Ski holidays in Avoriaz

Avoriaz Ski Information

Located at the heart of the Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz gives you the chance to set off to the prettiest panoramas in a new direction every day! The concept of linking many of the small charming resorts in the area was first thought up in 1956. Over the years, friendships formed between the resorts, lifts were built, and the Portes du Soleil came to life. Translating to ‘Gateway to the Sun’, it’s the largest linked area in the world - and Avoriaz sits at its highest point.

The Portes du Soleil Ski Area

If you’re looking to ski far and wide during your ski holiday in Avoriaz, the Portes du Soleil ski pass is key. It gives you access to 12 resorts spread between France and Switzerland.

France 

• Avoriaz
• Morzine
• Les Gets
• Châtel
• Montriond
• La Chapelle d'Abondance
• St-Jean-d'Aulps
• Abondance 

Switzerland 

• Champéry
• Morgins
• Torgon
• Val-d'Illiez, Les Crosets, and Champoussin

With over 650km of marked pistes, there’s an abundance of skiing that can both nurture the beginner into their first parallel turns on the nursery slopes or challenge the most proficient carver on infamous black runs like the Swiss Wall. Thanks to most accommodation being ski-in, ski-out, Avoriaz rarely involves walking to lifts.

For Beginners      

Avoriaz provides a perfect place to learn to ski with ample green and blue runs. Ski schools tend to meet at the top of the Plateau (the bowl where the nursery slopes are located). The Plateau has a very wide green run that's serviced by the Ecole lifts. As beginners start to progress, the Plateau runs into a long, gentle green down to the Plateau lift which brings skiers back to the top of the bowl. Around this green slope are some slightly harder long blue runs, making it the ideal place for beginners to perfect those snowplough turns and gain confidence.

Snow Parks

The Portes Du Soleil is a firm favourite with skiers and snowboarders seeking the thrills that boxes, rails and half pipes have to offer.  The Stash is a natural snow park that runs through the trees in Avoriaz, mixing man-made kickers and boxes with naturally formed bumps and fallen logs. Avoriaz also has the Arare snow park that runs alongside the nursery slope. It might be smaller in size than the Stash, but its reputation is iconic, home to kickers that challenge even the most experienced boarder or skier.

Off-Piste

The Portes du Soleil is often disregarded as a haven for off-piste. But this often works in its favour, as powderhounds head for higher resorts, like Val d'Isère. When it snows in Avoriaz, there’s plenty of powder to be enjoyed. The tree runs off the Super Morzine gondola are excellent fun, as are the Lindarets tree runs and the wide powder fields into Prodains. There’s also the Marmotte Snowzone, a safe off-piste zone with plenty of interesting terrain to play on for hours, accessible by the Fornet chairlift. 

It’s imperative that you take all the necessary safety precautions and equipment when heading off-piste - shovels, probes and beepers can be purchased or hired in resort. Speak to lift operators prior to going off piste as they will have a better idea of what’s safe and what isn’t. To be extra safe, hire a professional guide - they’ll have all the local knowledge to take you to the best spots without sacrificing safety.

Cross-Country Skiing

There are four cross-country areas accessible from Avoriaz and neighbouring Morzine: 

• Manche Valley, with 25km of challenging circuits
• Morzine-Avoriaz at Parc Naturel des Crêtes de Zorre, with up to 47km for all levels
• Lake Montriond, with 10km of Canadian-style runs 
• Pléney-Chavannes sector with 18km of forest runs

You will find maps for walking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Tourist Office. Alternatively, lessons and guided excursions are available from the various ski schools - just ask a member of your VIP SKI team 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.

Avoriaz ski school

Make the most of your time on the slopes! Our Avoriaz ski school partners provide expert English-speaking instructors and small-group lessons for all ages and abilities, combining learning, progression, and plenty of fun. We can do the research and pre-book lessons for you, so everything is ready before you arrive. See full details in our ski lessons in Avoriaz blog.