Avoriaz is a one-off ski resort. Perched on a cliff at 1,800 metres in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, it's completely car-free, entirely ski-in ski-out, and has one of the most reliable snow records in France. Skis on at the front door, 600km of pistes across France and Switzerland on one lift pass, and horse-drawn sleighs instead of traffic. Once you've stayed up here, valley resorts feel like hard work.
Geneva Airport is around 1 hour 45 away, and the Prodains Express cable car links Avoriaz to the Morzine valley in four minutes, so arrivals and departures are simple despite the car-free layout.
The Avoriaz Ski Area
At this altitude, the snow arrives early and stays late, with the resort averaging over 7 metres of snowfall a year and a season that typically runs mid-December to late April. The local area alone covers around 75km of pistes, and because the resort sits in the middle of its own ski area, every run home ends at (or very near) your door.
| Avoriaz | Portes du Soleil | |
|---|---|---|
| Green runs | 8 | 39 |
| Blue runs | 27 | 130 |
| Red runs | 14 | 105 |
| Black runs | 6 | 33 |
| Total runs | ~55 | ~300 |
| Lifts | 35 | 200+ |
| Pistes | 75km | 600km |
| Snowparks | 5 | 30 |
Beginners start on the Ecoles slopes right in the village, with gentle greens like Proclou and Seraussaix winding through the trees nearby. Intermediates have endless cruising towards Lindarets and over into the Swiss sector, and confident skiers should tick off the legendary Swiss Wall (Le Pas de Chavanette), a mogul field so steep it's classified beyond black, dropping from the border into Champéry. You can always take the chairlift down and just enjoy the view, no judgement.
Freestyle is where Avoriaz really earns its reputation: five snowparks including The Stash, Europe's original Burton-designed forest park, and the Lil'Stash with its tree huts and mini lines for kids, reachable straight from the village on a green or blue.
Avoriaz's pedestrian-only design ensures a safe and serene environment, where transportation is provided by horse-drawn sleighs and snowcats. The resort's architecture, characterised by its angular wooden buildings, harmoniously blends with the surrounding alpine landscape. Accommodations range from self-catered apartments to luxury residences, many offering ski-in/ski-out convenience.
Avoriaz sitting high above the clouds
Why Avoriaz & The Portes Du Soleil
The Portes du Soleil is one of the largest and most diverse ski areas in the world, offering an expansive 600 kilometers of skiable terrain that stretches across 12 interconnected resorts in both France and Switzerland. Among these, Avoriaz stands out as one of the most iconic and centrally located, providing seamless access to the entire domain. With a single lift pass, skiers and snowboarders can explore the vast network of pistes, moving effortlessly between charming alpine villages and experiencing a truly international ski adventure.
Every property in Avoriaz is ski-in ski-out by design. For big groups, Chalet Alaya sleeps 16 across 340m² in the centre of the resort with a private sauna and rooftop terrace. For couples and smaller groups, Hotel MiL8 puts you at the foot of the slopes in the heart of the village.
Prefer a valley base? Our catered and self-catered properties in Morzine reach the Avoriaz ski area in minutes via the Super Morzine lift or the Prodains Express, often at a lower price point, with our shuttle service to the lifts included.
black or Blue the choice is yours
Families and non skiers
Avoriaz is one of the best family resorts in the Alps and it isn't close. The car-free village means kids can walk (or sledge) everywhere safely, the Village des Enfants is a brilliant dedicated learning area in the centre of the resort, and ski schools including ESF and Evolution 2 have English-speaking instructors. Aquariaz, the tropical-themed water park with its slides and lazy river, is the go-to for tired legs and non-skiers, alongside snowshoeing, dog sledding and husky rides.
Evenings are lively without being rowdy. La Folie Douce brings the big après energy, while spots like Le Yeti and La Cabane do live music and a proper atmosphere, all a short walk (never a drive) from your accommodation.
To ski or not to ski
location and transport
Geneva is the gateway, around 1 hour 45 by road. Transfers run either directly up to the resort entrance or to the Prodains cable car for a four-minute ride up the cliff. Because Avoriaz is car-free, luggage is moved from the reception zone to your accommodation by snowcat or sleigh, which sounds like a hassle and is actually one of the best bits of arriving. We can arrange your airport transfers with Atlas or our trusted partners, including private vehicles for families and groups.
We've been running ski holidays in the Portes du Soleil for over a decade, with our own team based in the valley all winter. That means real support while you're here, honest advice on where to ski and eat, and every detail handled before you arrive: hand-picked accommodation, transfers, lift passes ready and waiting, ski hire delivered to your door and ski school sorted. You're not booking through a faceless agency, you're booking with people who ride these mountains every day.
