Rating: ★★★★ 8,1 out of 10

“Avoriaz is ski resort situated on French-Swiss border. It is part of Portes du Soleil domain. The resort is best suited for beginners and families. Lack of expert slopes is evident. There is big number of linking runs or flat parts where you will have to walk or take off your snowboard. Avoriaz is great for freeriding due to wide and open slopes. Scenery is spectacular. Brits dominate the resort. After skiing you will be able to enjoy wide variety of activities (bowling, small water park, shops, bars and vibrant après ski…). Read the rest of this Avoriaz Review to see if the resort is your cup of tee.”

Pros: good for beginners and families, great for freeriding, nice snow parks, ski in and out accommodation, beautiful nature and views, you won’t get bored after day on snow.

Cons: whole domain is not interconnected, lack of pistes for expert skiers, low altitude compared to other French resorts.

AVORIAZ SLOPES

Avoriaz is part of Portes du Soleil domain which spreads across 14 valleys in France and Switzerland. The domain has 600 km of pistes, 12 different ski resorts are included in one ski pass. Total length of the pistes is close to Three Valleys ski area with one big difference: all slopes are not interconnected. Meaning that you will have to catch free shuttle bus or train to get from some parts to the others (e.g. From Avoriaz to Les Gets which has substantial length of pistes). It can get really annoying and time consuming.

Highest point of Avoriaz lays at 2,466 m above sea. The village is situated at 1,800 m, it is not high at all if we compare it to other French resorts. Nevertheless skiing is mainly above tree line. Beginners and families will like Avoriaz the most. There is big number of linking runs which link other linking runs :). Expert skiers might get bored. If you are one of them try out Coupe du Monde, long piste leading to Les Prodains (village below Avoriaz). We were lucky and we got to ski down famous Swiss Wall (Chavanette) on fresh powder day. Usually there are icy moguls but that day was divine. Generaly Swiss part of the Porte du Soleil has longer, steeper and wider pistes.

Snow reliability is good due to northern orientation of the Avoriaz slopes and snow making machines. Swiss side of the border has more south orientated pistes meaning that conditions can get slushy on sunny and warm days.

There is tour around Portes du Soleil which will help you get to know whole domain. You will find directions on official ski maps handed out around the resort. Start early, pick sunny day and check if all lifts on your way are open.

FREERIDE AND TERRAIN PARKS IN AVORIAZ

Avoriaz is great choice if you like freeriding. Open and wide terrain is ideal for off piste adventures. Best spots are situated around Chavanette and Col du Fornet. Check out area around Pointe de Mossette, both sides of French-Swiss boarder have great freeriding spots.

Avoriaz is one of the favourite places for freestylers around Alps. There are several snow parks scattered around the resort. Two half-pipes are available at the top of Les Prodain cable car. La Chapelle lift snow park has two lines of perfectly shaped kickers (different levels) and big number of tubes, rails and other elements. The Stash is situated in the wooded area along Prolays lift. It is made of natural elements blended into trees around it. The concept was brought from California North Star resort. Lil’ Stash has same model modified for children and families. It is located in Proclou area. Both of them are sponsored by Burton snowboarding manufacturer. If you thought that it was everything you were wrong. There is one more park near Arrare lift. Its designers had advanced riders on their minds. The park has bigger kickers and more demanding rails and fun boxes.

HOW TO GET TO AVORIAZ

The quickest way to get to Avoriaz is via Geneva airport. It is 100 km away. Car ride is going to take you about 1h 45min. The cheapest transfer is with EasyBus. You should catch a coach to Prodains and then local bus or cable car to Avoriaz. Departures from the airport are relatively frequent during winter season. You can also take a taxi.

If you get there by car keep in mind that motor vehicles are banned from Avoriaz. You will have to leave your ride on outdoor or indoor parking lot. It will cost you from 70 EUR to 93 EUR respectably. Getting your baggage from the car might be a hassle. You can borrow sleds (similar system to supermarket trolley) or arrange horse drawn sleigh transfer.

Closest TGV train station is located in Thonon Les Bains. You will need 1 hour (45 km) to get from the station to the resort. There are organized bus transfers.

WHERE TO STAY IN AVORIAZ

Avoriaz was purposely built in 1960s. Investors hired 3 young and talented architects at the time and the rest is history. The resort has high-rise buildings but they have wooden facades and are well blended in surrounding mountains.  Views are spectacular since whole village is built on high cliff. Almost all places where you can stay are ski in/ ski out.  Self-catering apartments are dominant. Avoriaz creators wanted to make a resort for jet set but at the end it is popular among families and younger population.

WHAT TO DO AFTER DAY ON SNOW (APRES-SKI) IN AVORIAZ

Les Ancelles is great place where you can have a brake and refresh yourself. It is situated at the bottom of Mossette lift. You will love their traditional onion soup with bread and melted cheese. O’Padcha is the place on the top of the Swiss Wall where you can gather your strength and courage before descent. Expect prices in accordance with height of the place.

Visit Village Igloo, big complex made of snow and ice sculptures. You can have meal, drink or spend a night there. For party lovers there is world famous La Folie Douce. DJ and live performers are going to heat up atmosphere. If you don’t end up dancing on a table you can’t say that you were there. The program starts in the afternoon.

Avoriaz has vide choice when it comes to off snow activities. Aquariaz is indoor, tropical forest themed, water park. It has: lazy river, half-pipe water slide, outdoor jacuzzi and other attractions.  Beside pools, saunas and wellness you will have wide range of things to do: ice skating, bowling, cinema, shopping… If you liked this Avoriaz Review and you think that this is ideal resort for you book your accommodation here.