Tailor-made holidays in Avoriaz
A car-free resort at around 1,800 m, where skis and horse-drawn sleighs replace cars. Tell us your dates, your group and your level, and we will build your Avoriaz stay.
Avoriaz & the Portes du Soleil
Perched at around 1,800 m above Morzine, Avoriaz is a car-free resort where most residences open directly onto the slopes, at the heart of the Portes du Soleil.
Its bold, wood-clad architecture, snow-sure slopes and family facilities make it a favourite for families and freestylers alike. We find the residence or chalet that fits your group.
Plan my stayWhat could your Avoriaz holiday look like?
Skiing
Ski-in/ski-out skiing with direct links across the Portes du Soleil, into France and Switzerland.
Snow parks
Four snow parks, in a resort that pioneered freestyle in Europe.
Family & experiences
A dedicated children’s village, ski schools and the Aquariaz tropical water park.
Car-free village
Horse-drawn sleighs, quiet streets and restaurants a few steps from the slopes.
Avoriaz: everything to know before you book
Skiing and snowboarding in Avoriaz
Avoriaz sits at around 1,800 m on a shelf above Morzine, at the centre of the Portes du Soleil, a cross-border ski area of about 600 km of pistes linking 12 resorts in France and Switzerland. Avoriaz itself has around 55 runs and 35 lifts, with a good mix of blues and reds, and green and blue slopes leaving directly from the resort. From here you can ski to Morzine and Les Gets, to Châtel, or over the border to Champéry and Les Crosets in Switzerland.
For experts, the Hauts-Forts sector, which rises to about 2,280 m by lift, has the resort’s steepest runs, and the famous Swiss Wall (Pas de Chavanette) on the border is one of the best-known mogul fields in the Alps. Avoriaz is also a freestyle resort: it has four snow parks, Arare, La Chapelle, The Stash and the children’s Lil’Stash, plus a boardercross, making it a natural choice for snowboarders.
Avoriaz for families and beginners
Avoriaz is one of the easiest resorts in the French Alps for families. Because the village is car-free, children can walk around safely, and most accommodation opens straight onto the snow, so there are no long walks in ski boots.
The Village des Enfants, run by the ESF, takes children from 3 to 16 years, combining ski lessons with childcare, meals and activities on a large dedicated site. Beginners find gentle green and blue slopes right by the resort, and several ski and snowboard schools operate throughout the season.
Where to stay in Avoriaz
Avoriaz was planned in the 1960s with Olympic champion Jean Vuarnet, and its distinctive wood-clad buildings are designed to blend into the cliffs. The resort is built around several neighbourhoods, almost all of them ski-in/ski-out. Areas near the centre are closest to restaurants and shops, while quarters near the Village des Enfants suit families with young children.
Accommodation is mainly apartments and residences, some with pools and wellness areas, plus a few chalets and hotels. If you prefer a traditional valley town with more restaurants and nightlife, Morzine below is linked to Avoriaz by lift.
Getting to Avoriaz
Geneva Airport is about 1h30 by road, depending on traffic and snow; allow longer on busy Saturdays. The nearest train stations are Cluses and Thonon-les-Bains, both reached by Léman Express or regional trains, with buses and transfers onward. Because the resort is car-free, you either leave your car in the resort car parks or arrive via the Prodains cable car from the valley, which reaches the resort in about five minutes. In resort, you get around on foot, skis, horse-drawn sleighs or snowcat taxis.
Beyond the slopes in Avoriaz
Aquariaz is a tropical-style indoor water park with a lazy river lined with plants, slides, play pools and an outdoor jacuzzi with views of the peaks. Snowshoeing, sleigh rides and quiet strolls through the pedestrian streets complete a stay, and restaurants are rarely more than a few steps from the slopes.
In summer Avoriaz opens onto the Portes du Soleil mountain-bike network, with hiking around the mountain lakes, paragliding, climbing and golf, and Aquariaz stays open.
When to go to Avoriaz
The ski season usually runs from mid-December to late April. Avoriaz’s altitude helps it hold snow well compared with lower villages in the Portes du Soleil, though some links to lower resorts can be affected in a poor year. January is quietest outside school holidays, and March combines good snow cover with longer days.
Your Avoriaz holiday with AlpAway
We organise tailor-made Avoriaz holidays: ski-in/ski-out apartments and residences, Portes du Soleil or local lift passes, equipment rental, lessons for children and adults, and transfers from Geneva. Send us a request with your dates and group, and we will put a proposal together.
Your questions about Avoriaz
Is Avoriaz ski-in/ski-out?
Yes, almost all accommodation in Avoriaz opens directly onto the slopes. The resort is car-free, so you walk or ski everywhere. This makes it one of the most practical resorts for families with young children.
Is Avoriaz good for families?
Avoriaz is very family-friendly: car-free streets, ski-in/ski-out accommodation and the ESF Village des Enfants, which takes children from 3 to 16. Gentle slopes leave directly from the resort, and the Aquariaz water park is ideal for afternoons off skis.
Is Avoriaz good for snowboarders?
Yes. Avoriaz has a long freestyle tradition and four snow parks, Arare, La Chapelle, The Stash and Lil’Stash for children, plus a boardercross. The wide Portes du Soleil area also offers plenty of freeride terrain.
How do I get to Avoriaz from Geneva?
Avoriaz is about 1h30 from Geneva Airport by road, depending on traffic and snow. You can also take the train to Cluses or Thonon-les-Bains and continue by bus or transfer. Cars are left at the resort car parks or at the Prodains cable car in the valley.
Can I ski to Switzerland from Avoriaz?
Yes. Avoriaz is linked to Champéry and Les Crosets in Switzerland as part of the Portes du Soleil, about 600 km of pistes shared by 12 resorts. You need a Portes du Soleil pass rather than a local Avoriaz pass.
Does Avoriaz have a swimming pool?
Avoriaz has Aquariaz, an indoor tropical-style water park with a lazy river, slides, play pools and an outdoor jacuzzi, open in winter and summer. Some residences also have their own pools.
Is Avoriaz snow-sure?
At around 1,800 m, Avoriaz is one of the higher resorts in the Portes du Soleil and generally holds its snow well. The season usually runs from mid-December to late April, although lower parts of the wider area can suffer in a poor year.
Avoriaz in summer.
In summer, Avoriaz opens onto the mountain-bike trails of the Portes du Soleil, with golf, paragliding, climbing and hikes around the mountain lakes.
Your Avoriaz holiday, designed around you.
Share your dates, your group and your wishes. We reply with a free, personalised proposal.
