Ready to plan a trip for a ski-titillating trip to Avoriaz in France? Whether a beginner or an avid skier, you will love one of the country’s most charming mountain ski resorts. The car-free resort is centrally located, which means all you need are a few ski lifts to explore ski areas in Châtel, Switzerland, and Morzine.
Once a grazing spot for cattle, Avioraz emerged as a major ski resort after Jean Vuarnet won the Olympic skiing championship in 1960. After the cable cars at Nyon and Avoriaz were completed in 1961, the first winter guests arrived in 1966. Soon after, Avoriaz evolved into a happening ski destination in France.
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Getting to Avoriaz
The mountain ski resort is located in the beautiful Alpine village of Morzine in Portes du Soleil, the world’s most extensive internationally linked ski area in the French Alps. You can reach Avoriaz within a 1.5 hours drive from Geneva International Airport. Alternatively, you can board TGV trains from Paris that take you to Thonon-Les-Bains, just an hour away from Avoriaz.
Best time to visit
The snow in the mountains is perfect for skiing in November, December, January, and February. If you want to enjoy other activities, you can plan a trip to Avoriaz in France in the summer months ( June to September). Summer is the right time for other fun activities such as trampoline, dog-sledding, tennis, and mountain biking.
Getting around in Avoriaz
Avoriaz being a well-developed ski resort, offers you doorstep skiing. You can step out of your hotel or apartment door, clip in, and make a beeline to ski slopes. While you can walk around anywhere in the pedestrian-friendly city, you can also explore it on a horse-drawn sleigh.
Skiing in Avoriaz
The resort is highly sought after because of the exceptional skiing experience its 300 slopes offer. These slopes cater to different levels of skiers, right from beginners to pros. In addition, this ski resort is the dream destination for intermediates who get to enjoy the 106 intermediate slopes. Apart from the slopes at Avoriaz, you also get to explore the endless skiing opportunities at the twelve resorts linked to Avoriaz.
While the resort sits at 1800 meters (5905 feet), the snow range is between 1000 to 2350 meters. Here are the piste types and the number of runs they offer:
| Piste type | Number of runs |
| Easy | 162 |
| Intermediate | 162 |
| Advanced | 24 |
Beginners
You can start in the nursery slopes next to the Avoriaz town and transition to the linked blues and greens towards Morzine if you are new to skiing. While the nursery slopes are smaller than the others in the resort, they are sunny, have good snow, and link seamlessly with longer, gentler runs.
Intermediates
The Portes du Soleil and Avoriaz are particularly ideal for intermediates. However, if you are an experienced skier, you can enjoy zooming along 240 kilometers of red and blue ski trails in Morzine and Avoriaz. The skiing starts right at your doorstep, and if you are looking to go beyond Avoriaz, you can traverse the Portes du Soleil ski circuit via Morgins, Châtel, and Champéry.
Advanced
Are you looking for more adventurous skiing opportunities? Avoriaz and Portes du Soleil will not disappoint you. These areas offer the most challenging skiing for advanced skiers with more than 20 black runs. If you seek more challenging mogul fields, head to the ‘Swiss Wall,’ which links France to Switzerland through 300 meters of challenging moguls. The top of the run has some nasty rectangular moguls that you can avoid by skiing to the side and rejoining when the moguls are slightly gentler. Another great mogul can be reached by taking the Express Lac Intrets piste.
If this is not enough, you can try the nerve-wracking World Cup Downhill course from Les Hauts Forts.
Stay and off-slope activities
Exquisite boutique properties are easy to find near the ski slopes. Whether you are looking for a one-bedroom studio apartment, a chalet, or a luxury residence, Avoriaz offers a stay option for different budgets.
Apart from skiing, there is so much to do and see in Avoriaz. The modern design and architecture of the town blend well into its surroundings, creating a cozy atmosphere. Many places offer alpine après and live music in the city, while you can find delightful cafes and restaurants that offer authentic French cuisine. The “AQUARIAZ” waterpark opened in 2012 and is the highest and the largest globally. There are many activities for all age groups in this park, ranging from half-pipe slides jacuzzi to the climbing wall over water. You can also marvel at the park’s unique plant world and the mountain scenery. A trip to Avoriaz in France also keeps you engaged with its wide range of night-time programs.
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