Skiing in Avoriaz
Avoriaz is a fully car-free ski station at 1,800 metres, spectacularly built on a cliff above Morzine in the French Alps. The resort is an architectural statement: timber towers that seem to grow out of the rock, and streets where skis and horse-drawn sleighs are the traffic. Avoriaz is the highest station of the Portes du Soleil, the cross-border area between France and Switzerland; in our data it offers 336 kilometres of pistes and 109 lifts. Recent winters recorded up to 147 centimetres of snow, and this past week 3 centimetres of fresh October snow already fell. We list 6 accommodations in Avoriaz, with prices from 349 euros per person.
Last checked: 2026-10-26 · Sources: Open-Meteo (snow data), OpenStreetMap (lifts and pistes), partner offers refreshed daily.
Accommodations in Avoriaz
Avoriaz7.3Portes du Soleil, Frankrijk
Résidence Électra
Avoriaz6.9Portes du Soleil, Frankrijk
Résidence Saskia Falaise
Avoriaz7.1Portes du Soleil, Frankrijk
Résidence Antarès
Avoriaz8.5Portes du Soleil, Frankrijk
Résidence Atria-Crozats
AvoriazPortes du Soleil, Frankrijk
Résidence Capella
Avoriaz9.6Portes du Soleil, Frankrijk
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Skiing from Avoriaz
Avoriaz sits in the middle of the Portes du Soleil and is its strategic heart: from the village you fan out towards Châtel, Morzine-Les Gets or the Swiss side of the area. In our data the connected terrain counts 336 kilometres of pistes and 109 lifts.
You click into your skis right at the door: virtually all accommodation is piste-side. The terrain around the resort is varied, from child-friendly zones to the solid descents on the flanks towards Switzerland.
Snow reliability in Avoriaz
As the highest station of the Portes du Soleil at 1,800 metres, Avoriaz catches the most and the best snow in the area. Recent winters recorded up to 147 centimetres, and in early October 2026 3 centimetres of fresh snow already fell.
The Portes du Soleil is not an extremely high area, so the lowest links can soften in December and March. Around Avoriaz itself, though, you ski reliably almost all season, and the north-facing slopes hold their quality well.
The resort: a car-free design statement
Avoriaz was built from the 1960s onwards as a car-free resort and the concept still works: cars stay at the edge, and inside the village you walk, ski or take a sleigh. Its distinctive timber architecture made the station world-famous.
The resort is compact and family-oriented, with restaurants, shops and a large water park. Apres-ski exists and is convivial, but smaller-scale than the party circuits of some neighbouring resorts.
Who Avoriaz suits
Avoriaz is excellent for families: car-free, ski-in ski-out and full of children's facilities, letting young skiers roam safely. Beginners find calm zones by the village.
Intermediates and experts use Avoriaz as the best base in the Portes du Soleil, with fast access to both sides of the border. Snowboarders and freestylers know the station for its snowparks. If you want extensive nightlife, Morzine below offers more choice.
Practical: getting there and booking
Avoriaz is close to Geneva: after the motorway comes a climbing road from Morzine. From the Benelux it is about 9 to 10 hours by car, one of the shorter drives to a major French area. Flying into Geneva with a transfer is very practical; cars park at the resort edge.
We list 6 accommodations in Avoriaz, from 349 euros per person, a sharp entry price for a car-free altitude resort. French and Belgian half-term weeks are busy; January is quiet and affordable.
Avoriaz on the map
Webcams · Avoriaz
📷 Val-d'Illiez › West: Les Crosets (Portes du Soleil)
📷 Val-d'Illiez: Champoussin
📷 Champery: Champéry (Les Portes du Soleil)
📷 Troistorrents: Morgins - La Foilleuse
📷 Morgins › West: Piscine de Morgins - Teleski du Géant
📷 Troistorrents › South-east: Val-d'Illiez
📷 Les Gets: Mont Chéry
📷 Les Gets › South-west: Piste Marmotte
FAQ about Avoriaz
How much piste can you ski from Avoriaz?
From Avoriaz you reach the Portes du Soleil ski area with around 336 km of marked pistes and 109 lifts.
What does a ski holiday in Avoriaz cost?
Accommodations in Avoriaz start from around €319 per person; Nivosola compares 6, refreshed daily.
Is there enough snow around Avoriaz?
Yes. Recent winters in Portes du Soleil reached a maximum snow depth of around 147 cm. December to March is the most reliable period.
How high is Avoriaz?
Avoriaz sits at 1,800 metres, making it the highest station of the Portes du Soleil. That position gives the resort the best snow conditions in the area.
Is Avoriaz really car-free?
Yes, cars must stay at the edge of the resort; inside you move on foot, on skis or by sleigh. Luggage transport to your accommodation is organised.
Is Avoriaz good for families with children?
Yes, the car-free concept, ski-in ski-out setting and many children's facilities make it one of France's most family-friendly stations. Children can move around freely and safely.
Which Portes du Soleil village is an alternative?
Morzine, at the bottom of the cable car, is a lively mountain town with more shops and nightlife, but a lower altitude. Châtel is another characterful alternative within the same ski area.