Avoriaz
Modern traffic-free ski resort with ski-in, ski-out accommodation
Avoriaz is a purpose-built ski resort but, unlike so many of the resorts that sprang up in the 60s and 70s, it isn't home to unsightly concrete monoliths but instead wood clad apartments and chalets that sympathetically blend into the surrounding mountains.
Much of the credit for Avoriaz has been given to the 1960 Winter Olympic Gold medal winner Jean Vaurnet. Vaurnet had grown up in Morzine and, after his success at the Olympics in Squaw Valley, he was asked to help with the development of the ski area that surrounded Morzine. Today Avoriaz sits high on the cliffs above Morzine and was voted best family resort and snowiest resort in France in 2013.
The town is completely pedestrianised and the only engine powered vehichles allowed to drive through the resort are service vehicles, everyone else must make their way around either on foot, ski or in horse-drawn sleighs. All cars must be parked outside the resort and most transfers to Avoriaz stop at the foot of Le Prodains and visitors make the final ascent to the resort by cable car.
The centre of the resort is a gently sloping plateau that is home to bars, restaurants, shops, a sports centre, the nursery slopes and the tourist office. This is the heart of the resort and it is surrounded by high rise apartments and cliffs that occupy various sectors: Falaise, Dromonts, Ruches, Festival, Crozats and Amara.
History & Culture in Avoriaz
One of the first buildings in Avoriaz was the Dromonts Hotel which was built in 1966 and its design, based on the idea that there are no right angles in nature set the template for the rest of Avoriaz. The resort grew and in 2003 it was awarded a prize by the French Minister of Culture for being one of the great heritage achievements of the 20th century.
Sights & Attractions in Avoriaz
Dining in Avoriaz
Avoriaz has a good range of restaurants, you'll find Savoyarde style cuisine, all the mountain classics like tartiflette, fondue and raclette alongside French and International cuisine. Through the centre of town there are slope-side restaurants that have terraces on the Route de Crozats outside the tourist office. Here there are some great places to enjoy a lunch in the sun and there are also some crepe stands if you prefer a mid-day snack without having to stop and sit down.
Restaurants in Avoriaz
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La Folie Douce Bar
Located in Avoriaz
The first Folie Douce opened in 1980 and it quickly became the place to be for après-ski on the slopes. This is thanks to their unique combination of live music, DJs, dancers and performers.
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Mamo's Café Lindarets, near Morzine
Located in Avoriaz - Les Lindarets
Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, this is a beautiful spot to grab some food during a long day in the mountains.
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Le Fangle mountain restaurant, near Avoriaz
Located in Avoriaz
During the winter you can take your lunches in the heart of the fabulous skiing area Les Portes Du Soleil because Le Fangle is a mountain restaurant located on the slopes heading down from Avoriaz to Morzine.
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Les Ancelles Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz
Traditional bar and restaurant accessible on skis in winter or by foot in summer, within close reach of the Cascade des Brochaux.
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Le Refuge des Brochaux Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz
Accessible in summer and winter from the Lindarets plateau, on foot or on skis. This is a popular spot for a sunny lunch on the terrace or a cosy drink inside.
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La Cremaillere Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz - Les Lindarets
Located in the small village of Les Lindarets, specialities at this restaurant include fondue, charcuterie, snails, trout and various snacks.
Things to do in Avoriaz
As you would expect most of the shops in Avoriaz cater to the ski and snowboard market. There are a few souvenir and gift shops, most of these are in the Tabacs, so for the best shopping opportunities head down the valley to Morzine.
Although the shops in Avoriaz are a little limited the resort is home to an excellent aqua centre, Aquariaz. This is the water sports centre on the edge of the Village des Enfants and it is home to river rapids, slides, climbing walls and pools. The whole complex has a tropical jungle theme and is a perfect après ski destination for children. Avoriaz also has a number of indoor activities including a bowling alley and cinema, as well as fitness studios and squash courts.
Things To Do in Avoriaz
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Aquariaz
Located in Avoriaz
Aquariaz is an aquatic paradise set in the heart of Avoriaz offering a huge water park made up of a gentle flowing indoor river, a slidewinder (an aquatic halfpipe), a toddlers paddling pool and water playhouse, a large pool with natural climbing walls.
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Avoscoot Snowmobiling
Located in Avoriaz
Snowmobiling can be a fun, fast, snowy activity. Starting from Avoriaz resort, outings start from 17.30 to midnight, giving you free range of the snow and the Alps.
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Whitewater rafting, near Morzine
Located in Avoriaz
A selection of exhilarating rafting excursions to suit all abilities.
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Snowshoeing
Located in Avoriaz
Get to know the mountains at a steady pace while being guided by high mountain instructors.
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Hydrospeeding
Located in Avoriaz
This is an amazing activity where you can have fun on the river, suitable for good swimmers from 14 years and above.
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Night sledging
Located in Avoriaz
Stick on your head torch and enjoy the sledging down the pistes at night.
Nightlife in Avoriaz
Avoriaz has a good après-ski scene and as the town is small and pedestrianised it is easy to wander from bar to bar. Most of the bars are down at the Portes du Soleil building. Here you'll find the Globe Trotters and Shooters Bar which are particularly good at après ski, especially when the Dutch and Swedish are in town. There are some good bars down in the Falaise sector too like the Chapka and La Falaise.
Bars & Clubs in Avoriaz
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La Folie Douce Bar
Located in Avoriaz
The first Folie Douce opened in 1980 and it quickly became the place to be for après-ski on the slopes. This is thanks to their unique combination of live music, DJs, dancers and performers.
Chalets in Avoriaz
Avoriaz offers a selection of chalets from the traditional Alpine style to the more contemporary modern affair. Some are available over the summer months as self-catered, whilst the majority are available during winter.
Chalets in Avoriaz
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Plan des Pierrys Chalet
Located in Morzine
Chalet Plan des Pierrys is the perfect catered chalet for a large group, with 6 bedrooms and ideally located in Morzine with great views over the town.
Price: £6,900
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Vogue Chalet
Located in Morzine
A recently renovated chalet with breathtaking views over the River Dranse and just a stones throw from the Super Morzine gondola taking you straight into the Avoriaz ski area.
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Copains Chalet
Located in Montriond
The Chalet Copains is a traditional construction offering beautiful volumes, and can accommodate up to 16 people. Situated near the village of Montriond, it has many facilities ready to entertain the whole tribe.
Price: €1,770
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Xanadu Chalet
Located in Morzine
This six-bedroom luxury chalet in Morzine is a great choice for families and big groups. It has a kids’ den, a wellness area with a sauna and hot tub, plus a fantastic open-plan living area with magnificent views over Pointe de Nyon and Pleney slopes.
Price: £5,250
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Le Jocondien - C06 Chalet
Located in Morzine
An independent, rustic style chalet located 1.5 km from the centre of the resort, overlooking the Nyon cable car-Chamossière (with access to the free shuttle to Morzine in winter).
Price: €1,200
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Quatre Saison Chalet
Located in Morzine
Located in the Vallée de la Manche, this chalet enjoys an idyllic and private setting while being just two kilometres from the centre of Morzine.
Price: €2,000
Holidays Rentals in Avoriaz
Avoriaz is a true ski-in/ski-out resort and most of the accommodation in Avoriaz is in apartments or aparthotels. These apart-hotels are popular in France and are run by the big holiday companies like Pierre & Vacances and Maeva. They combine the benefits of renting a self-contained apartment, complete with living area and kitchen facilities you would find in a hotel.
In the last few years Avoriaz has expanded with the new upmarket apartments and aparthotels being built. Now one of the best options is the L'Amara Premium. This boasts luxury apartments with relaxation and sports facilities all under one roof. The Residence Saskia Falaise is perched right on the edge of the cliffs of Avoriaz and the balconies here offer amazing sunsets.
Holiday Rentals in Avoriaz
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Le Pleney - D06 Apartment
Located in Morzine
This apartment is situated on the ground floor of the building in a residence around 400m from the centre of Morzine.
Price: €330
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La Savoyarde Apartment
Located in Morzine
Completely renovated 3-room apartment in a detached chalet. Approximately 55m², with access to an outdoor terrace. Free shuttle bus stop nearby. 15min walk to the centre and shops.
Price: €850
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Arc en Ciel - E3 Apartment
Located in Morzine
Studio apartment located just 500m from the resort centre.
Price: €370
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Les Egralets Apartment
Located in Morzine
This duplex self-catering apartment has been furnished to a high standard and boasts stunning mountain views from the balcony.
Price: €1,200
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Mont Calm Chalet
Located in Morzine
Chalet Mont Calm is a newly renovated self-catered chalet, perfect for family groups or friends alike.
Price: £2,100
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Alpaga 1 Chalet
Located in Morzine
Chalet Alpaga One has it all; a central Morzine location, a sauna and outdoor hot tub, incredible views and a high-end finish throughout. The chalet sleeps up to 12 people in 4 ensuite rooms.
Hotels in Avoriaz
There is a small selection of hotels in Avoriaz and they tend to be more apart-hotels.
Hotels in Avoriaz
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Les Cotes Hotel & Residence
Located in Morzine
Located in a peaceful corner of the village centre, just 500 metres from the Super-Morzine bubble lift linking to Avoriaz and the Portes du Soleil ski areas, the Marullaz family warmly welcomes you to their spacious, fully equipped and delightful Savoyard chalet hotel.
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Champs Fleuris Hotel
Located in Morzine
This chalet-style hotel in Le Pleney is situated at the foot of the slopes and next to the ski lifts. The ski school meeting points and children's ski area are conveniently located at the front of the hotel.
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La Bergerie Hotel
Located in Morzine
This charmingly decorated 4-star boutique hotel is one of only a handful of Morzine hotels with this accolade. It has a large garden with a heated swimming pool (open in summer and winter seasons), children's play area and trampoline (summer only) and has all the charm of a warm family chalet. The icing on the cake is that when sharing with adults, children U12 stay for free!
Price: €2,184
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Hideout Hostel
Located in Morzine
Centrally located, just 50 metres from the restaurants, shops and bars, Hideout is perfect for those who want to be in the heart of the action.
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Igloo Hotel
Located in Morzine
This friendly, family-run hotel is in the heart of Morzine, with the Pleney and Super Morzine ski lifts almost on the doorstep. Perfect for anyone keen to make the most of the mountain, from first lifts to last tracks.
Price: €1,057
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Neige & Roc Hotel
Located in Avoriaz
Stay in a traditional Savoyard chalet by the Prodains lift, with a peaceful garden, wellness facilities and locally sourced dining.