Development plans in Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz are now moving from talk to execution. Reservoirs, new chairlifts and summer investment are under way. But many proposals hinge on public votes, permits and how the climate evolves. Understanding both momentum and risk matters for anyone buying here.
Morzine leans in on access and snow resilience
Construction of the Super Morzine reservoir is underway in 2025, with local sources placing it on schedule for autumn. Its aim is to buffer lower and mid-elevations from marginal snow seasons.
Lift operations have been reorganised: DLMorzine (combining SA Pleney and Sofival/SERMA) now holds control, with roughly €115 million over 25 years allocated to their domain strategy.
One of the region’s bold moves is the planned Nyon Express telecabine, slated for winter 2028/29. It would link Morzine town centre (near Hôtel La Clef des Champs) to the Nyon plateau, including a stop near Fys. If delivered, it could shift value toward its base zones.
A proposed cable car link between Morzine and Avoriaz (the EMA project) will go to a public vote following consultation. The Express Morzine Avoriaz would connect Morzine's Place de la Crusaz directly to the Prodains Express lift, cutting travel time to around 15 minutes and reducing road traffic between the resorts. Earlier plans included a tunnel beneath Morzine, but recent discussions have focused on a simplified lift-only route. Given past opposition to the project, approval is far from assured.
Morzine's strategy is clear: build stronger links and snow support to stay competitive in a warming environment.
Les Gets reshapes its altitude and summer model
Les Gets is dedicating €75 million to winter infrastructure and water management, part of a broader €100 million investment that also supports summer and general resort works.
The Rosta 8-seater chairlift is scheduled to begin operations in December 2025. It will replace a 4-seater, run at 6 m/s, and carry riders to the summit in under three minutes.
The Mont Chéry gondola (link to pdf) is now in confirmed replacement mode, using parts from the Grains d'Or lift, with reported costs of €4 million. (Source: regional permit filings)
Over the 17-year plan, the Stade lift in Chavannes is set for removal, redirecting skier traffic upward. This is part of a “go high or go summer” approach. In parallel, Les Gets plans around €15 million in summer investment, targeting ~15% of turnover now and pushing toward 20%. (Local planning documents)
Water from the Mouille aux Blés reservoir will be shifted from snowmaking use to village supply, an adaptation to tighter water and climate pressure.
In short, Les Gets is repositioning: reduce reliance on low slopes, push traffic uphill, and build summer yield to balance risk.
Avoriaz: altitude plus redundancy
At approximately 1,800 m, Avoriaz has a natural snow advantage. But it can’t rely on that alone. The SERMA concession runs to 2032, and under that framework, studies for the Plateau chairlift replacement have begun.
Replacing Plateau would relieve pressure on the Tour chairlift, which today is the main connector between key sectors. As traffic grows, Tour is a bottleneck. Adding Plateau redundancy would help future flow.
Avoriaz’s approach is: preserve its altitude edge while building alternatives to prevent single-point failure. It offers resilience, provided the upgrades happen.
Three strategies, one climate test
Les Gets is accepting its altitude limitations: it will push lifts higher, remove lower infrastructure, and build summer engines. Morzine bets on connectivity and snow buffers. Avoriaz leans on altitude, backed by redundancy.
But climate remains the wildcard. If snowlines rise 200–400 m by 2035, even reservoirs and lift upgrades may struggle. Artificial snow is expensive; water scarcity looms. These resorts are hedging rather than insuring.
Some scenarios already strain assumptions. In a year with weak snowfall but rain at mid altitudes, a reservoir can’t repair base slopes. If warming accelerates, the costs of snow support may outpace rental returns.
What this means for property buyers
Proximity to base points and approved upgrades become critical. For example, real estate near the Rosta base is likely to attract stronger demand and rent growth. If EMA passes, value in Morzine centre zones could tighten against Avoriaz levels, currently Avoriaz holds a 20–25% premium for snow security.
According to local agents, two-bedroom chalets near the proposed Nyon base currently list around €6,000–8,500/m², showing modest premium already.
As one valley property agent remarked: “When a new lift comes in, buyers shift two streets: suddenly the edge becomes the centre.”
But the flip side: if EMA fails at the vote, those speculative uplifts may never materialise. Investors need to weigh the upside against public decision risk.
Risks built into every proposal
None of these projects are guaranteed. EMA depends on a public vote and legal approvals. The Nyon Express is capital-intensive and subject to feasibility. The reservoir, while on schedule, must actually perform. Rosta in December needs calm weather and smooth engineering.
At present (October 2025), the reservoir is on track to become operational this autumn, and Rosta is still scheduled for December. But commissioners must navigate snow, terrain, and partial permit risk.
These plans are directional bets, not inviolable guarantees. A buyer who ignores those fault lines may misprice what looks like opportunity.
Final thoughts
The Morzine region is entering a new era of building while voting, strategising under a shifting climate, and balancing ambition with risk. For a serious property buyer, the opportunity lies not in hype but in evidence: invest where funding is approved, upgrades are underway, and community support exists.
Approach with curiosity and selectivity, fortify your purchase with strategy, not hope.
