Morzine FAQs

• What are the charges for bike carriage to Geneva? Easyjet are the most commonly used airline, charging £40 each way for bike carriage. BA are also used frequently used and your bike can be included in your free baggage allowance.
• Should i deflate my tyres and remove air from suspension before flying? You don't have to but you airlines advise you do so.
• How often do bikes get lost when flying? Not often. In 10 operating weeks in the summer season we generally see it once per season.
• How long does it take to receive lost luggage? We have never seen it take longer than 48 hours.
• How much is a transfer from Geneva to Morzine? Between €25 - €40 per person shared, or €180 - €210 for a private transfers for up 8 people each way, from a reputable company.
• How long is the transfer to Morzine? From the minute the bus leaves Geneva, 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Are there any other airports to fly into instead of Geneva? You can fly into Lyon, it is around 2.5 hours from Morzine. Transfers will be more expensive as they must be privately booked, in the region of €400 each way.

• How much are the tolls from Calais to Morzine? €81.30 to be exact, each way.
• What is the speed limit on French motorways? 130km/h, down to 110km/h in the wet, foggy or when inidicated.
• How long does it take to drive to Morzine from Calais? No stops? 8 hours. With stops, up to 10 using the toll roads.
• How long does it take to drive to Morzine if I avoid the tolls? Anywhere from 12 - 15 hours.
• Is the ferry or the channel tunnel better to cross with? The ferry tends to be cheaper, but the tunnel is much faster. The ferry taking around 3 -4 hours including boarding and disembarking, the tunnel around 1 hour.
• Is it more expensive to take my van on the channel tunnel? No, as long as it is under 3.5 tons gross weight.
• Is fuel more expensive on the French motorways? Yes, around 40c - 50c per litre more than the French average, ranging from 1.50€ - 1.90€ in 2021.
• Are French motorway stops open 24 hours? Yes
• Is there food available at French motorway stops? Yes, but it's usually pretty sad. Some have ok restaurants. To get something good head into a town, if you are in a rush, sorry.
• What do I have to take in my car for the French roads? A warning triangle, spare bulbs and high vis jackets in the vehicle, this is French law, you do not need to have a breathalyzer kit anymore this law was scrapped. You should have a GB sticker on the car car if the number plate does not indicate country of origin.
• Will the speed cameras in France work on my UK registered car? They used to before brexit, try it and see! If the cops pull you over the can absolutely fine you.
• Are there Electric charging points for my car in Morzine? Yes, at 462 Route de l'Accueil, 178–608B Route du Palais des Sports and at Carrefour St Jean D'Aulps, 4679 Route des Grandes Alpes, aswell as options at many hotels and residences around Morzine. Check the full list here.

Driving in Europe, The first thing you need to know is that you must have The speed limit on French motorways changes from 130km to 110km when it rains so be aware of this if the heavens open. It's very easy to sit at 130km on the French roads so keep your eyes peeled for the police, if you do get caught speeding they require payment there and then. 

There are tolls on the motorways and the total is €81.30 each way for any vehicle under 2 metres in height, this increases for higher vehicles so consider this if driving a high top van or camper, to around €120. You can save a lot of money if you drive by putting all the bikes in a van with 2 people and the rest fly. Or hire a big van and get the crew assembled, convoy in the V-Dubs, there are loads of options.

You can find a list of the different classes of vehicles here.

Easyjet will charge you £80 return to take your bike on one of their flights, BA will allow your bike to come onboard as part of your luggage allowance, so if you pack light it maybe free. They don't operate from as many airports so BA's service can be limited. If you decide to fly make sure you pack that bike decent bike bag, Evoc's from Bike Bag Hire can sort you our if you don't have one, they've never let us down!

Once you land at Geneva all you need to do is jump on a transfer bus, over the year we have use Skiidy Gonzales as they have proper trailers and know where all of our properties are in Morzine. Yes, there are some cheaper transfer companies, not to be named and things often go without a hitch, but trust us it's only a matter of averages before you are let down and stranded. Flying to Geneva can be a very simple way to get to Morzine for your MTB holiday. 

• How much is a shared transfer to Morzine? In summer around €25 - €35 per person shared, with a reputable company, each way.
• How much is a private transfer to Morzine? The going rate is €190 to €210, for up to 8 people.
• What is the cheapest transfer to Morzine? Some operators will charge €19.50 for a shared seat, some even less. Most of the time you'll have no issues. But there could be luggage problems when bikes are considered, longer wait times at the airport and zero help if your flight is delayed, meaning the bus may leave without you if it is scheduled. We advise against going for the budget option on this one.
• Can I take my bike bag on the transfer bus? If you've booked it in advance with a good company, yes.
• Who are the best transfer companies in Morzine? Skiidy Gonzales, Getaway Vans, Powder Cabs, Last Van Standing, Rolling Road, A2 Ski and Apex are some of the best operators.
• If my flight is delayed when I arrive in Geneva, will the van leave without me? If you are booked with any of the above, or booked a transfer through us, it will not be an issue, we'll get you to Morzine.

BOOK YOUR TRANSFER TO MORZINE

• What is the best bike bag? Douchebags Savage, Evoc Bike Travel and Polaris Bike Pod Pro are our picks.
• Can an airline refuse my bike box? Yes, they can and will if it looks liable to fall apart during travel.
• Should I remove my brake rotors when packing my bike? Yes, every time. So many arrive bent.
• What happens if my bike is damaged in transit? Who pays? First, have good insurance, this is the quickest way to get yourself sorted. The airline have limited liability and usually anything over afew hundred pounds wouldn't be covered unless you've taken out a specific policy.

The best time to visit is anytime during the season, they all have advantages. Coming when the full PDS is open is a good idea. This is when the full Portes du Soleil lift linked MTB area is open. Providing a vast amount of official and unoffical trails for your group to enjoy during your holiday in Morzine. 

WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO GO TO MORZINE?

• June: + Quiet, trails are fresh, early season stoke, weather historically reliable.
• June: - Quiet, dig crews may have been lazy, can have limited lift choice.
• July: + All lifts open, season in full swing, trails still fresh(ish), not school holidays yet.
• July: - Can be busy, weather historically the most unreliable.
• August: + Usually scorching, secret tracks often all up and running.
• August: - If dig crews have been lazy some tracks can be beat up, school holidays.

• When do all the chairlifts open in Morzine and the Portes du Soleil? They will al be open full time, with every link open aswell from the Passportes du Soleil mountain bike festival. Usually held on the last weekend in June.
• When do all of the chairlifts close in Mozine and the Portes du Soleil? Usually the last weekend in August /  first weekend in September. For example in 2020 they closed on Monday 31st August.
• Do all of the lifts open and shut on the same date in Morzine and the Portes du Soleil? No. Often the individual resorts will open earlier and later. Champery and Morgins will often stay open into October and Super Morzine will remain open afew days after the Portes du Soleil has closed, as will Les Gets and Le Pleney.
• Do I need all of the lifts to be open to get from Morzine to Chatel or Switzerland? Yes, to get to Chatel and Switzerland you need the Pre La Joux or Mossettes lifts to be open. These close when the Portes du Soleil closes.
• Can I drive to Chatel and Switerland from Morzine if the lifts are shut? Yes, it takes around 45 minutes to Chatel and an 1 hour 15 minutes to Morgins from Morzine. Day Trips with us maybe an option.
• What time to the lifts open in Morzine and Les Gets? Le Pleney and Les Chavannes open from 9h - 17h30 and Les Gets Nauchettes until 1715h. Many Portes du Soleil lifts such as Pre la Joux and Mossettes will close earlier. Super Morzine opens at 9h and closes at 17h. The Zore chairlift closes at 1645h.
• When do the resorts announce when they will open the lifts in Morzine and the Portes du Soleil? We will be one of the first to know, in February/March. You can check the dates each year here.

• How much is a private mountain bike lesson per hour in Morzine? €42 per hour, for up to 10 people.
• How much is a private mountain bike guide per hour in Morzine? It is €42 per hour, for up to 10 people.
• How much is a private mountain bike guide per half day and for a full day in Morzine? €148 for a half day and €240 for a full days guiding.
• Is the lift pass included for a mountain bike lesson in Morzine? No, if you need to use the lifts it is not included.
• Is lunch included? No.
• If I have a lesson or book a guide, and decide I don't want to finish my lesson or arrive, do I receive a refund? If the guiding or lesson has started, you will need to pay the full amount booked.
• Is bike hire included? No, bike hire is not included with your mountain bike lesson or guide in Morzine.
• Can a guide do E-Bike tours in Morzine? Yes, the rates are the same.
• Can a guide show me the secret trails in Morzine? Yes, at the guides discretion he or she can take you anywhere they can legally ride.

SEE MORE FROM LES GETS BIKE SCHOOL

E-BIKES

• Do E-Bikes fit on the lifts in Morzine? Yes, but there is a weight limit applied. So you may have remove your battery on many lifts in Morzine?
• Do I have to remove my battery to get on the lifts in Morzine with an E-Bike? On most lifts yes you will. If there is a hook for the bike they will ask you. The reason is weight and the danger of it falling off and injuring somebody below.
• What if my battery is not removable? Then you might not be allowed on some of the lifts with your E-Bike.
• Are there charging points for E-Bikes in Morzine? Yes, there are 22 free charging stations dotted around the Portes du Soleil and many restaurants will allow you to charge your battery while having lunch. See a full run down of E-Bike options in Morzine here.
• Can I rent an E-Bike in Morzine? Yes, there are loads of options. You can rent through us or one of our partner stores in Morzine or Les Gets.

OVER SIZED / LONG / PROTOTYPE / XXL BIKES

• Will my Nicolai Geometron have trouble on the lifts in Morzine? On some chairlifts such as the Zore on Super Morzine and Chavannes in Les Gets, we have seen bikes come un hooked at the top and be difficult to mount at the bottom. If you think it will be a problem warn the lift operator when putting it on. 'Le taille c'est ok pour le telesiege, c'est un VTT plus grand"
• Will my XXL Santacruz V10 fall off the lifts in Morzine? On some chairlifts such as the Zore on Super Morzine and Chavannes in Les Gets, we have seen bikes come un hooked at the top and be difficult to mount at the bottom. If you think it will be a problem warn the lift operator when putting it on. 'Le taille c'est ok pour le telesiege, c'est un VTT plus grand"

FAT BIKES / PLUS SIZED BIKES

• Will Fat bike tyres fit on the lifts in Morzine? You will not be able to take your fat bike on many of the lifts in Morzine. When it can go inside a telecabine it is fine, such as Le Pleney, but any lift with a hook will not be possible with a fat bike.
• Will plus sized bike tyres or plus sized tyres fit on the lifts in Morzine? Yes, they will fit on most of the lifts.
• Can I rent a fat bike in Morzine? Yes, many shops rent them, such as Intersport. None of our partners have fat bikes to rent.

KIDS BIKES

• Will kids bikes fit on the lifts in Morzine? Yes, as long at the fit on the hooks they will be fine. 20inch wheels will be a close fit on many systems. Smaller bikes will be allowed in most telecabines.
• Can I rent kids bikes in Morzine? Yes, there are several of our partners that are able to rent kids bikes from 20 inch and 24 inch wheels. Email us on info@mtbbeds.com and we can assist you.

OLDER BIKES

Sorry, but your 2012 26" downhill bike is now old. It does not mean it is crap or unfit for purpose, but it is old.

• Is my old bike going to last in Morzine? If it is well maintained it should. After all it did when it was made. However if it's been abused all it's life it may struggle.
• Will I find spare parts such as 26" tyres or older components in Morzine? Maybe, it is pot luck if shops have any old stock. We have not seen any 26" tyres on sale in Morzine for afew years now.