A week in Morzine – it’s not all about the snow
The Portes du Soleil area is one of the largest ski areas in the world. It includes 13 resorts (both Swiss and French) and roughly 650 km of marked ski and snowboard runs. There are 14 valleys and nearly all of the runs are connected. With a back drop of Mont Blanc and not far from Lake Geneva, it’s not hard to believe there is skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports here for every possible level and ability, from the black run “The Wall” to the nursery.
But there’s more to snowy sojourn in this mountain paradise as I found out when I went to learn French in between ski sessions.
How often have you promised yourself that this is the year you will learn or improve your French? And then somehow never quite got round to it? Perhaps just not sure how to begin or was it just time that you ran out of?
Good news for would be French speakers
Well the good news is that this year, you can actually make it happen. And not just happen but happen in a way that is easy, memorable and dare I say fun? Yes fun! Because there’s a French language school in a little town called Morzine which has your name on it and after a week spent with them, you’ll not just be talking in French, you may even be thinking in French and you’ll have had a fantastic alpine holiday too, packed with memories and fresh mountain air. The Alpine French School tucked just off the main road not far from the tourist office. It comes equipped with a super friendly team of teachers and staff who can and do speak English if you need them to and the atmosphere when you enter is instantly relaxed and welcoming. There’s a handful of well-equipped classrooms, a multimedia room and common room for you to take advantage of and a whole smorgasbord of classes and courses to choose from.
Classes finish in the evening at about 6.15pm which is perfect timing for an early evening drink followed if you want by a meal. But if all the fresh air and mental agility has worn you out, or you’re keen to get back and complete the day’s homework (yes homework, but not too taxing), you can of course just head home and cater for yourself. The apartments are walking distance from the town centre and there are also plenty of buses.
Morzine
Morzine is a delightful mountain town in the Haute Savoie region of the Rhones Alpes about an hour from Geneva and tucked away in a part of the Alps known as the Portes du Soleil. Strict planning rules means traditional wooden chalets and shops in the centre of the town have kept its distinctly alpine style and charm. And whatever your preferred holiday pleasure, this is a great place to be based. It’s a haven of bustling bars and restaurants (including a Michelin starred restaurant L’Atelier in the three-star Hotel Le Samoyède) and the skiing is fabulous.
