© Avoriaz Alpine Ski School
This month sees the start of the winter season
December is when the ski lifts prepare to open and the Christmas holidays are on the horizon.
During one of the darkest and coldest months of the year, Avoriaz becomes a winter wonderland. A beautiful pedestrianised resort town surrounded by jaw dropping natural beauty. Perched on a plateau above the cliffs, there is something for everyone in this magical alpine resort. From the cosy family holidays to the food and drink orientated party trips. For those learning to ski and snowboard for the first time or the extreme snow sport adventure trips, Les Portes du Soleil has it all and Avoriaz is the highest town nestled right in the heart of this vast mountainous region.
Across the Portes de Soleil we can expect sports competitions, opening parties, and there will obviously also be lots of festive celebrations including a visit from a certain Papa Noël. As you are no doubt aware, most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month, schools break up and travellers from near and far descend on the valley. There are a plethora of events coming up, from parades to special Christmas menus and New Year's Eve blowouts.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
December is historically a cold and snowy month and it's definitely cold with temperatures averaging from -3°C to 5°C, with around 10 to 11 days of snowfall. You can expect Avoriaz to have good snow by early December. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.
The short days and long nights are a positive thing here. Perched on a lofty viewpoint and facing west, Avoriaz is treated to beautiful sunsets as it captures the last light of the local region. Mountain sunsets are something to behold and in December, we get to enjoy them in the late afternoons, before Avoriaz becomes a Christmas postcard resort when it is lit up at night. The added benefit of the cold, dark nights is their effect on the snow, creating the lighter and softer conditions that skiers and snowboarder love. We can also expect those impressive and exciting mid winter storms. When they come, skiers and snowboarders can seek shelter in the forested areas of Les Lindarets, where the trees provide protection from winds and improve visibility.
Avoriaz is one of the highest Portes du Soleil resorts which means it opens earlier than most of the other resorts, around the 2nd weekend in December. So you can get some early skiing in before the crowds arrive for Christmas. Once Christmas holidays hit, everyone will be heading for the mountains and fortunately, the Portes du Soleil ski area is so vast, that even in high season you can find quiet slopes and minimal lift queues. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:
Whilst Avoriaz is full of great après-ski spots, in December the bars are always throwing parties to get the locals out celebrating the start of winter. Don’t miss the Folie Moon Party mid month - the big opening event at La Folie Douce. Expect a themed party where pretty much anything goes. Have a drink or five and get dancing on the tables to the live music from their resident DJs, it’s going to be awesome.
Always a big night, the village is full of revellers. The restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.
Le Strike Roc Bowling Bar in Avoriaz is a year-round destination for fun, food, and friendly competition. During the off-season, the venue welcomes guests from Monday to Friday, 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 10pm, and on Saturdays from 4pm to 10pm, including public holidays and May bank holidays.
Le R Concept Store & Tasting Bar in Avoriaz is a haven for food and wine lovers, offering an exquisite selection of fine delicacies to enjoy on the spot or to take away.
Established in the 1990s, The Place in Avoriaz quickly became a favourite among skiers and visitors, offering live music, lively après-ski, and a buzzing nightlife in the French Alps. Today, it remains “the place to be” for anyone seeking a memorable party, combining great entertainment with a welcoming and energetic atmosphere.
Traiteur tasting baris the perfect spot for wine and food lovers in the heart of Avoriaz. Located on Place des Dromonts, above the bowling alley, the bar welcomes you into a relaxed and playful atmosphere. Choose a cosy yellow Chesterfield armchair or swing gently on one of the suspended swings while savouring your favourite flavours.
Le Lounge Roc Bar in Avoriaz is a must-visit destination for those seeking a refined dining and drinking experience in the heart of the Alps. Nestled within the iconic resort, the bar combines creative bistronomy, exceptional ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere to create unforgettable moments.
Globe Trotter in Avoriaz is a vibrant, all-day destination that welcomes visitors from early December to late April, offering everything from breakfast to après-ski and late-night drinks. Located in the heart of the resort at 47 Place du Snow, it’s a place that changes with the day, moving seamlessly from café to restaurant to lively bar. Since opening in 1997, Globe Trotter has been creating warm, authentic experiences with a perfect balance of friendliness and generosity.
This month, the main activities are, of course, skiing and snowboarding as Avoriaz sits in the centre of a truly world-class region for snow sports. We are expecting the Avoriaz lifts to be running from mid-month, so get yourselves ready for the snow sliding about to commence. There really is no better way to spend your Christmas than skiing and snowboarding the alpine slopes above Avoriaz, before the well deserved copious amounts of food and drink you’ll enjoy afterwards.
But there's so much more to do in Avoriaz, from gliding at the ice skating rink in the centre of town, to swimming in Aquariaz or going bowling with the family.
Located in the centre of Avoriaz is the outdoor 'patinoire' or ice rink.
For backcountry adventures, this independent company operates in and around the following three heliski destinations: Valgrisenche, The Courmayeur Valley and the Col de Petit St Bernard Pass. They have pioneered 32 drop zones within these three broad valley regions giving you a huge choice of terrain, snow conditions and mountain orientation to ensure you have a day best suited to your ability and preferences.
Get to know the mountains at a steady pace while being guided by high mountain instructors.
Snowmobiling can be a fun, fast, snowy activity. Starting from Avoriaz resort, outings start from 17.30 to midnight, giving you free range of the snow and the Alps.
A fantastic way to see the resort with your friends and family and a great way to entertain any non-skiers in your group.
Discover the wintry mountains on foot and enjoy an evening meal in a mountain refuge or igloo.
Whilst Christmas is kind of the main event in town in December, there are other things going on, especially when the mountains open up, you can expect some major events and comps to be taking place up on the pistes. For more events check out our events calendar.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year wherever you spend it, but high in the snowy mountains, it's even more magical!
DJ Thursday at Folie Douce
Finish the year in style and start next year with the best of dance floor sound.
Come and watch the ESF instructors amaze you with their torchlit descent every Tuesday during the winter season.
The Morzine-Avoriaz Hockey club play competitive and friendly matches throughout the summer and winter season.
Discover the thrill of speed skiing with the X-Speed Ski Tour.
December is a magical time to visit Avoriaz. Book your holiday now and enjoy Christmas in the Portes du Soleil.
Find out what's happening in Avoriaz and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and things to do, see and experience in the region. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts, all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsThere is plenty going on in Avoriaz throughout the year. The resort plays host to a number of winter music festivals which take place across the resort and pistes, namely Rock the Pistes and Snowboxx in March. In summer, the Pass'portes du Soleil mountain bike festival is the biggest event for bikers, with the occasional Tour de France stage passing nearby.
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