The Portes du Soleil isn't just famous for its incredible skiing. It's also home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Alps.
From snow-covered forests and frozen waterfalls to panoramic views of Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and the dramatic peaks of the Swiss Alps, there are countless moments where it's worth slowing down, taking in the view and reaching for your camera.
After spending countless winters skiing across Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Châtel and the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil, these are some of the scenic runs we return to year after year.
Whether you're searching for the perfect photo spot, a peaceful tree-lined descent or simply a memorable ski run, these are our favourite places to soak up the scenery.
"It's easy to spend the whole day chasing kilometres on the piste, but some of my favourite moments in the Portes du Soleil have come from stopping for a few minutes to admire the view. Don't rush, some of the best memories happen between the turns."
One of the most picturesque runs in Morzine is Choucas, accessed by taking the La Charniaz Express chairlift.
This gentle blue run winds its way through beautiful woodland, making it feel completely different from the more open pistes elsewhere in the resort. About halfway down you'll come across one of Morzine's hidden gems, a frozen waterfall that's well worth stopping to admire, especially during the colder months.
As you continue your descent, keep an eye out for the carved wooden animal sculptures dotted along the side of the piste. They're a fun surprise for both children and adults, adding even more character to one of the prettiest tree-lined runs in the resort.
If you're looking for a quieter ski with plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos and enjoy the scenery, Choucas is one of our favourite recommendations.
Ski Choucas early in the morning after fresh snowfall. The snow-covered trees and peaceful woodland setting make it feel like you've got the mountain to yourself.
Looking for more local recommendations? Explore our Ultimate Morzine Ski Guide to discover more of our favourite runs, restaurants and hidden gems across the resort.
For panoramic mountain views, it's hard to beat the Mont Chéry side of Les Gets.
From the summit, you'll be treated to one of the finest viewpoints in the Portes du Soleil, with spectacular views of Mont Blanc, Les Dents du Midi and the dramatic Dents Blanches mountain range. On a clear day, you can even spot the ski areas of Flaine and Praz de Lys stretching out into the distance.
The red run back down is equally enjoyable, weaving through beautiful forests that often remind me of skiing in Japan. The combination of quiet tree-lined pistes and incredible mountain scenery makes this one of my favourite areas to escape the busier slopes.
If you're looking for a peaceful ski away from the crowds, Mont Chéry is one of those places that reminds you just how beautiful the Alps can be.
If the weather is clear, take a few minutes at the top before setting off. The panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks are some of the very best in the Portes du Soleil.
Planning to explore more of the area? Read our Where to Stay in Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz guide to find the best base for your Portes du Soleil ski holiday.
One of the most magical runs in the Portes du Soleil has to be Combe à Floret, which descends towards Les Lindarets.
The piste passes through towering pine trees that create an incredible atmosphere, especially after fresh snowfall. The forest has often reminded me of the moon of Endor from Star Wars, home of the Ewoks, and it's easy to see why the surrounding off-piste area was originally nicknamed "Star Wars." Over the years, many skiers have started referring to the piste by the same name.
Continue following the run into Les Lindarets, better known as the famous Goat Village. During the summer, goats wander freely through the village, while in winter it's one of the best places to stop for lunch. There are several fantastic mountain restaurants here, making it an ideal place to take a break before heading back out onto the slopes.
Whether you're skiing through freshly snow-covered trees or stopping for lunch in Les Lindarets, this is one of those runs that captures everything people love about skiing in the Portes du Soleil.
If you've got the time, stop for lunch in Les Lindarets before skiing back towards Avoriaz. It's one of my favourite places to relax on the mountain and a great way to break up the day.
Want to spend more time exploring hidden runs like this? Discover our Private Ski Lessons in Avoriaz and ski the mountain with one of our local instructors.
For a quieter, more natural mountain experience, head over to the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil.
From the top of the La Ripaille drag lift, you'll find a long red run that descends all the way towards Grand Paradis. The run begins with stunning views across the Col du Cou, a historic mountain pass linking France and Switzerland.
As you continue downhill, the piste winds through beautiful forests before opening up to breathtaking views of Les Dents du Midi, one of Switzerland's most recognisable mountain ranges. Towards the bottom, you'll pass a collection of traditional alpine chalets that give the area a wonderfully peaceful feel. It's a fantastic run if you're looking to escape the crowds and soak up the scenery.
This part of the Portes du Soleil often feels a world away from the busier French resorts and is well worth exploring if you're looking for a slower pace and some of the most authentic alpine landscapes in the region.
If you've never skied the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil, make time for it. The quieter slopes, traditional chalets and spectacular views make it one of the most rewarding areas to explore.
Planning to explore the wider Portes du Soleil? Our Where to Stay in Morzine, Les Gets & Avoriaz guide can help you choose the best base for discovering both the French and Swiss sides of the ski area.
If you're skiing in Châtel, make sure you head up the Les Combes chairlift.
From the top, you'll be rewarded with incredible panoramic views stretching all the way to Lake Geneva on a clear day. It's one of those viewpoints where it's worth taking a moment to stop, catch your breath and simply enjoy the scenery.
Both the blue and red runs from the summit are well worth skiing. They combine wide-open viewpoints with sections through smaller forests, while the dramatic cliffs surrounding the area create an unforgettable backdrop. On a sunny day, this has to be one of the most scenic corners of the entire Portes du Soleil.
If you enjoy wide-open alpine landscapes and far-reaching views, this is a part of the ski area that shouldn't be missed.
On a clear day, don't rush off from the top of Les Combes. The views across to Lake Geneva are some of the best you'll find anywhere in the Portes du Soleil.
Planning your Portes du Soleil ski holiday? These guides will help you discover even more of the region.
It's easy to get caught up trying to ski as many runs as possible during your holiday, but some of the best moments happen when you slow down and take in your surroundingsWhether it's stopping by a frozen waterfall in Morzine, admiring Mont Blanc from Mont Chéry, skiing through the snow-covered forests of Avoriaz or looking out across Lake Geneva from Châtel, the Portes du Soleil offers unforgettable scenery around almost every corner.
While these are some of our favourite scenic runs, they're only the beginning. One of the joys of skiing in the Portes du Soleil is discovering those unexpected viewpoints, quiet forest pistes and hidden corners that make every day on the mountain a little different.
Some of my favourite memories on the mountain haven't been about the skiing, they've been about the places I've stopped along the way. Don't be afraid to slow down, take a photo and enjoy the view.
If you'd like to discover more hidden viewpoints, quieter pistes and local favourites that many visitors miss, join one of our instructors at Pulse Snowsports.
We spend every winter exploring the Portes du Soleil and love showing guests not only the best skiing, but also the spectacular places that make this ski area so special. Whether you're visiting Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz or venturing over to the Swiss side, we'll help you experience the mountain from a local's perspective.
Every resort offers something different, but Mont Chéry in Les Gets and Les Combes in Châtel provide some of the most impressive panoramic views, with Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva visible on clear days.
For beautiful tree-lined pistes, we'd recommend Choucas in Morzine and Combe à Floret in Avoriaz. Both runs offer a completely different feel to the wide-open slopes found elsewhere in the ski area.
Choucas in Morzine is a gentle, confidence-building run through woodland, while Combe à Floret in Avoriaz is ideal for intermediate skiers looking to enjoy long, flowing turns surrounded by spectacular scenery.
Yes. With the appropriate Portes du Soleil lift pass, it's possible to explore Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz, Châtel and the Swiss side during the same trip, although we'd recommend spreading them across several days so you can fully enjoy each area.
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 guests, training instructors and skiing the mountain in all conditions, helping visitors discover not only the best skiing, but also the quieter viewpoints and hidden gems that make the region so special.
Explore more ski advice, resort guides, instructor training articles and mountain stories from the Pulse Snowsports team.
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