Avoriaz sits on a cliff-top plateau at ~1,800 m, designed in the 1960s as a car-free resort where snowmobiles and horse-drawn sleighs replace traffic. Wooden horse-shoe architecture makes the skyline recognisable from Morzine below. The Portes du Soleil pass reaches Switzerland and twelve linked valleys – plan passport and return routes before afternoon.
Mountain culture & milestones
Olympic rider Jean Vuarnet backed Avoriaz’s 1960s masterplan – car-free streets and cliff-top positioning were deliberate, not accidental.
The resort hosted the Festival International du Film Fantastique in winter for decades – cinema and skiing share the off-season calendar.
Valley bases: where to stay
Most hotels and apartments sit in the Station horseshoe within walking distance of lifts. Luggage often moves by sleigh taxi in peak weeks.
Morzine in the valley below offers cheaper beds with morning lifts to Avoriaz – count the Super Morzine gondola queue on February Saturdays.
| Village | Yükseklik | Domain role |
|---|---|---|
| Morzine | ~1,000 m | Valley hub, wooded runs, après |
| Avoriaz | ~1,800 m | Car-free plateau, cliff-top architecture |
| Les Gets | ~1,172 m | Family reds, quick Swiss links |
| Châtel | ~1,200 m | Traditional chalets, Linga lifts |
Ski sectors at a glance
Lindarets and Fornet bowls suit intermediates; Chamossière adds steeper pitch above the plateau.
Swiss links toward Champéry and Les Crosets cross border cols – carry ID and check lift closing times.
The mountain & skiing
Portes du Soleil markets ~650 km of linked pistes across France and Switzerland – Avoriaz is the cliff-top hub, not the lowest base.
The Stash natural snowpark and Arare zone attract freestyle riders; leisure cruisers use Proclou and Lindarets blues.
Drop to Morzine for tree skiing on grey days – Avoriaz’s exposed plateau whiteouts quickly.
Return from Swiss Torgon or Champéry needs the Chavanette corridor – nicknamed the Mur Suisse when icy.
The village & après-ski
Car-free streets mean children play in snow between buildings – sleigh taxis meet coaches at the Arrival Plaza. Restaurants ring the horseshoe; book in UK half-term.
No cars also means supplies arrive by service vehicles – supermarkets stock basics but Morzine has wider choice a lift ride away.
Snow & season
Plateau altitude helps snow retention versus Morzine valley floor. Wind scours exposed links to Switzerland faster than wooded lower sectors.
January cold preserves packed snow on the horseshoe; March sun softens Proclou by midday.
Summer & year-round
Mountain biking trails descend toward Morzine and the Super Morzine area when lifts run in summer. Hiking loops stay on the plateau without valley drops.
The film festival legacy brings cultural events outside ski season on selected weekends.
Safety & mountain etiquette
Chavanette corridor demands confident edging – intermediates should skirt via alternative routes when icy. Off-piste cliffs drop from the horseshoe edges.
Swiss-French border timing matters – missing the last lift can mean a long road return via the valley.
Who it suits best
Groups who want Portes du Soleil mileage with a distinctive car-free base. Freestyle riders who use the Stash and park zones.
Families with pushchairs manage Avoriaz but should expect steps and snow – Morzine is easier for buggy logistics.
Getting there
Air gateways (km only): Geneva Airport (~90 km), Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (~200 km). Road access via Morzine or Les Gets; park at Arrival Plaza and use sleigh taxis.
External links
This guide is published by Alps2Alps for general information only. It is not affiliated with Wikipedia or any resort, airport, or lift operator. Facts were accurate at the time of writing; always check official sources before travel.
Son teslim tarihi: 13 Şubat
Kazanan Duyurusu: 14 Şubat
