What’s new in Avoriaz for 2012-13

At 1800m, Avoriaz sits high above Morzine in the heart of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. This mountain top location affords Avoriaz wonderful views over surrounding mountains and down in to deep valleys.

So high-up is Avoriaz, that surrounding peaks are above the tree line, making for vast white scenes broken only by rocks.

Resort

The village is totally pedestrianised, with taxis being replaced with horse-drawn sleighs. The effect is an incredibly peaceful town centre where snow rather romantically covers all the paths. The resort is easily accessible to UK skiers with a 2 hour transfer time from the UK and flights into Geneva available from many UK airports.

New in-resort developments for 2012-13

In the past, some have criticised Avoriaz saying its lack of amenities and choice of accommodation has let the resort down. That is set to change for the 2012/13 season thanks to some major developments.

Firstly, a selection of luxury ‘districts’ have been built, one of which is L’Amara. The complex contains five-star self-catering apartments, shops, restaurant and a bar. The lavish features continue in the districts with a nursery, a well-being spa centre with indoor pool, children’s pool, hammam, sauna, whirlpool, spa treatments (extra charge) and fitness room, free wifi and a private covered car park. The apartments in the L’Amara Residence are tastefully furnished with a modern yet alpine feel, offering the latest high quality accommodation in Avoriaz.

Secondly, ‘Aquaiaz’, a 2000m²  indoor water park (designed by Center Parcs) and featuring a large swimming pool with slides, rapids and tropical plants, plus a family paddling pool and crèche facilities, opened this summer.

Several different areas feature within the complex, with each appealing to adults and children alike.

• First world – a fun and colourful Water Playhouse for young children, featuring geysers and water-play areas with slides, water guns and a tipping bucket, all in a large paddling pool.
• Second world – known as the Slidewinder, this is the place for those seeking the adrenaline thrills. Sit in a rubber tube over 10m high and slide back down to the pool below.
• Third world – a central pool area which includes a gently flowing river with bubbles, jets and water games, a 1.5m deep swimming pool and a deep pool with a climbing wall extending along its entire length.

Eating Out & Nightlife

Ranging from bistros and pizzerias to high quality restaurants, Avoriaz has a range of dining options to suit most budgets. For local Savoyard specialities, Le Bistro is the place to go, whilst Les Fontaines Blanches has typically French cuisine, and La Boule de Neige has great value pizzas. For nightlife, the resort has a few places to try including the Tavaillon, ‘The Place’, ‘La Cabane’ and Globetrotters.

Skiing & Other Activities

The resort’s high altitude means seasons are long and snow coverage relatively deep and consistent. Take a look at our related post late season skiing in France’s glacier resorts.

Thanks to Avoriaz’s location within the Portes du Soleil ski area, 650km of pistes provide a huge number of slopes suiting a wide range of abilities. What’s more, the whole area is covered by one ski pass! The Portes du Soleil area covers slopes in both France and Switzerland offering some of Europe’s finest pistes.

Besides skiing, parapenting, sleigh rides in the resort, bowling, ice skating, helicopter rides, and snow shoe walking, are all on offer.

More details for skiing in Avoriaz can be found on the Crystal Ski website.