Every year, my friends and I—hailing from different corners of the world—pick a new ski destination to explore. This time, our choice landed on Avoriaz, and let me tell you, it turned out to be an absolute off-piste paradise (at least in my humble opinion 😜).
Funny thing is, I had no idea where we were going at first. My friends took care of all the bookings, and my only job was to show up. I knew I was flying to Geneva, and I only found out the exact location when it was time to book my bus from the airport—talk about a surprise trip! But honestly, going in with no expectations made the experience even more exciting, and oh man, it did not disappoint.
Avoriaz
Nestled in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, Avoriaz sits at 1,800m, with ski lifts reaching up to 2,466m. It’s perched high above Morzine and acts as a gateway to Portes du Soleil, one of the largest ski areas in the world, boasting 650km of skiable terrain across 12 resorts in both France and Switzerland.
One thing that makes Avoriaz special? No cars allowed! You park at the entrance and either walk or hop on a horse-drawn sleigh to get to your accommodation—yes, a horse-drawn sleigh! If you have heavy luggage, you can also hire a transport service for 13.5€ (for a group of 5), or if you’re feeling sporty, rent a small sled and drag your bags yourself.
And the whole village? A winter wonderland. Picture snow-covered chalets, twinkling Christmas lights, and a cozy, magical atmosphere straight out of a holiday movie.
Since Avoriaz was purpose-built as a ski resort, you won’t find the traditional alpine chalets like in other ski towns. Instead, there are large apartment buildings designed in an alpine style so they blend into the scenery. They’re super convenient, though—most accommodations have ski-in, ski-out access, meaning you step outside and boom, you’re on the slopes.
One small downside? If your building doesn’t have an elevator, you might find yourself dragging yourself to the third floor… like we did. At least it’s a good leg workout before hitting the slopes! 😅
The village itself has everything you need—restaurants, bars, supermarkets, and shops. Some restaurants require reservations, but others let you just show up. Oh, and food? Delicious. French cuisine never disappoints, but let’s just say the amount of fondue and cheese I consumed had me questioning my life choices.
Now, skiing is great, but what do you do when the weather betrays you? Well, imagine our surprise when we got rain at this altitude in late January! Instead of sulking, we decided to check out Aquariaz, a tropical-themed indoor water park right in the village.
It’s not massive, but it has a lazy river, half-pipe slide, and jacuzzi pools—including an outdoor pool where you can soak while watching (crazy) skiers brave the rain. And at only 12€ per entry, it’s a surprisingly affordable ski resort activity!
Ski Passes & Slope Options
Avoriaz offers a variety of ski passes, depending on what you’re looking for:
- Beginner Pass – Perfect for those just starting out, available for short-term access.
- Pedestrian Pass – For those who want to take in the stunning landscapes without skiing.
- Park & Stash Pass – Grants access to Avoriaz’s four snow parks.
- Avoriaz Pass – Covers just Avoriaz 1800 (availability depends on the season).
- Portes du Soleil Pass – The ultimate pass, covering 12 resorts, 196 ski lifts, and 286 slopes across two countries.
We got ours as part of our Airbnb deal, so no extra hassle. You can also buy them online or at the ticket office.
More about passes and prices on the official website.
Hitting the Slopes
With 286 slopes across the entire Portes du Soleil area, there’s something for everyone—from beginners to seasoned pros. If you’re new to skiing, this is a great place to start. Plenty of wide, easy slopes, and it’s easy to split up and regroup later.
But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all beginner-friendly. We hit some intense black pistes, completely unprepared and full of moguls, which definitely got the adrenaline pumping!
And then… the off-piste experience.
Let me just say—this was some of the best off-piste riding I’ve ever had. Usually, fresh powder is only magical for the first few runs before everyone else carves it up. But here? There was so much untouched terrain, we were riding powder all day long. Even after a couple of days, we were still finding fresh snow. Plus, the off-piste areas felt relatively safe, nestled between marked trails with no unexpected cliffs or hidden drops.
The only “danger”? Getting stuck in deep powder and having the people on the gondola laugh at my failed starfish-style escape attempt. 😂 A true sight to behold!
We also had a blast in the snowparks, weaving through trees and attempting (sometimes failing) to land jumps.
Final Thoughts
Out of all the ski resorts I’ve been to, Avoriaz and Portes du Soleil have been my favorite—especially as a snowboarder. The mix of amazing off-piste, fun snowparks, and beginner-friendly slopes makes it a great all-around destination.
If you love powder, adventure, and cozy alpine vibes, Avoriaz should be on your list.
Would I go back? 100% yes.
