Avoriaz is a French mountain resort in the heart of the Portes du Soleil.
For visitors it offers both winter skiing and snow-based pursuits, and summer walking, golf, teleporting and other outdoor activities. Cars are forbidden in Avoriaz, the station is designed to be fully skiable.
More than just a lodge or restaurant and no cars allowed, Avoriaz (pronunciation: Avoriah) sits situated above steep rock cliffs at 5,400 feet with a racing angular outline that the French call “integrated architecture.” By any name, it’s visually spectacular; a village in the snow, where sleighs and skis replace cars and where hotels, restaurants, shops and cafes are all truly ski-in/ski-out.
It claims to be a boarding Mecca, as the first European resort to embrace the sport. There is a specialist park, a half-pipe, a slalom course and extensive off-piste. This also attracts better skiers, as do some great black pistes. |
Because of its attractions, Avoriaz often gets crowded and can be expensive. There are about 25 restaurants (some good, but pricey) and reasonable nightlife. The ski school is excellent. Children are well catered for, including a very good kids' village and Geneva is only two hours away. |
