Dec 07, 2018 / FRANCE

Morzine Property Investment Guide

Set at 1000m above sea level and offering stunning panoramic mountain views of the surrounding Alps, the village of Morzine is a thriving village that attracts a huge amount of custom. Originally a tiny picture postcard village, it has developed into an area that is extremely popular with holidaymakers and skiers alike.

Part of the extensive resort of Les Portes du Soleil, Morzine is a proper little Alpine town with a population of around 2,893 that thrives all year round. While the snow season that runs from December to April will inevitably bring a huge rise in visitors, Morzine is a beautiful location for twelve months of the year with rolling summer hills and tranquil forests.

The town became renowned in 1960 due to the success of downhill skier Jean Vuarnet. His gold medal in the 1960 Winter Olympics brought fame to the region and following his success Vuarnet constructed the high-altitude ski station of Avoriaz above the town, as well as pioneering and creating the huge area of Les Portes du Soleil.

There is a huge variety of pistes and ski runs in Morzine. For beginners, Les Gets area has plenty of green and blue runs, with ski lessons starting at the top of the Morzine Pleney telecabine. Skilled skiers can visit Les Gets for a variety of advanced red and blue runs, while black runs are available in Mont Chery, Grand Combes and the Swiss Wall.

There are 49 lifts available in Morzine, with 64 slopes to ski in total. The main access lifts; Pleney, Ardent, Super Morzine and Prodains can be ridden by pedestrians, skiers and snowboarders. The remainder can only be taken by skiers or snowboarders and can only be ridden up the hill.

Living in Morzine

The village of Morzine is ideal for family holidaymakers and as the capital of Les Portes du Soleil it offers a perfect base for those looking to explore the expansive ski area that crosses the Switzerland-France border. The slopes are perfect for intermediate skiers, offering gentler slopes to learn on before progressing through the resort.

Living in Morzine is incredibly popular both with local French residents and the increasingly prevalent expat British community thanks to its welcoming atmosphere. The weather is also suitable for year-round living, with lows of -6° in winter making it ideal for snowfall and winter sports, and highs of 21° in summer to enjoy the beautiful surrounds. Find the latest snow and weather report for Morzine here.

Culture and things to do in Morzine

Morzine is, of course, a vital town for families and skiers who are looking to learn and train on its intermediate slopes before progressing to more difficult runs. The area has invested in state-of-the-art snowmaking, meaning there is a considerable amount of snow available throughout the season, despite its relatively low setting within the Alps. The village has a little park in the Nyon sector, with a fun park for children and adult beginners to learn on.

As well as being a central hub for skiing in Les Portes du Soleil, there are plenty of things to do in Morzine for families and other visitors all year round. In summer it is a lively hub offering activities for everyone; every ability and every age. Archery is available in a few places around Morzine for you to pretend you are Robin Hood, with bow and arrows provided at each. A beach volleyball court in the heart of the Alps may sound far-fetched, but located near the Parc des Dereches, the beach volleyball court is open in July and August. As well as this wide range of sporting activities, there is a great selection of restaurants from cheap and cheerful to luxurious.

Investment Potential in Morzine


Due to its popularity throughout the year, Morzine is an ideal location for property investors looking to buy prime Alpine real estate. It is filled with a wide variety of properties, from grand chalets to apartments. With €147.9 million set to be invested in connecting Morzine and Avoriaz, there is no better time to invest in the region. €35 million has already been budgeted for the construction of a lift that will begin work in 2019, with €11 million being spent on the surrounding infrastructure.

When looking at buying a property in Morzine, there are various types of property available. From luxurious four, five or six-bedroom chalets outside the main centre of Morzine, to smaller, more central apartments, there is an incredible variety of choice.

Generally, prices are cheaper in the outlying villages that surround this town, while central properties are certain to be in demand. The percentage of foreign buyers in Le Portes du Soleil rose by 13% between 2012 and 2015. 21% of buyers came from Britain, showing clear proof that Morzine is increasingly on the map in terms of property investment.

Getting to Morzine

Transport to Morzine is relatively easy, due to its reasonably low setting within the Alps, and as such it is possible to arrive at the resort by plane, train or car.

By car, it is just a 30km drive from exit 17 of the A40. The nearest airport, Geneva, is roughly a 75 minutes’ drive away (88km). There are two train stations within a short journey of Morzine, with both Cluses and Thonon-Les-Bains being 30 minutes (30km) away. A daily TGV links Morzine to Cluses, while a TGV is available on Saturday and Sunday to Thonon-Les-Bains. Find more information here.

With great transport links and year-round activities, it is clear to see why ski property investments in Morzine have become increasingly popular.