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Very popular for British skiers, Avoriaz is one of French skiing’s leading resorts for a number of reasons.
Nestled in the famous Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps at 1,800m, it has a very strong snow record, meaning you’ll likely be safe for skiing options throughout winter.
It’s also got instant access to one of the world’s great ski areas, with about 600km of runs to explore.
Families will feel welcome there for a number of reasons - as will youngsters who’ll enjoy Avoriaz’s après scene. Add to that its very unique architecture and several other things that we’ll get into, and you’ve got a ski resort to really consider visiting.
Keep reading to learn about these in more detail.
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1. Great snow conditions all winter
With a hefty altitude of 1,800m, Avoriaz is already well situated for snow. The resort offers skiing up to a healthy 2,466m, making it among the highest skiing in France.
Snowfall is good too - over the last 11 years, statistics show December receiving an average of 33cm a week, with January, February and March getting 34cm, 28cm and 29cm respectively.
In April it sees 16cm - this might sound like a dramatic drop, but April skiing is still very strong in Avoriaz, with its doors remaining open right up until the 21st. The snow from previous months provides a strong enough base for good quality skiing.
Nevertheless, you might want to look at our best resorts for April skiing in France to get all the statistics on other skiing options for the month.
Meanwhile, if trends continue then you could also be looking at an average of 3 days per week of snowfall from December to March, and at least 2 in April.
2. Enjoy the convenience of ski-in/ski-out accommodation
Everyone dreams of being able to ski right up to the door of their hotels and chalets - and while this isn’t possible everywhere, it’s a reality in Avoriaz.
The resort was built in 1966 specifically for ski holidays, meaning every detail was thought out. You can get about almost anywhere on skis, including the high street (although take them off if it’s busy!) and down to any lifts.
Whether you’re after self-catered apartments or hotels, Avoriaz has got you covered if you’re not one for walking!
3. Instant access to one of the world's top ski areas
Avoriaz is one of 12 resorts which make up the exhilarating Portes du Soleil ski area. With a whopping 600km of slopes on offer, it stretches beyond France and into Switzerland - all via ski lifts.
Notable resorts in the area include Morzine, Les Gets, Chatel and Champery - the latter being Swiss - while there are several more resorts worth exploring, although more minor than those mentioned.
As with most places, you can buy one-day or multiple-day lift passes for the Portes du Soleil. A 1-day pass for adults in the local Avoriaz area is €56, while you could ski in the entire Portes du Soleil area for just €70 for the day instead.
4. Beginners and intermediates will have a great time
The local area of Avoriaz itself has 53 slopes, of which 26 are green and 14 are blue - a very healthy offering for beginners.
In the wider Portes du Soleil area, meanwhile, the greens go up to 37, and there are a stunning 123 blues.
Absolute newbies will enjoy the Ecoles and Dromonts slopes which are right by the centre of town and have a drag lift taking people to the top of them. These are the main nursery slopes, although there are some lovely, gentle greens weaving in and out of the trees nearby - including Proclou and Seraussaix.
There’s plenty more for beginners beyond this, with top picks including Stade d’Arare, Bleue du Lac, and Bleue d’Arare.
Intermediates will be pleased with the huge 101 reds throughout the Portes du Soleil. Early intermediates will like the Rhodos red in the Morzine/Les Gets area, which is wide and quiet, allowing you to really practise and improve. The Lindarets bowl in Avoriaz is a really pretty area with plenty of blues and reds.
The Stade red is very predictable terrain that is used for slalom training and races, making it a great one to whizz down without much care. For more technical challenges, you could go to the Mont Chery and Linga areas - the latter of which has some steep stuff.
5. Advanced skiers have plenty to dig into as well - including one of the world’s steepest slopes
The Portes du Soleil has a very strong 32 blacks to get stuck into - with the “Swiss Wall” being so hard that it doesn’t even classify as a black.
Connecting Avoriaz and Champery, it has a vertical drop of 331 metres, beginning at 2,151 metres altitude. The 1-kilometre piste is actually an Orange run - meaning it’s too difficult to fit into the standard classification of green, blue, red and black. It has an overall average slope of 37°.
It starts essentially on the actual border between Switzerland and France, where you can edge towards the drop before tackling moguls throughout. It’s hardest at the top, where you’ll pass through what feels like a halfpipe and a gradient up to 76%, before it gradually smoothes out towards the end.
To clarify - we’re not trying to glorify this slope! Don’t do it if you don’t feel confident.
Other slightly easier challenges include the Combe du Machon, Coupe du Monde and Barbossine - all long and steep - while the Mont Chery area has plenty of black runs.
6. Avoriaz has a stunning clifftop location and stylish architecture
As we’ve touched on, Avoriaz was purpose built in the 1960s to provide an optimum skiing experience - hence its ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
Its altitude is a big reason for this. It’s located 800m above its older sibling Morzine, which is a historic farming town and now ski resort itself.
From here, you can look up and see part of Avoriaz magically perched on the edge of a dramatic cliff face. The amazing views are traded at the top, as from Avoriaz you can look down the valley at the spectacular landscape.
Another unique element of Avoriaz is its architecture. The designers refused to use concrete, instead opting for a largely wooden town which is supposed to blend in with the natural environment around it.
The result is some pretty stylish high-rise wooden-clad buildings which have a really unique feel to them - not something you’d find easily anywhere close by.
7. It’s a great pick for a family ski holiday
Avoriaz’s secluded location up in the heavens will wow the children (and the adults!) - but that’s not the only reason families will enjoy it.
The resort is entirely car-free, which makes for a peaceful environment where you can really enjoy the mountain landscape. Instead of cars, there are horse-drawn carriages.
As we’ve already mentioned, the ski-in/ski-out accommodation all over the resort is perfect for youngsters who can skip the walking about and carrying skis on their shoulders.
The ski schools are excellent in Avoriaz - there is a good variety there, including École Française de Ski (ESF).
The transfer time from Geneva Airport is only about 1 hour and 40 minutes - a fairly quick one as ski holidays go.
Families will also love the “Aquariaz”. Avoriaz’s swimming centre and self-confessed “tropical paradise” is packed full of 30°C pools surrounded by live vegetation and plenty of natural daylight. There are waterslides and water jets for the youngsters, as well as a climbing wall which looms over a pool below. The Slidewinder is a highlight - you can slide down 10m in a rubber tube.
Parents can also enjoy the lazy river with very young ones, as well as the outdoor hot tub which is a lovely contrast to the weather outside.
8. …and it’s a good place for après-ski as well
Despite it being a really strong family resort, Avoriaz has its fair share of good après spots.
It’s home to a Folie Douce (France’s most famous après chain) and has plenty of bars scattered about - as well as playing host to the odd festival, too!
Folie is where you’ll get the dancing-on-tables vibe, and when that closes in the late afternoon, simply ski down a short distance into town and continue the night.
Le Yak is the town’s nightclub and is open until 5:30am, with a mix of electro, pop and hip-hop to keep you going.
Iglu Ski Sales Rep Michael Higgs did a season in Avoriaz, pointing out that “the après in the early evening is strong, but the actual deep nightlife is fairly limited to just Le Yak and a couple of bars which stay open until 2am”.
"If you’re looking for a clubbing night out other than Le Yak, Morzine might be a better shout. It’s 800m below and has several clubs open until the early hours".
Have a read of our Morzine après and nightlife guide for more information.
Discover how great Avoriaz is for yourself
If Avoriaz seems like the resort for you, then let us help you organise the perfect holiday.
As the UK’s largest ski travel agency, we’ve spent more than 25 years sorting all the little details so you don’t have to. We’ve got an extremely knowledgeable team - everyone’s done a season (or several) in the mountains - who can recommend the ideal resorts and accommodation for you to ensure you have a great time.
Have a browse of our best ski deals in Avoriaz - you can book online, or give us a call on 020 3848 3700 to talk to us. Alternatively, submit an enquiry and we’ll get back to you quickly with all the key information you’re looking for.
If you’ve been put in charge of sorting out a group holiday, have a look at our group booking guide - it could really help you tackle those crucial details.