With all the restrictions that 2020 has brought, you might be wondering whether the ski resorts will open this winter. For the Portes Du Soleil area, the answer is a resounding YES.

Avoriaz’s official opening date is Friday the 11th of December 2020 and Morzine & Les Gets ski area will open on Saturday the 19th of December 2020.

Successful Summer Season In The Mountains

During the summer season, the telecabines of Pleney, Mont Chery and Prodains all ran for walkers and bikers, as well as the main chairlifts. There was social distancing in the queues, daily disinfection of the chairlifts and high touch areas, a constant supply of hydroalcoholic gel at the ticket office, and compulsory face coverings in the queue and on the lifts.

With an increase in local tourism and plenty of Brits arriving (once restrictions were lifted) to test the system, the summer still worked really well with lots of positive feedback from guests and locals alike.

The summer season was a great success wih people enjoying the outdoors more than ever!

No Changes To The Ski System

At the moment, there are no planned restrictions on numbers of skiers or limits on ski pass sales. It is likely that families or friends who have formed social bubbles will be asked to travel on chairlifts or telecabines in a group, but we are fortunate to have many smaller bubbles at Pleney, Super Morzine, Ardent and Mont Chery, as well as lots of chairlifts, so this won’t be too restrictive.

All ski resorts will be following the protocol set by France Montagne. This includes guidelines on face coverings, use of hydroalcoholic gel and physical distancing, as well as additional guidelines for ski shops, ski schools and bars & restaurants.

Ski & Snowboard Rental

The ski hire shops were open during the summer as bike shops and implemented safety measures during this time. They will continue with these measures in the winter, which include extra cleaning, plastic screens at cash desks, staff and customers wearing face coverings, disinfection of rental equipment, and hydroalcoholic gel available at the shop entrance.

Three of the shops we work with regularly – Francois Baud and Caribou Sports in Morzine, and Ardent Sports in Montriond – were all open this summer and are well-practised at welcoming guests with a cheery bonjour from behind a face mask.

Delivered Ski Equipment

Another great option will be to use one of the ski hire companies who come to your chalet. We have used Doorstep Skis for many years and highly recommend their professional team. Doorstep Skis have produced this great little video to showcase and highlight the service that they offer, Door Step Ski Service Video

In Bars & Restaurants

Morzine and Les Gets were busier than ever during the month of August, and the bars and restaurants adapted brilliantly. These measures will continue in the winter, including seated service only and the tables spaced by at least 1m. Diners must wear face coverings while moving around the restaurant (which can feel a little strange at first) but can relax, eat and drink as normal while sat at the table.

On the mountain, the sun is often shining, so eating outside can be appealing throughout the year. For the cold or damp days, the cosy mountain wood burner will still be there; you just might have to sit a little further away from it than before.

On The Ski Bus

The ski buses will be running as normal and the buses will be disinfected and cleaned regularly. Face coverings will be compulsory while travelling.

At Ski School

Anyone over 11 years will be asked to wear a face covering at the start and end of classes. Hydroalcoholic gel will be available at the ski school offices. Any equipment such as ski school bibs will be disinfected after use.