Avoriaz (Alpes du Nord) - It's one of a kind. For being the only resort in Europe to be entirely pedestrian and skiable. Only the wheels of the horse-drawn carriages are used here. A feature that is both environmentally friendly and comfortable, and much appreciated by holidaymakers. Unique, too, for its organic vertical architecture, a blend of authenticity and elegance in the heart of Haute-Savoie.
This year, the resort will open on 13 December and run until 21 April 2025. Go for it!
READ MORE: Sébastien Mérignargues: "Avoriaz remains unique in Europe".
The event not to be missed (above all)
From 15 to 22 March 2025, Avoriaz will be hosting the 11th Snowboxx Festival, a mix of snow sports, frosty games and great music! A week packed with entertainment, brunches, downhill races and snowball fights. And don't miss the concerts in the late afternoon après-ski!
Prices : 55 € per day, 175 € per week.
The ski area
Les Portes du Soleil is one of the largest cross-border ski areas in the world, linking 12 resorts between France and Switzerland. Located at the centre of this fabulous area, Avoriaz is ideal for skiers of all abilities, with 600km of pistes for all levels!
- 600 km of pistes
- 209 ski lifts
- 308 tracks
- 39 green
- 131 blue
- 105 red
- 33 black
- 12 resorts in the ski area
Ski passes
Rates for Portes du Soleil
5h - Adults: €63; Children: €47; Young people/Seniors: €57
Day - Adults: €70; Children: €53; Young people/Seniors: €63
Per week - Adults: €420; Children: €315; Young people/Seniors: €378
Rates for Avoriaz
5h - Adults: €48; Children: €36; Young people/Seniors: €45
Day - Adults: €56; Children: €43; Young people/Seniors: €52
Saturday + Sunday: €76
A day at the snowpark: €31
Après-ski entertainment
1- Ice diving
Perhaps you've already been scuba diving in the calanques of Marseille or on your holiday in Majorca. But have you ever tried ice diving? It's just what the adventurers needed for their holiday! After jumping into one of the holes created, divers follow an Ariadne's thread as they admire the grandiose aquatic landscapes. Novices can also take part in the adventure, looked after individually by a dedicated instructor. All that's left to do is take the plunge!
Minimum age : 16 years old
Prices : 110 € ice diving; 150 € night ice diving on Thursdays only; Group rate for 6 people or more: 100 €.
Bookings : 06 07 14 95 39
Open from 13 December to 21 April every day, depending on ice conditions
2- Avo Kart
Sit back and enjoy a live Mario Kart experience in Avoriaz (minus the turtle shells)! The thrills are guaranteed on this small, low-to-the-ground vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes. Let's go for a 3.2 km descent with a 600 m vertical drop!
Minimum age : 18 years old
Minimum size : 1,40 m
Price : 35 €
Open from 13 December to 21 April every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Session starts at 8am. Booking recommended on 04 50 74 02 15
3- Ski Joering
You'll need to know a thing or two about skiing to take part in this extraordinary activity. Ski Joering is a ski tour in which the passenger is pulled across the snow by a horse. With an air of Scandinavia, you can enjoy the best sliding sensations while taking in the sublime snow-covered landscapes!
Price : from €42
Bookings : 06 86 07 31 32
Where to stay in Avoriaz?
1- Hôtel Le Mil8
Opened in 2020 in the centre of the village, the Mil8 is easily identifiable by its atypical architecture and "butterfly" shape. With its 42 rooms and suites overlooking the surrounding peaks and snow-covered rooftops, this 4-star hotel is the perfect place to get away from it all in a chic and cosy atmosphere, with its designer furniture, wellness area and high-quality bedding. Its restaurant, La Table du Mil8, is offering both brasserie and bistro menus this winter, blending the richness of local produce with delicate blends.
Address: 241 rue des traîneaux, 74110 Avoriaz
Contact: 04 58 57 18 00
2- Hôtel Les Dromonts
A real cosy nest. That's how you could describe Les Dromonts hotel. Beautifully designed and optimised to meet the needs of skiers, the 60s-style rooms and suites are cosy bubbles in which to relax. With its spa and two distinctly different restaurants, this 4-star hotel offers a complete change of scenery in a snowy wonderland.
Prices : from €400 per night in high season
Address: 40 place des Dromonts, 74110 Avoriaz
Contact: 04 56 44 57 00
3- Chalet Aspen
For a perfect holiday with friends or family, here's the 5-star Chalet Aspen! In the Ruches district, this magnificent flat of over 216 m2, with 7 rooms for 14 people, is a magical place where there's something for everyone. From the living room with its soft armchairs and sofas, blended into a hushed, woodsy ambience, to the intimate bedrooms and top-of-the-range bathrooms, here you can recharge your batteries with your loved ones by the fireplace, in the heated pool or in the hammam.
More information on the booking Avoriaz
Where to eat in Avoriaz?
1- Restaurant La Réserve
In this mountain chalet setting at the foot of the slopes, gourmets are invited to enjoy a generous and tasty gourmet meal. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, this restaurant showcases the best of French regional produce, including dried meat from the Alps, semi-cooked duck foie gras, roast Mont d'Or with truffled gravy and veal sweetbreads.
Entries : from €21
Specialities : from €38
2- La Folie Douce
Just hearing the name makes you want to dance. La Folie Douce is the place to be in Avoriaz for a lunch at altitude, where concerts and a real gastronomic self-service show are on offer. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of comforting burgers or a delicious pasta dish, while sipping a cocktail overlooking the mountains.
Address: 560A route de l'Alpage, 74110 Avoriaz
3- Restaurant La Cabane
Here again, you have to love to party! Opened in 2018, La Cabane in the resort is a unique place where you can enjoy a cosy, modern atmosphere in a relaxed, friendly setting. As well as its great comfort food, the place is renowned for its famous classic and signature cocktails.
Address: 69 place Centrale, 74110 Avoriaz
Contact: 04 50 74 14 08
How do I get to Avoriaz?
By train
Nearby train stations include Thonon-les-Bains TGV station (45km), Cluses (41km) and Geneva (75km).
By bus
There are several regular bus services to Avoriaz from stations and airports, operated by Altibus, Sat Leman, Swiss Tour and Navettes Morzine.
By car
Avoriaz 1800 can be reached via Cluses, D907 then D902 or via Thonon-les-Bains. The resort is 6 hours from Paris, 2 hours 40 minutes from Lyon and 1 hour 25 minutes from Geneva.
Avoriaz, in brief
From the top of its cliff at an altitude of 1800 m, Avoriaz is an iconic and unique resort, representing both authenticity with its organic and atypical architecture, and modernity with its strong ecological commitment and festive spirit.
A wide range of activities is on offer, so that everyone can enjoy a magical stay in the heart of the Portes du Soleil.