ALTUS MORZINE AVORIAZ 2024

After an absence of 130 years from the Alps, the White-tailed Eagle, Europe’s largest eagle, has made a comeback in Haute Savoie. Les Aigles du Léman, whose winter park is located in the Morzine ski area, saw the birth of several chicks reintroduced into the wild at the beginning of summer 2022. The aim? To reintroduce around 80 birds of prey over the coming years, with a few releases each year. To familiarise yourself with this species and witness it in the mountains, head for the Pointe de Nyon, at an altitude of 1,500 m. The Aigles du Léman winter park is a great place to meet and observe the birds, with events, shows and even the chance to ski with an eagle. Not to be missed. Open every day, except Fridays.

The Pleney cable car is a legendary ski lift with deep ties to the valley’s history. Built in 1934 by 5 pioneers from Morzine and the surrounding area, it became the third winter cable car in France. Officially inaugurated in January 1935 after 6 months of work, it was made possible by the financial support of 150 local contributors who aimed to revive the village economically and provide a new future for younger generations. For 9 decades, Morzine residents and local businesses have continued to invest in this iconic Haute Savoie company, preserving its unique identity. Today, with 400 non-majority shareholders supporting it, Le Pleney remains at the forefront of innovation. Adapting quickly to new developments, it has transformed from a ski area into a year-round leisure destination with activities such as skiing and mountain biking. In celebration of its 90th anniversary, Le Pleney is releasing a book that traces its history (“Une montagne, un village – L’aventure du Pleney de 1934 à nos jours”) while also keeping a keen eye on its future.

Since 2020, SERMA (the company that runs the chairlifts in Avoriaz) has added solar panels to some of its chairlift stations, as at the Proclou and Chaux-Fleurie departures. This summer, they installed 191 extra solar panels on their technical centre, covering an area of 360 m2 which are expected to generate 63,600 kilowatt-hours of energy each year, which will be used by the building itself. This will save 3.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The resort’s efforts, including this increase in renewable energy production, are part of its actions to reduce its overall carbon footprint, in which electricity consumption accounts for 21.8%.

Avoriaz is adding a new activity to its range with the Avokart: 3-wheeled kart equipped with hydraulic brakes and designed with a very low centre of gravity for good road holding. Handlebars in hand, comfortably seated in a bucket seat, you set off on a long 3.5 km descent with a 600 m vertical drop from the 3S top station. Thrills guaranteed!
No age limit but minimum height: 1.40 m.