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 make sure both adults and kids get the most out of their time in the mountains. Make sure to visit one of these fun zones if you love a challenge, want to learn something new, or improve your technique in the park.

For those who love powder

If you love powder, head for the Hauts Forts and Chavanette sectors, plus the powder areas in Lindarets and Châtel. Challenging terrain awaits if you ski down to Les Prodains, and in Hauts Forts you’ll find several 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

Looking for something that can include the kids too? Head to the Aquariaz swimming complex. Here you’ll feel like you’ve been transported 1,000 km away from the outside world into a warm, subtropical climate. There’s an outdoor spa heated to 34°C, massage benches, and a water play area to keep the kids busy.

Avoriaz for beginners

If you’ve only just started skiing, or it’s your first time, Avoriaz is the perfect place to begin your journey into skiing. The ski schools start at Place du Snow, where the reassuring setting makes it easy for beginners to feel safe. Some parts of Avoriaz may look intimidating at first, but you’ll get there.

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 intermediates

For intermediate skiers, the Portes du Soleil region offers plenty of wide blue runs that aren’t overly 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 advanced skiers

While fresh powder and off-piste skiing can be hard to find right around Avoriaz, in peak season Avoriaz can, thanks to its high altitude, enjoy almost 8 m of snow at the top. There’s a stretch of black runs and powder pockets you can reach 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 the snowpark and tricks are your passion, Avoriaz is the place. The resort boasts five parks in total, and The Stash is the flagship – a one-of-a-kind playground where all obstacles are made from natural snow and wood. The other parks are no less appealing, from Kids Parkway with gentle jumps for beginners to Snowpark Arare with challenging features, an airbag, and a boardercross course. Even if you’re not a park lover, the varied terrain and minimal drag lifts make this an ever-popular choice for snowboarders.

Off-piste in Avoriaz

As part of Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz offers plenty of great spots for off-piste skiing. From piste-side lines to backcountry, there’s a lot to explore. Above Ardent you’ll find wide open areas, while Crosets has 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 level of safety. One of them is the Canyon du Pschott snowzone – with several canyons, natural halfpipes, rock drops, and huge kickers.

Aprés-ski in Avoriaz

Avoriaz is known for its great Aprés-ski, spread across the different neighbourhoods of the resort. Here we highlight some of the most popular spots, including the latest Folie Douce, Shooters, and the English pub Le Tavaillon, plus the nightclub Le Yak, which stays open a couple of hours longer than most other bars, which generally close at 2 a.m.

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 well-known name among skiers who have been on ski holidays in France, and their “latest” addition in Avoriaz doesn’t 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. What’s unique about La Folie Douce in Avoriaz is that the party doesn’t end when the slopes close—because it’s actually in the resort and not up on the mountain, it has longer opening hours than the other La Folie Douce Aprés-ski venues in the Alps.

Shooters

Shooters is another popular spot for great Aprés-ski. There’s a huge selection of shots to lift the party mood. The place is known for its great atmosphere and friendly staff, making it a must-visit when you’re in Avoriaz.

Le Tavaillon

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

Le Yak

When most bars close at 2 a.m., the party continues at Le Yak. This nightclub stays open into the early hours and gives you the chance to dance the night away. You’ll find everything from DJ sets to themed nights, making Le Yak one of the most exciting Aprés-ski spots in Avoriaz.

Restaurants in Avoriaz

Avoriaz, a French resort in the heart of Portes du Soleil, is home to around 30 restaurants, each with its own unique touch. While it may seem like a limited selection compared to some other French resorts, the quality of the food and the atmosphere are nothing short of excellent, and you can get all the French specialities in town, including fondue. If you’re here in peak season, make sure to book a table at the different places.

Les Fontaines Blanches

Enjoy an authentic French experience at Les Fontaines Blanches, where they serve top-class fondue and delicious raclette. If you prefer a classic pizza, the selection here is also extensive. With its central location in Avoriaz, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit.

Les Enfants Terribles, Hôtel des Dromonts

For true food lovers, there’s Les Enfants Terribles, located in 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’s no coincidence this restaurant is mentioned in the Michelin Guide.

La Réserve

If you’re looking for a more luxurious option, La Réserve is the place for you. Here you’ll be greeted with excellent lamb and an impressive wine list. Savoyard culture runs through the whole place, 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 over the slopes. Dive into the best French mountain specialities such as fondue, raclette, tartiflette, and steak.

Chez Flo Restaurant, Avoriaz

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

Mil8 Hotel Restaurant, Avoriaz

At lunchtime, Mil8 Hotel Restaurant welcomes you into their restaurant at piste level, or out on their terrace, where you can choose lunch from a brasserie-style menu. Options include platters of local cured meats and cheese (also known as tapas), croque monsieur with Abondance cheese and truffle, or even parsley root purée with Sardinian flatbread—all locally sourced.

Avoriaz hotels and apartments in Avoriaz

Hôtel MiL8

Hôtel MiL8 is more than just a boutique hotel. This 4-star hotel is known for its gym, terrace, restaurant, and bar, making your stay in Avoriaz perfect. Guests at Hôtel MiL8 can enjoy many activities in and around Avoriaz, with skiing as the main draw. Facilities include ski-in/ski-out, ski storage, an outdoor hot tub, a sauna, and a spa and wellness centre.

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Electra

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Electra is an apartment hotel. With direct access to the slopes and lifts, it offers accommodation with the option to self-cater in your apartment. With pre-booking and depending on your stay period, you can benefit from favourable prices on lift passes and ski rental. Facilities include ski-in/ski-out and ski storage.

Hôtel 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 including ski-in/ski-out, ski storage, plus a sauna and a spa and wellness centre.

Belambra Clubs Avoriaz – Les Cimes du Soleil

Belambra Clubs Avoriaz – Les Cimes du Soleil is a hotel located in Morzine in the Rhône-Alpes region. The hotel offers a terrace, ski-to-door access and a ski storage room, as well as a restaurant and bar. Here you can enjoy an all-inclusive experience with an open bar and access to BELASPA, which includes a sauna, hammam, and fitness facilities. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are included for all guests—meals can be enjoyed in several places, 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 centre.

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

• Hotels in Avoriaz
• Restaurants in Avoriaz
• Aprés-ski spots in Avoriaz
• Ski rental in Avoriaz
• Activities in Avoriaz
• Webcams from Avoriaz

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