Avoriaz

Avoriaz is the ideal high-altitude base from which to explore the vast 600km network of slopes that form the cross-border Portes du Soleil ski area.

weather Forecast today: Light snow

Max temp: -2.1 °c
Min temp: -5.5 °c
Last snowed: Wed 28 Jan

Last Updated: Thu 29 Jan

weather Forecast today: Light snow

Max temp: -2.1 °c
Min temp: -5.5 °c
Last snowed: Wed 28 Jan

Last Updated: Thu 29 Jan

Located at 1800m, Avoriaz is by far the most snowsure of the ski areas within the Portes du Soleil – making this the best bet for an early season visit.

The local slopes are varied and although some pistes can get crowded at times, the lift system has been significantly improved in recent years, reducing your time spent in queues. Keen skiers should make sure they explore the full Portes du Soleil ski area and all 600km of slopes, via Champéry in Switzerland or Châtel in France.

Beginner
Fast lifts
Intermediate
Resort Activities
Advanced
Aprés
Snow
Value

Pros and cons

Great access to the entire Portes du Soleil
Varied local ski area that is the most snowsure in the area
Good children’s facilities and family-friendly, car-free resort
Fantastic snowparks

Snow reliability across the rest of the Portes du Soleil is not great
Still some queues but new lifts are helping
Can get very crowded at weekends and during holidays
Architecture doesn’t suit everyone

On the Slopes

The village’s tall apartment blocks are instantly recognisable, sitting high on a plateau above the village of Morzine below. It is traffic free as all visitors must park in car parks on the outskirts of town – book a space underground to save yourself from having to dig your car out after a snowstorm – so the resort makes for a great location for a family ski holiday. Add to this the quick transfer time from Geneva and the fact that the entire resort is ski-in-ski-out and Avoriaz is as convenient as it gets.

Why not also join the resort’s Ski Club App group for the very latest from the resort, or to link up with fellow skiers whilst you’re out on the slopes. We also have the Ski Club’s Avoriaz Facebook Page

The local slopes are divided into four distinct sectors on the piste map – beginner, family, forest and expert. These should only be used as a guide but they do roughly split the resort in four. The sunny nursery slopes are good for beginners, as are the gentle blues towards Morzine, the forest area is ideal in bad weather whilst the family zone has variety for all. Experts will be kept happy in the area above Prodains or after fresh snowfall. And remember, the entire Portes du Soleil is just a couple of chairlift rides away, provided snow is good on the lower slopes.

For Beginners

Avoriaz’s beginner zone is located right in the heart of town, where sunny greens and gentle blues provide a good area for learning. The only issue can be the number of skiers and boarders using the slopes, especially at the start and end of the day as people try to reach the other parts of the resort. Progression on to longer blues is good, especially in the Super Morzine sector and through the trees down to Lindarets and Ardent.

For Intermediates

The Portes du Soleil is a vast intermediate playground and the local slopes of Avoriaz encapsulate this. In particular, the Arare and Chavenette runs are wide pistes that are great for practicing your turns. Further afield the slopes around Les Crosets on the Swiss side are ideal for intermediate cruising and the long runs down into Morgins are a great option. Although it is a bit more an effort to get to, exploring the tree-lined slopes of Les Gets is well worth it for confident intermediates.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

With an average of 8m of snow per season, the slopes are not only the region’s most snowsure, but there is good chance of catching some fresh powder, which is really when the ski area comes alive for advanced and expert skiers and boarders. Head to the long blacks above Prodains or down the infamous Swiss Wall towards Champéry. Avoriaz is also home to one of the best terrain parks in the Alps and the excellent Burton Stash freestyle park in the woods by the Prolays chair.

In the Resort

Large apartment blocks and hotels dominate the village but whilst their size stands out, they are mostly wood-clad and well designed, so it certainly is not an eyesore like other purpose-built resorts. The stunning setting definitely helps, as do the snow covered paths of the traffic-free town. Off the slopes there is lots to do, including dog-sledding and horse-drawn sleigh rides, whilst Aquariaz – a huge tropical themed indoor pool complex – is a particular hit with families.

For Families

The traffic-free resort is ideal for families, especially as the beginner slopes are located right in the heart of the village. The Village des Enfants has a good reputation and excellent facilities for children. As mentioned there is loads to do away from the slopes.

For Après

The 2018/19 season saw the opening of La Folie Douce in Avoriaz. It has proven to be a fantastic addition to the après offering. Old favourites such as Chalet d’Avoriaz and La Tavaillon continue to be hugely popular. Snowboxx Festival takes place here every spring, normally in the middle of March, bringing some of world’s top artists to town for a hedonistic week of partying in the spring sunshine.

Getting to Avoriaz

Getting to Avoriaz is easy from Geneva airport and numerous companies offer shared or private transfers – the drive takes a little under two hours. This is by far the easiest way to arrive as hiring a car is not needed – you’d only end up paying to leave the car in a car park throughout your stay. Chambéry is another option but the drive is slightly longer, as is the case for Grenoble.

The drive from the UK is also one of the easiest and a good run from Calais could have you in resort in less than 10 hours after getting off the ferry or Eurotunnel.

Geneva airport: under 2 hours (driving/by bus)
Chambéry airport: 2 hours (driving/by bus)
Grenoble airport: 3 hours (driving/by bus)
Calais: approximately 10 hours driving (555 miles)

Season Dates & Lift Pass Prices

Season Dates

Opens: Saturday 13 December 2024
Closes: Sunday 21 April 2025

For full details see the resort’s website and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info & advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009

Lift Pass Prices

Updated for 2024/25

Local area passes are available for the lifts of Avoriaz only, but only for one to two days. All passes of three days plus are only available for the whole Portes du Soleil – see the resort’s website for further details. Cheaper rates are available when buying online and during the first and last weeks of the season.

A season pass, covering the entire 600km network of slopes costs €1246 for adults. Note that these prices may change, so check with the resort for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009

There is a ~5% discount available on the full area Portes du Soleil passes if booked online in advance.

Category	Day Ticket	3 Days	6 Days
Avoriaz Only
Adult (20-64)	€56	n/a	n/a
Youth (16-25)/Senior (65+)	€52	n/a	n/a
Child (5-15)	€43	n/a	n/a
Portes du Soleil
Adult (20-64)	€70	€198	€360
Youth (16-25)/Senior (65+)	€63	€178	€324
Child (5-15)	€47	€149	€270

Find your community & connect with other Members

Connect Online

Join our Resort Facebook groups or Resort Groups via the Ski Club Forum App and connect with other Members, in resort and at home!

facebook group Ski Club App

Green Credentials

Ski Club Recognised: Environmentally Sustainable Resort

The Ski Club uses third party independent assessments and accreditation of ski resorts to determine a resort “environmentally sustainable” – more information can be found here.

As part of the French Flocon Vert (tr. Green Snowflake) scheme, Avoriaz – as part of the wider Morzine-Avoriaz resort area – has been awarded one snowflake out of a possible three, representing investment in resources to reduce its environmental impact. Flocon Vert is an independent scheme operated by Mountain Riders, which accredits resorts in France who have met twenty criteria based on environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Morzine-Avoriaz was accredited in 2021
Avoriaz’s commitment to sustainable development has been noted, with significant commitment to pedestrianisation, reducing arrivals via private vehicles, and supporting electric vehicle uptake
The development of Morzine as a year-round destination provides economic and social support to the community, reducing the impact of climate change on community structures

Full Details (In French)

Avoriaz is great for a ski-in ski-out trip

Avoriaz Piste Map

Top (2254m)

	Thu 29 Jan			Fri 30 Jan			Sat 31 Jan			Sun 1 Feb			Mon 2 Feb			Tue 3 Feb			Wed 4 Feb			Thu 5 Feb			Fri 6 Feb			Sat 7 Feb
	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night	AM	PM	Night
Weather	Light snow	Broken clouds	Generally clear	Occasional snow	Light snow shwr	Broken clouds	Rather cloudy	Mainly cloudy	Rather cloudy	Broken clouds	Rather cloudy	Rather cloudy	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Light snow shwr	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow	Occasional snow
Wind
Snow expected	1.7 cm	0 cm	0 cm	1.9 cm	0.3 cm	0 cm	0.2 cm	0.3 cm	0.2 cm	0.1 cm	0.2 cm	0 cm	0.4 cm	1 cm	1.3 cm	0.9 cm	1.3 cm	1.3 cm	1.4 cm	1.4 cm	1.4 cm	1.5 cm	1.2 cm	1.4 cm	0.7 cm	1.4 cm	2.4 cm	1.9 cm	0.9 cm	0.7 cm
Max temp	-3.9°c	-4.2°c	-7.2°c	-3.2°c	-2.7°c	-5.6°c	-2.6°c	-2.6°c	-4.6°c	-2.6°c	-2.4°c	-5°c	-2.3°c	-2.2°c	-2.3°c	-0.9°c	-0.8°c	-1.9°c	-0.8°c	-0.8°c	-1.9°c	-0.4°c	-0.3°c	-1.6°c	-0.3°c	-0.4°c	-1.5°c	-0.9°c	-1°c	-2.2°c
Min temp	-6.2°c	-7.2°c	-8.2°c	-6.1°c	-5.6°c	-6.4°c	-6.3°c	-4.6°c	-5.8°c	-6.9°c	-5°c	-5.9°c	-5.5°c	-2.7°c	-2.7°c	-3.2°c	-1.9°c	-2.7°c	-3.1°c	-1.9°c	-2.8°c	-3°c	-1.6°c	-2.4°c	-2.9°c	-1.5°c	-2.9°c	-3.1°c	-2.2°c	-3°c
Feels like temp	-11.3°c	-8°c	-7.2°c	-6.1°c	-3.2°c	-5.6°c	-6.3°c	-2.6°c	-4.6°c	-10.6°c	-2.6°c	-5°c	-10.4°c	-7°c	-7.2°c	-7.6°c	-4.8°c	-5.6°c	-7.2°c	-4.5°c	-5.5°c	-6.6°c	-3.2°c	-1.6°c	-6°c	-0.4°c	-1.5°c	-6.3°c	-4.2°c	-2.2°c