Morzine with children - advice required

jsycrf

Has anyone been to Morzine with young children?

We are going to be in France for a couple of weeks in July/August and were wondering if Morzine is a suitable place to go with young children. I want to go and do a few runs down the downhills on my own but obviously I have the kids and wife to think about as well.

I have a few questions:

Is it feasable to get down from one of the cable cars with child who is 6 (can ride pretty well and is up for a laugh) and a child in a rear child carrier?

Does anyone know what the cross coutry routes are like in the valley are there some easy paths to cycle along?

Is the weather generally good in the alps in the summer?

Is there other stuff to do for young children in the summer?

Any help would be gratefully received.

redbirdo

Hi there

I've been to Morzine in the summer with a 3 year old. However, we didn't cycle as I wasn't into cycling at the time and also was heavily pregnant with my second child!

Its a great place (we generally go in the winter to ski) although I think it is better for older kids in the summer.

I can't comment on the cycle routes but wiith regards to things to do:
- Our son loved just going up in the cable car. If you go up the Super Morzine bubble (Avoriaz side) there is a really nice restaurant just at the top of the lift.
- In the Morzine valley (below the town) there is a good outdoor swimming pool and a carousel. A children's playground and ponies are a short and pleasant walk along a stream. You can walk down steps into the valley or there is a funny little funicular type lift going down from the bubble station that is also fun for kids.
- If you have a car (you may be able to take a bus) you can get to the Lac de Montriond about 5mins drive away which is a beautiful spot where lots of people go for the mountain equivalent of a day at the beach. You can swim, kayak etc and there is a little kiddies pool (from what I recall its a natural pool). About 5mins further along the same road you come to Ardent where there is a bubble lift (and a road) up to Les Lindarets - another beautiful spot with places to eat/drink/walk/cycle. There are more lifts that take you up to a high point with beautiful views over France and Switzerland (and good rides down!) but we didn't do that with our son as we were nervous about taking him on the chair lifts. Its worth going to the Goat Village which is slightly below Les Lindarets - lovely old village with lots of goats although a bit busy and touristy.

If you have a car there are lots of day trips you can do. For example we went to Chamonix and took the mountain train to see the ice caves.

Also, I don't know if you would be interested but there is a very good nannying service we used when we were there. Its not cheap (esp not with current euro situation) but we had two half days which is long enough to get out for a decent walk/ride using the lifts. See http://www.jackfrosts.net/mountain_tots.htm

Hope that helps
Vicki

jsycrf

Thanks Vicki that is a great help.

I think that we might head to Metabief instead as there appears to be more for younger kids to do in the area and the trails appear to be a lot more gentle.