Avoriaz is a purpose-built ski resort but, unlike so many of the resorts that sprang up in the 60s and 70s, it isn't home to unsightly concrete monoliths but instead wood clad apartments and chalets that sympathetically blend into the surrounding mountains.
Much of the credit for Avoriaz has been given to the 1960 Winter Olympic Gold medal winner Jean Vaurnet. Vaurnet had grown up in Morzine and, after his success at the Olympics in Squaw Valley, he was asked to help with the development of the ski area that surrounded Morzine. Today Avoriaz sits high on the cliffs above Morzine and was voted best family resort and snowiest resort in France in 2013.
The town is completely pedestrianised and the only engine powered vehichles allowed to drive through the resort are service vehicles, everyone else must make their way around either on foot, ski or in horse-drawn sleighs. All cars must be parked outside the resort and most transfers to Avoriaz stop at the foot of Le Prodains and visitors make the final ascent to the resort by cable car.
The centre of the resort is a gently sloping plateau that is home to bars, restaurants, shops, a sports centre, the nursery slopes and the tourist office. This is the heart of the resort and it is surrounded by high rise apartments and cliffs that occupy various sectors: Falaise, Dromonts, Ruches, Festival, Crozats and Amara.
History & Culture in Avoriaz
One of the first buildings in Avoriaz was the Dromonts Hotel which was built in 1966 and its design, based on the idea that there are no right angles in nature set the template for the rest of Avoriaz. The resort grew and in 2003 it was awarded a prize by the French Minister of Culture for being one of the great heritage achievements of the 20th century.
Avoriaz is a completely pedestrianised resort, no cars, vans or lorries. The best way to travel around, especially if you have little ones or lots of luggage is by horse drawn sleigh.
Cascade des Brochaux
Located in Avoriaz - Les Lindarets
The Cascade des Brochaux is a stunning waterfall located above Les Lindarets, the charming "goat village". Just a 1h30 walk from Avoriaz, or 30 minutes from Les Lindarets.
Things to do in Avoriaz
As you would expect most of the shops in Avoriaz cater to the ski and snowboard market. There are a few souvenir and gift shops, most of these are in the Tabacs, so for the best shopping opportunities head down the valley to Morzine.
Although the shops in Avoriaz are a little limited the resort is home to an excellent aqua centre, Aquariaz. This is the water sports centre on the edge of the Village des Enfants and it is home to river rapids, slides, climbing walls and pools. The whole complex has a tropical jungle theme and is a perfect après ski destination for children. Avoriaz also has a number of indoor activities including a bowling alley and cinema, as well as fitness studios and squash courts.
Avoriaz is a completely pedestrianised resort, no cars, vans or lorries. The best way to travel around, especially if you have little ones or lots of luggage is by horse drawn sleigh.
Aquariaz
Located in Avoriaz
Aquariaz is an aquatic paradise set in the heart of Avoriaz offering a huge water park made up of a gentle flowing indoor river, a slidewinder (an aquatic halfpipe), a toddlers paddling pool and water playhouse, a large pool with natural climbing walls.
Le Strike Roc Bowling Bar
Located in Avoriaz
Located right in the heart of resort, Le Strike Roc is a bowling and gaming bar serving cocktails and snacks. The perfect place to take shelter when the weather draws you indoors.
Village Igloo aperitif and dinner
Located in Avoriaz
A dining experience like no other! A spectacular and unique 200m2 ice grotto, bar, restaurant and mini hotel in Avoriaz, where you'll enjoy a typical Savoyard cheese fondue or aperitif in a unique setting.
Outdoor Ice Rink
Located in Avoriaz
Located in the centre of Avoriaz is the outdoor 'patinoire' or ice rink.
Night sledging
Located in Avoriaz
Stick on your head torch and enjoy the sledging down the pistes at night.
Dining in Avoriaz
Avoriaz has a good range of restaurants, you'll find Savoyarde style cuisine, all the mountain classics like tartiflette, fondue and raclette alongside French and International cuisine. Through the centre of town there are slope-side restaurants that have terraces on the Route de Crozats outside the tourist office. Here there are some great places to enjoy a lunch in the sun and there are also some crepe stands if you prefer a mid-day snack without having to stop and sit down.
La Cachette is located in the heart of the historical Dromonts area in Avoriaz. It has a cosy alpine interior that will make you feel instantly at home.
Mamo's Café Lindarets, near Morzine
Located in Avoriaz - Les Lindarets
Open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, this is a beautiful spot to grab some food during a long day in the mountains.
La Cabane Bar and Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz
A large restaurant and bar split over two floors and with a sunny terrace, serving Asiatic and French style food, with tapas too in a beautifully decorated interior.
Chez Flo Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz
With inside and outside dining as well as a bar, this is a popular, large restaurant in Avoriaz. Dine on local Savoyard dishes, croque monsieur or frites, it all comes at a reasonable price.
Les Fontaines Blanches Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz
Hearty portions, a large sunny terrace and a great après-ski vibe make this a popular restaurant with locals and tourists alike.
La Petite Cuisine Restaurant
Located in Avoriaz
Situated at the top of Avoriaz resort, enjoy a delicious meal after a morning on the slopes with family or friends.
Nightlife in Avoriaz
Avoriaz has a good après-ski scene and as the town is small and pedestrianised it is easy to wander from bar to bar. Most of the bars are down at the Portes du Soleil building. Here you'll find the Globe Trotters and Shooters Bar which are particularly good at après ski, especially when the Dutch and Swedish are in town. There are some good bars down in the Falaise sector too like the Chapka and La Falaise.
Le R offers a wide range of exceptional local food and delicacies to enjoy in their store and bar or to take away.
Le Strike Roc Bowling Bar
Located in Avoriaz
Located right in the heart of resort, Le Strike Roc is a bowling and gaming bar serving cocktails and snacks. The perfect place to take shelter when the weather draws you indoors.
The Place Bar and Nightclub
Located in Avoriaz
The Place offers entertainment from après-ski until late with live music with bands performing the best hits from the last few decades, beer pong and table football tournaments, karaoke parties and DJ sets.
Traiteur Tasting Bar
Located in Avoriaz
Traiteur tasting bar offers a chic and cosy atmosphere that's perfect for a romantic evening or a treat with friends.
Le Lounge Roc Bar
Located in Avoriaz
Located in the centre of Avoriaz, Le Lounge Roc is a sophisticated cocktail bar where you can enjoy a drink and share some tapas with friends.
Globetrotter Cafe Bar
Located in Avoriaz
Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee, après and live music well into the night, this venue has it all and caters to everyone.
Chalets in Avoriaz
Avoriaz offers a selection of chalets from the traditional Alpine style to the more contemporary modern affair. Some are available over the summer months as self-catered, whilst the majority are available during winter.
Spacious penthouse for 12 people situated in Avoriaz
KOURIA
Located in Avoriaz
Stunning and beautifully renovated 81m2 apartment with premium services included.
Balluts 2 Chalet
Located in Avoriaz
Les Balluts 2 is a small Savoyard-style chalet, located in the Prodains valley and providing quick access to the Prodains cable car, which connects you to the slopes of Avoriaz.
13 Sep 20257 Nights1-4 peopleSelf-catered
Price: €815
ARMONIA
Located in Avoriaz
Outstanding chalet for 10 persons situated in Avoriaz
Babayaga
Located in Avoriaz
Outstanding chalet for 12 persons situated in Avoriaz
ALAYA
Located in Avoriaz
Superb 16-person 340m ski-in ski out chalet with central location.
Apartments in Avoriaz
Avoriaz is a true ski-in/ski-out resort and most of the accommodation in Avoriaz is in apartments or aparthotels. These apart-hotels are popular in France and are run by the big holiday companies like Pierre & Vacances and Maeva. They combine the benefits of renting a self-contained apartment, complete with living area and kitchen facilities you would find in a hotel.
In the last few years Avoriaz has expanded with the new upmarket apartments and aparthotels being built. Now one of the best options is the L'Amara Premium. This boasts luxury apartments with relaxation and sports facilities all under one roof. The Residence Saskia Falaise is perched right on the edge of the cliffs of Avoriaz and the balconies here offer amazing sunsets.
Residence Les Crozats is a brand new 4* residence in the heart of Avoriaz with easy access to the ski slopes.
13 Dec 20257 Nights1-4 peopleSelf-catered
Price: €845
KOURIA
Located in Avoriaz
Stunning and beautifully renovated 81m2 apartment with premium services included.
Antares Residence - Studio Apartment
Located in Avoriaz
Located in the “Les Crozats” district, on the hills above the resort, the enjoys an uninterrupted view over the Morzine valley. It offers a direct access to the slopes on skis and is linked to the heart of the resort and to shops by lifts.
13 Dec 20257 Nights1-4 peopleSelf-catered
Price: €500
L'Amara Premium
Located in Avoriaz
Residence L'Amara is a brand new 5* residence at the entrance to Avoriaz with luxury spa facilities and high quality accommodation.
ARAUCARYA
Located in Avoriaz
Charming apartment for 6 persons situated in Avoriaz
Atria-Crozats Residence - 3 Apartment
Located in Avoriaz
Residence Les Crozats is a brand new 4* residence in the heart of Avoriaz with easy access to the ski slopes.
Hotels in Avoriaz
There is a small selection of hotels in Avoriaz and they tend to be more apart-hotels.
Stay in fully furnished apartments with direct slope access, ski lockers and a children’s area, all within easy reach of Avoriaz resort and shops via lifts.
Atria-Crozats Apartment Residence
Located in Avoriaz
Stay in comfortable, self-catered apartments at the heart of Avoriaz, just steps from the slopes.
26 July 20257 Nights
Price: €645
L'Amara Premium Apartment Residence
Located in Avoriaz
Enjoy spacious self-catered apartments with balconies and a cosy chalet-style interior at the entrance to Avoriaz, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery.
26 July 20257 Nights
Price: €1,385
Electra Apartment Residence
Located in Avoriaz
Enjoy candy-coloured apartments with balconies, fully equipped kitchens and international TV channels, all in a great-value location above Avoriaz centre.
26 July 20257 Nights
Price: €569
Saskia Falaise Apartment Residence
Located in Avoriaz
Stay close to the slopes at this well-equipped residence in the lively La Falaise district. Enjoy direct ski access and easy reach of the Morzine valley.
Les Lans Hotel
A welcoming three star hotel between Morzine and Avoriaz, Hôtel Les Lans combines traditional Alpine comfort with modern convenience. Run by a passionate local family, it offers hearty Savoyard cuisine and easy access to the slopes.
