SkiBro’s guide to Avoriaz:
Resort Statistics
🌲 Resort height: 1800m
🏔️ Highest point: 2460m
🗺️ Total ski area: 650 (Les Portes du Soleil)
❄️ Season Dates: November- April
🚡 Lifts: 212
🎿 Snow Parks: 11
🟢 Green runs: 34
🔵 Blue runs: 119
🔴 Red runs: 101
⚫️ Black runs: 32
Live Weather in Avoriaz
Where is Avoriaz Located?
Avoriaz is located in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, specifically in the Portes du Soleil ski area. It sits at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters (5,905 feet) above sea level, high above the neighboring town of Morzine. To get from Morzine to Avoriaz, take the Super Morzine gondola up the mountain, then transfer to the Prodains Express cable car for a direct ride to Avoriaz village.
How to get to Avoriaz:
✈️ Avoriaz is easily accessible from various airports, including Geneva Airport, which is approximately a 1 hour and 40 minute transfer away. Other nearby airports include Chambery Airport, Grenoble Airport, and Lyon St-Exupéry Airport, each with varying transfer times to Avoriaz. Additionally, if traveling by train, Cluses is the nearest station with a transfer time of about 1 hour and 10 minutes to Avoriaz.
Avoriaz Highlights:
✅ Best For:
The snowparks and apres options are a big pull, so Avoriaz is very popular with a younger, energetic crowd. As such, those who are looking for that atmosphere will have the best time here.
🌟 Fun Facts:
Avoriaz boasts a car-free township and pistes in the streets, creating an environment where skiing and fun never cease. With excellent gastronomic and après choices, along with the world-famous Burton Stash snowpark, it’s a paradise for those who love to ride hard and play hard.
Photo: Prime Ski & Snowboard School
Avoriaz Piste Guide
A Purpose-Built Ski Haven:
Avoriaz stands out as the quintessential “purpose-built” ski resort. Perched dramatically on a cliff in the Alps, the resort is ski-in-ski-out with a pedestrianized setup. Horses and sleighs add to the charm. The family-friendly Aquariaz waterpark, a pioneer in its kind, is perfect for kids on bad weather days.
650km of Skiing:
The Portes du Soleil ski area spans 650km of marked pistes across 14 valleys and 12 resorts, offering a skiable area of 1,036 square kilometers. Avoriaz, at 1800m, ensures a snow-sure experience. Lifts from all directions allow skiing on all sides of the mountain town, providing a full kilometer of vertical descent.
Avoriaz’ top lift will drop you off at Pointe de Mossette, sitting at a modest 2,277m. And while this may not seem very high by Alpine standards, it is the shape of the mountains and the off-piste that makes up for the lack of vertical. With wide, snowy bowls and powder lines to get your hair standing on end, Avoriaz has become known as a giant playground perfectly shaped for the adventurous skier and boarder.
Avoriaz for Beginner Skiers:
Photo: PDS Snowsports
Is Avoriaz good for beginners? Absolutely. First-timers will love the beginner area right in town, as it makes the walk in ski-boots short and manageable, as well as providing a welcome selection of dining options for those after-lesson breaks. Having a beginner area below the town also makes Avoriaz great as it means you can tackle more slopes without having to catch lifts. At least until after the day is done.
Beginners will find themselves sticking to the lower slopes, with a large beginner zone located off the top of the Super-Morzine gondola below the town. This makes it reasonably difficult to get to from Avoriaz if you have never skied, as you’ll be traveling downhill and you won’t be able to do that on the chairs. As such, you’ll probably be utilising the beginner area in the town itself.
Avoriaz for Intermediate Skiers:
Intermediates will turn Avoriaz into a giant playground, and will have fun exploring the pistes, parks, and powder in equal measure. With both the Stash and Lil’ Stash, freestyle riders of all abilities will never be caught out. Unlike some resorts where the kickers are huge and the rails long, there’s a supportive and progression-oriented atmosphere here that welcomes riders of all abilities.
Avoriaz for Expert Skiers:
Photo: Prime Ski & Snowboard School
Experts lap the Stash, tackling features and cutting through trees. Hike to off-piste descents from top lifts like TSD Grandes Combes and TSD Lac-Intrets, or challenge yourself at Pointe de Mossette and Pointe de Vorlaz.
Off-Slope Activities & Festivals
Avoriaz hosts some amazing events, including Rock The Pistes and Snowboxx music festivals, making it a popular choice too for younger skiers and snowboarders who want to ride hard and party harder. Though don’t be fooled, you’ll find plenty of relaxation here, too, with plenty to do outside the bars and snowparks. With spas, ice rinks, dog-sledging, and snowmobiling on offer, just to name a few, no matter your desires, Avoriaz is a resort that can fullfill them all.
Learn to ski and snowboard in Avoriaz
Ski School Group Lessons and Private Ski and Snowboard Instructors:
Book ski and snowboard lessons through SkiBro for peace of mind. With a best-price guarantee, free cancellation, and a wide choice of certified instructors, SkiBro ensures a seamless online booking experience. Whether you’re into group or private lessons, SkiBro has the perfect instructor for you in Avoriaz!