Serge Pillot - Chalet Philibert Our Morzine Insider is Serge Pillot, owner of one of our favourite hotels in France, the stunning Chalet Philibert.

Before moving to Morzine 12 years ago Serge lived abroad for 18 years in the West Indies, Scandinavia, Asia and England working for the Dorchester and the Conrad restaurants group. Morzine was the opportunity to settle, drop the luggage and renovate and open Chalet Philibert in 1999.

As well as running the Chalet Philibert, Serge loves to get out on the mountain at any opportunity as well as studying for the Master of Wine.

How long have you lived in Morzine?

12 years

What is your favourite thing about the resort?

Morzine is a true mountain alpine village with a fabulous skiing area. It's only one hour away from Geneva Airport and has a wide range of great restaurants both in the village and on the pistes and a buzzing nightlife.

Where’s your favorite place to eat on the mountain?

Le Vaffieux on top of the Pleney lifts is excellent and I like the village of Les Lindarets which is a lovely old chalets village next to Avoriaz with a great range of typical local restaurants.

And where’s the best food in town?

Chalet Philibert of course !! Recommended by the Michelin guide, no but seriously, there is everything for everyone, brasserie type La Chaudanne is excellent with a very cosy wine bar, for a bit of buzz and great Pizzas L'Etale or La Rotonde.

Where would you ski on a powder day?

Well, everyone goes to Avoriaz but locals escape that area especially during busy periods. I go 10 mins away to an area called La Grande Terche, it is uncrowded with wide and long pistes, just fantastic !

What is your favorite run in the ski area?

I love Le Grand Paradis on the Swiss side, the views on the Mont Blanc's Dents Blanches are just breathtaking !

If you were to spend a full day treating yourself, what would you do?

Well, it has to be the full Tour of Les Portes du Soleil, a whole day skiing over to Switzerland and back across the french border...back home !!

Any advice for families coming to the resort?

The village is just building a brand new covered swimming pool with a sport centre, ideal for people with kids for bad weather days.

Where do you like to go for a few drinks after a hard day skiing?

Le Tremplin at the bottom of the Pleney lifts does a good DJ's après-ski a couple of evenings a week, it is the place to be for everyone and great music & Le Coup de Coeur for those who want to enjoy a nice glass of wine in a comfortable sofa with fire !

Where would you take beginners if you had some to stay?

Morzine and Les Gets offers real easy going slopes and sunny as well, its ideal for beginners.

Any parting words of wisdom??

Yes! A bad day skiing is always better than a good day at work!!