🇫🇷 France · Haute-Savoie, Northern Alps
Avoriaz
Portes du Soleil (Avoriaz sector)
- 650 km of piste
- Altitudes
- 1800m - 2002m
- Km of piste
- 650 km
- Lifts
- 85
- Lift pass / day
- 53€ (Portes du Soleil)
- Airport
- Geneva (GVA) — 95km, ~1h30
France · Haute-Savoie, Northern Alps · 650 km of pistes (Portes du Soleil) · 1,800m - 2,002m
Summary
Avoriaz is the world capital of slopestyle and freestyle, a futuristic 1970s resort (car-free design, pedestrian centre) located at 1,800m in the heart of Portes du Soleil. Unlike Morzine-Avoriaz (base village + separate resort), here the resort is everything: concentration of snowpark, international competitions, specialised slopestyle atmosphere, direct access to 650km Portes du Soleil.
Ideal for freestyle athletes, skiers prioritising slopestyle, adventurous families, and Portes du Soleil circuit from a pure resort without a base village.
Technical data
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Skiable domain | Portes du Soleil (Avoriaz main sector) |
| Km of pistes | 650 km marked (complete Portes du Soleil) |
| Altitudes | 1,800m - 2,002m (Pointe de Nyon) |
| Vertical drop | 202m (resort base) |
| Lifts | 85+ (Avoriaz sector) |
| Pistes | 🟢 140 · 🔵 240 · 🔴 210 · ⚫ 60 |
| Snowpark | Yes (capital: Olympic halfpipe, multiple slopestyle, boardercross) |
| Night skiing | No |
| Glacier | No |
| Season | December — April (5 months) |
Skiing type and level
Pure slopestyle: Avoriaz is a world specialist. Olympic halfpipe, natural slopestyle using terrain, boardercross, complete park terrain. Annual FIS event hosting.
Connected alpine: Full Portes du Soleil access. Varied red pistes. Technical black runs.
Families: Excellent. Integrated resort. Childcare, schools, compact entertainment. Easy piste access without dispersal.
Recommended level:
- Beginner for green/blue pistes
- Intermediate for red pistes + Portes du Soleil exploration
- Advanced for slopestyle/halfpipe
Pistes and featured areas
Avoriaz Snowpark (European Capital)
150m Olympic halfpipe, multiple slopestyle (natural, rails, kickers), FIS-ready boardercross, park terrain for all levels. International competitions January-February.
Pointe de Nyon (2,002m)
Highest directly accessible point. Descents both versions (technical or easy).
Portes du Soleil Circuit
Direct access to Morzine, Châtel, Les Gets, Champéry (Switzerland), Morgins (Switzerland), Torgon, Abondance, Montriond. 600km circuit from resort.
Pleney Slope
Direct resort descent to mid-level area. Controlled theme-park atmosphere.
Protected Forest
Varied forest descents, bad weather control.
Lift pass and passes
| Product | Approx price |
|---|---|
| Day adult (peak) | 65€ |
| 3 days | 175€ |
| 6 days | 310€ |
| Portes du Soleil season | ~1,400€ |
| Epic Pass | Yes, included |
| Ikon Pass | No |
Advantage: Epic Pass included. 650km Portes du Soleil access. Integrated resort (no dispersal).
Après-ski and restaurants
Bars: Chez Boubou (epicentre, DJ afternoon, night club), Garage (young bar, reggae), Le Fétras Blanc (modern cocktails).
Restaurants: Pizzeria Forno (casual), Le Chamois (regional), Sushi Bar (cosmopolitan).
Atmosphere: Cosmopolitan resort, youthful, specialised in athletes/freestyle. Mix of competitors, families, tourists. Less “authentic village”, more “sports community”.
Getting there
| From | Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | Car/bus | 1h30-2h | Easiest route in Europe |
| Morzine (base) | Bus/cable car | 15-30 min | Direct connection |
| Central France | TGV + connection | 5-6h | Saint-Gervais → Morzine → Avoriaz |
| Switzerland | Car | 1h | From nearby Valais |
Hub: Geneva (95km, 1h30) or Morzine base (15 min).
Accommodation
| Type | Options | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 star | Alpina, Avoriaz Palace | 160-280€/night |
| 3-4 star | Chamois, Ermitage | 110-180€/night |
| Apartments | Booking (plentiful, resort) | 70-150€/night |
| Chalets | Agencies (limited resort) | 250€-1,000€ |
Location: Integrated resort at 1,800m. 1970s futuristic architecture (car-free = pedestrian). Slope-side integrated. Compact vs. dispersed.
Skiing with children and families
Excellent for adventurous families. Compact resort (no dispersal). Professional childcare from 2 months. Schools from 3 years. Integrated entertainment: pools, cinemas, shops, kids’ club. Easy Portes du Soleil access without orientation.
Family strategy: 5-7 nights. Single resort base. Children’s lessons morning. Parents ski or explore Portes du Soleil. Afternoon: together on blues or resort activities. 1-2 days Portes du Soleil family exploration.
Best time to visit
| Month | Snow | Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | Variable | Transition, holidays | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| January-February | Excellent | Frequent powder, competitions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| March | Excellent | Long days | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| April | Good | Spring, fewer crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Best window: January-February (FIS slopestyle competitions). Note: Altitude 1,800m = less guaranteed snow December; requires verification.
Scibasku advice
We haven’t skied here personally. This sheet is based on verified sources.
Avoriaz is the resort for freestyle athletes + resort-centric families who prioritise slopestyle + Portes du Soleil access + compact infrastructure over authentic village or maximum altitude.
Must-dos:
- Olympic halfpipe or slopestyle experience according to level
- Portes du Soleil circuit exploration (minimum Morzine + Châtel)
- 1 full day park space (programmes, local guides)
Differences:
- Vs. Morzine-Avoriaz: pure resort vs. village-base split
- Vs. Val Thorens: slopestyle specialist vs. alpine volume
- Vs. Chamonix: no extreme freeride, but competitive slopestyle
Strategy:
- 5-7 nights
- 2-3 days slopestyle/park
- 2-3 days Portes du Soleil exploration
- 1-2 days rest (resort activities)
Related sheets
- [[morzine-avoriaz]] — Morzine base + Avoriaz resort (combined view)
- [[les-gets]] — Portes du Soleil alternative, more casual
- [[chamonix-mont-blanc]] — Extreme freeride, another benchmark
- [[verbier]] — Alternative Swiss slopestyle
Nearby
Other resorts in Haute-Savoie, Northern Alps
Interested in Avoriaz?