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Morzine is a quaint ski town situated in the Portes du Soleil region of the Alps. Portes du Soleil is quite possibly the largest international ski area in Europe, and with Morzine connected to futuristic Avoriaz by easy to access ski lifts, it’s the perfect location for skiing enthusiasts who don’t want to stay in the middle of a busy resort.

But whether you’re an enthusiast or not, Morzine has so much more to offer than just its slopes. For those who don’t want to ski, or for those who fancy getting acquainted with the town first, here are 5 things to do before you put on your skis in Morzine.

Fill up on fine dining

There are nearly 150 restaurants, bars and cafes in Morzine itself that are ready to wow you with their culinary delights. After a long journey from your home to Morzine, you’ll probably be starving and will be hoping to refuel. If you haven’t got a meal package included in your accommodation (or perhaps even if you have) you’ll want to head somewhere delicious, but that offers good value food as restaurants in this region are renowned for being overpriced.

Somewhere such as Mamas or Changabang offer burgers, pizza and wraps that are excellent value for money, and are hearty too. Perfect for filling up your stomach after a long day of travel or before a long day out on the slopes!

For a more refined option, La Paika is a welcoming place with a comforting open fire, and the high quality meats it offers are cooked outside on a grill. This is high-end BBQ at its best.

If you really want to push the boat out and treat yourself and your travel party, head to L’Atelier inside Hotel Le Samoyède. It has a Michelin star, so you know you’re getting a top class meal at a price that isn’t ridiculous- around 80 euroes for the seven course set menu.

Enjoy a well-deserved rest

Let’s be honest: you’ve probably come to Morzine for a good, much needed rest. So it’s unlikely you’ll be heading to the slopes as soon as you’ve arrived in town. First things first, you’re going to find your choice of the many stunning Morzine chalets available to rent and put down your belongings.

As Morzine is so close to the Swiss border, you’ll find lots of alpine influences in your chalet. Think wooden finishes, cosy, checked fabrics, a toasty log fire and even a sauna! If your chalet has a meal plan included, there’s no reason why you’d need to venture outside straight away. Just enjoy the warm and comfort of your own space, take a breather from life, and relax.

Heading out into town doesn’t necessarily mean a strenuous trip either. There are plenty of things to do in Morzine that serve the whole purpose of helping you to relax. There are many spas dotted around town that provide various treatments for tired skiers: consider a deep tissue massage to ease the aches and pains gained from the slopes, or a thorough facial to help ease the effects of snow, wind and cold on your skin. Take some time to unwind in a warm swimming pool, bubbling hot tub or detoxifying sauna and steam room in a spa such as Pure Altitude Spa or Hotel Champs Fleuris Spa, which are both conveniently located right near the food of the slopes for easy access whether you’ve spent the day skiing or not.

Alternatively, combine both treatments and your chalet by having a massage therapist come to your door. Companies such as Mobile Mountain Massage or Morzine Massage will visit you at whichever chalet you happen to be renting and help you to relax and restore your wellbeing with a massage. You can unwind without having to step out into the cold.

Get acquainted with nature

Being situated in the middle of the Portes du Soleil region of the Alps, Morzine is the perfect place to get a better understanding and experience of nature.

There are several walks and hikes you can do with varying difficulties, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. There are over 200km of signposted walking routes around the region, and they are even more easily accessed during the summer months.

For something the whole family can enjoy, take a stroll up from Col de L’Encrenaz and reach the Col de la Basse. You’ll do a circle and end up back where you started, taking in epic views of Mont Blanc and Point Percy. There’s not much of an incline to worry about, so it’s suitable for most levels of walker.

For something more strenuous, try an advanced route that will take you all the way around the Les Chavannes bowl. It’s an all day hike, but the superb views over the mountains and Les Gets are certainly worth it.

View the slopes from above

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Before you stand on the slopes, perhaps you’d like to see them from above and size up the circuits? It’s possible to take helicopter rides over the French and Swiss Alps, and even combine a view from the sky with a ski tour.

The helicopter will take you on a ride over the breath-taking mountains, and then drop you and your group at a point from which you can head back down the mountain. This is an excellent way to experience the delights of Morzine from both above and below.

Another option for those that enjoy thrill seeking is to try a sky dive or paragliding. Not only will you have unrivalled views of the Alps, but you’ll get a real buzz that you’ll never forget.

Learn a new sport

Okay, so technically this one involves the slopes, but not in the way you would expect. There are many different snow sports available for adventurous visitors to try their hand at. Consider hopping on a snowmobile and taking on a course with your friends, or heading to places almost no one has gone before by slipping on a pair of snow shoes and heading up the mountain. You could find an even more beautiful winter wonderland hidden amongst the trees, and not have to share it with anyone.

Fancy going up the hills instead of down? You can hire a skidoo and see how far up the mountain you can get.

For night time fun, consider night sledging in Morzine. It’s suitable for all ages, and speeding down the slopes in the dark gives you a whole new perspective on the scenery.

You could opt to take lessons in snowboarding or try your hand at tobogganing. There’s no limit on the winter sports you can get involved with in Morzine- you may even discover a new talent!

With the many things to do in Morzine, it would be a surprise if you manage to make it out onto the slopes! Tempting as it may be to forget about skiing altogether, make sure you take the time to feel the wind in your hair as you speed down the mountain on a pair of skis- there’s nothing quite like it! Regardless of who you are, and how you prefer to spend your time, you can have an amazing ski holiday in Morzine with your loved ones, and you’ll probably never want to leave.