The purpose built, very snow sure resort of Avoriaz is the highest in the huge Portes du Soleil - the world's largest international linked ski area. Awarded Best Family Resort in the Snow Awards justifies its reputation as a family friendly, as well as appealing to skiers and boarders of all abilities. The whole resort is traffic free and easily accessible whether on skis, on foot or even horse drawn sleigh. There is a wide choice of shops, restaurants and bars with a varied selection of nightlife.
| Skiing levels |
| Beginner |
|
| Intermediates |
|
| Advanced |
|
| Snowboard |
|
| Cross country |
|
| Mountain facts |
| Ski area |
150 km
|
| Runs |
152
107
27
|
| Longest run |
6 Km
|
| Snowparks |
|
| Lifts |
Drag lifts 105, Chairlifts 78, Cablecars 4
|
| Slope direction |
N,E,S,W
|
| Ski/resort bus |
False
|
Things to do in resort
Avoriaz restaurants, food and drink
Avoriaz has a great selection of restaurants for a variety of different tastes. The food in the area is predominantly French with Swiss influences, and be sure to try some of the delicious wines while you’re at it!
For family friendly on-the-go hearty burgers, curly chips and snacks in an ideal piste-side location, head to Changabang, located opposite the Prodains cable car summit station. However it can be quite popular on a sunny day!
Also in the area (and situated just below Changabang) is Chez Flo offering both inside/outside dining and a delicious menu of Savoyard dishes, croque monseuirs and chips. Next door is Les Trappeurs which is both a lively après bar as well as a good place to stop for a bite to eat, also offering Savoyard dishes but also some Italian specials, and wine!
For a finer dining experience in the evenings head to La Cabane, which serves steak, a mouth watering fondue board, tapas-style food, and more. There is also a bar on the lower levels with pool tables which can be popular in the evenings.
Les Fontaines Blanches sits in the Festival area of Avoriaz and is a highly popular destination with Inghams guests over the years.
If you are looking for something whilst on the go, head to Les Lindarets, or better known as 'The Goat Village'. Mamas restaurant here is family friendly and offers meals and snacks for everyone.
Avoriaz après, bars, clubs and nightlife
Après culture reigns supreme in Avoriaz, and plenty of the bars and restaurants come to life at 5pm when the lifts close and everyone is growing a little thirsty! Providing you get the last lift at 5pm back up to Avoriaz, Happy Hours Bar at the base of Ardent is a wonderful bar to wet your lips in, with imported beers on the tap, wines, and even fresh smoothies and milkshakes. Snacks are also served and there is live music occasionally.
La Kinkerne at the bottom of the Les Prodains cable car is a lively and popular après ski haunt for those staying in both Morzine and Avoriaz. Live music with DJs can be expected, and La Kinkerne hosts the Sun:Sets event with sports competitions, music, BBQ, and cheap-n-cheerful drinks. Will be back for 2017!
Back in Avoriaz and its getting late- head to Shooters Bar, which has a lively atmosphere and mostly indoors so you stay warm in the evenings. The Yak is a basement club and is open until early, with guest DJs, house music and good times!
Avoriaz shopping
Guests can expect the usual sporting goods stores, souvenirs, tabac shop, and a chemist (pharmacy) when shopping in Avoriaz. Most of the shops in the town are based along the Promenade du Festival which stretches past the tourism office. There are several Sherpa supermarkets for those who are living in self-catered accommodation and they are based very conveniently close to the hotels. You will find two ATM machines near to the tourism office on Promenade du Festival. If you’re looking for a little tasty treat then head to the Avo Saveurs bakery that does the most delicious Nutella sandwiches!
If you want a full day of shopping it might be best to head down the valley to Morzine, where you will find a much wider array of shops and facilities.
Avoriaz spas and relaxation
Inghams Hotel des Dromonts is home to the Pure Altitude Spa, one of the best spas in the town that offers a sensorial voyage down memory lane with a space age 1960s Alpine inspired spa. Newly refurbished to the highest standard of luxury, it almost looks straight out of a James Bond film! Here you can find various massages (including sports massage), beauty treatments, relaxation, Jacuzzis and saunas.
If you’re looking for something that’ll incorporate children too, head to Aquariaz swimming pool complex where you’ll be transported a thousand miles away to a warm sub-tropical climate even when the snow is falling outside. There is an open air spa heated to 34 degrees, as well as massage benches and a water playhouse to keep the kids occupied.
Avoriaz arts, culture and events
Avoriaz is a relatively new resort; purpose built in the 1960s with a ‘space age’ feel to it, but there is still plenty of culture to be had. With Rock the Pistes happening every year in March and the new Snowboxx festival migrating to this small town, it’s a real hot spot for music lovers.
The mountains around Avoriaz are also home to plenty of vista spots that stretch over France and neighboring Switzerland. For a wonderful experience and photo opportunity head up the Fornet chair lift and you’ll see what we’re talking about!
More culture and Alpine lifestyle can be found if you venture down into the much older and more traditional Morzine at the base of the mountain.
Resort Activities
Snowscooting
If you fancy a change from skiing and snowboarding day in and day out, why not try snow scooting? You can spot people all across the mountain trading their equipment in for the day in exchange for one of these fun items that is a cross between a bike and a snowboard! Hire them locally and return.
Pay locally.
Tobogganing
You can go tobogganing on the pistes (within reason) at any time of day. Either buy your sledges or hire them, the Boulevard des Skieurs is flood lit at night for you to enjoy. There are also excursions for night time sledding for the much more adventurous that involve a head lamp and a little bravery to boot!
Talk to your Inghams rep in resort if you want to know some more about night time tobogganing.
Pay locally.
Igloo Experience
Discover the coolest place on the Alps, the Avoriaz Igloo!
This comprises of an Ice bar, Cheese fondue dinner, Private evenings, New Year's Eve parties, Ice sculptures and Festivals.
Hotel stays (a night for 2 people - Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday €350 or for 4 people €399)
(a night for 2 people - Friday & Saturday €419 or for 4 people €499)
The bar is open 7 days a week from 10-5pm. It is accessible (10 minutes' walk) by the blue piste Arare, and from the telepherique.
An unforgettable experience for everyone!
Horse drawn sleigh rides
Acting as the taxi service in Avoriaz, there are plenty of horse-drawn sleighs around the town, and grabbing a trip from one end of Avoriaz to another is great fun for everyone of all ages!
Pay locally.
Ice skating
There is a small ice rink in the middle of Avoriaz, lit up at night and you can hire your skates locally. This is a fantastic child-friendly activity that can be enjoyed even after the pistes close for the day.
Pay locally.
Aquariaz
Aquariaz swimming pool sits in the middle of Avoriaz and feels like a tropical haven a thousand miles away from the Bahamas! Several different swimming pools, including themed areas for children, spa pools, fountains, and whirl pools.
Pay locally.
Bowling
There is a two-lane bowling alley and arcade located in a subterranean complex on Place des Dromonts. It’s hard to miss the big ‘bowling’ sign out the front!
Pay locally.
New for Winter 17/18 is 'human bowling'! The challenge is to knock down the huge skittles whilst inside a giant inflatable ball (zorbing)! Offered during the French school holidays, no charge.
Cinema
Located in the centre of Avoriaz near the tourism office and ice skating rink, the small cinema has two screens and shows all of the national releases. Be aware that some films will be voice dubbed in French.
Pay locally.
Paragliding
For the thrill seekers out there- paragliding (or parapenting as the French word goes) is available in Avoriaz and Morzine throughout the ski season for those who dare. Check with your insurance policy before booking this sort of activity.
Speak with your Inghams rep in resort and pay locally.
Helicopter rides
If you think the mountains are beautiful from the ground then try seeing them from above! Helicopter tours and rides are available in resort and make a great day out for everyone.
Chat with your rep if you would like to arrange a helicopter tour.
Snowshoeing
You can take a guided ramble through the beautiful Alpine landscape with a pair of snowshoes. This relaxing activity is the perfect way to step back and enjoy a slower pace of things, explore the forests, spotting animals and breathing the fresh mountain air. There are even evening snowshoe walks to be enjoyed, so talk to your Inghams rep in resort if you fancy taking the mountains in at a different pace.
Chat with your Inghams rep if you would like to arrange a snowshoeing excursion.
Cross-Country skiing
With 216km cross country trails and tracks in the Portes du Soleil area, 45km of them sit in Avoriaz alone. There are 4 areas that are generally accessible from Avoriaz and Morzine: the Manche Valley, Morzine-Avoriaz Parc Naturel des Cretes de Zorre, Lake Montriond, and Pleney-Chavannes. You can grab cross-country skiing lessons with the ESF in Morzine.
Chat to your Inghams rep in resort if you would like to know some more about cross country skiing.
Location in resort
- Longitude: 6.777446
- Latitude: 46.1918229
- Distance to Lift: 200
- Distance to Ski School: 200
- Distance to Nursery Slopes: 200
- Distance to City Centre: 100
For more information on travel and transport visit our Avoriaz page
