If we were going to fulfill our dream of running the most epic school trips to the Alps, then we needed to find THE youth adventure capital of Europe to do it from.
On our quest, we hunted for a destination with a blend of beautiful landscapes, a suite of adventure sports and all the vital amenities to make things run smoothly. So, here is our expert evaluation on why we believe Morzine deserves the prestigious title of Youth Adventure Capital of Europe.
Criteria Number One – breathtaking scenery!
- Lac Montriond. The Lac of all Lacs – How do you beat a stunning alpine lake guarded by breathtaking tree-drenched cliffs? Well, throw in a playground, some ice cream vendors, changing rooms and good parking. A recipe for success.
- Green spaces to run wild – Morzine ticks all the boxes here. Lush forests with streams and rivers running through. Accessible mountain alpages like something from Heidi that flow into neighbouring Switzerland. There’s enough space to tire out even the most ‘energetic’ of kids.
Our experts knew from the moment they arrived in Morzine that the landscapes fit the bill. But we still needed to examine…
Criteria Number Two – the adventure activity scene. Oh, well if we must!
- Elephants Heads! – how many mountain towns have elephant’s heads perfectly sculpted for climbing on? The “Tete d’Elephant” in nearby St Jean D’aulps is arguably the coolest place to start your rock climbing career
- (almost) Raging River rapids – Traveling down the Dranse river in a dinghy with your best friends is an awesome way to start the day – FACT. It will also wake you up faster than any strong French coffee – another tried and tested fact. We love this river and what it offers for all levels of rafting.
- World-renowned bike scene – Morzine is prolific for its MTB scene, but it’s also got some great easy runs and pump tracks. Plenty to keep kids entertained – including a forest playpark and giant banana swing!
- Eye to eye with eagles – The Nyon Plateau is just one of many local hiking areas, but this one stands out with its bird of prey show and opportunity to test your vertigo with an insane glass viewing platform.
- Nature’s Watersports wonderland – Lac Montriond offers a stunning backdrop for kayaking and paddle boarding. Nearby, Nyon waterfall is a natural waterpark for canyoning adventures!
As you can imagine, it was a tough job testing out these activities, but someone had to do it! And we were definitely very satisfied with the range on offer in Morzine. Additionally there’s high ropes, orienteering, bushcraft, via ferrata and trekking all in the valley.
Criteria Number Three – Finally, we needed to look into the ‘boring & ‘special extras’’ stuff that makes any trip run like clockwork…
- Location, location! – 1.5 hours from Geneva airport, the closest resort to Calais by coach, and accessible from many major train stations, need we say more? Morzine is ideally located to ensure there’s not as many “are we there yet?” questions!
- In case of emergency – Morzine’s medical center is well equipped in case of any (*touch wood* none!) accidents. It’s practically a Swiss army knife of healthcare.
- Year-round fun- It’s never dull in Morzine. The winter and summer seasons last for so long that the quieter times (May, October, November) seem to fly by – good times are always guaranteed here!
- The local vibe – Unlike other school trip destinations that are seasonal resorts, Morzine is home to a year-round community of ‘Morzinoise’ – French families who have lived here for generations. Add expats from all over the world to the mix and you have a blend of cultures living in a town rich in history.
- Not far to go – Once you’ve arrived and settled in Morzine, it couldn’t be easier to get to activity destinations. By foot or shuttle, you’ll never be travelling further than 30 minutes to an awesome experience.
- Top notch accommodation! – We really can’t shout loud enough about how great our accommodation providers are. Welcoming, comfortable, modern facilities purpose built for school groups. You won’t want to leave.
- Polish up on your français- With the option to add French lessons, provided by local experienced teachers in Morzine ; you’ll be conjugating verbs in your sleep faster than you can say “croissant.”
So, now you’ve read our reasons for naming Morzine as the Youth Adventure Capital of Europe… Perhaps it’s time to come and test it for yourself?
