Haute-Savoie / France
The village of Montriond, on the eastern side of the Morzine valley, is a great holiday destination for guests who want a great choice of mountain sports and all the bars, shops and restaurants of a large resort, but who at the end of the day want to return to a quiet relaxing base in the heart of nature.
If you’re visiting in the winter, you’ll be close to the lifts in Morzine, but you’ll also have great access to the Ardent bubble, which will whisk you up to the Portes du Soleil resorts of Les Lindarets, Avoriaz, Châtel and Switzerland. You’ll need a car here, but there’s a good car park at Ardent, and you’ll find the queues shorter than in Morzine.
If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll appreciate the walks around Lake Montriond, swimming and kayaking. There is more challenging hiking and cycling in the mountains.
Montriond has a few restaurants, both in the village itself and around the lake, as well as a small shop, a ski rental shop and a doctor’s surgery.
This delightful village, situated between Morzine and Avoriaz, has great skiing in both directions, giving you easy access to Morzine, Avoriaz, Châtel, and Les Crosets in Switzerland.
One of the Portes du Soleil’s longest slopes, the 8km Abricotine, runs from the peaks on the Swiss border right the way down to the Ardent cable car. It also passes through Les Lindarets, famous for its free-roaming goats and wonderful traditional restaurants - a great lunch stop!
The restaurants around the lake also stay open through the winter - why not try a snowshoe trek around the lake, and stop in for lunch and a vin chaud? If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can even try ice-diving in the lake - but do book yourself in with a professional guide.
Montriond’s beautiful lake makes it a natural choice for a holiday in the Alps, even when the snow has gone. An area is sectioned off for family swimming, another for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding and there’s a wooden play area for children. The grassy banks are perfect for picnics, but there are also several restaurants where you can eat on a sunny terrace. Families will enjoy the gentle walks around the lake, or even the 30-minute stroll along the river into Morzine, but there’s more challenge in the surrounding mountains - take the Ardent bubble up and enjoy the views on the way down. There are plenty of cycling trails too - the tourist office in Morzine will have all the information you need. Other activities available in the area include rock climbing and via ferrata, paragliding, canyoning and white water rafting and summer sledging.
If you’re heading to Montriond in the summer, take advantage of the Portes du Soleil Multi Pass. Offering unrestricted access to the full range of family fun for activity holidays — ski lifts for walkers, lakeside facilities, 850km of hiking trails, tennis, cultural sites, tourist trains, ice rinks and a shuttle service between resorts — the pass is offered at an exclusive rate of €2.50 at many OVO Network chalets in the French Alps, including our apartments in Les Gets right through to our Morzine luxury chalets (many with outdoor hot tub).
Skiing and boarding are the main activities that bring guests to Montriond in the winter, and in the summer, hiking, biking and climbing are the most popular. But when you stay at an OVO Network property, there is so much more to see and do.
Here are some of our favourite things to do in Montriond - you’ll find the details below.
Lunch with the goats - In the summer, hundreds of goats roam the streets in the beautiful village of Les Lindarets, just 8km from Montriond - get there by car or by the Ardent bubble. Driving or cycling through the village is a bit of a challenge - goats certainly have the right of way - but it’s a great place for a stroll and lunch. Goat food can be bought in the village, but they’re not fussy what they eat, so keep your picnic hidden.
Ice-diving - If you’ve never tried ice diving, you’ll love discovering this eerie underwater world! All your equipment will be provided, and an expert instructor will accompany you on your ice dive. There are also heated changing rooms and hot showers for when you surface.
Waterfalls walk- The spectacular Brochaux waterfalls are just a 35-minute walk from Les Lindarets. Alternatively, you could take the chairlift from Les Lindarets to Avoriaz, and walk back down from there. The grassy field at the foot of the falls is a beautiful place for a picnic.
A day at the lake - There’s plenty to do at the beautiful Lake Montriond, especially for young families. Areas are designated for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding - equipment is available to hire, or you could book a lesson. There’s a beautiful play area for youngsters. The grassy banks are a great place to enjoy a picnic, but there are several restaurants serving meals and snacks.
Escape room - Test your ingenuity at Le Room, an escape room in the heart of Morzine. You and your team have an hour to crack the codes and solve the puzzles. Find it at 19 Place de Buraty, opposite the tourist office. Choose from two rooms - Survival for up to eight players, or the Villain’s Lair, for teams of up to six. Make sure you book ahead - it’s a popular choice, especially when the weather is bad!
A magical night walk - The Lumina nightwalk will take you on a magical journey through the mountains and beyond, led by a travelling music-maker and his hot air balloon! This enchanting sound and light show is available all year round, and is sure to appeal to families as well as adults. The walk is 1km long - make sure you book online as no tickets are available on site.
Water park fun - Summer or winter, the temperature is always 30c at Aquaraz, the tropical waterpark in Morzine. Enjoy slides, waterfalls, lazy rivers, whirlpools and even an underwater escape room at this fun complex, which has plenty to entertain guests of all ages.
Mechanical Music Museum - Discover the fascinating world of mechanical music at this museum in the Rue du Vieux Village in nearby Les Gets. The guided tour is in French, but it’s worth doing as your guide will demonstrate many of the fairground organs, automatons and machines, and there’s written information in English. The museum is closed in November and December, until Christmas Eve. Entry to both buildings costs €12.50 for adults, €8.50 for children, or you can visit each building separately. A great activity for a rainy day.
On your bike - Beginners and more experienced mountain bikers will find plenty to challenge them at Les Gets Bike Park - it’s the biggest MTB playground in Europe, with 128 km of slopes! Open from mid-June to early September, prices start at €7 for a one-way lift pass (€5 for a child) with discounts for families or multiple trips. If you are under 5 or over 75 it’s free - but you’ll need ID!
Ice skating In the winter, you can skate right in the heart of Morzine, when a rink is set up outside the tourist office. Opening times are dependent on weather conditions, so do check before you go. Ice skates are available for hire, and games are arranged for young visitors. There’s also an indoor rink at Park des Dereches, which is home to the Penguins ice hockey team.
Treetop adventures - Climb through the forest at the treetop adventure park at Parc des Dereches in Morzine. There are three circuits to suit all ages, from two upwards. Bridges, ladders, ziplines and Tarzan swings can all be discovered in this two-hour adventure. Harnesses are provided and all courses are patrolled by experienced operators.
Auberge Le Verdoyant, (Le Lac, Montriond, tel: 33 4 50 79 21 96) Enjoy a meal or a snack overlooking Lake Montriond at this popular restaurant, which serves traditional French and Alpine dishes. Fondues, raclette and charcuterie are joined by burgers, steaks and a well-priced children’s menu.
Le Petit Lindaret, (Les Lindarets Montriond, tel: 33 4 50 74 21 69) Tartiflette is a popular choice at this friendly restaurant in the goat village of Les Lindarets. In the summer, you’ll be surrounded by goats, and in the winter it’s a popular lunch stop for skiers. The menu is heavily influenced by local dishes and produce, Expect generous portions and friendly service, although it can be a little slow at busy times.
Mamo’s Cafe, (Les Lindarents, tel: +33 4 50 74 20 68) Set just above the village, this is a really popular choice with skiers and walkers, who enjoy the friendly atmosphere, the good home cooking and the reasonable prices. Choose from crepes, galettes (buckwheat pancakes), great burgers, quiches and soups. There are great veggie options, and takeaways are available too for walkers and bikers who want to get on their way.
Le Rocher, (36 Route de Morzine, Montriond, tel: +33 4 50 75 78 47) Right in the heart of the village, Italian pizzas and pastas are joined by French specialities such as tartiflette, escargots and fondue at this great family restaurant. Don’t leave without trying their huge ice cream coupes! Pizzas are available for takeaway.
Sush’ski, (67 Rue du Vieux Village, Les Gets, tel: 33 9 82 36 68 31) If you can’t face any more cheesy Alpine specialities, head for this stylish sushi restaurant in Les Gets. Gyoza, sushi platters, pad thai and spring rolls are among the many delicious offerings available to take away or eat in. If you choose to eat in, make sure you book, as tables are limited, and there’s only one service, from 7-8pm.
L’Atelier Hotel Samoyede, (Place de l’Office de Tourisme, Morzine, tel: +33 4 50 79 00 79) This Michelin-recommended restaurant is a good choice for a special occasion. The market-inspired menu changes every evening - choose from the fixed three-course menu or try the six-course tasting menu for the full experience.
There’s a small shop in Montriond where you can pick up your groceries, but if you’re after a little retail therapy, you’d be better off heading for Morzine or Les Gets.
As you’d expect from one of France’s top mountain resorts, Morzine offers a great selection of activity shops selling everything from the latest skis and designer ski wear, to mountain biking kit and summer walking gear. If you’re already kitted out then you’ll find stores selling everything from wooden toys for the kids, to delicious local cheeses and sausages, jewellery, fashions, perfumes, souvenirs and more, plus a choice of supermarkets for all the essentials.
In Les Gets you’ll find a couple of small supermarkets - Sherpa and Carrefour, a butcher, a great choice of boulangeries, plus the all important chocolate shop, gift shops and delicatessens.
Don’t miss the local markets in Morzine on Wednesdays and Les Gets on Thursday mornings, where can pick up mountain cheeses and charcuterie as well as clothes and local crafts..
By air: The nearest airport to Montriond is Geneva (80km). If you hire a car, the drive will take you about 1hr 30 mins, and transfers are available. Try Skiidy Gonzales, who run a large fleet of minibuses, or Alpybus, but make sure to book in advance.
By train: The nearest rail stations to Montriond are Thonon-les-Bains (30km) and La Cluses (30km). A taxi transfer to Montriond will take about 40 minutes.
By car: Bringing your own car to the Alps means you can bring more luggage and you’ll have more independence once you’re here. The drive from the UK can be done in a day - the drive from Calais to Montriond is about nine hours. As you get closer to the mountains, driving becomes more challenging, especially in the winter. Make sure your car is equipped for driving in snow - it is mandatory to carry snow chains, and good winter tyres are advised.