Avoriaz is one of the most renowned locations for a ski holiday in France. The architecture is designed to blend in with the surrounding Alpine setting. Purposefully angled wooden tiles and layered buildings create a unique look to this ski town. The centre of Avoriaz is buzzing with Alpine eateries, mountain shops, and lively spots to enjoy an après ski tipple.
At an altitude of 1,800m, Avoriaz sits on the side of the mountain, overlooking Morzine and the surrounding valley. This envied height allows for reliable snowfall and fantastic skiing conditions for much of the season. The town itself is car-free, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere throughout. This also means that many properties in Avoriaz offer ski-in ski-out access. Visitors can ski straight from their front door and onto the slopes within a couple of minutes.
Avoriaz occupies a prime position in the Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the largest ski regions in the world. Keen skiers and snowboarders can race between the French and Swiss Alps, with more than 650km of varied and exciting ski terrain to be explored. Visitors of Avoriaz can enjoy an impressive range of slopes without leaving the resort. Whether you like cruisy blues, racy reds or daring black descents, this resort has it all. With a ski area so vast, it can be difficult to find the best slopes. Here is our top pick of the best ski runs in Avoriaz.
Bleue De Chavanette (Blue)
Take the scenic Choucas chair lift to the top of the ski area. Here you can enjoy magnificent views of Avoriaz and the surrounding valley. Turn right and you will find the long and winding Bleue De Chavanette run. This blue run is initially steep, so confident skiers can pick up some serious speed. The left-hand side has some bumps and moguls so tricksters can practice small jumps. As the slope flows down towards Avoriaz, it evens out. This is perfect for carving and perfecting parallel turns. The final segment of the piste steepens, allowing for a speedy end to this marvellous run. The piste finishes in the heart of Avoriaz, the perfect pit stop for some well-deserved mountain food or an afternoon tipple.
Stay At:
A stylish five-star hotel located in the heart of Avoriaz. Guests can enjoy the luxury of ski-in ski-out access and magnificent wellness facilities.
Photo Credit: See Avoriaz
Jean Vuarnet (Red)
This thrilling red slope begins from the top of the Grandes Combes chairlift. The views from the start of this piste are breathtaking. Embark on a sharp descent down the run. More experienced skiers can traverse right and tackle a black-pisted segment of this slope. Just after the black loops back onto the main red run, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a lovely, tree-lined segment, passing snow-kissed forests and environmentally protected areas. The slopes’ versatility makes it one of the best ski runs in Avoriaz. The run finally connects to the blue slope, Crôt, which flows down towards the Super Morzine area. Here, you can take the Prodains Express chairlift back to Avoriaz.
Stay At:
A modern and spacious chalet, located just two minutes from the village centre. Guests can soothe their sore ski legs in chalet’s sauna after a long day of exploring the French Alps.
Photo Credit: The Telegraph
Combe a Floret (Blue)
This pretty and popular piste flows from the top of the Prolays chairlift. You can access the slope by starting on the Stade Francois Dides run, and turning left towards the trees. Combe a Floret cruises through the forest outskirts, offering magnificent scenery as it takes you through clusters of snow-kissed trees. This is a classic cruisy blue slope, winding all the way down to Ardent, where you can take the chair lift back up to the Les Lindarets area. There are a few piste-side cafes and restaurants along the way, where you can stop for tartiflette or a vin chaud. With its scenic setting, convenient pit stops and cruisy nature, Combe a Floret is undoubtedly one of the best ski runs in Avoriaz.
Stay At:
Set in the centre of Avoriaz, this beautiful hotel offers an unforgettable stay with a gourmet restaurant, and a soothing spa.
Photo Credit: Mountain Passions
Proclou (Green)
This steady green slope forms part of the piste that connects Avoriaz to Morzine. This beginner area in general is fantastic for those still finding their ski legs. This space spreads all the way from Avoriaz, down to the Super Morzine area. This allows plenty of variety for those less confident on the slopes. Proclou provides an easy ride, with wide turns and a gentle descent. If you are feeling more confident, there are plenty of opportunities to divert onto some cruisy blue runs. The Proclou blue slope runs parallel to the green, and it is slightly more challenging. Conveniently, the slope finishes at the Proclou lift, so you can zip back to the top and start over again. This is most likely the best ski run in Avoriaz for beginners.
Stay At:
The perfect Alpine retreat, set just 50 metres from the piste. The chalet’s huge windows allow for the most incredible mountain panoramas.
Les Lanches (Red)
Some seriously impressive, high-altitude red slopes trickle down from the Pointe di Vorlaz area. What’s better, the views from this area are phenomenal. Enjoy mountain peaks, snow-kissed forests and winding pistes ahead of you. Les Lanches begins from the top of the Chavanette lift. The speedy and steep descent flows into a beautiful blue slope down towards Avoriaz. You can catch the Cubore Morzine lift to head across the mountain and access more red and blue slopes towards the Pointe de Chésery area. Cuboré Montriond is a particularly scenic choice. Or, you can head to the bottom of the Chavanette lift and do it all over again.
Stay At:
The perfect ski-in ski-out stay, sleeping eight to ten guests. Unwind after a day on the slopes in the chalet’s indoor pool, sauna or hammam.
To find out more about the best ski runs in Avoriaz, call our ski experts on 020 7471 7700.