The slopes

  • Extent 5 out of 5
  • Fast lifts 4 out of 5
  • Snow 3 out of 5
  • Queues 3 out of 5
  • Terrain p'ks 5 out of 5
  • Expert 3 out of 5
  • Intermediate 4 out of 5
  • Beginner 4 out of 5
  • Boarder 5 out of 5
  • X-country 3 out of 5
  • Restaurants 4 out of 5
  • Schools 3 out of 5
  • Families 4 out of 5

The resort

  • Resort charm 2 out of 5
  • Convenience 5 out of 5
  • Scenery 3 out of 5
  • Eating out 3 out of 5
  • Apres ski 3 out of 5
  • Off-slope 1 out of 5

Key facts covers:

  • Portes du Soleil

Key facts

Resort1800 m
Slopes950-2275 m
Lifts196
Pistes650 km
Price index105

Avoriaz

France

The resort

The upside

  • Good position on the Portes du Soleil circuit, and good local slopes
  • Very successful design – car-free, with ski-in/ski-out lodgings
  • Good children’s facilities
  • Snow generally good and sometimes superb, but ...

The downside

  • Low altitudes and exposure to westerlies mean some risk of poor snow lower down, and rain
  • Architecture doesn’t suit everyone
  • Lacks a slick bag-delivery system
  • Can get very crowded at weekends
  • Hardly any hotels
  • Latest user reviews

    Getting Stashed In Avoriaz - 22nd January 2011 This…

    garethbeckett 27 Apr 2011 

    Just back from a week in Avoriaz (Late Jan 09). The…

    Steveb27 1 Feb 2009 

    I recently (Easter 2008) visited Avoriaz with seven,…

    Joanna 14 Apr 2008 

    Your views?

    If you have visited this resort not too long ago, why not add your own short review to this page?

    News – 2019/20

    Two new six-packs will form a new link to the Swiss border. The lower one will replace the existing slow triple Léchère chairlift from the Lindarets bowl but the top station will be higher and will meet the other completely new Cases six-pack which will end on the ridge leading to a blue run down into Switzerland.

    Summary

    Of the many purpose-built resorts thrown up in France in the 1960s, Avoriaz is probably the best designed. From most points of view, it works. One particularly neat trick is that the resort is sunny but most of the local slopes are shady.
    Avoriaz missed out on the smart apartment developments that transformed French self-catering a decade or so ago, but it has recently more than caught up, with some fabulous new places. Now, how about a few more hotels?

    Blogs, features and news

    Map unavailable.

    The slopes

    • Extent 5 out of 5
    • Fast lifts 4 out of 5
    • Snow 3 out of 5
    • Queues 3 out of 5
    • Terrain p'ks 5 out of 5
    • Expert 3 out of 5
    • Intermediate 4 out of 5
    • Beginner 4 out of 5
    • Boarder 5 out of 5
    • X-country 3 out of 5
    • Restaurants 4 out of 5
    • Schools 3 out of 5
    • Families 4 out of 5

    The resort

    • Resort charm 2 out of 5
    • Convenience 5 out of 5
    • Scenery 3 out of 5
    • Eating out 3 out of 5
    • Apres ski 3 out of 5
    • Off-slope 1 out of 5

    Key facts covers:

    • Portes du Soleil

    Key facts

    Resort1800 m
    Slopes950-2275 m
    Lifts196
    Pistes650 km
    Price index105