If you’re thinking of staying in the Portes du Soleil but prefer a relatively secluded location, then Montriond could be the ideal destination for you.
You may be wondering: What is Montriond like? Do I need a car if I stay in Montriond? In this blog post, we answer these questions as well as provide information about the location, activities, entertainment and what’s on in the surrounding resorts.
Read on to discover why you should visit Montriond during your next ski holiday…
What is Montriond like?
Montriond is a small village located approximately 3km from Morzine in the Portes du Soleil area. Its main attraction is the 32 hectares lake, with plenty of things to do all year round.
As Montriond is so close to Morzine, one of the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps, it’s a great destination for your next ski holiday. Especially if you’re in favour of quieter, more traditional ski resorts.
Why visit Montriond?
Great location
Montriond is one of the small communes dotted around Morzine in the heart of the Portes du Soleil area. You will find plenty of opportunities for skiing near Montriond, including 600 km of pistes; these also include access to Avoriaz, Chatel, and Switzerland!
Skiing ability is not an issue in Montriond. You’ll find a great variety of pistes that are great for snowboarders as well as beginner to pro skiers. If you want to discover some of the other great ski destinations, take a look at our blog post about beginner ski slopes here.
Book a self-catered property near Montriond…
Activities
You will find a range of skiing and snowboarding opportunities with stunning scenery around Montriond. This includes l’Abricotine, the longest ski slope in the Portes du Soleil! Be sure to make the most of the beautiful landscape to unleash your adventurous side.
If you’re a non-skier or fancy discovering the terrain by trying something new, then snowshoeing may be a great option for you. By attaching snowshoes or ‘raquettes’ to your feet, which stop you from sinking into the powder, you can take a snowy hike through the trees and maybe even spot some local wildlife!
The lake
Some of the most incredible views can be found at Lake Montriond. Formed after the Nantaux landslide, which created a natural dam in the existing river, the 32 hectares lake sits quietly at the foot of picturesque cliffs. You can access it using the free shuttle, which runs during both the summer and winter seasons from Montriond village.
The location offers an idyllic vision of serenity for a relaxing day off, as well as the perfect landscape for an outdoor playground with something for everyone. Spend the afternoon by the lakeside to enjoy a range of activities from ice diving to stunning walks around the water. And if you’re visiting over summer, be sure to enjoy the Lake fireworks display which takes place every second Saturday in August.
If you’re curious to find out more, make your way over to the Vallée d’Aulps website!
Food and Drink
In Montriond itself, a top pick of ours is the Hotel du Lac. The hotel offers a high quality, ethically sourced menu including a range of dietary options, as well as an extensive drinks menu and even cocktail history experiences. As well as this, its stunning lakeside location makes it an unmissable spot for your trip to Montriond.
Alternatively, another lakeside restaurant is L’Auberge du Bout du Lac (literally meaning ‘The Inn at the Bottom of the Lake’), offering a varied selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
Families looking for more of a traditional Savoyard menu including Tartiflette and Fondue should take a visit to Le Rocher. Situated opposite the church, it’s the ideal spot to fill up on a hearty dish after a long day of skiing!
There are also plenty of great après ski spots around Montriond, namely in Avoriaz and Morzine…
Avoriaz is now home to La Folie Douce, perfect for party animals looking for a lively atmosphere. However, you will need to make sure you visit throughout the day and allow yourself plenty of time to get back over to Montriond before lifts close.
Ardent’s hidden gem is Happy Hours, an OVO Network team favourite! With tabletop dancing and live DJ sets, this is hands down the best après ski experience you will have close to Montriond. The last Line M bus leaves from just outside the bar at 6 pm and takes you back to Montriond Lake or the Mairie, from there you can make your way back to your chalet.
In Morzine, you will find a great number of bars, restaurants and nightlife to discover. Our Morzine destination guide covers our top spots for eating, drinking, shopping and more.
Do I need a car if I stay in Montriond?
Though we would recommend having a car, this isn’t a necessity if you want to mainly stay in Montriond itself throughout your stay. There are many public transport possibilities around the village, namely the bus that runs between the Ardent gondola lift and Morzine. You can find the timetable as well as more information here.
However, if you want to do things in your own time – like head into Morzine for meals in the evening – we would recommend renting a car. Check out Europcar or Sixt to make any journey easier.
Heading to the Portes du Soleil?
Check out stunning self-catered properties in the area with fantastic facilities below…
