Avoriaz Apres Ski Report: 23rd January 2013

Whilst it's highly unlikely that you’re having a dry January if you’re on holiday in a ski resort, there are other things to do in the Portes du Soleil after the lifts close for the day. We decided that it'd be a good idea to take a look at some of Morzine and Les Gets’ après activities that don’t involve a load of Mutzig and Jagerbombing and the results are below.....

Spa & Massage Treatments
Morzine has it’s fair share of mobile massage therapists but this year there’s a whole new spa facility available beneath the Aiglon Hotel on the Route de la Plagne, just a five minute walk from the Office de Tourisme in the centre of Morzine. Operated by established mobile massage experts Indulge Massage & Beauty and Mountain Rehab, the three treatment rooms offer a huge range of pampering options. Indulge specialise in beauty treatments including Shellac nail procedures, hot and cold stone massages, luxury facials and massages while Mountain Rehab offer sports and specialist massage and physiotherapy, all of which must be booked in advance. The spa is the perfect apres bolthole, whether you want to spoil yourself after a day on the mountain, or your body needs a good pummeling.

You’ll find the spa at 481 Route de la Plagne.

Yoga Classes
A spot of mid-afternoon or evening yoga can be the perfect accompaniment to a ski holiday. Imagine stretching out those weary limbs and reenergising yourself for the next day. The new spa area at the Aiglon in Morzine (mentioned above) is also home to Morzine Yoga Space and it’s here that Susan Greenwood runs her programme of winter classes. You do need to book in advance to ensure there is space in a class for you, but provisional times are from 15:00 until 16:15 and 19:00 to 20:15 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 08:00 to 08.45 and 19:00 to 20:15 on Fridays. Classes vary from lotus flow to hatha and power yoga to express yoga. Classes cost just €10 each and you can find out more on the Facebook page or email Susan for class bookings - morzineyogaspace@gmail.com

Evening Snowshoe Walk
Snowshoeing is huge in Morzine this winter and Indie Lyndale is a local expert and the former president of the British Association of International Leaders. Her nighttime walks to a local restaurant take you into the mountains, as you’ve never seen them before. Indie collects you from your chalet and provides all the equipment and advice you’ll need before guiding you through the virgin snow to a traditional Savoyarde restaurant for dinner. She then guides you back to the vehicles at the end of the evening. To find out more about about snowshoeing in Morzine, check out our winter activity guide.

Happy Hour at the Swimming Pool
Morzine’s new Espace Aquatique opened last winter and it has become very popular indeed. Between 12noon and 2pm and 7pm and 8pm each day during the winter season however, you’ll find the swimming pool is relatively empty and the admission price is just €5 per adult and €4 per child during happy hour. (At all other times it is €7 or €5 respectively).

Night Skiing
Each and every Thursday between 18:00 and 21:00 during the winter season the flood-lit Pleney home run right in the centre of Morzine is open for night skiing and the best news… it’s included in your lift pass! Don’t forget to wrap up warm though; it can get pretty chilly at the top of the chair lift at this time of year!

In other news, and without meaning to scare anyone, there have been a few reports of stolen ski and snowboard equipment in the last couple of weeks in Morzine. It’s probably fair to say that as a resort, we have a similar or lower level of crime than any other ski resort but it’s worth taking precautions none the less. You can buy ski and snowboard locks very cheaply on Amazon – bring one with you if you’re planning to take your kit to après with you. When you stop for lunch, keep your precious equipment in view and if you can’t, mix up your skis in odd pairs and store them in different places.

Ask your equipment rental company if they have any storage lockers in the centre of the resort and use them if available. And as a last resort, make sure you’ve got the correct insurance to cover all of your precious and expensive kit if the worst should happen.

Have a good week everyone!