Ski holidays Avoriaz

Experience two countries on the same ski holiday

Avoriaz is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area and is connected not only to the French resorts of Morzine, Les Gets and Châtel, but also to the Swiss resorts of Champery, Les Crosets, Champoussin and Morgins. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or expert, you can cross the border into Switzerland at any time – you can get there via chairlift or via the expert ‘wall’. Once there, you can explore plenty of slopes, traditional villages, the ‘Superpark’ in Les Crosets and some tasty food. Mornings will be the best time for skiing in Switzerland as it will be sunny, then you can start taking the chairlifts back from the Swiss side around lunchtime – they can be a little slow – to make the most of the French slopes in the afternoon and stay in the sun all day.

Freestyle Zones

Avoriaz has six freestyle zones under the Avoriaz Snowzone umbrella. From snowboarders to freestyle skiers, Avoriaz has everything to ensure adults and children alike get something out of their time in the mountains. Be sure to visit one of these fun zones if you love challenges and learning something new or improving your technique in the park.

For those who love powder snow

For powder lovers, the Hauts Forts and Chavanette sectors and the powder areas of Lindarets and Châtel. Challenging terrain awaits if you head down to Les Prodains and Hauts Forts for more black runs.

If you’re looking for moguls, head to the Swiss Wall also known as “The Wall” – an infamous piste that connects France and Switzerland, to get down here you need to be a pretty accomplished skier.

Avoriaz spa and relaxation

If you’re looking for something to get the kids involved too, head to the Aquariaz swimming pool complex. Here you’ll get the experience of being transported a thousand kilometers away from the outside to a warm subtropical climate. There’s an outdoor spa heated to 34 degrees, as well as massage benches and a water play area to keep the kids occupied.

Avoriaz for beginners

For those who are just getting into skiing or maybe it’s their first time, Avoriaz is the perfect place to start your skiing journey. The ski schools start at Place du Snow, where the calming environment makes it easy for beginners to feel at ease – getting down some of the slopes in Avoriaz may seem like a fear, but it will come.

From this starting point, you’ll be able to practice on the gentle beginner slopes around the tops of the Plateau and Proclou chairlifts. If you want to try skiing independently, the long, quiet green Proclou piste is an excellent place to start.

After perfecting your basic skills and technique here, you can continue to the easy blue slopes around the Prolays and Brochaux chairlifts.

Avoriaz for the slightly experienced

The Portes du Soleil region for intermediate skiers offers many wide blue slopes that are not too crowded.

The area above Avoriaz, accessible via the Lac-Intrets chairlift, offers plenty of easy slopes. Blue runs in the Les Lindarets area, easily accessible by the Prolays chairlift, wind in and out of the forests. When you’re feeling more confident, don’t be afraid to explore further afield: head up to the Col du Fornet peak and back down from there to explore the red slopes of Plaine Dranse.

Avoriaz for skilled

Although fresh powder snow and off-piste skiing can be hard to find in the immediate area around Avoriaz, in high season, thanks to its high altitude, Avoriaz can enjoy almost 8m of snow on top. There is a stretch of black runs and powder pockets that can be reached in the Les Hauts Forts area at the top of the Grandes Combes chairlift.

For the more challenging areas, head over to Chamossiere in Les Gets, and Cornebois in Chatel. Famous for their demanding terrain, these areas are a mecca for experienced skiers, this is where your thighs will be put to the test.

Snowpark: Avoriaz

If snowparks and tricks are your passion, Avoriaz is the place to be. The town boasts five parks in total, with The Stash being the flagship – a unique playground where all the obstacles are made from natural snow and wood. The other parks are certainly no less attractive, from Kids Parkway with gentle jumps for beginners, to Snowpark Arare with challenging obstacles, airbag and boardercross course. Even if you’re not a park lover, the varied terrain and minimal drag lifts make this place an ever-popular choice for snowboarders.

Off-piste in Avoriaz

As part of the Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz offers many great places for off-piste skiing. From piste-side to backcountry, there is so much to explore. Above Ardent you’ll find wide open areas, while in Crosets there’s plenty of powder and couloirs. The snowcross zones are ungroomed but still safe areas, so you can experience the freedom of off-piste with a reasonable degree of safety. One of these is the Canyon du Pschott snowzone – it has several canyons, natural halfpipes, rock drops and huge kickers.

Aprés-ski in Avoriaz

Avoriaz is known for its great après-ski, which is spread across the different neighborhoods of the town. Here we’ll highlight some of the most popular après-ski spots, including the latest Folie Douce, Shooters and the English pub, Le Tavaillon, Le Yak nightclub, which stays open a few hours longer than most other bars that generally close at 2am.

We recommend anyone in Avoriaz to take a pub crawl on one of the first days to get a taste of all the different places.

La Folie Douce

Folie Douce is a household name among skiers who have been to France on ski vacations, and their “newest” addition in Avoriaz does not disappoint. The atmosphere is always energetic and the party starts as soon as the slopes close. Here you can enjoy a drink and dance to live music ranging from electronic to rock. The unique thing about La Folie Douce in Avoriaz is that the party doesn’t end when the slopes close, as it’s actually in town and not up on the mountain, it has longer opening hours than the other La Folie Douce après-ski places in the Alps.

Shooters

Shooters is another popular place for great après-ski. Here you’ll find a great selection of shots to get the party mood going. Known for its great atmosphere and friendly staff, it’s a must-visit when in Avoriaz.

The Tavaillon

Le Tavaillon is an English pub that offers a cozy place to relax after a day on the slopes. Here you’ll find a wide selection of beers and a cozy interior. It’s the perfect place to relax with friends while watching some sport on TV.

The Yak

When most bars close at 2am, the party continues at Le Yak. This nightclub stays open until the early hours of the morning and offers the chance to dance the night away. From DJ sets to theme nights, Le Yak is one of the most exciting après-ski spots in Avoriaz.

Restaurants in Avoriaz

Avoriaz, a French resort located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, is home to around 30 restaurants, each with its unique touch. Although it may seem like a limited selection compared to some other French resorts, the quality of food and atmosphere is nothing short of excellent and you can get all the French specialties in town including fondue. If you come here during the high season, make sure to book a table at the various locations.

The White Fountains

Enjoy an authentic French experience at Les Fontaines Blanches, where they serve premium fondue and delicious raclette. If you’re looking for a traditional pizza, there’s plenty of choice here too. Located in the center of Avoriaz, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

Les Enfants Terribles, Hôtel des Dromonts

For the true foodies, there is Les Enfants Terribles, located in the Hôtel des Dromonts. The restaurant is known for its meat and fish dishes, such as lamb shank simmered for seven hours, and classic desserts like apple tarte tatin. It is not without reason that this restaurant is mentioned in the Michelin Guide.

The Reserve

If you’re looking for a more luxurious alternative, La Réserve is the place for you. Here you will be greeted with excellent lamb and an impressive wine list. The Savoyard culture permeates throughout and the staff are always welcoming.

Chalet-Hotel Neige-Roc

Chalet-Hotel Neige-Roc, originally a farmhouse built in 1905, offers a true taste of the region with homemade Savoyard food and locally sourced ingredients.

L’Etage

L’Etage is known for its fantastic atmosphere and views of the slopes. Dive into the best French mountain specialties such as fondue, raclette, tartiflette and steak.

Chez Flo Restaurant, Avoriaz

Chez Flo is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike who love a crêpe or traditional French cuisine. With both indoor and outdoor dining and a bar, it’s one of the largest restaurants in Avoriaz. There’s a great selection of Savoyard dishes, croque monsieur and French fries, all at a fair price.

Mil8 Hotel Restaurant, Avoriaz

At lunchtime, the Mil8 Hotel Restaurant invites you into their slopeside restaurant or onto their terrace where you can choose lunch from a brasserie-style menu. Food choices include plates of local cold cuts and cheese also known as tapas, Croque Monsieur with Abondance cheese and truffle, or even parsley root puree with Sardinian flatbread, all local.

Avoriaz hotels and apartments in Avoriaz

MiL8 Hotel

Hôtel MiL8 is more than just a boutique hotel. A 4-star hotel known for its fitness center, terrace and restaurant and bar, it makes your stay in Avoriaz perfect. Guests at Hôtel MiL8 can enjoy a variety of activities in and around Avoriaz, with skiing being the main attraction. Hotel facilities include ski-in/ski-out, ski storage, outdoor pool, sauna and a spa and wellness center.

Residence Pierre & Vacances Electra

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Electra is an aparthotel. With direct access to the slopes and lifts, it offers accommodation with the option of self-catering in the apartment. When booked in advance and depending on the length of stay, you can benefit from preferential prices on lift passes and ski rental. Facilities include ski-in/ski-out and ski storage.

Hotel des Dromonts by SOWELL COLLECTION

Hôtel des Dromonts by SOWELL COLLECTION is a boutique hotel in Avoriaz in the Haute-Savoie region with direct access to the slopes. The hotel offers rooms with mountain views and facilities that include ski-in/ski-out, ski storage, as well as a sauna and a spa and wellness center.

Belambra Clubs Avoriaz – Les Cimes du Soleil

Belambra Clubs Avoriaz – Les Cimes du Soleil is a hotel located in Morzine in the Rhône-Alps region. The hotel offers a terrace, ski-to-door access and ski storage, as well as a restaurant and bar. Here you can enjoy an all-inclusive experience with a free bar and access to BELASPA, which includes a sauna, hammam and fitness center. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are included for all guests – meals can be enjoyed in several locations such as the buffet, the Savoyard restaurant “Le Cèdre Rouge”, and the bar. Facilities include ski-in/ski-out, ski storage, hammam, a sauna and a spa and wellness center.

Take a look at the following articles if you are going to or are in Avoriaz:

• Avoriaz hotels in Avoriaz
• Restaurants in Avoriaz
• Après ski resorts in Avoriaz
• Ski rental in Avoriaz
• Things to do in Avoriaz
• Webcams from Avoriaz

France has many great ski resorts including – Flaine, Les Carroz, Samöens, Chátel, Morzine and many others.