Morzine

Morzine scores highly with its town. Although it's fairly large, therefore providing good choice, it still has that alpine town atmosphere.

For anyone who needs to take a break from the slopes, there's plenty of shopping available in the centre, ranging from equipment to fashion. Check out SlopeStyle for a pure snowboard shop. There are a few places with public Internet access, but they're not open that late. If it's important you might be better off looking for accommodation that provides a connection. The town also offers a swimming pool, bowling alley, pool tables, cinema, ice skating and ice hockey games.

Despite be quite spread out, getting around Morzine can be easy using the bus service, which is good. It's advisable to get familiar with the timetable; whilst you'll see a lot of buses going past, it's no good if they're going in the wrong direction. Learn the routes.

Providing you are not allergic to cheese, Morzine has plenty of restaurants at reasonable prices. Morzine is typified by the Haute Savoyard specialities of tartiflette (bacon and potatoes), raclette and fondue. The Panini Hut in the centre of town offers a variety of snacks, from pizza to chocolate bars, and is an ideal stop on the way home.

If you're coming back from Prodains after shredding in Avoriaz, grab a beer at La Kinkerne before getting on the bus. Good atmosphere and the owner's real friendly. If you're in the centre of Morzine, close to the Pleney, Mel's Cafe is a must visit. Fast food plus beer - the burgers are awesome. Another great stop straight from the hill.

L’Etal is a very reasonably-priced restaurant, also in the centre, with a sun terrace for daytime dining and a cosy atmosphere in the evening. The menu is varied and they serve everything from meat, fish and pizza to traditional Savoyard dishes. The portions are generous and it’s definitely good value for money. Consider the Matafan, priced in the mid-range, if you're looking for something very French, or the Combe a Zorre, friendly with good value and ran by the Mayor of Montriond!

The Farmhouse offers a totally different dining experience. For those willing to spend a little more, it caters for larger parties with banquet-style dining, all served in the oldest building in Morzine. In a similar price range is the newly opened Numero Dix, located down towards Old Morzine, next door to the church. It offers a different menu for the resort and the attention to detail is great. High quality cuisine with superb presentation.

Morzine has an excellent range of accommodation, providing especially well for those who like to stay in group chalets. This large choice caters for every price bracket; a quick search and you'll be swamped with options...

Chalet Nantegue offers dorm-style living with communal breakfasts, tv-room etc. They regularly have backyard jams in the garden with small rails, a quarterpipe and a bbq. This place is wicked for those on a budget.

Chill Chalet provides good value for money too. For a reasonable price you get a cosy room in a traditional chalet with breakfast and dinner. Their chalet is located just outside of the centre and feels like a second home.

Rude Chalets also offer a very comfortable accommodation option for a little extra. Holidays are fully catered and include hot tubs and plasma screens, as well as a wireless connection for laptops. They are situated just down from the main Avoriaz gondola, near Les Prodains, on the outskirts of Morzine town centre. Great access to great terrain.

For yet more luxury you could stay at the Farmhouse Hotel. Inside the oldest building in Morzine they offer fine dining, rolltop baths and four poster beds.

As it's name suggests, Chalet Famille caters for holidays with children and offers a very comfortable stay in brand-new chalets. Good food, a playroom, bathrobes and near to the lift - what more could a family ask for?

Nightlife. The town itself has a good selection of bars with everything on offer. The Dixie Bar is located in the centre of town and has a very familiar, English feel to it. It’s a good pace to go and watch the football as they keep serving until 2am. Good bands and there's a pool table downstairs. The Cavern is another central bar with a mainly English clientele, and is open until 2am with live music or DJs on most nights. Later still is The Paradis. Closing at 4am, it takes you straight back to the 80’s with its red and black tiger-striped couches and disco balls.

Bar Robinsons, or "Robbo's", is a very popular hang out for seasonnaires and snowboarders; it's only for apres ski beers, and it serves Mutzig.

A trendy hangout for any time of day is the new English-run bar and hotel, the Ridge, which is just outside of the town centre. It's gone for the more minimalist, city-style contemporary look, and is a refreshing change in a ski resort. They also have wireless Internet connection which is handy to use while sipping a cappuccino.

For a quieter option, the Buddha Bar offers a more relaxed, low lit lounge environment, with good service and a pool table. Just next door is the Opera, so if things liven up, head over for the big dance floor and even a dancer's cage! It’s open until 4am but the drinks are expensive - typical for French nightclubs. There is a hiphop night on most Tuesday’s.