February in Morzine: What's on and weather

February is usually still a very wintery month. Even if the days are getting longer and the sun shines a little bit stronger, which makes staying on the slopes until lift closure much more pleasant, the weather can change rapidly. So expect a mixture of sunshine, overcast skies and snow.

There is still regular snowfall, on average six days, and very much like January the daily temperatures generally fall between a high of 3ºC and a low of -4ºC. Still very much a time for wearing a thermal under layer.

Red Ski Show by ESF in Les Gets
Every Monday during the school holidays come down to the Front de Neige in Les Gets and watch the spectacle that is The Red Ski Show. The show features an introduction to a range of winter sports, a presentation of the snow groomers’ work and a rescue demonstration offering insight into the little known work of the ski patrollers. There’s also a torchlit descent and a huge firework display to round off the week in style!

Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is a big deal in France, it is the country famed for love and romance after all, so what better way to celebrate than to treat your better half to a romantic dinner in one of the resort’s many excellent restaurants. If you are after some entertainment while you eat, many places will put on live music, or you could head out to a bar after your dinner.

February is a popular month for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the four-week French holidays begin. Fortunately, the Portes du Soleil ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

1. It will be almost impossible to book private lessons over this period, group lessons are the best option. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
3. Ski over lunchtime. The slopes are calmer between 12:00 and 14:00 while the French take a leisurely lunch break.
4. Pre-book your lunch and avoid the queues. Some restaurants offer a click and collect service. It's the best way to avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains.
5. Seek out the peripheral areas. Try to avoid the busy main ski areas closer to Morzine town and head over to the less-trodden pistes, such as the Mont Chéry area in Les Gets.
6. Get off-piste. Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry.

Family fun on the pistes
February is synonymous with school holidays on the slopes and in the town. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, Morzine puts on a show for them. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain. You can take part in a treasure hunt once a week, or a chocolate or creative workshops. One night a week, after the lifts have closed, ESF puts on a torchlit descent of the Pléney – you can sign up your kids at the ski school office.

Family fun off the pistes
There's also plenty to do for the whole family in town. The Palais des Sports offers creative, crafty workshops for children aged six and over throughout February. For slightly older kids, the ice rink is open and there is an obstacle course set up on the Place de l'office de Tourisme.

If, like most people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, you can hit up any of a number of local après-ski sessions, where you'll find bars offering great music, delicious food and happy hours.

For late night entertainment, the clubs hold special nights on most days of the week.