Avoriaz 1800 - France
Avoriaz (Ah-vor-ee-az) opened in the early 1970’s and was the brainchild of Olympic Skier Jean Vuarnet who wanted to link the pistes of Morzine to those over the border in Switzerland. The resort was built on a sunny plateau and became the lynchpin of the Portes du Soleil region, which today offer 650km of skiing for all abilities. Recently the resort has been re-emphasizing its environmental credentials with the 2007 development of the worlds longest natural terrain park ‘Le Stash’ designed exclusively with riders and the environment in mind.This is France's first car-free resort making it safe for young children to walk around the centre – but they might need reminding that horse-drawn carriages can hold similar dangers. For non skiers there’s the chance of ice diving below the lake or more extensive shopping and eating in the old market town of Morzine which sits below the resort and is conveniently connected in part via cable car and bus.
At a glance
| Resort altitude | 1800m - 1800m |
|---|---|
| Highest lift | 2300m |
| Lowest lift | 950m |
| kms of piste | 659km² |
| Black pistes | 28% |
| Red pistes | 10% |
| Blue pistes | 50% |
| Green pistes | 39% |
| Snow parks | 10 |
| Glacier | No |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
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Five to try
- Hot-air ballooning - Take in the immense beauty of the Alps from a totally different perspective
- Spa - For perfect relaxation, there are 2 saunas, a turkish bath and a jacuzzi in the Altiform premises.
- Snowmobile rides - guided for 45 mins , as pilot or as passenger.
- Mountain biking - School Rustine provides downhill mountainbike rides on snow everyday of the week.
- Snow shoeing - Go for a guided walk through the alpine scenery
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Planning your trip
Avoriaz is easily accessible by air, with three airports within a couple of hours' drive. Geneva airport, just one hour away, is great for ski weekends. You will find transport easier from Geneva than any other airport due to the high number of transfer firms and shared transfer operations on this route. Expect to more...
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Where to stay
Avoriaz is dominated by huge apartment blocks run by big tour operators such as PV Holidays, Maeva and Club Med. If you are looking for a self-catered apartment with ski to the door convenience in a compact resort you will love it. If you are looking for just about anything else you will be frustrated and wish you more...
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Food and drink
Due to its position on a high plateau the resort of Avoriaz has many dual-purpose restaurants, acting as lunch stops and evening venues. When skiing around the local area it is normal for most people to head in to the town for lunch as the pistes go right through the centre of this car-free resort. Avoriaz doesn’t more...
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Things to do
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On the piste
Once in Avoriaz visitors will find the skiing hassle free as all the accommodation is on the edge of the piste. Parents will be impressed by the excellent children’s snow garden in the heart of resort, and the beginners plateau at the top end of the resort is a wonderful wide-open place to learn to ski. Right next to more...
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MadDogView
A large purpose-built resort with easy access to the Portes du Soleil.
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Map
- Download piste map
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Our favourites
Avoriaz Alpine Ski School
A small English speaking snowsport school. They offer group and private lessons for all abilities. They also have a small children's garden. -
Useful stuff
