Avoriaz - Totally Unique!
Avoriaz is like no other ski resort we’ve encountered in France. The drive up the road from neighbouring Morzine gives you your first, very impressive, view of Avoriaz. It’s those jagged wood-clad buildings, that rise into the sky on the snow-filled plateau, all surrounded by steep cliffs (falaises in French). You might think not having a car to get around in is an inconvenience, but everywhere is very easy to get to and there are literally pistes instead of roads throughout the resort. Of course, all this isn’t by chance. Avoriaz was carefully designed to be totally functional. It was the vision of local lad Jean Vuarnet, who teamed up with Pierre et Vacances to open up the inaccessible and very snow-filled fields of ‘Avoreaz’.
Snow-sure skiing in Avoriaz
And what a resort it is. Renowned world-wide for being snow-sure (the average is eight metres of snowfall per winter). Access to all the areas of the Portes du Soleil is quick and easy with the modern and efficient lift system. It might not have the ‘ye olde worlde’ charm of some mountain villages, but the facilities certainly make up for it - just look at the incredible ‘Aquariaz’ tropical water park, which is a watery paradise for all ages!
Family facilities galore
No wonder Avoriaz is a favourite with families. For those with little ones who are keen skiers, the ‘Village des Enfants’ right in the centre of the resort is a expansive kids’ ski school from three to 16 years old. And if your little ones want to snowboard, Riglet Park is a snowboard teaching area specifically for three year olds upwards. If you’re mad about freestyle, Avoriaz is an absolute mecca. There’s ‘The Stash’ snow park that takes in several pistes within the forests and the ‘Lil’ Stash’ for novices. Both offer a plethora of modules, half pipes, boarder crosses and more to keep the young shredders amused.
Summer high altitude fun in Avoriaz
Although it’s a full-on winter resort, Avoriaz does have a summer season, albeit much more laid back and low-key. The resort has been the finishing line for several Tour de France road race stages and mountain biking is also really popular here in the summer. The obvious highlight is the ‘Pass’Portes du Soleil’ mountain biking weekend in June. Add to that golf, tennis, archery, trampolines, squash and hiking and there’s plenty to whet your appetite in Avoriaz during the summer months.
Avoriaz Transfer
If you’re looking for a winter ski or summer mountain resort that’s practical, purpose-built and with everything you need right on your doorstep, Avoriaz pretty much matches your needs 100% - and all without having any cars in resort. Let Mountain Drop-offs do the driving for you, taking you direct from Geneva Airport to Avoriaz for winter and summer high-altitude fun for all. An airport transfer from Geneva to Avoriaz is unique, because the resort is a car-free snow paradise. Your journey time from Geneva to Avoriaz (and vice versa Avoriaz to Geneva) will be around two hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. All transfer companies take you as far as the ‘Accueil Entree Station’ (Welcome Centre) in the Falaise sector of resort. Your holiday then starts in true pedestrianised resort style, with a horse-drawn sleigh ride, piste-basher bus trip, or a walk (luggage sledges available) on pisted snow paths to your accommodation. Surely the best way to kick off your ski holiday? Mountain Drop-offs also offers private transfers from Geneva Airport to and from Avoriaz in the summer. Please note: Avoriaz is a snow-sure, high-altitude, purpose-built resort at 1800m, with a narrow, multi-hairpin access road, much of which is above 1660m. So if the snow/weather conditions are severe on your transfer day, Mountain Drop-offs may have to find safer solutions to get you to or back from resort; namely the Prodains cable car. Please refer to the ‘FAQ’s’ section below for full info on transfers to and from Avoriaz and to work out where best to book your transfer to (that’s to say Avoriaz centre, or Morzine-Prodains for the cable car that whisks you up to Avoriaz in four minutes).