Ski Holidays in Avoriaz
Raised in neighbouring Morzine, Vuarnet partnered with Gérald Brémond and together they delivered the absolute masterpiece, that is Avoriaz. Developed between the 1960s and 1970s, its beautiful Alpine wooden-clad buildings are in direct contrast to the dull, concrete buildings synonymous with building structures of its time.
Perched on a cliff overlooking Morzine, Avoriaz sits in the heart of the Portes du Soliel, one of Europe's largest ski areas. It covers 650 km of pistes across France and Switzerland, with up to 12 ski resorts within the ski area, including Avoriaz and Morzine. The resorts in the Portes du Soliel are all efficiently interlinked via a modern network of up to 196 lifts servicing the entire ski area.
Avoriaz is one of France’s most iconic ski resorts and is a popular ski destination for Brits. The recipient of several awards including a French Heritage Achievement award, Avoriaz is the ideal winter holiday destination for everyone; from large groups of friends on a ski trip to families visiting with young children.
Avoriaz offers some of the best resort facilities and entertainment across the Alps. Its car-free centre and ski-in/ski-out accommodation make it a pleasurable experience for holidaymakers looking to access the slopes, the shops and general amenities within the resort. Avoriaz is known for its vibrant apres ski scene, hosting a couple of winter music festivals over the ski season. It also has an awesome selection of bars and nightclubs within the centre, making them super easy to access.
A picturesque, pedestrianised resort perched on the side of the mountain. In the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, spanning 12 different resorts and boasting up to 650km of pistes, from Avoriaz you can ski across borders from France into Italy. Across this expansive ski area you’re sure to find some treasures; wide open pistes in Les Gets, tree runs down to Chatel, there’s even a park made of 100% natural materials. Once you’re done exploring the vast ski area the village has much to offer. With a Folie Douce placed right in the middle of resort you can even walk to apres from your accommodation!
Avoriaz has a great selection of accommodation on offer from the wallet-friendly to 5* luxury. The accommodation in Avoriaz is built to blend in with the natural environment so it’s a really stunning and unique place to stay.
As Avoriaz is completely pedestrianised, all the residence are ski in ski out. No matter which part of resort you stay in, you can always step outside and clip in!
Avoriaz Best Bits
Portes du Soleil circuit
If you fancy a nice long day on the slopes to get your legs warmed up then the Portes du Soleil tour will do just that! You are best off bringing a packed lunch as you might struggle to stop for food and complete the circuit! Starting in Avoriaz you take the Supermorzine lift down to Morzine and spend the first half of the morning skiing in Morzine and Les Gets. There are some incredible runs over here with some brilliant tree skiing! After completing the 5 peaks over here, head back up towards Avoriaz and get ready for the long part of the journey! Skiing through Lindarets and Plaine Dranse, follow signs for Chatel. Ski through here and drop down into Torgon. You have now entered Switzerland! From here you want to follow signs for Morgins, a quaint little village in the Dents du Midi region. Making your way back through the Swiss resorts of Champoussin, Champery and Les Crozets you will see some of the most incredible views of Les Dents du Midi and Les Dents Blanches. This makes the quad burn so worth it! Take the Chavanette chair lift back up over to Avoriaz and watch people attempting the famous Swiss wall! You could have a go yourself but it’s probably best saved for another day, with fresher legs!
Tarzan’s Playground
Dive into the aquatic paradise of Aquariaz. A tropical wonderland in the middle of the mountains. With real vegetation, a river with variable current and a water playhouse, you’ll feel like you just stepped into Tarzan’s playground! Also featuring climbing walls over the large pool, massage benches and an open-air hot tub…it would be rude not to visit at least once!
Avoriaz is a family-friendly resort, but it still has a first-rate range of après-ski venues. Here are some of the hotspots in this cool town:
Le Tavaillon is a traditional British boozer in the centre of the resort with a heated patio – it’s a great place to catch up with pals over a beer or three. If you want a quiet, laid-back venue which shows live sports and hosts pub quizzes, this is right up your street.
Le Shooters is the ideal place to liven things up a little. There are over 50 different types of shots to choose from and the house special beverage is Les Metres de Shooters – not for the faint-hearted!
The Place is a friendly Danish pub that features a different live band each evening – there’s always something interesting going on and it’s a marvellous place to mix and mingle.
La Folie Douce has an outlet on the piste near the entrance to Avoriaz and it follows the franchise formula with a wide selection of beers and spirits, pumping beats and tabletop dancing.
Le Yak is the resort’s only nightclub – open from midnight to 5am, resident and guest DJs spin a selection of genres, but four on the floor House beats are heavily favoured.
Les Enfants Terrible
Located inside Les Dromonts Hotel, this restaurant is decorated in a bold sixties style, with bright colours and vintage furniture. They serve classic French cuisine. Their bistro menu offers French traditional dishes and local recipes such as foie gras, fera fish from Lake Leman, duck, steaks, pasta and home-made desserts.
Les Fontaines Blanches
Hearty portions, a large sunny terrace and a great apres-ski vibe make this a popular restaurant with locals and tourists alike. Located in the centre of Avoriaz, the menu veers towards traditional French Alpine dishes, but they also have a wood-fired pizza oven and host regular theme nights such as BBQ, mussels, buffet, etc. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable, with set menus and children's menus available. You are also welcome to come just for a drink or two, either inside in the cosy bar or outside on the sunny terrace.
Le Fournil de Cannelle
Situated in the centre of resort, at the entrance of the Fontaines Blanches, and close to the Intrêts residence. Le Fournil de Cannelle has a vast range of pastries, cakes, bites, and small meals- To eat-in or take away.
Les Intrets
In the heart of Avoriaz, on Place Centrale just a short walk from the tourist office, you will find this restaurant. With 2 large dining rooms and a big terrace, this place is good for group bookings. It serves all the local favourites like fondue and raclette as well as pizzas, pasta and meat dishes.
La Poya
French cuisine with soups, salads, sweet and savoury crepes and a large variety of full French meals on the menu. Good access for non-skiers and a great place to people watch.
Le Chapka
Open from noon every day, this great restaurant bar has a lovely sunny terrace with views of the landscape and when the sun goes in there are heated parasols to keep you toasty while you have your aperitif!
The Place
The Place to be! This bar regularly hosts live bands and keeps its patrons bouncing till it's time for bed or to hit the club!
Le Shooters
In the bar, you 'll understand the speciality here are the shooters. With over 50 different recipes to offer, you're sure to find the drink you need for a fun night. Located in the heart of the resort, with a lively atmosphere, live pop and rock every week, live music twice a day, after skiing and in the early evening from 22:00. Later, around midnight, their two resident DJs, DJ Gin and Tonic Nek, and will cook up some electro & hip-hop sets which are sure to ignite the dance floor and keep it lit until 02:00.
Le Tavaillon
A popular spot in the centre of Avoriaz, not only for après ski, but also to enjoy sporting events on the big screen. They have a selection of bar snacks and pub food that goes a bit too well with the beer... who can resist! With an outdoor terrace if you can brave the cold for a lunchtime burger... but it is heated and they will give you a blanket.
Jaja Bar
This new bar serves a great selection of wines and champagne, as well as food in a relaxed atmosphere. A good option for après-ski. Their wine list is one of the largest in the resort, and you can order tapas or platters together with your drinks. The cosy and warm decoration is the final touch.
Globe Trotter
The Globe Trotter in Avoriaz is a journey in itself. A place that’s lively and changes throughout the day, from a restaurant to a festive bar. Founded in 1997, our team welcomes you with the same dedication from breakfast (from 8am) to après ski/evening (up to 2am). 20 years after its opening, the recipe has not changed: a convivial place combining modesty and generosity to create a simple and authentic moment. Visit our large sunny terrace which is open from December to April.
Le Yak
There are plenty of places to go and have a drink in Avoriaz but this is the only one to stay open past 02:00, as such it often doesn't get lively until late on. Playing mainly house music with their resident DJ or a variety of guests, this popular nightclub is open from midnight until 05:00.
