of the wonders that off piste skiing has to offer, then you are in luck. If you're an avid skier looking to uncover the off-piste treasures in Morzine, then even better. Read on to find out all of our useful tips and pointers.
Why go off piste?
For beginners, their well-groomed pistes are ideal for you to harness your skills, gain confidence and improve incrementally. Whereas for the more experienced skiers, these pristine pistes might not quite cut the mustard. Skiing off piste provides its own unique set of thrills and skills, offering a whole range of snow types and challenges. It’s a whole different experience.
Off piste slopes are untouched terrain, un-commercialised and perhaps more authentic shall we say, due to the lack of human investment. It’s almost like comparing camping in the wilderness with camping in a populated campground with public restrooms and pre-made fire-pits. To many, the artificial input of pistes taints the experience slightly. Off piste areas offer a more natural experience, where people can escape the clutter of people on pistes and be more at one with nature’s tranquility.