Avoriaz

Avoriaz is very much a high altitude alpine ski resort. The village itself is just about on the treeline, anything above the resort does feel a little bleak and is almost un-skiable in inclement weather. Head below the resort though, and you find yourself in a pine forest winter wonderland. The sheer amount of skiing on offer is reason enough to visit, with over 625km of pistes included on the area pass including several resorts over the border in Switzerland, there really is something here for everyone.

BEGINNERS:

You won’t find many better. Leave the chalet, pop your skis on, and off you go. There is a great nursery slope that runs through the village and several easy blue runs just above.

INTERMEDIATES:

A wonderful choice; there are plenty of blues and reds all over the ski area. We love the skiing in and around the Lindarets area, lovely wide open cruising pistes.

EXPERTS:

The first place experts head to is the “Swiss Wall”, 40 degree mogul field which is not for the faint hearted. The second place they head to is the Secteur Chavanette which is large bowl just above Avoriaz itself. The area is not pisted but it is patrolled. On a good snow day, you won’t want to venture anywhere else thanks to the various natural drops and jumps.

For those looking for a snow park, there are very few better than Avoriaz thanks to the choice it offers. The Arare snowpark is a large and traditional snowpark full of kickers and rails. Just below Avoriaz is “The Stash”. A natural park filled with wooden rails and features designed by Burton.

Avoriaz certainly can’t compete with the likes of Val d’Isere, Meribel or even Morzine just down the valley but it does have a few bars that are great for a couple of drinks after skiing or in the evening too. Try out Shooters Bar, Le Yeti or the Globetrotters.

Avoriaz Alpine