If you've always wanted to experience stunning mountain views in the car-free resort of Avoriaz, we're sure to have the right property for you. Our Avoriaz chalets are all fantastically located on or very close to the piste, offering easy access to the ski area and breathtaking views. Call us for more details on 0203 892 4060 or click here for our latest special offers.
Please contact Louise, Jess, Maxine or Millie if you have any questions.
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.
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.
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 due to exchange rates.
6 day Portes du Soleil lift pass | ||
Adult (26-64) | £303 | |
Senior (65+ ) | £273 | |
Junior (16-25 years) | £273 | |
Child (5-15 years) | £227 | |
Portes du Soleil SNOWrisk | ||
Adult and child 6 day | £19 |
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.
Avoriaz plays host to a variety of activities and snow sports during the winter months. Whether you’re looking for something relaxing such as a massage or beauty treatment, or the adrenaline buzz of speeding up and down the pistes on a snowmobile there’s plenty to keep you occupied. We’ve listed details of the most popular activities below.
(Please note there are numerous choices of companies for all options so please speak to your Chalet Host once in resort for further details. With all extreme sporting activities please ensure you check your own insurance policy to see if you are covered to take part.)
Snow-shoeing is a great way to see the mountains. You can truly find yourself in another world, with nothing but the sound of a marmotte scurrying in the undergrowth and maybe a mountain spring trickling by. Perhaps the best way to enjoy this breath taking natural environment is to sign up for a guided trek with professional guides/instructors. They take you to the most remote spots to see the best of alpine scenery and wildlife, well away from the crowds. Ask for the “walking, Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing map ” at the Tourist Office or ask your chalet host for more details.
Want to try something new? Tired of having your feet firmly on the ground? For the ultimate exhilaration, experience the silence and taste the freedom of flying in perfect safety. Paragliding can be experienced in numerous interesting and beautiful places worldwide but it truly has to be said none more beautiful than the Alps.
A fun activity for all those who love skiing… and horses! Ski joering is the original drag-lift. Before Pomas, chairlifts and cable cars were installed in the mountains the only tow to be found was either behind dogs or horses. Although with ski lifts we can now easily move around the mountain if you are looking to get back to grass roots, or if you fancy a trek through the woods away from the queues and ski schools then ski joering might be for you.
For your safety, several holes are dug regular intervals, so that an exit back onto the surface can be reach at any moment. Holes are linked by a rope, to which the diver is attached. It's completely impossible to get lost under the ice! Beginner divers will get individual help from instructors, help them get the best out of this unusual activity.
Avoriaz has an open air ice rink in the heart of the resort…keep the kids happy for a while, somewhere to behave like a kid for a few hours or a romantic skate under the stars with a loved one before dinner.
Aquariaz is the resort’s indoor water park, designed as an aquatic paradise in the mountains. It boasts a river with a variable gentle current, a slidewinder (a kind of aquatic half-pipe), a water playhouse, a paddling pool, a large pool with climbing walls, massage benches and the must-try: an open-air spa heated to 34 degrees!
Once the ski runs have closed for the day, try your hand at driving these 500cc two-seater motorbikes built specially for the snow. With the rear wheel replaced by a caterpillar track for momentum and the front wheel swapped for a pair of skis for steering, these snowmobiles are incredibly quick. After some expert instruction you will soon be out on an open country trail enjoying the buzz and adrenalin rush of being in control of a snow scooter.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy the night-time adventure down the steeper slopes. Sledges and head-torches are supplied and a guide will ensure that maximum enjoyment is achieved whilst staying safe. You'll love it!
One squash court is located in the residence Les Fontaines Blanches. Open every day from 4.30pm to 8.30pm (except Saturdays).
Speed riding is a relatively new activity, a mix between skiing and flying, between land and sky. Evolution 2 offers an introduction with a qualified instructor. No need to know how to fly the kite, although you do have to be a quite good skier.
If you want to experience the beauty of the mountains and the thrill of falling through the sky then you can do just that in Avoriaz. They will teach you all the basics you need to know about skydiving in a quick session, take you up in small plane and then jump out of it with you! Sky diving gives you an extreme thrill seeking experience like nothing you have ever done before.
Avoriaz has its very own bowling alley, Le Studio 9, on Place des Dromonts. Here you can entertain yourself with ten pin bowling plus snooker, video games, table football, pinball and a dancing machine.
Cinéma des Portes du Soleil has 2 screens showing a variety of films in both French and English. VO stands for ‘Version Originale’, which means it will be shown in its original language – perhaps with French subtitles (sous titres). Watching a film with subtitles can be a great way to learn a few new French phrases - their usefulness will depend entirely on the kind of film you are watching though!
The sleighs operate around the village and as Avoriaz is totally pedestrianised the sleighs operate as Taxis. The coachmen offer a variety of tours for 2-4 people. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience of a horse drawn sleigh under the warmth of a thick sheepskin blanket. You can enquire directly with the Coachmen at the reception desk at the resort entrance, at the outdoor car park or near the cable-car.
The Rustine School offers downhill mountain bike rides on snow every day of the week. Accessible to everyone, you'll discover the area of Super Morzine and les Lindarets.
Mountain Rehab offer a full mobile massage service to all our guests. For maximum convenience, qualified therapists will visit you in the privacy of your own chalet bedroom and offer a range of massage options. Appointments can be made at times to suit you. Whatever your needs, the highly trained masseurs have a treatment to soothe aching limbs and replenish energy levels, leaving you looking and feeling your very best and therefore helping you to get the most from your precious week’s holiday. The service also offers facials, body treatments, waxing and manicures. For a full range of treatments and prices please ask your Chalet Host.
Try and experience like no other with specialised electric bikes on the snow, in partnership with Evolution 2. Along with a certified instructor explore off piste on or speed along dedicated paths.
We understand that for many guests an important part of their ski holiday is enjoying an après ski beer or dancing the night away into the early hours. We’ve listed below just a few of our favourite bars in Avoriaz. Don’t forget to ask your Chalet Host for advice on which venues are the best, they will after all, probably have frequented most of them!
La Folie Douce - The infamous Folie Douce finally made it to Avoriaz in 2018 and has been delighting guests every since. Stop by for weird and wonderful circus acts set to a soundtrack of club remixes and classic apres songs.
Le Yeti - Le Yeti is a popular apres-ski bar with live music, where people like to go and relax on the sun terrace. It may be hard to resist just one drink before heading back to the chalet given it's so close.
Le Tavaillon bar - In the centre of the Avoriaz, the Tavaillon is an English style pub, which attracts predominantly young British customers. You’ll enjoy a lively evening here with a wide selection of draft beers available, including Guinness. They often broadcast sporting events and also have a heated terrace.
The Place - A fun bar with live music which opens from 4pm until 2am, if you can make it that late!
Le Yak - This is the resort’s French club; it’s the only place that’s open after 2am if you fancy a late one. The drinks can be quite expensive and it can get pretty busy, but it’s good fun.
Le Fantastique - A friendly team will be pleased to welcome you in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Once a week they have themed nights hosted by local bands or DJ's and often show sporting events. This place is known for its cocktail menu.
Once you’re on the slopes, you probably won’t feel like going back to your chalet to have lunch! There are a variety of restaurants to choose from for lunch, either on the mountain or in the village.
Many of the lunch time restaurants also offer dinner in the evening. As your chalet host will have one night off in the week, this provides the perfect opportunity for you to sample the local cuisine.
In busy periods don’t forget to ask your Chalet Host to make a reservation to ensure that you get the restaurant of your choice. Below we’ve listed a few of the many restaurants in Avoriaz.
Mountain restaurants
Cookie cafe - A must visit between Morzine, Avoriaz and Champery, Cookie Cafe sits at 2300m at the top of the Mossettes TDS lift. Enjoy stuning 360 views from the sun terrace as well as gourmet burgers, milkshakes, wraps, and much more.
Chez Flo - With a capacity of 160 seats and a terrace with 250 seats, facing the cable car, Flo and her team will welcome you in their restaurant with a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Globe-trotters - Great lunch-time fare with very reasonable prices. Live sports are often played in the background, so pop by to catch up on the action from back home!
La Fruitière - The restaurant attached to the Folie Douce, La Fruitière serves upmarket fare including steak, boeuf bourgignon and oysters. You can easily hop from your lunch table right into the party, just just sit back and watch the revelry from afar.
La Cremaillere - A wooden-clad family-run restaurant located in Les Lindarets - otherwise known as Goat Village after the charming summer inhabitants. There's a large terrace to enjoy the winter sunshine over a plate of fodue and charcuterie.
Les Trappeurs - Just below the Prodains cable car and within easy reach of all of our chalets for skiers and non-skiers alike, les Trappeurs is a friendly cafe/restaurant serving family favourites.
Village restaurants;
Les Enfants Terrible - This is a must-eat destination for foodies. With informal lunch snacks and gourmet dishes ranging from chicken club sandwich to lemon butter prawn ravioli, it’s a top dining experience. Situated inside the Hotel Dromonts.
La Cabane - La Cabane is a newly renovated restaurant located in the heart of the resort, open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evening live jazz singers create a smooth, relaxed atmosphere. The extensive cocktail list is the best in town.
La Reserve - An upmarket place with wonderful lamb dishes and a good wine list.
L'Etage - A traditional savoyarde restaurant serving all the old favourites, including hot-stone grills, in warm and friendly surroundings.
Les Fontaines Blanches - Very family-friendly with early sittings from 6pm and an extensive menu.
La Cachette - Hidden under the Gallarie Marchande, La Cachette is the perfect spot for an apres-ski drink accompanied by one of their tasting boards served tapas-style to share. Nothing heavy or fancy, but very relaxed and easy-going.