Off-piste ski areas in Morzine

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Avoriaz probably offers the biggest area for easy access off piste and this high altitude play area is easily reached from most villages in the Portes du Soleil.

If you're unsure of the area or the snow conditions there are a few Snowcross Zones in Avoriaz. These are un-pisted but secured areas where you can enjoy the freedom of off-piste with the safety of pisted runs. These do get tracked out quickly, so you need to be fast to get the fresh snow and remember, if they are closed then they are very dangerous.

• Once in Avoriaz, take the Express Lac Intrets to the top of the Hauts Forts and descend towards the Secteur Chavanette using the Bleue du Lac, ensuring you explore the little stashes to either side of the piste. Follow the Aller Chavanette down through the tunnel and you’ll reach the foot of the Secteur Chavanette with a choice of two lifts to access the top; Express Choucas and Express du Fornet. The latter lift takes you up above the Canyon du Pschott Snowzone. This is a large un-pisted area characterised by multiple canyons, natural half pipes, cliff drops and kickers. It is one of the best areas to head for after a big dump of snow as the variety of terrain is immense, and despite it sitting right in front of everyone on the lift, it does take some time to become tracked out. The multiple lines down this area all converge on the aforementioned lifts making multiple runs easy. The Express Choucas provides access to similar terrain on the opposite side of the bowl, and again the multiple lines drop you down to the two lifts at the bottom. The latter has less potential to run you down into a big cliff drop if you lose your bearing but is demanding none the less.
  
• To finish off your day in the Secteur Chavanette take the Express du Fornet and head a little further afield to the Vallée de la Manche. Watch out for the warning signs at the top indicating you are headed into a totally un-patrolled area and are therefore operating at your own risk. The traverse will be obvious, before dropping into the canyon du Pschott bear left and drop over the low saddle to enter the valley. This will give you access to a huge powder field with a huge drop affording plenty of chances to put in the powder eights or big GS style turns complete with rooster tails. Just keep on following the obvious valley route past the old chalet building and onwards to the head of the valley road. If there's sufficient base then it's possible to ski all the way back down to Morzine, although this does involve pushing hard across a bit of flat. For anybody not up for that, and any snowboarders, you can catch the bus service back to town. Unfortunately the latter has prompted an increase in the popularity of the valley, but still it’s not one to miss.
  
• Secteur Linderets sits adjacent to Avoriaz and the Fornet valley. Lower down this valley the drop under the Col de Bassachaux is accessed from the TS Chaux Fleurie. Drop straight under and to the left of the lift line along multiple lines passing through the trees and into the little, and some not so little, cliffs at the end of the run near the foot of the lift stations.
  
• Higher up the Linderets valley, accessed via the Express Mossettes lift, drop straight under the lift line for a long section of natural features where drops ins, wall rides and kickers abound. The section is marked on the lift as La Frontalière Snowzone but receives fairly light use as a function of its demanding nature. Alternatively, drop down a little way from the Mossettes lift station towards the Les Cases run and, as soon as the fence runs out, drop the edge and traverse back towards the lift line. This is a great big hump of mountain dropping all the way to the Les Cases blue for a return journey to the Express Mossettes lift. On the opposite side of the valley, the TS Cubore lifts you up to the ridge line whereby you can traverse along as required before dropping down again to the Les Cases blue.
  
• If you’re new to the world of off-piste and are feeling a little nervous about taking the step into the unknown then the tree runs up the Super Morzine might be the perfect place to head to. Take the chairlift up the Zore and explore the runs all the way back to the top of the Super Morzine bubble. It’s a great area to help you perfect your powder skiing. It’s also perfect if you’re not looking to travel too far.

Before you head off-piste, here's a few things you should consider:

• Hire a guide
• Take a course in avalanche awareness and practise the techniques learned. Henry's Avalanche Talk is one way to find out more with regards avalanche safety and there are several companies who run courses in alpine resorts throughout the winter.
• Look at the weather and avalanche forecasts for France, reviewing the degree of local avalanche risk also. Henry's Avalanche Talk produces a translation of current avalanche conditions in English and PisteHors is also an excellent reference place.
• Don’t ignore advice given by local mountain guides or others if advised to ski a certain path, or to keep a specific distance between fellow members in a group.
• Plan the route carefully, evaluating all different options and assessing all elements of danger. Look at the timings for each route. Inform others of your route, and when you expect to arrive back.
• Attach your transceiver properly to you and DON'T FORGET to turn it on, test the signal is working, and make sure you have all the necessary equipment. (A transceiver is of no use if the user has not been trained in its use, it is turned off, or it is in a rucksack - unless you want just your bag to be recovered).

Read more about understanding avalanches & how to try to avoid them.