Avoriaz is one of the largest ski resorts in Haute-Savoie. Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, it is among the 10 largest French resorts. The numerous slopes cater to both beginner and advanced skiers.
Avoriaz, 100% pedestrian resort
The Avoriaz resort is located on the heights of the town of Morzine between Annecy and Thonon-les-Bains. You can ski from 960 to 2,460 meters in altitude. Avoriaz was created on a plateau that served as a pasture in the 1960s.
It is exclusively pedestrian. You will therefore need to park your car at the edge of the resort or in a designated parking area during your stay, but this adds a certain charm to the resort, especially during the Christmas period. If you prefer traditional mountain villages, why not opt for a chalet rental in Morzine? This neighboring resort has a ski area connected to that of Avoriaz, and the two villages form a single municipality.
Avoriaz, an integrated and sustainable resort
In addition to promoting soft mobility, the integrated resort of Avoriaz strives to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. In 2011, a centralized biomass and electricity heating system was installed. It heats 11 residences. At the same time, a reasonable use of salt is made in winter, and flower maintenance is done without pesticides or herbicides.
The resort has also obtained the Flocon Vert label. It guarantees the sustainable commitment of tourist destinations in the mountains and is based on four main themes.
The ski area of Avoriaz
- 75 kilometers of alpine ski slopes
- 49 slopes, including 3 green, 26 blue, 14 red, and 6 black
- 34 ski lifts
- 45 kilometers of cross-country ski trails
The best-rated hotels
Finding tourist accommodation in the Avoriaz ski resort is easy. There are many options available, suitable for all profiles and budgets. All you have to do is find the rental or hotel that will perfect your mountain vacation.
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels in Avoriaz that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
Hotel des Dromonts
A property at the foot of the slopes, whose excellent restaurant “Les Enfants Terribles” offers refined traditional French cuisine. The rooms have a view and equipment worthy of its 4 stars. A wellness center is also accessible.
Hotel Mil8
Very nice amenities for this hotel located at the bottom of the ski slopes: bar, family rooms, children’s play area, gym, evening entertainment. The sauna and a sun terrace complete the facilities of this 4-star hotel praised by customers.
Igloo Village Morzine Avoriaz
Avoriaz offers you the unique experience of sleeping in igloos, 400 m from the Avoriaz ski lifts. Dinner is included and served in the igloo. A guided walk is offered upon your arrival. An activity not to be missed.
Residence Pierre & Vacances Saskia Falaise
A beautiful establishment offering apartments with private balconies and a magnificent view of the Morzine valley. The equipment includes a kitchen with microwave and dishwasher. You can enjoy French cuisine and benefit from the children’s club.
Residence Pierre & Vacances Premium L’Amara
A high-end residence with an indoor heated pool and apartments with balconies. These offer stunning views of the alpine massif. In summer, you can also easily go hiking or mountain biking from the establishment. Private parking.
The most beautiful chalets
For an unforgettable mountain vacation, we offer the rental of three chalets near Avoriaz that receive excellent customer reviews:
La Grange à Germaine
Just 8 km from the center of Morzine, this authentic 280 m² chalet features a spa, jacuzzi, sauna, and terrace. The Ardent waterfall is 1 km away. The Abbey of Saint-Jean-d’Aulps is a 15-minute drive away. Many hiking trails start from the hamlet of Ardent.
Avoriaz Chalets Chalet Neva
This beautiful 75 m² chalet offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Access to the slopes is ski-in/ski-out. The accommodation is fully equipped. The decor is contemporary. Restaurants, shops, and bars are within walking distance.
Prestige Chalet l’Arketa – Maeva Particuliers
Located 200 m from the ski school, this large chalet has 7 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, as well as a beautiful equipped kitchen. The living room is remarkable, with a huge bay window offering a unique panorama of the Avoriaz resort. You have quick access to the ski area.
Winter sports
This Haute-Savoie resort offers most winter sports:
- Hiking
- Telemark
- Ice skating
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Ski joëring
- Snowmobile ride
During the summer, tourists can hike or mountain bike. A large aquatic center allows for water activities.
The example of snow karting
Located a few kilometers from Avoriaz, the ski area of Roc d’Enfer offers descents in snow karts. They glide down the slopes thanks to their wide, grooved wheels. The ascent of the slopes is done by snow groomer, and the descent takes place on a secure track. 30 karts are available. The outing is offered at €45 and is reserved for those over 12 years old. Reservations can be made at the ESF of Saint-Jean-d’Aulps.
Visit to the Abbey of Aulps
This treasure of medieval architecture is located at an altitude of 800 m. The abbey was founded at the end of the 11th century. Affiliated with the Cistercian order, it is one of the largest monasteries in Savoy. The estate covers 3 hectares with the abbey church, cellars, gardens, and the former monastic farm. The gardens include a vegetable garden and a botanical garden. Since 2007, the site has housed a unique interpretation center in France, which allows for a better understanding of the life of monks during the Middle Ages.
The permanent exhibition provides more information about the organization of the community, its evolution over the centuries, and the role of noble families in the development of the abbey. The garden, which is very well maintained, helps to understand the role of medicinal plants at that time as well as the varieties of vegetables that grew in the medieval vegetable garden.
A 3D and augmented reality reconstruction of the abbey is offered with equipped glasses.
Address: follow the D 32 from Morzine for 7 km.
Rate: €7 for adults and €3.50 for children up to 16 years old.
The athletes of the resort
Several high-level athletes are ambassadors for the Avoriaz resort. We invite you to discover four of them, who compete in different disciplines.
Valentin Delluc
Originally from Drôme, Valentin Delluc is now an ambassador for the resorts of Avoriaz and Morzine, where he learned to ski. A fan of paragliding and freeride, he quickly took up speed riding, which combines skiing and free flight. Valentin Delluc won his first competitions as early as 2014. He gained international fame and received millions of views following his video “from Avoriaz with love,” published in 2021.
Mélanie Chappaz
Mélanie Chappaz is a mountain biker from Reignier. This ambassador of Avoriaz started biking at the age of 5. In 2015, she began competing in downhill races. In 2017, she won the UCI junior world championships. She then joined the World Cup, where she also achieved good results.
Oscar Mandin
Oscar Mandin is a skier from Morzine-Avoriaz specializing in freeride. He started in freestyle and mogul skiing at the age of 10, before turning to freeride at 17. The skills he acquired during his youth allow him to have a unique style.
The Harley Days of Morzine-Avoriaz
Just below the ski resort, the town of Morzine hosts the Harley Days every year in mid-July. Over four days, Harley Davidson enthusiasts from all over Europe gather around large tables, tattoo artist booths, and engravers. Giant concerts are organized in the square of the Tourist Office. This festival is very successful: 80,000 participants and 25,000 motorcycles are expected every year. Accommodations are often booked two years in advance.
Ski passes
In Avoriaz, you can choose between a pass that covers the entire Portes du Soleil area, as well as one that is limited to the ski area of the resort. A pass has also been designed for those who love to sleep in. It allows you to ski for 5 hours. You decide at that moment what time you will start skiing down the slopes.
It should also be noted that Avoriaz has implemented a dynamic pricing principle. This means that the earlier you purchase your pass, the less you will pay. Also, certain periods allow for greater savings than others.
Snowshoe trails
This sporting activity is ideal for people who do not ski, but also for discovering the mountain in a more natural way.
- At the level of Morzine, follow the river for over 10 km towards the Nyon parking lot. The view of the valley alone is worth the walk.
- The walk from the Joue Verte pass: from the parking lot, take the ridge with a beautiful view of the Abondance valley and Lake Montriond. The walk ends at the Zore chairlift. The return is made via the same route.
- The loop of Croix des Combes: the previous outing can be extended by following the black cross-country ski trail. It descends for 12 km, down to the parking lot. Be sure to turn left at the intersection at the bottom of the woods.
Summer activity ideas
Avoriaz allows for beautiful original adventures in summer:
- Disc Golf: this involves playing golf, but with a frisbee. The goal is to make the fewest throws for each hole. A map with a course plan is given at the start of the game. Rate: €7 per game.
- Summer tobogganing: This equipment is accessible at the top of the Crusaz chairlift. The winding tracks of Pleney offer several levels of difficulty. Open from 04/07 to 30/08 from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.
- Laser Game: this shooting game takes place outdoors. You must aim at other participants to earn points. Address: Les Déréches, 74110 Morzine, open from 01/05 to 30/11.
- All-Terrain Scooter: equipped with a helmet and accompanied by a professional, you will descend the forest trails of the resort. Open from 07/06 to 14/09, rate: €35, information at the Guides office. Address: 19 place du Baraty, 74110 Morzine.
Rates
Alpine Skiing: Since the Avoriaz ski resort is a large resort, we invite you to discover directly on the official site the rates for ski passes for alpine skiing in Avoriaz: Avoriaz site.
Access
You can access the Avoriaz ski resort by car only through the town of Morzine, via a mountain road. It is wide and cleared of snow throughout the winter. Large parking lots allow you to park at the entrance of the resort. From Morzine, the free shuttle of line A passes through the foot of the Plagne district, then the Tourist Office, before reaching the Prodains Express cable car and Avoriaz. Taxis are also available to take you to the entrance of the resort.
