The Portes du Soleil is often known for its huge network of blue and intermediate pistes, but it also offers an incredible variety of terrain for advanced skiers.
From perfectly groomed reds and challenging black runs to legendary mogul fields and exciting freeride zones, there's no shortage of terrain to test your technique and keep you coming back for more.
For this guide, we're classing an advanced skier as someone who is confident on red and black runs, comfortable making controlled short turns, and beginning to carve confidently across a variety of snow conditions.
After many winters teaching across Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Châtel and the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil, these are the runs we return to time and time again.
*Always carry the appropriate avalanche safety equipment, training and check current conditions before skiing off-piste.
"Advanced skiing isn't about finding the steepest run on the mountain. It's about skiing the right run in the right conditions. Some of the best days I've ever had have been on perfectly groomed reds rather than the hardest black pistes."
If you're looking for challenging terrain with plenty of variety, Morzine has some excellent options for advanced skiers.
When the snow conditions are good, the Stade red run back to the bottom of the Pléney lift is always one of our favourites. With its changing gradients and flowing layout, it's a brilliant piste for practising carving, linking dynamic short turns and really finding your rhythm.
For some of the best snow on the Morzine side of the mountain, head up to Chamossière, the highest lift-accessed point in the resort. Thanks to its altitude, this area often holds excellent snow throughout the season, and the main red run offers a fantastic mix of rolling terrain and steeper pitches that reward confident skiers.
If you're looking for more of a challenge, head skier's right from the top of Chamossière to find a steep black run that often flies under the radar. Because it stays in the shade for much of the day, the snow usually remains in excellent condition, and by mid-season it regularly develops some fantastic moguls.
For experienced off-piste skiers with the appropriate avalanche training and equipment, the Chamossière Freeride Bowl can provide some exceptional skiing after fresh snowfall. It offers a completely different experience to the groomed pistes, but should only ever be skied with the necessary knowledge, safety equipment and an understanding of the current avalanche conditions.
Chamossière is one of the first places I check after fresh snowfall. Between the excellent snow quality, varied terrain and quieter feel, it's one of the best areas in Morzine for advanced skiers.
Looking to take your skiing to the next level? Discover our Private Ski Lessons in Morzine and explore the resort's best advanced terrain with one of our experienced local instructors.
If you're looking for fast, flowing skiing with spectacular views, Les Gets has some fantastic terrain for advanced skiers.
One of our favourite areas is from the top of the Ranfoilly chairlift. The long rolling red run is perfect for opening up your turns and enjoying some high-speed carving. Before setting off, take a moment to admire the incredible views of Mont Blanc, it's one of the best viewpoints anywhere in the Portes du Soleil.
Another run that's well worth seeking out is Le Yeti, accessed from the recently upgraded Rosta chairlift. Although it's a relatively short black run, it regularly develops some excellent moguls and is a brilliant place to practise bump skiing or simply enjoy a more technical descent.
Whether you're looking to lay down clean carving turns or challenge yourself in the moguls, Les Gets offers a great mix of terrain for experienced skiers.
Ski the Ranfoilly red first thing in the morning if you can. Freshly groomed corduroy, quieter slopes and incredible views of Mont Blanc make it one of my favourite starts to the day.
Planning your stay? Read our Where to Stay in Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz guide to find the best base for exploring the Portes du Soleil.
For many advanced skiers, Avoriaz is where the real fun begins.
Sitting higher than many of the surrounding resorts, Avoriaz often enjoys excellent snow conditions throughout the winter and offers a huge variety of terrain for confident skiers looking to push themselves.
One of my personal favourites is Grandes Combes. Thanks to the steep ridges on either side, this black run regularly holds excellent snow and develops some of the best moguls in the Portes du Soleil as the season progresses. It's a long, demanding descent that rewards strong technical skiing.
The red run from the top of Grandes Combes is equally enjoyable. Combining wide-open sections, narrower pitches, steeper gradients and flatter cruising terrain, it never feels repetitive and is one of the most satisfying runs in the resort.
Around two-thirds of the way down, you'll find a short black run that quickly rejoins the main red piste. If you're looking to ski your first black run, this is an excellent place to start. The skier's left-hand side offers a slightly gentler line, allowing you to ease into the terrain before committing to the steeper pitches. Later in the season, this section often develops excellent moguls, making it a great place to refine your technique.
Another area not to miss is Cuboré, skiing from the Fornet side towards Les Lindarets. Here you'll find two short but steep red pitches that are perfect for practising dynamic short turns or opening up powerful carving arcs down the fall line.
If you're spending the day in Avoriaz, make sure Grandes Combes is on your list. Between the snow quality, varied terrain and brilliant moguls, it's one of my favourite places to ski anywhere in the Portes du Soleil.
Looking to tackle steeper terrain with confidence? Explore our Private Ski Lessons in Avoriaz and ski some of the resort's best advanced runs alongside an experienced local instructor.
If you love moguls, you've probably heard of the legendary Swiss Wall, officially known as Chavanette. It's one of the most famous black runs in Europe and has earned a reputation as one of the toughest marked pistes in the Alps.
For experienced mogul skiers, the steepest and most direct line runs beneath the chairlift. If it's your first time tackling the Swiss Wall, I'd recommend starting on the skier's left-hand side, where the terrain is generally a little more forgiving before gradually working your way across.
Take your time, keep looking ahead and remember that almost everyone reaches the bottom with burning legs. It's a demanding run, but one that many advanced skiers consider a bucket-list descent.
Just over the Swiss border, Les Crosets offers one of our favourite pistes for advanced carving.
The wide red run beneath the Les Crosets eight-seater chairlift combines a consistent gradient, generous width and excellent grooming, making it a brilliant place to open up your turns and enjoy fast, flowing skiing.
If you enjoy carving more than steep black runs, this is a piste you'll want to lap several times during your day on the Swiss side.
Don't underestimate the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil. Some of my favourite skiing isn't on the famous runs—it's on perfectly groomed reds like the one in Les Crosets that you can ski again and again.
Looking for quieter slopes and local favourites? Read our Most Scenic Ski Runs in Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz & The Portes du Soleil to discover another side of the Swiss mountains.
If you're skiing in Châtel, one run that should be on every advanced skier's list is the long red descent to Linga.
With its consistent gradient, flowing rhythm and plenty of opportunities to vary your turn shape, it's an excellent piste for practising dynamic short turns, refining your carving and building confidence on steeper terrain. It's also one of those runs that never seems to get boring, making it well worth skiing more than once during your holiday.
Although it isn't the steepest run in the Portes du Soleil, it's a fantastic example of how enjoyable advanced skiing can be when the terrain, snow conditions and piste preparation all come together.
Don't judge a run purely by its colour. Some of the most enjoyable skiing in the Portes du Soleil is on perfectly groomed red pistes like Linga, where you can really focus on your technique and enjoy the mountain.
Planning your Portes du Soleil ski holiday? These guides will help you discover even more of the region.
The Portes du Soleil offers an incredible variety of advanced terrain, and these are just a handful of the runs we regularly enjoy skiing with our guests. Snow conditions can change dramatically throughout the season, so don't be afraid to ask local instructors for recommendations on the day. They can often point you towards the best snow, quieter slopes and hidden gems that many visitors never discover.
Advanced skiing isn't about ticking off the steepest runs on the piste map. It's about finding the right terrain for the conditions, skiing with confidence and making the most of everything the mountain has to offer.
Some of the best ski days aren't necessarily the hardest. Fresh snow, quiet slopes and perfectly groomed pistes can make an ordinary run feel exceptional.
If you're already comfortable on red and black runs but want to improve your carving, short turns, mogul skiing or build confidence off-piste, skiing with one of our instructors is one of the quickest ways to accelerate your progress.
We'll help you refine your technique, choose terrain that suits your goals and introduce you to some of the best advanced skiing across Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Châtel and the wider Portes du Soleil.
For overall variety, we'd recommend Avoriaz. It offers everything from challenging black runs and moguls to excellent freeride terrain and long, technical red pistes.
Some of our favourite mogul runs are Grandes Combes in Avoriaz, Le Yeti in Les Gets and the famous Swiss Wall (Chavanette) on the Swiss border.
The Swiss Wall is one of Europe's most challenging marked black runs and should only be attempted by confident, experienced skiers who are comfortable skiing steep moguls in variable snow conditions.
Freeride terrain should only be entered if you have the appropriate avalanche safety training, equipment and an understanding of the current snow and avalanche conditions. If you're unsure, we strongly recommend skiing with a qualified local instructor or mountain guide. James specifically highlights this for the Chamossière Freeride Bowl.
James Lockerbie is a BASI Level 4 ISTD ski instructor, BASI Trainer and Examiner, Swiss Brevet holder, and co-founder of Pulse Snowsports. Having taught skiing across Morzine, Verbier, China and the UK, James has spent many winters exploring every corner of the Portes du Soleil. His recommendations are based on years of coaching advanced skiers, training instructors and helping guests discover the very best terrain the region has to offer.
Explore more ski advice, resort guides, instructor training articles and mountain stories from the Pulse Snowsports team.
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