Ski holidays in Avoriaz

Avoriaz Ski Information

Located at the heart of the area, at its highest point, Avoriaz gives you the chance to set off in a new direction to the prettiest panoramas in the Portes du Soleil every day!The Portes du Soleil is a moderately new invention. The concept of linking many of the small charming resorts in the surrounding area was first thought up in 1956, since then friendships were formed between resort towns and the usually deep-rooted local parochial mentalities were dropped. Over the years, lifts linking neighbouring resorts fused these bonds and the social and economic benefits were realised.

There is plenty of choice of where to ski as Portes du Soleil is the 'largest lift linked area in the world'. The appropriate ski lift pass allows you to go to other ski resorts located in the Portes du Soleil, these include: Abondance, Châtel, La Chapelle d'Abondance, La Grande Terche, Les Gets, Montriond, Morzine, Saint Jean d'Aulps, Champoussin, Champéry, Les Crosets, Morgins and Torgon. 

The 650kms of marked pistes provide an abundant variety of skiing that can both nurture the beginner into their first parallel turns on the nursery slopes or challenge the most proficient of carvers on some of the challenging black runs. Avoriaz rarely involves walking to lifts as it is ski in and ski out and a great choice for all skiing abilities:

For Beginners      
Avoriaz provides a perfect place to learn to ski with ample blue and green runs. Avoriaz ski schools meet just above our chalet at the top of the Plateau which is the bowl where the nursery slopes are located. In Avoriaz the plateau has a very wide gentle green run that's serviced by the Ecole lifts. As beginners start to progress the plateau runs into a nice long gentle green down to the Plateau lift which brings skiers back to the top of the Plateau bowl. Around this green slope are some slightly harder long blue runs - the perfect area to progress and perfect those snow-plough turns.

Snow parks
The Portes Du Soleil is a firm favourite with skiers and snowboarders alike seeking the thrills that boxes, rails and half pipes have to offer. Avoriaz is home to the Burton Kids Parkway with low level rails, kickers and boxes for our smaller guests to have a play on as well as the world famous Burton Stash. The Stash is a natural snow park that runs through the trees in Avoriaz and mixes man made kickers and boxes with the naturally formed bumps and fallen logs. Finally Avoriaz also has Snow Park Arare that runs alongside the nursery slope. Although smaller than the Stash this area is home to kickers that would challenge even the most experienced boarder or skier.

Off Piste
The Portes du Soleil is often disregarded as a haven for off-piste. This often works in its favour, as the majority of extreme skiers and powder hounds head for our higher more famous neighbouring resorts. Subsequently when it snows here there is always plenty of powder to be taken. The tree runs off the Super Morzine are excellent fun as too are the Lindarets tree runs and the wide powder fields into Prodains. The Le Fornet sector also has the Marmotte Snowzone which is a safe off piste zone; here there is plenty of interesting natural terrain to play on for hours. It is imperative that you take all the safety precautions you can, shovels and probes and beepers can be purchased or hired. Speak to lift operators prior to going off piste as they will have a better idea of what is safe and what isn’t. To be extra safe professional guides can be hired who have all the local knowledge to take you to the best spots without sacrificing safety.

Cross Country Skiing
There are 4 cross country areas generally accessible from Avoriaz and Morzine: the Manche Valley with 25km of challenging circuits, the Morzine-Avoriaz at Parc Naturel des Crêtes de Zorre with up to 47km for all levels, Lake Montriond with 10km of Canadian-style runs and the Pléney - Chavannes sector with 18km of forest runs.
You will find ‘walking, Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing maps’ at the Tourist Office, alternatively lessons and guided excursions are available from the various ski schools, ask a member of staff for details.

Avoriaz Ski Hire

It doesn't get any easier
We have partnered with MirFamose Skiset and Avoriaz Sport provide our pre-booked ski & board rental service in Avoriaz. These carefully selected shops provide quality equipment with a beaming smile and are located just a short walk across the snow from our chalets.

MirFamose Skiset is just a short walk from Chalet Sakami, Ipaka and Kipnuk, whilst Avoriaz Sports is between Ossetra, Beluga, Kakisa and Kobuk.

Be careful of other suppliers offering great discounts online
We guarantee the quality of the equipment fitted in the comfort of your chalet and we have wrestled the price down to be extremely competitive. Others online might promise cheaper equipment but at what price ? is it available when you arrive? how far away is the shop and how do you get there ? how easy is it to change ? what happens when it breaks ? when do I have to drop the kit back ? Your time in resort is precious, don’t waste it sorting out your equipment.

Don’t forget to pre-book
It is ever so important that you book your equipment before you arrive as there is only so much quality kit in a resort to go round. Don’t worry that it might not fit perfectly or that you might need to change during the week, our partners will be happy to assist you. You can book equipment on my VIP SKI shortly after you have made an accommodation booking, here is the list of guide prices. Alternatively drop us an email or call us for further guidance.  

Avoriaz Lift Passes

Possibly one of the most important aspects of a ski holiday, the lift pass is vital unless you plan to walk up the mountain before skiing down!

Pre-book your lift pass directly with us before you travel. Your lift passes will be delivered to your chalet before breakfast on the first morning, in plenty of time for you to make it up the first lift.

Prices shown below are a guide for a 6 day lift pass and may fluctuate at the time of booking due to exchange rates.

Avoriaz Ski School

There are several ski school providers in Avoriaz, each will offer a variety of tuition options from beginner groups to private lessons and off piste guiding, however, some may specialise in a particular area. We have listed a couple of our recommended suppliers below.

Evolution 2 +33(0)4 50 74 02 18
Evolution 2 offer a personal approach to learning and offer small groups and English speaking instructors. Their emphasis is on real progression and FUN. They offer group and private ski & snowboard lessons, for all ages and abilities.

Avoriaz Alpine ski school +33(0)4 50 38 34 91/+44(0)1237 451099 (May to Nov)
AASS are a specialist English Skiing and Snowboard School with experienced and friendly English instructors offering technically strong lessons for all standards. They also provide freestyle and off piste clinics.

ESF +33(0)4 50 74 05 65
ESF are a local branch of the French Ski School and provide private and group ski & snowboard lessons, for children, teens and adults. ESF are unique in offering Kindergarten ski school for children from the age of 3 years. Lessons are available for beginners or advanced abilities and you will find all their instructors are not only highly competent but extremely friendly to ensure you enjoy your lessons.

New Generation +33(0)4 79 01 03 18
New Generation is a British ski school with teams in 16 resorts across the French, Swiss and Austrian Alps, including an international team in Morzine. With 18 years' experience they know how to tailor lessons or adventures to meet your needs and pride themselves on excellent customer service. They offer a wide range of lessons for all ages and abilities from tiny tots to those young at heart. And whether you're looking to join a group, want one-to-one coaching or an off piste adventure they will help you improve, develop technique and have fun. You are on holiday after all!

Supreme Ski +33(0)4 79 08 27 87 (UK: 0203 744 1655)
Supreme ski offer a wide range of lessons in Avoriaz. Choose from private or group lessons including a special "minis" group for kids aged 4+. Supreme also offer skills sessions for more experienced skiers looking to improve on their skills and explore the mountain with confidence.